I'm getting frustrated at "thriller" books that end up leaving the thrills reduced down to like 3% of the story. Time and time again, these books wander and meander around a plot while we listen to the main character go over everything again and again in their head. How do they feel today? How did they feel in the past? How do they think they will feel in the future? Meanwhile, the last few pages of the book have something exciting that may make all the rambling worthwhile. Don't worry, readers, it's all building up to a 5 page climax. Maybe.

This book has the same symptoms, except the 3% thrills and 5 page climax are actually at the very beginning of the story. So by the time we get to the end, it falls so very flat. The payout isn't quite there.

Although I do have one positive for this book! I was absolutely confused a majority of the time, so the mystery aspect is decent. I questioned what happened the entire time. But like I said before, the payout isn't strong enough, and the answers don't feel that shocking by the end of it all.

Review originally written on Goodreads on 11/29/21

An exceptional short story. I don't want to say too much for those that haven't read it yet, but I do think it has incredible writing and a sense of foreboding despite the carefree nature of the characters throughout the yearly ritual. Definitely recommend this one.

A lot of fun, but holy heck it’s gory. Made me laugh quite a bit, though.