RaveThe Chicago Review of BooksIf there is one thing I know, it’s that Agustina Bazterrica knows how to cultivate a landscape of such horror, such intrigue, and such cunning that I’m glued to the page ... Balances fable, fiction, and fearlessness in a truly unforgettable fashion ... Body horror at its finest ... The horrific aspects of this book are balanced well with lyrical prose and some truly deep questions ... It really was the beautiful writing that had me so engaged with this plot ... The world building, too, is simply stellar. The convent is well thought out, with believable levels of hierarchy consisting of unique and terrifying sects that each serve a different purpose to the story. The use of the senses to build a feeling of deep unease is an achievement I’ve rarely seen but is done so well here ... This book is meant for everyone ... It was a true pleasure to get to read The Unworthy ... Swimming with stomach-dropping moments and unforgettable meditations on power, shame and scorn, all the while floating in a sinister world that is eerily reflective of our own.
RaveChicago Review of BooksRose’s debut had me fully immersed and always hungry for the next page ... Though dark in nearly every aspect, what I appreciated most about this novel was its insistence on light ... Tucked away in this wood is a story of enchanting hunger that will leave you deliciously sated and horribly heartbroken. In the hands of Lucy Rose, you’ll never go hungry.
Lauren Elkin
RaveChicago Review of BooksA philosophical journey all ought to embark on ... A new and intimate story of desire and just how far we’ll go to justify obtaining them. A riveting, bold challenge to the norms of relationships, friendships and marriages, Elkin has certainly earned her place on any bookshelf and in the minds of any reader. I’ll be reading this one again and again.
Jo Hamya
PositiveChicago Review of BooksWhile this book would be easy to sum up as a daddy issues book, that would only serve to discount Hamya’s immaculate character crafting ... I was engrossed in this father-daughter duel from the first page to the very last. A novel chalk full of wrongdoings, generational feuds, and rude awakenings, The Hypocrite is a story that will stick with you long after you put it down.
Halle Butler
RaveChicago Review of BooksI was far from disappointed ... One of the most admirable aspects of Banal Nightmare is the sheer scope of characterization that Butler brings the reader into. We follow nearly eight characters in depth ... Halle Butler brings together stunning prose, the Midwest, and a group of compellingly original characters to create what is truly, in the best way possible, a banal nightmare.
