Catherine House

this was so weird and wonderful, i wasn't expecting to like it as much as i did. the atmosphere was great and it completely fit the “dark academia” bill, and i loved all the characters and how things unfolded. this is sooo not a thriller though, like at all, lmao.

i think my only real criticism is a super specific one to my personal tastes, and that's that i felt like it was missing that edge of tension i was hoping for. i would've liked it to get a little more unsettling (like, question-my-existence unsettling LMFAO) overall, or honestly even some horror. that being said, this was such a strong debut and so intriguing. i actually really loved the ending, but i think anyone who hates unanswered questions or open endings definitely won't like this.

this book was so introspective and crushing in a soft way, it felt like it was diving into my head. you know that scene in ‘get out' when the white lady sends chris to the sunken place for the first time? that's what this book felt like for me.