B. Zelkovich > Recent Status Updates

Still not completely sold on this one. I like it enough to keep going, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a lot of twists. Because right now, I feel like things are pretty obvious...

Ohhhhhh Ada's "past indiscretion" is worse than I expected... ughhhhhhhh. Very well written, but so so gross/uncomfortable (which is the point).

I just now got to the mention of the titular grey dog, and am very curious where all of this is going. This book is one hell of a slow burn.

A little repetitive so far, but also very well researched and cited.

I'm really intrigued by the author's choice to use a close 3rd POV in this book. It is so close it almost feels like 1st person, but we get just a hint of distance. Just a touch of disconnect from Claire, which works since she's so emotionally disconnected to begin with.

But, with some of the more... surreal things happening, I wonder how this pov will impact them.

Still in it. I'm very intrigued by whatever weird oceany things are happening. I am less invested in Claire, though I find her awkwardness personally relatable.

I am still just so enamored with Ada's new life in Lowery Bridge, I keep forgetting this is a horror novel. Whenever the spooky elements do arrive, they are going to blindside me.

I really hope this story isn't going to use whatever secret this dude was hiding and "how much he loved her" to excuse his manipulations and abuse...

I am very nervous that we're headed in that direction, BUT I am trying to meet the book where it is and see what it's trying to tell me. So, I will be patient.

So... I'm not supposed to like Elias, right? Because so far, it seems like he sucked and I'm not mourning him at all. Especially as all of Claire's thoughts about him in the immediate wake of his unexpected death aren't all that positive. It makes me think he might have been even worse than she's letting on.

So far, I find Ada's voice very earnest, convincing, and likeable. I kinda forgot this is a horror novel until I reread some of the cover copy. I was just happy to be along on the ride, lol.

Oh, this book is brilliant, isn't it? It's doing a lot on a craft level in a way that seems effortless. Intentional, but subtle. Stunning stuff so far.

Goddamn it. I knew this one would get me to cry, because listening to this final arc always fucks me up. But, man... Johann??? Kills me every single time.

"I believed our house was enchanted, that nothing could die here."

As her marriage withers on the vine.

Absolutely stunning prose so far. I am very, very into this.

Sooooooo this is gonna hurt like hell all over again?

Cool. Coolcoolcool.

Damn. This book comes out swinging. It does not let you look away. I am on page TEN.

This guy sounds exhausting. I get that lack of introspection is probably a big feature of his various mental health conditions, but all I can keep thinking is, "his poor wife."

I did not plan to read this book straight through, but I enjoyed the introduction enough that I'm already halfway through the second chapter. Might as well read the rest, right?

Man, I wish I would read this book faster, but unless I'm actively reading, it doesn't feel all that compelling. I really like it, I am Confused (affectionate), and yet...

Hades II exists.

He keeps foreshadowing like he's going to have some big epiphany about how he actually IS a psychopath, but... I don't think I believe him. This man does not sound trustworthy, tbh.

That was a long hour of very technical speak. I also think--at least in this stage of the book--he doesn't have a very good sense of himself as compared to the DSM-4 (at the time).

My dude. You are glib and charming and well liked and also love to set fires?????