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Formaldehyde
Ethan isn’t afraid to cross the lines when it comes to his sister.
In fact, he’s more than ready to do whatever it takes to claim Alina.
Even if she is alive or dead.
In fact, he’s more than ready to do whatever it takes to claim Alina.
Even if she is alive or dead.
Published April 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
April 30, 2026
Loved every second of this except the ending! I needed something juicier
April 13, 2026
If you read my reviews you know I enjoy the ‘out there’ horrors along with all the other books I read 🤣
Ethan and Alina are siblings, their home life is not very desirable at all, a drunken abusive father who tells Ethan he is a ‘wretched boy’ and a ‘freak’ though it pains him he has gotten used to it not only from his own kin but others too. He however, has long loved his sister in a more than brotherly way…don’t get me wrong it is reciprocated but she is afraid of how others would view their relationship. Until on fateful Halloween Party when the worst that could happen does…
𝐼'𝓋𝑒 𝒹𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒽𝑒𝓇, 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓉𝑒𝒸𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝒾𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝑔𝓊𝑒𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒽.
I totally read this in one sitting, it’s not that long but I just couldn’t put it down. The macabre element to it was for me delicious but I’m thankful I don’t like chicken nuggets 🤣 The ending was a bit of a WTF all whilst your head is taking steps backwards. I will say if you have any triggers at all do read them.
Ethan and Alina are siblings, their home life is not very desirable at all, a drunken abusive father who tells Ethan he is a ‘wretched boy’ and a ‘freak’ though it pains him he has gotten used to it not only from his own kin but others too. He however, has long loved his sister in a more than brotherly way…don’t get me wrong it is reciprocated but she is afraid of how others would view their relationship. Until on fateful Halloween Party when the worst that could happen does…
𝐼'𝓋𝑒 𝒹𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒽𝑒𝓇, 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓉𝑒𝒸𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝒾𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝑔𝓊𝑒𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒽.
I totally read this in one sitting, it’s not that long but I just couldn’t put it down. The macabre element to it was for me delicious but I’m thankful I don’t like chicken nuggets 🤣 The ending was a bit of a WTF all whilst your head is taking steps backwards. I will say if you have any triggers at all do read them.
April 22, 2026
oof... spoiler alert:
there is necrophilia on page btw.
there is necrophilia on page btw.
April 28, 2026
Hmmmm this was interesting 🫣 I did not expect that ending whatsoever
April 21, 2026
Bamforth is one sick and twisted individual and I am so here for it!! Every book they release further pushes those taboo boundaries and I am obsessed!! Bamforth not only crosses lines in this book, but they're waaaay behind her!
This book was an absolutely wild ride from the beginning, leaving readers with jaws on the floor by the end. Bamforth has such a wonderful way of making us feel for character's who are not deserving of it. Why am I crying over a man who is definitely a walking red flag??
I loved Formaldehyde so much and cannot recommend this enough to all my fellow girlies who love anything sick, twisted and down right taboo. Please read all the trigger warnings!
Thank you so much to the author for an arc of Formaldehyde! All views and opinions are my own and have been left voluntarily.
This book was an absolutely wild ride from the beginning, leaving readers with jaws on the floor by the end. Bamforth has such a wonderful way of making us feel for character's who are not deserving of it. Why am I crying over a man who is definitely a walking red flag??
I loved Formaldehyde so much and cannot recommend this enough to all my fellow girlies who love anything sick, twisted and down right taboo. Please read all the trigger warnings!
Thank you so much to the author for an arc of Formaldehyde! All views and opinions are my own and have been left voluntarily.
May 24, 2026
The book definitely delivered in the gross and taboo departments and I loved it!
April 16, 2026
Formaldehyde
Firstly I can’t believe I was accepted for this ARC, I screeeeamed 😭 and seeing how it started..first page…yep I devoured it!! This was UNREAL!! 😮💨👏🏼
Ethan has always had a “special” kind of love for his sister, the need to possess & to protect her by any means necessary
Alina adores her brother, she knows it’s wrong but whenever she’s near him that connection is an instant pull, it causes her body to heat & her thighs to clench
They will do anything to protect each other, love has no bounds 👀🫣
Holy 💩 did Bamforth absolutely nail this!! It shook me to my core!! My mind was blown by that ending!! I did NOT predict it at all 😱🤯
This was INCREDIBLE!! The taboo, the spice, the extreme, ugh I loved it! I wish it was longer just so I didn’t have to finish it so soon!
Releasing 20th April. I can’t wait to see the reviews on this one! It’s gonna blow all of your minds!! 🤯 Do check the triggers first as always!
Thank you again to Bamforth, I’m so grateful to of been able to ARC for you! I pre-ordered this one a while ago & can’t wait to have it in my little hands! 🤎
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Firstly I can’t believe I was accepted for this ARC, I screeeeamed 😭 and seeing how it started..first page…yep I devoured it!! This was UNREAL!! 😮💨👏🏼
Ethan has always had a “special” kind of love for his sister, the need to possess & to protect her by any means necessary
Alina adores her brother, she knows it’s wrong but whenever she’s near him that connection is an instant pull, it causes her body to heat & her thighs to clench
They will do anything to protect each other, love has no bounds 👀🫣
Holy 💩 did Bamforth absolutely nail this!! It shook me to my core!! My mind was blown by that ending!! I did NOT predict it at all 😱🤯
This was INCREDIBLE!! The taboo, the spice, the extreme, ugh I loved it! I wish it was longer just so I didn’t have to finish it so soon!
Releasing 20th April. I can’t wait to see the reviews on this one! It’s gonna blow all of your minds!! 🤯 Do check the triggers first as always!
Thank you again to Bamforth, I’m so grateful to of been able to ARC for you! I pre-ordered this one a while ago & can’t wait to have it in my little hands! 🤎
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 20, 2026
This hurt my feelings🥲😂
April 20, 2026
Check ya triggers on this one
Dark taboo read
So gross but such a good read. Had me chuckling
One part reminded me of a gross version of American pie with the apple pie......
BUT CHECK YA TRIGGERS
Dark taboo read
So gross but such a good read. Had me chuckling
One part reminded me of a gross version of American pie with the apple pie......
BUT CHECK YA TRIGGERS
June 22, 2026
This was a fun and easy read that I finished really quickly 📖✨. It’s definitely not a book for everyone, so make sure to check the trigger warnings beforehand ⚠️. There were a few moments where I was side-eyeing the pages like 👀🤨, but I was still invested enough to keep reading.
The ending was a bit disappointing for me because it felt rushed and not as satisfying as I hoped. Overall, an entertaining book that kept me turning the pages, but nothing particularly special or unforgettable
The ending was a bit disappointing for me because it felt rushed and not as satisfying as I hoped. Overall, an entertaining book that kept me turning the pages, but nothing particularly special or unforgettable
July 6, 2026
3 stars because of the ending, I really liked it.
April 15, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
0.5/5 🌶️
Was lucky enough to meet JN at my local independent store and purchase this as an early release, and then also be sent the ARC too!
Ethan MMC
Alina FMC
I enjoyed this book but for some reason I wanted it to be darker (even though it was already extremely taboo 🙈) I was shocked at the ending, I thought it would go a different way but I understand why he had the other perspective.
This MMC is cooked. He is not okay mentally. It is a taboo DARK non HEA horror story.
Blood siblings who are attracted to each other (and do consensual acts... to a certain extent)
If you have zero triggers and hold a strong stomach... please dive in. You may enjoy it like I did
0.5/5 🌶️
Was lucky enough to meet JN at my local independent store and purchase this as an early release, and then also be sent the ARC too!
Ethan MMC
Alina FMC
I enjoyed this book but for some reason I wanted it to be darker (even though it was already extremely taboo 🙈) I was shocked at the ending, I thought it would go a different way but I understand why he had the other perspective.
This MMC is cooked. He is not okay mentally. It is a taboo DARK non HEA horror story.
Blood siblings who are attracted to each other (and do consensual acts... to a certain extent)
If you have zero triggers and hold a strong stomach... please dive in. You may enjoy it like I did
April 27, 2026
*late arc review due to personal reasons*
Rounded up to 4 stars.....
Bamforth, hats of to you for being a top awesome sick individual 👀🤣🤣 (this is a compliment even if it doesnt seem like 1 lol)
Formaldehyde by J.N. Banforth is A Taboo Horror read, with NO HEA. I have fell behind on some arcs due to being ill so this is my late review after getting this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
The Blurb:
Ethan isn’t afraid to cross the lines when it comes to his sister.
In fact, he’s more than ready to do whatever it takes to claim Alina.
Even if she is alive or dead.
This read was a super quick read for me with 125 pages, I went into it knowing of No HEA & a shopping list of triggers, I did love that it was set in the UK tho!!
Triggers:
Blood relations, Graphic details, Autopsies, Autopsy instruments, PTSD, Panic Attacks, Possessive MMC, Mentions of alcohol, Drug Use, Primal Play, Murder, Broken Bones, Dub-Con, Spitting, Suicide, Abusive Parent, Grief, Sibling Death, Sick Fantasies, Insects, Mentions of Overdose, Suicidal Thoughts, Hallucinations, Ghostly Mirror Sex, Improper use of a teddy bear, Autopsies and Embalming on living people, Thoughts of Cannibalism, Patchwork Bodies, Necrophillia, Cum Stuffing, Defiling of a Corpse, Body Horror, Removal of Limbs, Cooking human meat, Chicken nuggets (Sorry.), Mental Voices.
You liturally dive right and holy f***. 👀 J.N really held no punches on this book. Well fuck... also is Mr Wilson as twisted as the mmc Ethan?! Lol. I did not expect that twist at the end. Damn.
Rounded up to 4 stars.....
Bamforth, hats of to you for being a top awesome sick individual 👀🤣🤣 (this is a compliment even if it doesnt seem like 1 lol)
Formaldehyde by J.N. Banforth is A Taboo Horror read, with NO HEA. I have fell behind on some arcs due to being ill so this is my late review after getting this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
The Blurb:
Ethan isn’t afraid to cross the lines when it comes to his sister.
In fact, he’s more than ready to do whatever it takes to claim Alina.
Even if she is alive or dead.
This read was a super quick read for me with 125 pages, I went into it knowing of No HEA & a shopping list of triggers, I did love that it was set in the UK tho!!
Triggers:
Blood relations, Graphic details, Autopsies, Autopsy instruments, PTSD, Panic Attacks, Possessive MMC, Mentions of alcohol, Drug Use, Primal Play, Murder, Broken Bones, Dub-Con, Spitting, Suicide, Abusive Parent, Grief, Sibling Death, Sick Fantasies, Insects, Mentions of Overdose, Suicidal Thoughts, Hallucinations, Ghostly Mirror Sex, Improper use of a teddy bear, Autopsies and Embalming on living people, Thoughts of Cannibalism, Patchwork Bodies, Necrophillia, Cum Stuffing, Defiling of a Corpse, Body Horror, Removal of Limbs, Cooking human meat, Chicken nuggets (Sorry.), Mental Voices.
You liturally dive right and holy f***. 👀 J.N really held no punches on this book. Well fuck... also is Mr Wilson as twisted as the mmc Ethan?! Lol. I did not expect that twist at the end. Damn.
June 3, 2026
★★★★☆
I picked up Formaldehyde by J.N. Bamforth after seeing people compare it to Dark Descent by Hazel Black and tbh, I don’t think they’re even in the same category.
Yes, the subject matter is taboo, but this book never fully commits to being as dark as it’s marketed. It constantly feels like it’s standing right on the line and then pulling back before it can really go there. I actually wanted it to be darker. (If you know me in real life- no you don’t plz stop reading)
My biggest issue is that everything felt a little rushed. I wish more time had been spent developing the relationship between the main characters because there was so much potential there. Instead, it felt like we skipped over parts of their dynamic that would have made the story hit harder.
And that ending? It felt like a cop-out. Almost like a way to walk back some of the darker aspects of the story instead of fully committing to them.
That being said, I absolutely loved the MMC. He was by far my favorite part of the book and honestly carried a lot of it for me. Overall, this is a 4-star read because I was invested and I can see exactly what the author was trying to do. I just wish it had gone further.
I picked up Formaldehyde by J.N. Bamforth after seeing people compare it to Dark Descent by Hazel Black and tbh, I don’t think they’re even in the same category.
Yes, the subject matter is taboo, but this book never fully commits to being as dark as it’s marketed. It constantly feels like it’s standing right on the line and then pulling back before it can really go there. I actually wanted it to be darker. (If you know me in real life- no you don’t plz stop reading)
My biggest issue is that everything felt a little rushed. I wish more time had been spent developing the relationship between the main characters because there was so much potential there. Instead, it felt like we skipped over parts of their dynamic that would have made the story hit harder.
And that ending? It felt like a cop-out. Almost like a way to walk back some of the darker aspects of the story instead of fully committing to them.
That being said, I absolutely loved the MMC. He was by far my favorite part of the book and honestly carried a lot of it for me. Overall, this is a 4-star read because I was invested and I can see exactly what the author was trying to do. I just wish it had gone further.
April 20, 2026
TRIGGER WARNINGS. Do not go into this book without reading the triggers. If you're as f*cked up and enjoy f*cked up things like me, then proceed!
Ha, this was by far, the most insane thing I've ever read and I loved every single second of it. We go into the mind of a, I'm not even sure, a psychopath? But we are in the mind of Ethan, who is absolutely in love with his sister Alina and will kill anyone who threatens or touches her. He eventually follows her to a party, murders everyone, and bangs her right there. Alina, not able to handle being caught and knowing the actions her brother did (and enjoying said actions) end up doing the unthinkable. You'll need to read the rest to find out what happens from here 😉.
Absolute cinema. Extremely taboo. I loved every single second of this deranged book and I would absolutely recommend it to the other freaks out there!
Ha, this was by far, the most insane thing I've ever read and I loved every single second of it. We go into the mind of a, I'm not even sure, a psychopath? But we are in the mind of Ethan, who is absolutely in love with his sister Alina and will kill anyone who threatens or touches her. He eventually follows her to a party, murders everyone, and bangs her right there. Alina, not able to handle being caught and knowing the actions her brother did (and enjoying said actions) end up doing the unthinkable. You'll need to read the rest to find out what happens from here 😉.
Absolute cinema. Extremely taboo. I loved every single second of this deranged book and I would absolutely recommend it to the other freaks out there!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2026
*ARC REVIEW COPY*
I feel like I went on a bit of a journey with this book. Despite being siblings (not condoning at all) I actually liked their dynamic and the extreme possessiveness that Ethan felt towards his sister. Given their home situation it made sense as to why they found comfort in each other.
When Alina stepped in front of the car I found it hard to believe that Ethan didn’t realise what she was about to do and that he also only got 4 years for “killing her” but no mention of the other murders from the Halloween party.
His revenge plan on his dad was definitely fitting and I like that it was implied that Mr Wilson most likely knew about it and what was going to happen but didn’t stop Ethan.
Then that ending. What was that? You’ve taken me on a journey of sibling relations, death and murder, revenge, patchwork bodies and necrophilia and for it all to be a lie. I loved it!!
Reading Mr Wilson’s chapter made it all make sense. Why Ethan was hearing and seeing Alina but also knowing how possessive he was off her and that he truly couldn’t live without her, it made sense that he also is no longer with us.
P.S - Thankfully this didn’t ruin chicken nuggets for me but I did have to laugh at that part! And I’m still ok to sleep with my teddy bears!
I feel like I went on a bit of a journey with this book. Despite being siblings (not condoning at all) I actually liked their dynamic and the extreme possessiveness that Ethan felt towards his sister. Given their home situation it made sense as to why they found comfort in each other.
When Alina stepped in front of the car I found it hard to believe that Ethan didn’t realise what she was about to do and that he also only got 4 years for “killing her” but no mention of the other murders from the Halloween party.
His revenge plan on his dad was definitely fitting and I like that it was implied that Mr Wilson most likely knew about it and what was going to happen but didn’t stop Ethan.
Then that ending. What was that? You’ve taken me on a journey of sibling relations, death and murder, revenge, patchwork bodies and necrophilia and for it all to be a lie. I loved it!!
Reading Mr Wilson’s chapter made it all make sense. Why Ethan was hearing and seeing Alina but also knowing how possessive he was off her and that he truly couldn’t live without her, it made sense that he also is no longer with us.
P.S - Thankfully this didn’t ruin chicken nuggets for me but I did have to laugh at that part! And I’m still ok to sleep with my teddy bears!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2026
I needed a few days to wrap my head around this and actually read it twice
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
I am a huge fan of this author so I jumped at the chance for this ARC.
The twist at the end had me raging all up in my feels. And made me want to ask so many questions I needed revenge on a few characters such as the dad.
I was hoping for a lot more spice between the FMC and MMC - the spice they did have was EXTREMELY TABOO and dark
I am a sucker for a non HEA and this will live rent free in my head for a while so I am leaning closer to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
I am a huge fan of this author so I jumped at the chance for this ARC.
The twist at the end had me raging all up in my feels. And made me want to ask so many questions I needed revenge on a few characters such as the dad.
I was hoping for a lot more spice between the FMC and MMC - the spice they did have was EXTREMELY TABOO and dark
I am a sucker for a non HEA and this will live rent free in my head for a while so I am leaning closer to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2026
No more chicken nuggets for me 😳
Also what was that ending 🤯
Also what was that ending 🤯
May 13, 2026
Dark ✔️
Twisted ✔️
Totally fu*ked up ✔️
Loved it!
Twisted ✔️
Totally fu*ked up ✔️
Loved it!
June 2, 2026
3.5/5 ⭐️
taboo, dark, depraved, & WILD. just how i like it 🔥
taboo, dark, depraved, & WILD. just how i like it 🔥
July 8, 2026
I’m all for taboo but this was on another level!!
July 12, 2026
i don’t mind dark books.. i’ve read some taboo ones similar to this.. that wasn’t the issue.. this felt like it was written just to be written. did not like at all
May 12, 2026
i don’t know what i was expecting but it wasn’t that, what an experience. what an ending. honestly ethan is hilarious, enjoyed this more than i thought i would
April 25, 2026
Holy Jesus Christ! 😳 I’m not sure I hand the words to properly describe this fucked up awesomeness. Taboo and spicy and warped. The triggers are perfectly on point. 100% go read this book!
April 15, 2026
What the ffffff…
I don’t even know where to start! 😅
First of all it’s 5 stars from me, J N Bamforth has done it again, throwing us into a world of depravity, unhinge, disgust & down right madness that I love.
Ethan, is one of the most unhinged MMC’s I’ve probably ever read about. He crossed SO MANY boundaries, he will do anything to make Alina his. And the crazy thing is.. I was routing for him in some ways. Like seriously what is wrong with me.. 🥴
This has got to be up there with one of my favourite novellas. The ending won’t be for everyone, but it all fits together and honestly, this was just a great read for me.
I don’t even know where to start! 😅
First of all it’s 5 stars from me, J N Bamforth has done it again, throwing us into a world of depravity, unhinge, disgust & down right madness that I love.
Ethan, is one of the most unhinged MMC’s I’ve probably ever read about. He crossed SO MANY boundaries, he will do anything to make Alina his. And the crazy thing is.. I was routing for him in some ways. Like seriously what is wrong with me.. 🥴
This has got to be up there with one of my favourite novellas. The ending won’t be for everyone, but it all fits together and honestly, this was just a great read for me.
June 18, 2026
So this book pissed me off and I say that a lot but no seriously. So firstly this book was far fetched the party first so they go in there and kill all those people with baseball bats so how are limbs everywhere? Baseball bats aren't going to have people's limbs come off. And then he said that after he broke the guys jaw and knocked him out that he stomped on on his face and basically crushed his head brain matter was on his shoe. Which again isn't possible like are you the hulk? So then after sleeping with Alina her best friend comes in the room totally calm despite the bodies in her living room and is only disgusted at the two of them not really at the fact that he killed a bunch of people. Also they acted like she was druged but then she got up and ran??? But what truly made me hale this book was the authors note at the end that said the whole book wasn't real because they never made it out of the party that night. Not only in general do I hate this but it wasn't even wrote into the book she just added it in an authors note. No word of how he died or anything. Complete and utter bullshit I'm not heading anything else by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2026
0 stars.
How do I unread this.
How do I unread this.
April 20, 2026
Damn. This book is taboo, pretty dark and scary. I knew there wasn't going to be a happy ending, but I won't deny that I would have preferred them to end up together hahaha
Please review the Warning
Please review the Warning
June 12, 2026
🚨EVERYTHING IS MY OPINION AND MY OPINION ONLY!🚨
1/5⭐️
1/5🌶️
I gave this book 1/5 stars (for the plot) as well as the spice aspect of it. And I’ll explain MY reasoning. (Clearly people like this book but I can’t seem to figure out why).
1. I’ve read quite the amount of books with any type of sibling like relationship and this one felt extremely NOT original by any means. If you’ve read “Little Liar” you’ll see that it’s kind of the same dynamic but poorly executed. A lot of ideas in this book felt duplicated from other books I’ve read and it felt overdone.
2. The DIALOGUES! so unoriginal, cringy AF and uninspiring and not even trying to be situational realistic. I felt like I was reading the same sentences over and over again and it almost felt like a “default sentence”. meaning, because it’s THIS type of dark horror romance book, it as if it should have THOSE familiar sentences because that is the “basic formula” of it, almost like she copied it from 1000 other poorly written books. So it lacked any originality and flame / interest.
3. THE ENDING: I have no problem with the Necrophilia aspect of that book and I will give it to her that the aspect of this theme and the scenes of this specific nature we’re ok, but the whole idea of the ending was stupid.
Why? Because She gave us a poorly executed alternative ending - something that could have happened in the book but didn’t really happen eventually. But what REALLY happened at the end made ZERO sense because who of the characters of that book came up with that ending in their mind? That’s how alternative endings work - someone from the character is in a predicament where they experienced one thing that is OBJECTIVELY TRUE but they are unreliable narrators so they give us a different ending while the author at the end tells us the truth of what happened. In this case, the AUTHOR WAS THE UNRELIABLE NARRATOR and she didn’t even give us an alternative ending, it’s like she lied about what happened without even giving closure to the fabricated scenario and jumped into what really happened.
Look, I took extensive literature classes for three years in high school and learned a lot about how the basic foundations of books, tropes and ideas work - and the author, in this specific book, just overlooked some of them and I have to say that it’s not smart, it’s not unique or cool, it’s not edgy and different. You can have all those characteristics in your book by sticking to what is originally the literature structure of things (even loosely). I’m a bit of a pedantic person when it comes to this. (If you’re gonna use a literary tool, use it at least right).
She TRIED to be unique, and fell A looooong way of the mark.
I was just left with the feeling that this book was stupid and really unoriginal, uninspiring and I found myself skimming through the last 20ish % of the book to just get it over with, even though I thought about not finishing it, but then I said I wanted to read the full thing to see if it was bad through and through. Which it was.
Be more original. Write better dialogues. Have fun and create things out of the box - don’t fit into molds. Which unfortunately is what happened here.
1/5⭐️
1/5🌶️
I gave this book 1/5 stars (for the plot) as well as the spice aspect of it. And I’ll explain MY reasoning. (Clearly people like this book but I can’t seem to figure out why).
1. I’ve read quite the amount of books with any type of sibling like relationship and this one felt extremely NOT original by any means. If you’ve read “Little Liar” you’ll see that it’s kind of the same dynamic but poorly executed. A lot of ideas in this book felt duplicated from other books I’ve read and it felt overdone.
2. The DIALOGUES! so unoriginal, cringy AF and uninspiring and not even trying to be situational realistic. I felt like I was reading the same sentences over and over again and it almost felt like a “default sentence”. meaning, because it’s THIS type of dark horror romance book, it as if it should have THOSE familiar sentences because that is the “basic formula” of it, almost like she copied it from 1000 other poorly written books. So it lacked any originality and flame / interest.
3. THE ENDING: I have no problem with the Necrophilia aspect of that book and I will give it to her that the aspect of this theme and the scenes of this specific nature we’re ok, but the whole idea of the ending was stupid.
Why? Because She gave us a poorly executed alternative ending - something that could have happened in the book but didn’t really happen eventually. But what REALLY happened at the end made ZERO sense because who of the characters of that book came up with that ending in their mind? That’s how alternative endings work - someone from the character is in a predicament where they experienced one thing that is OBJECTIVELY TRUE but they are unreliable narrators so they give us a different ending while the author at the end tells us the truth of what happened. In this case, the AUTHOR WAS THE UNRELIABLE NARRATOR and she didn’t even give us an alternative ending, it’s like she lied about what happened without even giving closure to the fabricated scenario and jumped into what really happened.
Look, I took extensive literature classes for three years in high school and learned a lot about how the basic foundations of books, tropes and ideas work - and the author, in this specific book, just overlooked some of them and I have to say that it’s not smart, it’s not unique or cool, it’s not edgy and different. You can have all those characteristics in your book by sticking to what is originally the literature structure of things (even loosely). I’m a bit of a pedantic person when it comes to this. (If you’re gonna use a literary tool, use it at least right).
She TRIED to be unique, and fell A looooong way of the mark.
I was just left with the feeling that this book was stupid and really unoriginal, uninspiring and I found myself skimming through the last 20ish % of the book to just get it over with, even though I thought about not finishing it, but then I said I wanted to read the full thing to see if it was bad through and through. Which it was.
Be more original. Write better dialogues. Have fun and create things out of the box - don’t fit into molds. Which unfortunately is what happened here.
Review of advance copy received from Author
You’re sick, a freak…
That’s the thought lingering in your mind when reading this- but alas, if you’re reading this author specifically, we know you’re not normal. What is normal anyway?
Ethan is a 19 year old boy with a deep infatuation… for his sister. Blood sister, not step sibling or just a girl he met. But a true, sick undying love for someone he shouldn’t love in the way he does, wanting the things he certainly shouldn’t even have thoughts of. Alina is 17 and also loves her brother. To the same extent as Ethan loves her…. Yeah. And that’s a problem. They both know it’s not right to have the thoughts and feelings towards each other but that isn’t going to stop things.
“You’re sick, Ethan. I don’t feel for you, like how you feel for me. Why can’t you see that? Everyone was right when they said you were a.. freak.”
After Alina begrudgingly screamed that to him, that was the tipping point for Ethan to decide to change their life and what a night to do so. Halloween night, a night others see for evil things and bad decisions disguised as dress up.
Without giving a spoiler, things after that night seal their fate in ways neither wanted. Sadly, it only takes a small but rash decision to change it all. Does Alina finally give in? Does Ethan get what he wants, what he has dreamt of?
This is definitely a sick and twisted taboo horror story that ends without an HEA (depending on your level of what you can consider things- but for me, it was an ending I felt best for their story) but most won’t consider it an HEA by any stretch of imagination. In the end, what happened may not have been as hard to digest once you make it far enough. Did you read it all and scrunch your nose saying “oh… oh?!” Yeah- but once you finish you may not feel as grossed out. This is one of the shorter stories I’ve read with ALL the triggers. Does it have spice? Well- there are definitely some scenes that may damped your netherworld however this isn’t a dark romance but erotic horror to the definition.
That’s the thought lingering in your mind when reading this- but alas, if you’re reading this author specifically, we know you’re not normal. What is normal anyway?
Ethan is a 19 year old boy with a deep infatuation… for his sister. Blood sister, not step sibling or just a girl he met. But a true, sick undying love for someone he shouldn’t love in the way he does, wanting the things he certainly shouldn’t even have thoughts of. Alina is 17 and also loves her brother. To the same extent as Ethan loves her…. Yeah. And that’s a problem. They both know it’s not right to have the thoughts and feelings towards each other but that isn’t going to stop things.
“You’re sick, Ethan. I don’t feel for you, like how you feel for me. Why can’t you see that? Everyone was right when they said you were a.. freak.”
After Alina begrudgingly screamed that to him, that was the tipping point for Ethan to decide to change their life and what a night to do so. Halloween night, a night others see for evil things and bad decisions disguised as dress up.
Without giving a spoiler, things after that night seal their fate in ways neither wanted. Sadly, it only takes a small but rash decision to change it all. Does Alina finally give in? Does Ethan get what he wants, what he has dreamt of?
This is definitely a sick and twisted taboo horror story that ends without an HEA (depending on your level of what you can consider things- but for me, it was an ending I felt best for their story) but most won’t consider it an HEA by any stretch of imagination. In the end, what happened may not have been as hard to digest once you make it far enough. Did you read it all and scrunch your nose saying “oh… oh?!” Yeah- but once you finish you may not feel as grossed out. This is one of the shorter stories I’ve read with ALL the triggers. Does it have spice? Well- there are definitely some scenes that may damped your netherworld however this isn’t a dark romance but erotic horror to the definition.
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