This was fine if not a little predictable. I think this book has room to be waaay more weird than it is given it’s about occultists and the literal devil. I’m unsure if this is a YA book which might be why it erred on the tame side. The mom is the most interesting part of this book and personally I would have enjoyed a little more exposition on her.

Overall it was a quick entertaining read if you’re into a Hot Topic level of spooky story.

The best way I can describe this book is that it is meditative in a way that is not at all peaceful.

It took me so long to finish this it almost became a DNF. The concept is interesting, and I can understand why so many people connected with it. It’s well written and I respect it for what it is. Unfortunately this book didn’t make me feel anything and it was more of a chore than a pleasure to get through it. Every star I give this is for literary merit alone.

Now onto why I didn’t enjoy this:

To me this was the book version of eating an unseasoned meal. I found it incredibly bland. Basically all the things that make humans interesting (art. music. culture. families. friends. passions. personality. humor. food…) are removed from this world. It doesn’t leave much, and every character is essentially a blank slate, as those with any meaningful past are hardly explored. I also understand the removal of these things is part of the point: if we remove everything that makes up our identity, what’s left? Turns out, not a whole hell of a lot.

On top of that, there is next to no tension but rather an ongoing and unresolved sense of dread. There is no real danger or threat to survival at any point, unless you find loneliness to be scary. It’s a lot of just existing. Of course, that is the point. There is much philosophical meandering and reflection, it is dark and contemplative. If you’re looking for a book with complex relationships and a rich fulfilling story, this is not the one. However if you want to ponder isolation in its many forms, this will be incredibly satisfying.

Maybe there was a point in my life where I’d enjoy something like this, but it’s not right now.

I’m never going to emotionally recover from this one.