cailynreads's reviews
102 reviews

Survive the Night by Riley Sager

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dark hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A Dark and Haunting Tale of Female Rage

Slewfoot by Brom was an immediate purchase after seeing it repeatedly on my feed. With Christmas gift cards in hand, I knew I had to read this widely praised story.

Set in 1666 Connecticut, the novel follows Abitha, a widowed outcast in a Puritan village, who finds an unlikely ally in an ancient forest spirit known as Slewfoot. Together, they challenge the oppressive and pious society around them, igniting a violent clash between pagan and Puritan ideals. The story is dark, atmospheric, and reminiscent of Carrie, but set in the 1600s.

The female rage plotline was one of my favorite aspects, though at times I felt more anger than Abitha herself—a testament to why I don’t often read historical fiction. The injustice of the era is hard to stomach, but Brom’s storytelling is undeniably brilliant. The plot is tightly woven, with a butterfly effect that makes every action meaningful and builds to a powerful climax.

However, this was a 3.5-star read for me. While beautifully written, I was disappointed that the story didn’t explore a potential paranormal romance element—it felt like a missed opportunity. I also thought the 1600s setting would only be part of the book, not nearly all of it. The brief mention of a 1970s timeline had so much potential, and I wish it had been further developed.

At times, I found myself bored, and when I finally finished the book, I was relieved to move on. Parts of the story also unsettled me due to my spiritual beliefs, which added a layer of discomfort. That said, I’d absolutely read a sequel if one were ever written. Brom’s world-building is remarkable, and I feel there’s more to this story waiting to be explored.

Overall, Slewfoot is a beautifully crafted tale that will appeal to fans of dark, historical fiction with themes of rebellion, rage, and redemption.

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

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dark emotional funny reflective tense fast-paced