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A review by spacerkip
Lacrimore by S.J. Costello
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A short read, one that could probably be finished in one afternoon, but is good to savor like a fine wine. I loved the atmosphere woven into the story, from the strained relationships between the characters to the constant decay and rot of the house in which the entire story is contained, as if the spirit of Lacrimore itself stretched into every aspect of the writing. The ending gives you just enough answers to tie up lose plot threads, but it does not seek to draw every mystery introduced to a close. I also loved the little bits of worldbuilding that were worked into the narrative. Not so much to overburden the story (since it took place entirely on an island away from society and didn't even get a name), but just enough to make the world beyond Lacrimore and how its characters interacted with it feel real. The prose was artfully written, and I found myself catching my breath at certain phrases more than a few times.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Violence and Medical content