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Blossom
At first glance, The Town seemed like every other. Its suburban landscape, however, had become infected. Below sharpened blades of green grass that bent under the weight of heavy raindrops, worms wriggled and dug through damp soil, establishing intricate systems of rot; intertwining the roots of tall-standing trees and invading overgrown weeds, harboring all the people’s secrets, filling with blood and pulsating such as the empty womb of a woman overcome by a withering sickness. And unknown to the stranger who slept under a heavy blanket of ash and liquor, but this sickness had also nestled itself —as real and consuming as her organs—within the girl who wandered the streets of the Town. Flickering yellow lights shining through bounds of thick white locks, she could feel it inside her, sliding into her belly, residing alongside the trauma that coated her tongue like honey; sweet as ripe tangerines but bitter against the back of her throat like coffee grounds.
417 pages, Paperback
Published July 3, 2020
9 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Kate Winborne
6 books17 followersWith eccentric, twitchy mannerisms like a lamb carcass infested by bugs, Kate Winborne, aka “The Rotten Girl”, is a surrealist horror-romance author and filmmaker known for her vivid dream imagery, excessive, grotesque depictions of cannibalism, female rage/monstrous femininity, suburban trauma, and indulgences in themes such as hunger/consumption as forms of desire and love as infection/sickness. She is described by her readers alongside contemporary feminist and LGBTQA+ authors in the horror community as the ‘female Lynch.’
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 18, 2023
gone girl meets twin peaks (literally)
April 20, 2023
altered my brain chemistry a little
June 15, 2023
just listened to strangers by ethel cain for 24 hours straight bc that’s the only way i could cope with the ending
October 5, 2022
this is a hard review to write. i’ve gone back and forth in how to describe this book. this has left me late in the morning writing out a messy blurb in the best way i know how.
let me get the good stuff out of the way first: the prose is addicting. the descriptions and setting slide down your throat so smoothly that you’re surprised it doesn’t burn on the way down. the characters, henry, the disgraced fbi agent, and blossom, the high school girl haunting the diner counter, are fantastically filthy and rotten. i want to put them in my pocket and hear them whisper cruelty from it. blossom felt like amma from sharp objects and laura palmer from twin peaks rolled up into one. i loved her character. i want more of everything this author has to offer me of her. henry is nasty and stupid. i want him to never shut up and i want him to die. the problem is that their relationship together is where my negative thoughts on this book stem from.
the way this book is being sold is very different from where the story ends up. the Town is so incredibly interesting to me that i’m mourning that i never got to visit it. the fault for me lied in how henry and blossom take a relationship turn that felt unnatural to the story i felt was being told. i enjoyed henry as a sick and depraved narrator. i wanted him to take me around the Town, show me the locals, while the trees laughed and jawed behind his back. i wanted blossom to haunt his case files and dreams and those boys. i wanted henry obsessed and blindfolded and drunk. i wanted blossom laughing and playing him for a fool and putting on lipgloss. so, when they meet too quickly and they have way too many unwarranted sex scenes? i was unhappy with where the story found itself instead. the Town and its’ cow-eyed inhabitants disappeared. it makes the story stitch itself into a knot that never pulls undone. it felt so much more interesting had their relationship maintained itself as slimy fbi agent creeps on a teen girl, who wants to have a little fun around this withering Town.
the negative is why this review became a hard one. every story is different for every reader and these are merely my opinions. while i do think the coupling ruined the story for me, i’m so bewitched by this authors way with words that i was able to devour what i was able to stomach. i do hope this author has more stories and i am interested in seeing what the sequel is hiding.
let me get the good stuff out of the way first: the prose is addicting. the descriptions and setting slide down your throat so smoothly that you’re surprised it doesn’t burn on the way down. the characters, henry, the disgraced fbi agent, and blossom, the high school girl haunting the diner counter, are fantastically filthy and rotten. i want to put them in my pocket and hear them whisper cruelty from it. blossom felt like amma from sharp objects and laura palmer from twin peaks rolled up into one. i loved her character. i want more of everything this author has to offer me of her. henry is nasty and stupid. i want him to never shut up and i want him to die. the problem is that their relationship together is where my negative thoughts on this book stem from.
the way this book is being sold is very different from where the story ends up. the Town is so incredibly interesting to me that i’m mourning that i never got to visit it. the fault for me lied in how henry and blossom take a relationship turn that felt unnatural to the story i felt was being told. i enjoyed henry as a sick and depraved narrator. i wanted him to take me around the Town, show me the locals, while the trees laughed and jawed behind his back. i wanted blossom to haunt his case files and dreams and those boys. i wanted henry obsessed and blindfolded and drunk. i wanted blossom laughing and playing him for a fool and putting on lipgloss. so, when they meet too quickly and they have way too many unwarranted sex scenes? i was unhappy with where the story found itself instead. the Town and its’ cow-eyed inhabitants disappeared. it makes the story stitch itself into a knot that never pulls undone. it felt so much more interesting had their relationship maintained itself as slimy fbi agent creeps on a teen girl, who wants to have a little fun around this withering Town.
the negative is why this review became a hard one. every story is different for every reader and these are merely my opinions. while i do think the coupling ruined the story for me, i’m so bewitched by this authors way with words that i was able to devour what i was able to stomach. i do hope this author has more stories and i am interested in seeing what the sequel is hiding.
June 17, 2023
"She was as sharp as a blade, yet as sweet as a flowering bruise. And his affection for her was as equally a perfect mixture—balance—between the desire to destroy her, tear her limb from limb, devour her, and protect, nurture, save her from all the evil in the world, including himself."
FEELING VERY ILL DNI.
FEELING VERY ILL DNI.
March 3, 2024
3.5. ⭐️
August 9, 2022
Pros:
- An interesting idea that subverts the classic horror trope where the serial killer in a small town is a man.
- You can see that the book was written by a horror fan and references to popular images are noticeable. Henry is Agent Cooper and Rust Cole from True Detective. Blossom is a nymphet femme fatale. The sheriff, who looks like Peter Cushing is also nice addition.
Cons:
- I did not like the literary language. There are many long sentences, which make the description difficult and this makes it hard to immerse yourself in the world of the book.
- Superficial characterization of heroes. Lots of descriptive visual motifs that become repetitive. After one specific description, I would like the author to go deeper and give us more information, but the author seems to be more interested in the description of food and clothing, and this does not help to reveal the psychological portrait of the characters.
I only had the opportunity to read an introductory piece of the book and due to the fact that I do not live in an English speaking country due to its economic restrictions, I cannot purchase the book. Perhaps if I could read the book in its entirety, I would have more time to understand and appreciate the language of the book. I hope one day I will be able to purchase it online or in translation in my country.
Despite the cons that I wrote, I am very supportive of the aspiring writer in her journey. As a horror fan myself, I rejoice when people release their creative works into the world.
- An interesting idea that subverts the classic horror trope where the serial killer in a small town is a man.
- You can see that the book was written by a horror fan and references to popular images are noticeable. Henry is Agent Cooper and Rust Cole from True Detective. Blossom is a nymphet femme fatale. The sheriff, who looks like Peter Cushing is also nice addition.
Cons:
- I did not like the literary language. There are many long sentences, which make the description difficult and this makes it hard to immerse yourself in the world of the book.
- Superficial characterization of heroes. Lots of descriptive visual motifs that become repetitive. After one specific description, I would like the author to go deeper and give us more information, but the author seems to be more interested in the description of food and clothing, and this does not help to reveal the psychological portrait of the characters.
I only had the opportunity to read an introductory piece of the book and due to the fact that I do not live in an English speaking country due to its economic restrictions, I cannot purchase the book. Perhaps if I could read the book in its entirety, I would have more time to understand and appreciate the language of the book. I hope one day I will be able to purchase it online or in translation in my country.
Despite the cons that I wrote, I am very supportive of the aspiring writer in her journey. As a horror fan myself, I rejoice when people release their creative works into the world.
November 10, 2022
Blossom by Kate Winborne has burrowed itself into my brain like a parasitic worm months ago and has refused to leave ever since. I do not think it ever will either, I am saying this in the most complimentary and affectionate way, I don't want it to leave.
The imagery Kate is able to invoke is insanely powerful, the characters, no matter how small or brief their appearance manage to stand out in a BIG way. Henry Williamson is honestly one of the best character I have seen put to page in a damn long time. Blossom herself is so captivating, the reader feels just as Henry does, beckoned to know her, desperate to unravel her mysteries and the answers we get are very satisfying. The method employed of repeating things doesn't feel annoying, it feels purposeful and memorable, the use of colour throughout is another stand out.
Choosing favourite moments and lines is hard, there are so many, the extended dream sequence made me feel scooped out emotionally in a fantastically visceral fashion that I consistently keep coming back to. I would be a total idiot to not call out how Kate describes food, the way she does is lodged in my mind, every time I pick up a bottle or packet of ketchup I think of a particular sentence she wrote in this book.
If you like horror at all I highly recommend you pick this one up, I do not think you will regret it.
The imagery Kate is able to invoke is insanely powerful, the characters, no matter how small or brief their appearance manage to stand out in a BIG way. Henry Williamson is honestly one of the best character I have seen put to page in a damn long time. Blossom herself is so captivating, the reader feels just as Henry does, beckoned to know her, desperate to unravel her mysteries and the answers we get are very satisfying. The method employed of repeating things doesn't feel annoying, it feels purposeful and memorable, the use of colour throughout is another stand out.
Choosing favourite moments and lines is hard, there are so many, the extended dream sequence made me feel scooped out emotionally in a fantastically visceral fashion that I consistently keep coming back to. I would be a total idiot to not call out how Kate describes food, the way she does is lodged in my mind, every time I pick up a bottle or packet of ketchup I think of a particular sentence she wrote in this book.
If you like horror at all I highly recommend you pick this one up, I do not think you will regret it.
February 25, 2023
As an avid reader and recommender of “unhinged girl lit,” I admit to having high hopes for this one. It’s clear the author is a fan of Lynch, that influence being glaringly obvious. Exceedingly so, to the point where I can only wonder whether this would’ve been better without the imitation Twin Peaks vibes—maybe then I’d be able to discern the authors individual “voice” rather than just their tastes in media?
The prose here is so purple that whole pages ended up congested with run-on sentences so long that I inadvertently started to skim. And this is coming from a passionate fan of Russian literature.
Descriptive language hits harder when you’re not so bombarded with it that you choke; too much “deep” writing clogs up the narrative, obscures the characterization, & waters down actually relevant metaphors, thus rendering it shallow. I can tell that the author has a really creative poetic mind, but the overwriting dulls that shine. It becomes unapproachable. Part of masterful writing is knowing when to cut back, when to hone technical skill over self-indulgent flowery prose.
That being said, with the assistance of a quality editor (or a harsh, but well-meaning, creative writing professor), I think this would fit nicely in the “unhinged woman” niche, so I *sincerely* hope they continue to grow and can see myself revisiting their later work in the future.
The prose here is so purple that whole pages ended up congested with run-on sentences so long that I inadvertently started to skim. And this is coming from a passionate fan of Russian literature.
Descriptive language hits harder when you’re not so bombarded with it that you choke; too much “deep” writing clogs up the narrative, obscures the characterization, & waters down actually relevant metaphors, thus rendering it shallow. I can tell that the author has a really creative poetic mind, but the overwriting dulls that shine. It becomes unapproachable. Part of masterful writing is knowing when to cut back, when to hone technical skill over self-indulgent flowery prose.
That being said, with the assistance of a quality editor (or a harsh, but well-meaning, creative writing professor), I think this would fit nicely in the “unhinged woman” niche, so I *sincerely* hope they continue to grow and can see myself revisiting their later work in the future.
November 23, 2021
meticulous though sometimes disjointed vignettes
as I've seen others say, the book is very methodically detailed but there are a few passages that transgress into being slightly overwritten or redundant. It feels as though there were several very clear images that the author wanted to convey, the titular character's outfits and appearance especially juxtaposed with the male leads perception of other women('s appearance)and the reoccurring motif of consumption, but the connective tissue between these snapshots or what was there left me wanting at times. and for what it's worth i, too, read this in a single sitting. both main characters are delightfully irredeemable and the gillian flynn influence is obvious (especially the reference to unspooling the contents inside the others head) but i'm simply not the target demographic here, i don't think.
as I've seen others say, the book is very methodically detailed but there are a few passages that transgress into being slightly overwritten or redundant. It feels as though there were several very clear images that the author wanted to convey, the titular character's outfits and appearance especially juxtaposed with the male leads perception of other women('s appearance)and the reoccurring motif of consumption, but the connective tissue between these snapshots or what was there left me wanting at times. and for what it's worth i, too, read this in a single sitting. both main characters are delightfully irredeemable and the gillian flynn influence is obvious (especially the reference to unspooling the contents inside the others head) but i'm simply not the target demographic here, i don't think.
July 27, 2022
I really, honestly adored this book. Blossom is simultaneously terrifying and relatable, and I feel as if I know everything about Henry, and yet nothing at all after finishing the story. Am I the only one that got Twin Peaks vibes? Between the setting and the murder investigation, “Blossom” really did it for me, I really would give more than 5 stars if I could. I’m looking forward to reading anything and everything that Kate Winborne puts out in the future.
July 11, 2021
Utterly addicting, the novel masterfully written. The side characters are somewhat lacking, but that only serves to make the main characters uncomfortably real. You will be CRAVING the sequel as badly as I am, so buy this book immediately.
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July 25, 2024sometimes baby girl is a middle aged man who’s a sadomasochistic fbi agent, drinks too much coffee, chain smokes cigarettes, and is absolutely disgusting & depraved 🎀
August 14, 2024
I really wanted to love it, but it felt frustrating at times.
The concept itself seems like a combination of all the things I enjoy in fiction: Twin-Peaks-like town, horror, surrealism, interesting characters, female rage...needless to say, I was really excited to pick this book up on Amazon. While reading, however, I found myself struggling to like it as much as I wanted to. There were two big reasons as to why:
1. Main characters - probably the most surprising one for me. From the description alone, I was under the impression that the characters would be the shining point of the story, but I found them hard to stomach (pun intended). Blossom came out as mary-suish and unrealistic. I love it when characters are written like actual people that could exist somewhere in the world, but Blossom felt like a figment of imagination that could only appear in a fictional story right from the start; as if her sole role was to be a beautiful, mysterious and unsettling plot-device. Speaking of beautiful - the descriptions of her flawless looks got tiring very quickly, and by the end of the book I found myself rolling my eyes on yet another one of those. I wish there was more to Blossom aside from that - something that would ground her; make her more interesting and realistic.
Henry, on the other hand, felt extremely stereotypical. A grumpy detective who smokes a ton of cigarettes, drinks alcohol, has a dark past and seems rather antisocial. There is nothing unique about him, and I found it hard to sympathize with him throught the story. The fact that he decided to shamelessly go after a high-schooler (who has a traumatic experience with men, on top of that) - no matter the circumstances - made him even less tolerable in my eyes. He came off as unlikable to me, and I kept on questioning his detective skills - because let's be honest, in the context of the case at hand, Blossom was a walking red flag. It leads me to...
2. Predictability - the killer's identity was pretty much apparent from the start, and it felt frustrating to watch the detectives ignore every single sign they got. Pink ribbons? Check. The fact that the victims were somehow tied to Blossom? Check. The fact that she inserted herself into investigation? Check. Her weird behaviour? Check.
The mystery/investigation portion of the story was flat and irritating - there were quite a few times when I wanted to scream at the detectives because of that. The moment when Henry finds the pictures in the end of the story left no impact on me.
That being said, there were also some things I liked about "Blossom". I think the author is amazing when it comes to descriptions - the way she writes about food, for example, is so suggestive I found myself craving for everything the characters were eating. Same with characters themselves, as well as places - I could easily imagine the way they looked. I generally enjoyed the thematic role of food in the story - I think it was a very interesting idea. The cover image is simply stunning, I absolutely love the imaginery.
The concept itself seems like a combination of all the things I enjoy in fiction: Twin-Peaks-like town, horror, surrealism, interesting characters, female rage...needless to say, I was really excited to pick this book up on Amazon. While reading, however, I found myself struggling to like it as much as I wanted to. There were two big reasons as to why:
1. Main characters - probably the most surprising one for me. From the description alone, I was under the impression that the characters would be the shining point of the story, but I found them hard to stomach (pun intended). Blossom came out as mary-suish and unrealistic. I love it when characters are written like actual people that could exist somewhere in the world, but Blossom felt like a figment of imagination that could only appear in a fictional story right from the start; as if her sole role was to be a beautiful, mysterious and unsettling plot-device. Speaking of beautiful - the descriptions of her flawless looks got tiring very quickly, and by the end of the book I found myself rolling my eyes on yet another one of those. I wish there was more to Blossom aside from that - something that would ground her; make her more interesting and realistic.
Henry, on the other hand, felt extremely stereotypical. A grumpy detective who smokes a ton of cigarettes, drinks alcohol, has a dark past and seems rather antisocial. There is nothing unique about him, and I found it hard to sympathize with him throught the story. The fact that he decided to shamelessly go after a high-schooler (who has a traumatic experience with men, on top of that) - no matter the circumstances - made him even less tolerable in my eyes. He came off as unlikable to me, and I kept on questioning his detective skills - because let's be honest, in the context of the case at hand, Blossom was a walking red flag. It leads me to...
2. Predictability - the killer's identity was pretty much apparent from the start, and it felt frustrating to watch the detectives ignore every single sign they got. Pink ribbons? Check. The fact that the victims were somehow tied to Blossom? Check. The fact that she inserted herself into investigation? Check. Her weird behaviour? Check.
The mystery/investigation portion of the story was flat and irritating - there were quite a few times when I wanted to scream at the detectives because of that. The moment when Henry finds the pictures in the end of the story left no impact on me.
That being said, there were also some things I liked about "Blossom". I think the author is amazing when it comes to descriptions - the way she writes about food, for example, is so suggestive I found myself craving for everything the characters were eating. Same with characters themselves, as well as places - I could easily imagine the way they looked. I generally enjoyed the thematic role of food in the story - I think it was a very interesting idea. The cover image is simply stunning, I absolutely love the imaginery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2023
The Trees Know More than they Dare Say…
So, I’ve finally finished Blossom. And can I just say, every step of the way, I was enamored with about damn near everything this book has to offer. The characters, the imagery, the descriptions, the themes, I can’t help but sing Kate’s praises because it’s been so long since a horror novel has grabbed me by the throat and subjected me to everything it hides within.
We have Henry Williamson, a special agent who has come to The Town to discover the mystery of the gruesome murders of the teenage boys that live there. And then there’s Blossom James, a teenage girl so saccharine sweet that there’s a feeling of darkness underneath the skin, ready to swallow you whole. Their twisted romance leaves both of them uncertain about what lies ahead, as both harbor secrets from the other, and neither is what they seem.
One of my favorite things about this book besides the toxic tango the two main characters engage in is the use of vivid imagery. One of Kate’s most significant themes in this novel is “Consumption as a Form of Desire,” and the descriptions of food are ones that make your mouth water while also seeming gluttonous in nature, a complete act of devouring. And when this imagery style becomes coupled with the grotesque descriptions of the murder victims, you’re in for a fun time.
I also really loved the dream sequences, and how they flow in a stream-of-consciousness style. I know that isn’t to everyone’s taste, but with the imagery invoked in this book, it all fits so well for me. I highly recommend you at least give it a chance and keep an open mind.
While I could go on forever, I really wanted to take a moment just to appreciate this book. I already have a copy of the sequel, After the Lamb Bites Back, on my shelf and I’m tempted to immediately start it. The book invokes so many feelings of monstrous womanhood and what happens when women are tired of being the victim, as well as what living in that type of society does to women. It really felt refreshing to read something like that in a horror novel, and you can bet I will continue to read Kate’s novels. Not only are her characters, imagery, and thoughts so wonderful to explore, but they really do captivate you in a way that more horror writers need to do.
So, I’ve finally finished Blossom. And can I just say, every step of the way, I was enamored with about damn near everything this book has to offer. The characters, the imagery, the descriptions, the themes, I can’t help but sing Kate’s praises because it’s been so long since a horror novel has grabbed me by the throat and subjected me to everything it hides within.
We have Henry Williamson, a special agent who has come to The Town to discover the mystery of the gruesome murders of the teenage boys that live there. And then there’s Blossom James, a teenage girl so saccharine sweet that there’s a feeling of darkness underneath the skin, ready to swallow you whole. Their twisted romance leaves both of them uncertain about what lies ahead, as both harbor secrets from the other, and neither is what they seem.
One of my favorite things about this book besides the toxic tango the two main characters engage in is the use of vivid imagery. One of Kate’s most significant themes in this novel is “Consumption as a Form of Desire,” and the descriptions of food are ones that make your mouth water while also seeming gluttonous in nature, a complete act of devouring. And when this imagery style becomes coupled with the grotesque descriptions of the murder victims, you’re in for a fun time.
I also really loved the dream sequences, and how they flow in a stream-of-consciousness style. I know that isn’t to everyone’s taste, but with the imagery invoked in this book, it all fits so well for me. I highly recommend you at least give it a chance and keep an open mind.
While I could go on forever, I really wanted to take a moment just to appreciate this book. I already have a copy of the sequel, After the Lamb Bites Back, on my shelf and I’m tempted to immediately start it. The book invokes so many feelings of monstrous womanhood and what happens when women are tired of being the victim, as well as what living in that type of society does to women. It really felt refreshing to read something like that in a horror novel, and you can bet I will continue to read Kate’s novels. Not only are her characters, imagery, and thoughts so wonderful to explore, but they really do captivate you in a way that more horror writers need to do.
February 27, 2023
There's a meticulousness and attention to detail in the writing that draws you in with dreamlike charm and quality that I can't not gush over and shows great promise to the author, with bruisingly tender prose that packs a punch, Kate does a beautiful job of balancing these intricate contemplations of rot, emptiness, girlhood, femininity, rage, disorder and desire, while also weaving in a fascinating real-world consequence of this fantasy that keeps the audience in the same rose-tinted glasses as the main FBI agent. And as a Lynch fan myself (mentioning this because others seem to be leaning toward it as well, though it's not something I would compare immediately to the story at hand), as well as somebody who greatly enjoys feminist-lensed media, it made me all the more excited to discover an upcoming creator with a like mind, a handle for the aesthetics and themes, without feeling artificial or ornamental. Unlike some of the other comparisons made to her work and his, I found the two completely separate from one another, with the similarities others have pointed out to be rudimentary and surface-level at best. You can tell she has a great love and deep intelligence for this topic and has an immense creativity with these characters, alongside a talent for writing, and I would go as far as to say she's well above being the next great Lynchian creator of the literature (and hopefully film) world. So much so that I was surprised on that matter to find she's still in college since most adult writers aren't nearly as confident or fluent in their own writing language 20 or 30 years down the road in their author careers, as Kate has demonstrated with such a fantastic start. I will be ordering the next book in The Wolf's Den Anthology today!
April 20, 2023
I enjoyed reading this a lot. When I came across this book on tumblr, saying it had themes of consumption as a form of desire and violence as a love language, I was eager to get my hands on it.
The author has such a beautiful way of writing; it may not be for everyone, but I adore purple prose. Everything was so detailed and vividly described. In the beginning, I was confused due to the long sentences, it disrupted the reading flow and rhythm at times, but they improved as the story progressed. I understand it was more of a stylistic choice of the author– but I do believe it could have been shortened, while at the same time achieving the flowery, intricate writing style.
Blossom and Henry have easily become some of my favourite characters, just as this has become one of my favourite books. They were both equally complex and deranged characters. The dreams Henry had were one of my favourite scenes, and I’m hoping to see more of it in the sequel. The relationship between them was absolutely addicting– I’ve been craving a good toxic, codependent, violent couple and these two did not disappoint. Although I wished the build-up to their relationship was a bit more gradual, as it felt quite “insta-love” and their obsession with one another began as soon as they laid eyes on each other. Despite that, I still loved them. I really appreciated some of the more tender scenes they had as well, even if it might have been a stark contrast to what they were usually like together.
Though the plot twist was predictable, the story was wonderful to read. Overall, I admit that the book would have definitely benefited from some editing. But that does not mean it was not good, because I had so much fun! There is a lot of potential displayed by Kate Winborne here, and I cannot wait to read more from her.
The author has such a beautiful way of writing; it may not be for everyone, but I adore purple prose. Everything was so detailed and vividly described. In the beginning, I was confused due to the long sentences, it disrupted the reading flow and rhythm at times, but they improved as the story progressed. I understand it was more of a stylistic choice of the author– but I do believe it could have been shortened, while at the same time achieving the flowery, intricate writing style.
Blossom and Henry have easily become some of my favourite characters, just as this has become one of my favourite books. They were both equally complex and deranged characters. The dreams Henry had were one of my favourite scenes, and I’m hoping to see more of it in the sequel. The relationship between them was absolutely addicting– I’ve been craving a good toxic, codependent, violent couple and these two did not disappoint. Although I wished the build-up to their relationship was a bit more gradual, as it felt quite “insta-love” and their obsession with one another began as soon as they laid eyes on each other. Despite that, I still loved them. I really appreciated some of the more tender scenes they had as well, even if it might have been a stark contrast to what they were usually like together.
Though the plot twist was predictable, the story was wonderful to read. Overall, I admit that the book would have definitely benefited from some editing. But that does not mean it was not good, because I had so much fun! There is a lot of potential displayed by Kate Winborne here, and I cannot wait to read more from her.
June 6, 2022
blossom is a novel that shows immense potential from the author, and left me anticipating the next book in the series.
i liked the absolutely sickening prose. kate winborne is really good at meticulously describing images, and stringing those images together well. the twin peaks comparisons are very apt, but i enjoyed myself more when i stopped comparing the two and allowed myself to enjoy the book for what it was. i read the majority of this book in one sitting, although i occasionally felt compelled to put the book down out of disgust. not so much from the detailed descriptions of violence but from the central relationship of the book: that of blossom, high school senior, and henry, washed up fbi agent. the age gap is… immense, and i felt myself groaning internally when it was first hinted at, but the way that they use and manipulate each other was depicted interestingly. both characters are flawed, but while i liked blossom i despised henry. so it goes. i will say: they have sex a lot. there were points where i was really wishing we could hear about something else, but i understand why it was put there.
i felt myself yearning to feel the almost supernatural presence of the town more, since that is a big factor in the synopsis you’ll find on amazon. there were more nuanced examinations of small town horror, young women’s autonomy, and monstrous femininity that i could feel being hinted at under the surface. but i suppose i’ll have to wait until the next book comes out, which i will do gladly!
i liked the absolutely sickening prose. kate winborne is really good at meticulously describing images, and stringing those images together well. the twin peaks comparisons are very apt, but i enjoyed myself more when i stopped comparing the two and allowed myself to enjoy the book for what it was. i read the majority of this book in one sitting, although i occasionally felt compelled to put the book down out of disgust. not so much from the detailed descriptions of violence but from the central relationship of the book: that of blossom, high school senior, and henry, washed up fbi agent. the age gap is… immense, and i felt myself groaning internally when it was first hinted at, but the way that they use and manipulate each other was depicted interestingly. both characters are flawed, but while i liked blossom i despised henry. so it goes. i will say: they have sex a lot. there were points where i was really wishing we could hear about something else, but i understand why it was put there.
i felt myself yearning to feel the almost supernatural presence of the town more, since that is a big factor in the synopsis you’ll find on amazon. there were more nuanced examinations of small town horror, young women’s autonomy, and monstrous femininity that i could feel being hinted at under the surface. but i suppose i’ll have to wait until the next book comes out, which i will do gladly!
November 30, 2022
a very immersive and unique book. the characters, the setting and the story itself are filled with a lot of depth and nuance. the town felt like a real place full of secrets and danger, some part of me even wishes it was real. especially the diner, since the mouthwatering descriptions of food made me crave those meals unlike anything else.
the protagonists - blossom and henry are so toxic and horrible for each other, yet i couldn’t get enough of them. the messed up cat-and-mouse game they play is so fascinating to me, and it’s so much more than just some grown man preying on a schoolgirl. blossom is a very complex character, full of trauma and female rage, and manipulates men using her sexual appeal. her overall aesthetic was very pleasing, i was absolutely obsessed with the vivid descriptions of her outfits, they definitely made me want to buy more pink clothes for myself. henry on the other hand, is a self-destructive, coffee and nicotine addicted fbi agent, who simply needs to chill and go to therapy, but some men are gonna do everything but that!
this novel is perfect for romance+horror genre enthusiasts like me, and it explores so many interesting themes, like the monstrous feminine, the predator and prey dynamic, the consumption as a form of desire, the horrors of being a girl and so many more. it subverts many classic mystery/crime tropes and is a must read for horror fans <3
the protagonists - blossom and henry are so toxic and horrible for each other, yet i couldn’t get enough of them. the messed up cat-and-mouse game they play is so fascinating to me, and it’s so much more than just some grown man preying on a schoolgirl. blossom is a very complex character, full of trauma and female rage, and manipulates men using her sexual appeal. her overall aesthetic was very pleasing, i was absolutely obsessed with the vivid descriptions of her outfits, they definitely made me want to buy more pink clothes for myself. henry on the other hand, is a self-destructive, coffee and nicotine addicted fbi agent, who simply needs to chill and go to therapy, but some men are gonna do everything but that!
this novel is perfect for romance+horror genre enthusiasts like me, and it explores so many interesting themes, like the monstrous feminine, the predator and prey dynamic, the consumption as a form of desire, the horrors of being a girl and so many more. it subverts many classic mystery/crime tropes and is a must read for horror fans <3
April 12, 2025
I read this on a friend's recommendation and I'm glad I finally did. This is one of those books where you'll learn pretty quickly what's going on, and you'll worry that the reveal of what the reader already knows is going to cause the entire book to fall flat. I'm here to tell you that isn't the case; Winborne really takes her time to wait to until the best possible moment to drop reveals on you. It's something I appreciate in this story quite a bit. I'm also here to tell you that if you heard from anyone else that reading this book will make you hungry...yes, it will in fact do that. Winborne really loves to describe the food in this book in detail, and it has a way of getting to you. Hannibal Lecter would likely approve. My only complaint about this is the fact that there is an abundance of run-on sentences throughout the entire novel, and that got a bit frustrating for me personally. And I do recommend, as a last point, to do yourself a favor and seek out content warnings for this book beforehand. I personally didn't have an issue with any of the content but I do think this is a novel where you'd be wiser to have a heads-up going in.
November 10, 2022
rarely do i get the urge to crawl inside a book and shut the covers in on myself, but blossom tucked me right on in (and promptly poured scalding black coffee on me). blossom james digs her roots in at her introduction and manages to burrow them deeper until you’re right where she wants you- pliant and awaiting her next move (not that you could ever expect it). kate (legend that she is) is a mastery of flowery metaphor, and knows exactly when to cut the fat and go straight to the bone. both my sporadic two week first read and day long reread left me hungry for more (currently devouring the follow up, ‘after the lamb bites back’), and i don’t remember the last time a book had me so involved in each character and their development. watching the plot unfold, i couldn’t help but root for blossom; who, in my opinion, has never done anything wrong in her life. ever. my stay in The Town left me slightly haunted, feeling as if it was happening in my own hometown…i almost wish it was, just to get a glimpse of blossom in action.
February 8, 2023
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3.5)
characters: 🖤🖤🖤🖤 (4)
writing: ✒️✒️✒️✒️ (4.5)
horror + gore: 🌲🌲🌲🌲 (4)
descriptions: 🦷🦷🦷🦷🦷 (5)
surrealism: ☁️☁️☁️ (3)
Blossom by Kate Winborne is a debut novel I haven't come across in, well, a while to say the least. The author's use of prose is addicting, the descriptions grotesque and shocking, though it keeps itself fairly afloat even with the use of surrealism, and is a fun rollercoaster of cat and mouse chases, manipulation, violence, and an interesting take/meditation on female rage, the female narrative, and patriarchal beauty or other standards of girlhood. Blossom's whole characterization is meant to juxtapose, contradict, all the while reflect itself, and her shallowness and grandiosity, while she spits out textbook information and weaponizes herself against her male counterparts. It's a fluffy, tooth-rotting sweet delve into the mind of sickness and depravity that I would pay good money to see adapted since it was clearly written with either the intention of being turned into a movie, or with a movie in mind.
characters: 🖤🖤🖤🖤 (4)
writing: ✒️✒️✒️✒️ (4.5)
horror + gore: 🌲🌲🌲🌲 (4)
descriptions: 🦷🦷🦷🦷🦷 (5)
surrealism: ☁️☁️☁️ (3)
Blossom by Kate Winborne is a debut novel I haven't come across in, well, a while to say the least. The author's use of prose is addicting, the descriptions grotesque and shocking, though it keeps itself fairly afloat even with the use of surrealism, and is a fun rollercoaster of cat and mouse chases, manipulation, violence, and an interesting take/meditation on female rage, the female narrative, and patriarchal beauty or other standards of girlhood. Blossom's whole characterization is meant to juxtapose, contradict, all the while reflect itself, and her shallowness and grandiosity, while she spits out textbook information and weaponizes herself against her male counterparts. It's a fluffy, tooth-rotting sweet delve into the mind of sickness and depravity that I would pay good money to see adapted since it was clearly written with either the intention of being turned into a movie, or with a movie in mind.
January 26, 2023
Read this and the second one when they came out. The writing itself is very impressive, nuanced, and sophisticated. And while the parallels made between themes throughout the book are sometimes not needed to convey the central thought, it's all very effective and doesn't take away from the reading at all because they're so vividly described, the imagery is so intricately woven throughout, I actually think it adds to it, because, like other aspects of the characters and the setting that, this fascinating vision of monstrosity and polished, pretty grossness establishes, it flourishes within the overt and extra, the fluff and delicacy of extravagance, making this book feel more like a cinematic experience or art piece. Especially considering what is known with the follow-up, it just makes me love the first even more because there are so many things that make sense now and are tied in/elaborated on. An exhilarating, fun read for sure.
November 6, 2022
I thought this was a compelling novel with very vivid writing. I enjoyed the protagonist, Henry, and how messed up he was. I'm a huge fan of morally grey protagonists, I think it makes a story interesting. Blossom was a great character too. She was very dark yet vibrant, a compelling paradox. I also enjoyed the toxicity of Henry and Blossom's relationship. It was not healthy...at all. It was violent, obsessive, and had a huge power imbalance. There relationship is like a gruesome car wreck that you can't turn your face from. This is not a light read. This book plays with a lot of dark and uneasy themes. So warning you now if that's not your thing then don't read it. But all in all I enjoyed it. Props to Kate Winsborne for creating such a compelling novel.
February 2, 2023
I'm not really into reading but I think these books are changing that. Very well written with a lot of depth and complexity to the characters alongside the setting. The subject matter is very heavy and uncomfortable at times, but it feels purposeful and exploitative of the reader's role/perception/assumptions and the stereotypes of the feminist/surrealist horror genre, which is further reflected in the second since I read them back to back, and the second goes deeper into some of the surface level stuff hinted at in here (definitely the surrealism aspects). Not for the weak-stomached or minded.
January 19, 2023
Traverses the line between being deliciously grotesque and spine-chillingly nuanced in its approach to the horror genre. An absolute triumph in getting in your head, under your skin, and staying there even after you've put the book down. I can't wait for the third and anything else Kate has to offer!!
January 11, 2024
”’The trees know more than they dare say, Charles. You know that, though,’ he exhaled through pursed lips, ‘don’t you?’”
Winborne’s descriptions have a wonderful and disgusting taste that I love to eat. The townspeople and surroundings really isolate Henry and the reader in the mystery of Blossom and what she is and why she is. Blossom as a character is a wild ride. She is relatable in the way of being a girl and in my case AFAB and presenting more feminine. The animalistic side of Blossom is so powerful and scares me. I desperately want to see her in action. Henry… Henry is a man that I want. I don’t know what Kate put into this man but I hate him in a loving way that I just want to eat him. That being said, I wanted more bark than bite… literally. I wanted more of how nature, trees, and the setting plays into the role of the plot as I came into that expectation from what I was led to believe from the author’s tumblr and the introduction of the novel. I was expecting more horror, haunt, and fleshing eating, but I got mostly hot steamy sex scenes. The sex scenes were well written and got me hot and bothered, I just don’t believe that the amount of scenes needed to be there to push the plot forward. It seemed like the plot was put on the back burner and the character’s, setting, and relationships were more fleshed out than I was expecting. I am looking forward to continuing the anthology and seeing how Winborne evolves as a writer and how Henry gets more unhinged.
Winborne’s descriptions have a wonderful and disgusting taste that I love to eat. The townspeople and surroundings really isolate Henry and the reader in the mystery of Blossom and what she is and why she is. Blossom as a character is a wild ride. She is relatable in the way of being a girl and in my case AFAB and presenting more feminine. The animalistic side of Blossom is so powerful and scares me. I desperately want to see her in action. Henry… Henry is a man that I want. I don’t know what Kate put into this man but I hate him in a loving way that I just want to eat him. That being said, I wanted more bark than bite… literally. I wanted more of how nature, trees, and the setting plays into the role of the plot as I came into that expectation from what I was led to believe from the author’s tumblr and the introduction of the novel. I was expecting more horror, haunt, and fleshing eating, but I got mostly hot steamy sex scenes. The sex scenes were well written and got me hot and bothered, I just don’t believe that the amount of scenes needed to be there to push the plot forward. It seemed like the plot was put on the back burner and the character’s, setting, and relationships were more fleshed out than I was expecting. I am looking forward to continuing the anthology and seeing how Winborne evolves as a writer and how Henry gets more unhinged.
January 8, 2023
David Lynch did this far better back in the 90s. Imitation may be flattery but in the literary world it's just plagiarism.
January 18, 2023
Already read most of this book but it came out in 2012 and was written by Gillian Flynn.
Read
June 20, 2023dnf
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