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howlinglibraries 's review for:
My Darling Dreadful Thing
by Johanna van Veen
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"It's a dangerous thing, to try and give someone everything. One day, you might find you've given away things you should've kept."
This was one of the most beautifully haunting books I've read in quite a while and has easily, instantly found its way onto the 'best books of 2024' list in my mind. My Darling Dreadful Thing is precisely what I want from a gothic horror novel: dark, romantic, claustrophobic, and downright chilling. Scenes of horrific imagery and even worse traumas take place against an immersive and poetic backdrop filled with forbidden love, and I adored it. It broke my heart more than once. I can't wait to read more of Johanna's works. ♥
“. . . there’s something missing from my life, something dreadful, something darling.”
✨ Representation: sapphic romance, queer MC, Indonesian and bi/pan love interest
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Racism, Self harm, Terminal illness, Murder
Moderate: Gore, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Pedophilia