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howlinglibraries's Reviews (1.85k)
medium-paced
I am baffled by some of the praise going around for this book. "Extreme horror!" Okay, maybe for like, one chapter and half of another one? "Feminist horror icon!" You mean the woman who rapes nearly every victim she takes, finding especially creative ways to do so with the women?
I don't need to agree with a character's actions to like them, but aside from the previously mentioned issues, Maeve is so oblivious that it's impossible for me to get behind her as a narrator. There's a twist in this book that is painfully obvious from a million miles away, yet Maeve is taken entirely off-guard by it in the worst way. Oblivious.
Most of all, Maeve Fly is simply boring for the bulk of its duration. There's very little horror for most of the book, instead primarily focusing on Maeve's internal critique of everyone around her and a whole lotta sex.
The only major hype piece I've heard for this book that actually makes sense to me is comparing this to Palahniuk's writing style, which I'll agree with — Leede's style reminded me a lot of Chuck Palahniuk's style and I can definitely see the inspiration there (though it would be hard to miss it, given how much name-dropping happens throughout Maeve Fly, including many references to Chuck himself).
This was perhaps my single most disappointing read of 2023 so far. I would try this author's work again in the future, but don't recommend this one.
Buddy read with Reg! ♥
I don't need to agree with a character's actions to like them, but aside from the previously mentioned issues, Maeve is so oblivious that it's impossible for me to get behind her as a narrator. There's a twist in this book that is painfully obvious from a million miles away, yet Maeve is taken entirely off-guard by it in the worst way. Oblivious.
Most of all, Maeve Fly is simply boring for the bulk of its duration. There's very little horror for most of the book, instead primarily focusing on Maeve's internal critique of everyone around her and a whole lotta sex.
The only major hype piece I've heard for this book that actually makes sense to me is comparing this to Palahniuk's writing style, which I'll agree with — Leede's style reminded me a lot of Chuck Palahniuk's style and I can definitely see the inspiration there (though it would be hard to miss it, given how much name-dropping happens throughout Maeve Fly, including many references to Chuck himself).
This was perhaps my single most disappointing read of 2023 so far. I would try this author's work again in the future, but don't recommend this one.
Buddy read with Reg! ♥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Gore, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Murder, Sexual harassment
I've had this on my TBR and shelves for so long that it feels awful to DNF it, especially since I'm supposed to be buddy reading this with a friend, but gosh, I just hate this main character so damn much and I feel myself edging towards a reading slump... Life is too short! I'm definitely interested in trying one of Ruth Ware's newer books, though (especially since I own several of them, whoops).
DNF @ 70%
I typically won't DNF books this far in because by this point, I'm very much a victim of the sunk cost mindset and will go, "well, I've read this much, I might as well finish!" buuuut I'm so bored I can't do anymore. I was so excited for this book but it's been an absolute slog, even with the audiobook. I'll withhold the star rating but I am going to add it to my read shelf since I read ~200pg of it. 🤷♀️
I also feel like I should mention that, despite the fact that I'm a queer person who was raised in a strict religious household and I usually find queer horror with religious themes very cathartic, this one was too heavy-handed on the day-to-day aspects of religion (constant scripture quoting, depictions of sermons, etc.) for me to enjoy that element. I know a lot of fellow "religious trauma" gays who have loved this book, though, so YMMV!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
I typically won't DNF books this far in because by this point, I'm very much a victim of the sunk cost mindset and will go, "well, I've read this much, I might as well finish!" buuuut I'm so bored I can't do anymore. I was so excited for this book but it's been an absolute slog, even with the audiobook. I'll withhold the star rating but I am going to add it to my read shelf since I read ~200pg of it. 🤷♀️
I also feel like I should mention that, despite the fact that I'm a queer person who was raised in a strict religious household and I usually find queer horror with religious themes very cathartic, this one was too heavy-handed on the day-to-day aspects of religion (constant scripture quoting, depictions of sermons, etc.) for me to enjoy that element. I know a lot of fellow "religious trauma" gays who have loved this book, though, so YMMV!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
