This week’s #spellbooksaturday is my second read from the popular horror author, though I was somewhat nonplussed by…
Cackle by Rachel Harrison
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
[Content warnings: body horror, spiders, etc.]
All her life, Annie has played it nice and safe. After being unceremoniously dumped by her longtime boyfriend, Annie seeks a fresh start. She accepts a teaching position that moves her from Manhattan to a small village upstate. She’s stunned by how perfect and picturesque the town is. The people are all friendly and warm. Her new apartment is dreamy too, minus the oddly persistent spider infestation. Then Annie meets Sophie. Beautiful, charming, magnetic Sophie, who takes a special interest in Annie, who wants to be her friend. More importantly, she wants Annie to stop apologizing and start living for herself. That’s how Sophie lives. Annie can’t help but gravitate toward the self-possessed Sophie, wanting to spend more and more time with her, despite the fact that the rest of the townsfolk seem…a little afraid of her. And like, okay. There are some things. Sophie’s appearance is uncanny and ageless, her mansion in the middle of the woods feels a little unearthly, and she does seem to wield a certain power…but she couldn’t be…could she?
[source: bookshop.org]
There are certainly enjoyable elements of this book, as it is very broadly appealing. Annie is a relatable lead— who hasn’t experienced heartbreak, or the challenges of making friends as an adult? Overall though, with nothing too challenging to overcome, I found it to be rather saccharine. Perhaps author Rachel Harrison is just not for me, as I was similarly unimpressed by Black Sheep.
Have you read Cackle? What were your thoughts? And for the many fans of Rachel Harrison: what am I missing? Share in the comments!
I have a Bookshop.org list of #spellbooksaturday features for folks to peruse, but in the spirit of transparency, as a Bookshop.org affiliate, I receive a small percentage of book sales purchased through my links. If you find that off-putting, feel free to shop directly through bookshop.org or your own local bookseller! My only goal here is to resist Amazon and the mega-rich.
DID YOU ENJOY THIS SPELLBOOK SATURDAY FEATURE? SHOP THE LIST ON BOOKSHOP.ORG, OR CHECK OUT SOME MORE READING RECOMMENDATIONS…
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