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The world was scary. Worse, I was scary in it: Reviewing Monstrilio by Gerardo Samano Cordova

Hello everyone! I’m back to my regularly scheduled reviews! I’m very excited about this one too. I always have a few books on my TBR pile that I look forward to more than others. Monstrilio has been circling around my little corner of the internet and I was immediately intrigued by the premise. Now, let’s not ramble on any longer and talk about Monstrilio.

Content Warning: Death of a Child, Grief and Mourning, Explicit Sexual Content, Some Harsh Language, Depictions Of Drug and Alcohol Use, Animal Death, Graphic Depictions of Injuries

Magos is shattered after the death of her young son, Santiago. In her grief, she cuts out a piece of his lung as a morbid keepsake. She believes she can bring Santiago back by feeding and nurturing the piece of the lung. Shockingly, it worked but not in the way that Magos had thought. The lung slowly turns into a grotesque little creature that she dubs Monstrilio. Magos does her best to contain this new creature but Monstrilio grows and evolves rapidly. His appetite poses a danger to Magos and those around her. Magos is forced to confront her grief and decide what to do with the creature who may or may not be her son.

I am so glad when the hype for a book pays off. Monstrilio is a beautiful yet terrifying novel about the complexity of grief. This book is so tender and so fierce in its depiction of love and what love can drive someone to do, for better or worse. What I wasn’t anticipating about this book (but absolutely loved) is its depiction of queer love and sexuality. We have these characters who have so much to hide because of what they have done but don’t ever hide from those aspects of themselves. While this novel is classified as a horror, it wasn’t truly “scary,” but it was gruesome at times. You have been warned if you are a little squeamish. It did give me the chills here and there. I did not want to put this book down at all. I know it’s early in the year but Monstrilio is already one of my all-time favorites so far. Put this one on the top of your TBR immediately. You won’t regret reading this truly amazing novel.

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We would not be born out of sweetness, we were born out of rage: Reviewing Brutes by Dizz Tate

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I’m back again with yet another unhinged book about girlhood. Prepare yourself. I promise that my reviews will remain weird. I have said this once and I will say it again: thank you all so much for continuing to support this blog as I ramble on about whatever have read lately and I wish you all the best. Now, let’s discuss Brutes.

Content Warning: Some Harsh Language, Disturbing Imagery, Discussions and Depictions of Child Abuse and Neglect, Some Discussions of Self-harm, Some Discussions about Substance Abuse

Falls Landing, Florida seems like a haven for upper-class Floridians with its clean houses, massive pools, and constant gossip. In this little suburban paradise lives a group of thirteen-year-old girls, dubbed “the Brutes” by their mothers. These girls develop an obsession with Sammy, the preacher’s daughter. They spend their days and nights following Sammy and her boyfriend, Eddie, with a frenzied curiosity. One day, Sammy goes missing and only the girls know what really happened to her. The secret will continue to haunt them into adulthood and rears its ugly head as they reunite in unexpected ways.

In the same vain as Ottessa Moshfegh and Monica Ojeda, Dizz Tate delivers a visceral and harsh look at girlhood and its pitfalls. The Brutes is a dizzying tale of mystery with Southern Gothic elements. I love the combination of abstract prose and blunt honesty that Dizz Tate uses throughout the novel. I have not spent a ton of time in Florida but Tate paints a detailed picture of a childhood among the cul-de-sacs where secrets lie in every house. I also appreciated the flash-forwards to each of the characters as adults because it did an excellent job showing the lasting impact of childhood trauma. Brutes is an impactful look at the bonds created by girlhood and the unspoken truths of growing up in a toxic environment.

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Instinct is a force beyond one’s control: Reviewing Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well! This is my second review of a book by Ottessa Moshfegh. You can check out my review of My Year of Rest and Relaxation. I am still on my “weird girl literature” kick and have at least two more “weird” books to review. I’m glad you are all still interested in this blog and I am forever grateful to all of you who read my reviews. Let’s talk about Lapvona.

Content Warning: Disturbing Imagery, Graphic Death, Explicit Sexual Content, Depictions of Domestic Abuse, Depictions of Sexual Abuse, Depictions of Self-Harm, Some Harsh Language, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny, Discussions and Depictions of Ableism

Marek, the son of the village shepherd, has been ostracized from the rest of the Lapvona due to his appearance. His father, Jude, abuses him and blames him for his mother’s death. He seeks solace in nature and God. The only other person he has a personal connection to is Ina, the blind medicine woman. Ina possesses a mysterious ability to connect with nature in a way that frightens Marek, but he has no other source of comfort. Not only is Marek’s faith being tested, but so is the village of Lapvona after a drought befalls the people. During this time, a freak accident brings Marek into the home of the eccentric and calculated lord governor. Marek finds himself plunged into a world that he doesn’t belong in and must change for better or worst to survive.

This book was bleak and visceral in a way that only Ottessa Moshfegh could write it. Lapvona takes an unflinching look at flawed characters who are just trying to survive by any means necessary, even if it means taking drastic measures. There were a few times while reading this book when I raised my eyebrows and thought “Oh no what the hell is this?” I did, however, keep reading because the behavior of the characters, while disgusting, is still undeniably and graphically human. I think that is the element of Moshfegh’s book that keeps drawing me back in. I appreciate the commentary and themes of the novel as none of this is unnecessarily gratuitous. I also like the fact that the novel is meant to be an allegory. It certainly got me thinking, that’s for sure. While Lapvona will not appeal to everyone, it will appeal to those whose morbid curiosity always gets the better of them.

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When it ends, it’s in blood and tears: Reviewing Cruel Seduction (Book 5 of the Dark Olympus Series) by Katee Robert

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well, even though it is still early in the year. I finally get to review at least one dark romance novel after DNF-ing another one after about ten pages. I really want to be more invested in dark romance but most of it is just flat-out creepy and/or abusive. Most of them sound so horribly unappealing to me. Luckily, I can turn to Katee Robert whenever I need that “fix” for the genre. With that being said, let’s talk about the latest addition to the Dark Olympus series, Cruel Seduction.

Content Warning: Explicit Sexual Content, Violence, Some Harsh Language, Discussions about Child Abuse/Neglect

Aphrodite is a woman with a plan. Her current plan is probably her riskiest so far. It starts with her marrying the new Hephaestus, Olympus’s number one enemy. After that, she plans on keeping him in line by seducing Hephaestus’ long-time friend, Pandora. Hephaestus, however, is no fool and decides to get back at his new wife by seducing her ex, a beautiful man named Adonis. These games of power quickly become far messier than anyone had intended. While Aphrodite and Hephaestus trade barbs in and out of the bedroom, a new threat has shaken Olympus. Aphrodite and Hephaestus must find a common ground before they lose everyone they have come to love.

I kind of knew I would enjoy this book when I read the dedication. Katee Robert meant this book for anyone who loves a mess and she sure meant it. When I call this book messy, though, it’s a compliment. I actually love the soap opera vibes of this entry into the Dark Olympus series. The chemistry between the main four characters is palpable and the subplot helps to add to the stakes of the novel. It’s still not the best world-building ever, but that isn’t the reason you are reading this novel. Don’t you worry; Cruel Seduction is particularly steamy in all the best ways. It was definitely an improvement from the last entry in the series. I really am still having fun with this book series. I would recommend this to all of the dark romance fans who are looking for something refreshing and spicy to add to their TBR.

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Everything can be made from her hands: Reviewing Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval, Translated by Marjam Idriss

Hi everyone! I’m back again with another novella review. I have one other novella in my TBR pile but I might save that one for a later date. Be ready for some weird and depressing books, though. I hope the content warnings I give you in these reviews are helpful. Trigger warnings and/or content warnings are necessary, and I will continue to use them from now on. Now, let’s talk about Paradise Rot.

Content Warning: Explicit Sexual Content, Some Disturbing Imagery, Some Harsh Language

Jo is traveling from Norway to start university in England. She’s alone and struggling to adapt to her new setting. She meets a strange woman named Carral and moves into her equally strange apartment. It has no walls and seems to have a life of its own. Jo finds herself inexplicably drawn to Carral. The thin boundaries between them begin to break down and Jo finds herself struggling to navigate a world where she can’t separate herself from Carral.

This novella was certainly a bizarre read in a captivating, dream-like way. Jenny Hval’s use of atmospheric writing and vivid (albeit gross) descriptions pull you in as a reader and force you to face the more minutely uncomfortable aspects of life. There is also a sense of catharsis in the way Hval explores sapphic relationships. I am a sucker for the “cannibalism as a metaphor for love” trope and Paradise Rot certainly fits the bill. There were a lot of discussions revolving a bodily fluids so if you are a bit squeamish about that, then you should look for a different book. If you do, however, want an atmospheric and weird book then I would definitely recommend Paradise Rot.