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Black Sheep

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'Black Sheep' by Rachel Harrison follows the story of Vesper, a young woman who is disenchanted with her life working at a chain restaurant. After receiving a wedding invitation from her ex-boyfriend and best friend, she is intrigued to return home to a small village that is actually a Satanic cult called Hell's Gate. As she navigates her family dynamics, particularly her cold and non-loving mother who is a famous horror movie actress, Vesper begins to unravel her past and make realizations about her identity and desires. The plot unfolds delicately, revealing little tidbits that keep the reader wondering how they fit into the big picture, while the writing style combines elements of humor, darkness, and relatability.

Characters:

Characters are well-developed, portraying relatable struggles with familial dysfunction within a unique cult setting.

Writing/Prose:

The writing combines a cozy, humorous tone with unsettling themes, balancing lightheartedness with deeper psychological elements.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around a young woman grappling with her tumultuous past as she returns to her cult-infested hometown for a wedding, unfolding a series of dark family secrets.

Setting:

The setting is a small town characterized by its cult practices, providing an eerie and immersive atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick and engaging, with a steady build-up of tension that maintains reader interest.

Notes:

The main character, Vesper, feels estranged from her religious family.
Vesper receives a wedding invitation from her ex-boyfriend and best friend.
Hell's Gate is the name of the Satanic cult in the story.
Vesper's mother is a famous horror movie actress, known as a 'scream queen.'
The book explores themes of family dysfunction and self-discovery.
Readers find Vesper relatable, especially those with religious trauma.
The cult members are depicted as normal people, making everyday life relatable.
Many found the twist of the story predictable, yet still engaging.
The humor in the narrative balances its horror elements.
The book is described as light horror, great for holiday reading.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

'Black Sheep' has medium content warnings, including references to past trauma, family dysfunction, and themes surrounding cults.

Has Romance?

The book contains a moderate level of romance, primarily revolving around the protagonist's past relationships and the emotional complexities tied to returning home.

From The Publisher:

A New York Times Best Horror Book of the Year

A cynical twentysomething must confront her unconventional family's dark secrets in this fiery, irreverent horror novel from the author of Such Sharp Teeth and Cackle .

Nobody has a "normal" family, but Vesper Wright's is truly...something else. Vesper left home at eighteen and never looked back-mostly because she was told that leaving the staunchly religious community she grew up in meant she couldn't return. But then an envelope arrives on her doorstep.

Inside is an invitation to the wedding of Vesper's beloved cousin Rosie. It's to be hosted at the family farm. Have they made an exception to the rule? It wouldn't be the first time Vesper's been given special treatment. Is the invite a sweet gesture? An olive branch? A trap? Doesn't matter. Something inside her insists she go to the wedding. Even if it means returning to the toxic environment she escaped. Even if it means reuniting with her mother, Constance, a former horror film star and forever ice queen.

When Vesper's homecoming exhumes a terrifying secret, she's forced to reckon with her family's beliefs and her own crisis of faith in this deliciously sinister novel that explores the way family ties can bind us as we struggle to find our place in the world.

Ratings (16)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (8)
Liked It (3)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (36):

Read It (17)
Want To Read (17)
Not Interested (2)
 
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