Collette Heather

actual rating 3.5
I like dark fantasy, so this book's darker, ritualistic thriller style worked really well for me. There are several scenes, chapters and moments where the author effectively sells the uneasiness and wrongness of the story, but not much happens in between the 'thriller' scenes. Some of this is because there's just not much Clarie, our MC, can do without coming across as insane, and some of it is because she's very much outside of the story locus. The actual number and spread show more of 'thriller' things is fairly well balance in my opinion, though.
The books weakest section is the beginning; this is the section where the spooky thriller elements are least evident and Clarie's infatuation with Mark is at its loudest and most uncomfortable. Her infatuation is so strong it makes her hard to like and empathize with (which while accurate is somewhat counterproductive in an MC.) There are a few spooky and thriller elements, but they're elements that only Clarie really notices, as in they're not strong enough for the reader to notice which somewhat takes the fun out of the scenes.
As the story progresses and the supernatural vibes increase and Clarie's infatuation becomes less prevalent, allowing me to move past 'this is a creepy and unhealthy relationship' and develop some attachment to Clarie.
The ending is strong, if not necessarily to my taste. show less