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When stories don’t make sense, they scare us: Reviewing The Boatman’s Daughter by Andy Davidson

Hi everyone! I hope you are doing well. I’ve been re-reading some of my previous favorite books lately so my unread TBR might go untouched for just a bit. I have some books on my TBR, though, that are mixed media and I am so excited for those. Mixed media books are an underused genre, in my opinion, so I want to read more of them. I hope I am giving you all a pretty good range of books regarding genre, author, length, etc. I truly hope I have introduced you to some new favorite books through these reviews. Now, let’s talk about The Boatman’s Daughter.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Harsh Language, Substance Use, Abuse Towards Children, Disturbing Imagery, Discussions and Depictions of Sexual Abuse

Miranda Crabtree witnessed her father’s death when she was a child. On that same night, she saved the life of a strange child by taking him to an old witch to hide him away. Since then, Miranda has spent her running drugs for a zealous preacher and his small group of followers. Her semblance of safety, though, is in jeopardy when the preacher asks her to do something unthinkable. Now, with supernatural and human forces working against her, Miranda must take drastic measures to save her life and the lives of those she loves.

I was initially drawn to The Boatman’s Daughter because it is a Southern Gothic novel with supernatural elements. I’ve mentioned before that I love the Southern Gothic genre and want to read more. I’ll start with the positives I found in this book. The prose was strong with plenty of rich descriptions. Some of the supernatural elements were compelling and I like how the author used elements of Russian folklore alongside folklore of the American South. I also enjoyed the “found family” element that lies at the heart of this novel. I have a hard time, though, saying I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a bit rambling at times. Some of the violence felt so unnecessary. I understood the point of it but the human violence felt kind of gratuitous compared to the supernatural threat in this book. This book felt like it was right on the tipping point of being too “edgy.” It also had the tone of feeling more like it wanted to be a screenplay as opposed to being a novel. In conclusion, I am going to say that The Boatman’s Daughter is not going to be for everyone so this is my tentative recommendation to you all.

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Southern Hospitality to Die for: Reviewing A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

Hello everyone! I am wishing you all the best, as always. Just because it’s hot outside, doesn’t mean we can’t still be spooky. Before I get started with this review, feel free to check out my other reviews of T. Kingfisher’s books. This is now the fourth one of hers that I have read so it is safe to say I am a fan. I have also mentioned before that I love Southern Gothic novels and find the genre to be very underrated. I was then excited when one of my newest favorite authors was covering the genre. Now, let’s get a little dark with A House with Good Bones.

Content Warning: Disturbing imagery, Bodily Harm, Depictions of Child Abuse

Sam Montgomery is excited to return home for an extended stay with her mother. Well, she is only kind of excited. Sam’s brother, Brad, warned her that their mother seemed to be a little off lately. Sam brushes it off, trying not to overthink it. The longer she stays in her childhood home, however, the longer she starts to think something is terribly wrong. Sam’s mom repainted her colorful walls, took down her favorite art, and reverted it back to how it looked when Sam’s grandmother owned the house. She also notices her mom being paranoid of the house itself. Despite Sam’s best efforts to remain logical, strange occurrences like vultures circling the house and a jar of teeth buried in the backyard all lead to something much dark lurking in this seemingly normal house.

I would definitely begin off by labeling this book as a “cozy horror.” It wasn’t particularly scary but T. Kingfisher does a great job creating a foreboding atmosphere. I liked the humor and snarky wit that Sam as the narrator brings to the table. I especially like the way that Kingfisher incorporates nature into supernatural horror. I will say, though, that this probably isn’t my favorite novel out of the other books I have read by Kingfisher. That isn’t to say it isn’t enjoyable; it didn’t have the same impact as a book like What Moves the Dead. It is still a fun spooky read, especially for the summer so, if you’re looking for a quick and cozy horror then add A House with Good Bones to your TBR.

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They know God; they know terror: Reviewing Pew by Catherine Lacey

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying the lovely warm weather. Something I should mention about my literary preferences is that I love weird/surreal books. I realize that certain books I read may not be for everyone, which is fine. However, I love books with plots that use strange and bizarre elements. I also love going into books with as little information as possible, which makes reading all the more interesting. With all of that being said, I am going to talk to you about Pew.

Content Warning: Discussions of Homophobia, Discussions of Racism, Discussions and Depictions of Violence, Religious Trauma

A stranger is found asleep on the pew of a church in a nameless town in the American South. The locals don’t know what to make of the stranger. No one can even tell the stranger’s gender, ethnicity, or age. They take to calling them Pew and Pew becomes a fixture in the community. Pew also chooses not to talk. As Pew lives with different families over the week, they begin to learn about the deep secrets hidden amongst the locals. Pew’s arrival also happens to coincide with the Forgiveness Festival. As the day of the festival gets closer, the town becomes more wary of their arrival and suspicions grow into paranoia. In the process of finding out about Pew’s identity, the townspeople must face even larger, more uncomfortable truths about their lives.

This book was an interesting mixture of surrealist and Southern Gothic literature. Catherine Lacey manages to take the seemingly ordinary circumstances that Pew experiences and turns them into something both profound and even sinister at times. I loved the use of ambiguity in the novel as there are multiple mysteries at play but it is unclear whether the answers are there or if they would even be satisfying. This book wasn’t necessarily a mystery or horror novel but it did have many impactful and shocking moments. Pew is a short but dark novel with plenty of complex characters and a foreboding atmosphere.

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A Trick Worth Learning: Reviewing The Little Friend by Donna Tartt

Wow, I’m posting something other than a book tag. It only took a while but I finally got around to finishing my leisure reading. I do have some required reading that I will be reviewing so keep an eye out for that. In the meanwhile, please enjoy my review of Donna Tartt’s third novel, The Little Friend. 

Twelve years ago, the murder of young Robin Cleve Dufresnes shook the small town of Alexandria, Mississippi. Harriet, his younger sister, decides to take matters into her own hands in order to solve the murder and bring her family closure. Armed with her insufferable stubbornness, keen wit, and favorite novels, Harriet and her loyal friend Hely set out to do what all of the adults failed to do. This coming-of-age story follows the precocious young girl as she explores the town’s dark history in order to solve her brother’s murder.

I thought that The Goldfinch would be my second favorite Tartt novel but The Little Friend took me by surprise. Tartt uses her childhood in Mississippi in order to craft a town that feels all too real. Her young protagonist, Harriet, deserves to be put among the other great female protagonists. The novel has a southern gothic feel with a hint of To Kill a Mockingbird, though it is not a novel about morals necessarily. The Little Friend combines a classic coming-of-age tale with a murder mystery that connects the entire town of Alexandria. Tartt maintains her unique style of writing with her strong characterizations and well-twisted story.