Jess’s Reviews > Decomposition Book > Status Update
Jess
is on page 97 of 320
The premise of a woman struggling with mental illness/recovering from a breakdown & forming a bond with a corpse & her journal is interesting. Unfortunately, this intrigue is watered down by inner monologues/POVs that feel very YA. Savannah is 21, Ava was 33. The references to memes, pop culture drama, & slang lingo are increasingly corny. Especially in modern day, where slang trends come & go extremely quickly-
— Oct 07, 2026 12:52PM
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Jess
is on page 116 of 320
-cringey white millennial. The narration keeps mentioning stereotypes about white men, but from what I’ve gathered, ALL the characters are white. The two POVs… are white women. The lack of self awareness is embarrassing. Does the author think the two groups don’t have much in common? Right…
— Oct 08, 2026 01:21PM
Jess
is on page 116 of 320
So I’m officially DNFing this as the protagonist listens to “Cardi B’s WAP” while accompanying the decomposing corpse in her backyard. Holy. Cardi B (& Megan Thee Stallion) have more innovative, ingenious lines in that single song than Van Os has had in this entire novel so far. I find it ironic that the author uses “Disney adults” as an offensive stereotype, when this writing is coming off as-
— Oct 08, 2026 01:19PM
Jess
is on page 97 of 320
Some of the OCD symptoms/rep I like, as someone who has OCD. Savannah just seems like a bumbling, chronically online idiot. I don’t think that’s intentional. We’re supposed to grit our teeth at some of her decisions, like her not immediately reporting Ava to the police & later becoming obsessed with her. But I think the narration style & humor itself is intended to be funny & appealing. Maybe if you’re 15.
— Oct 07, 2026 12:55PM
Jess
is on page 97 of 320
-this novel will become dated & even more “cringey” as time goes on. It also breaks immersion & tension. It’s not gotten to a point where I feel determined to DNF, but adult novels feeling YA & corny is perhaps my #1 turn off in books. The prose, outside of aforementioned corniness, is mostly alright. Some of the metaphors/analogies have been decent. I agree with Savannah in that she is, indeed, a loser.
— Oct 07, 2026 12:54PM