Erica Waters

All That Consumes Us

I have no idea why I am still bummed out when a YA book turns out a little immature. Maybe since it was set in college, I expected more? The direct references to "The Secret History", "Jane Eyre" and "Carmilla" also set up expectations but delivered next to nothing (what is the point of a reference if you do not truly engage with it? Are you just signalling you have been on Tumblr or, even worse, on TikTok?)

I think there were the bones of a good story but not the meat. Everything that happens after Tara's discovery feels like the author was just throwing anything at the wall. 

Last but not least, I have to acknowledge that maybe reading this as an audiobook was not the best way to approach the book. The narration did very little to bring in gothic atmosphere to the novel - an opportunity missed.

I have no idea why I am still bummed out when a YA book turns out a little immature. Maybe since it was set in college, I expected more? The direct references to "The Secret History", "Jane Eyre" and "Carmilla" also set up expectations but delivered next to nothing (what is the point of a reference if you do not truly engage with it? Are you just signalling you have been on Tumblr or, even worse, on TikTok?)

I think there were the bones of a good story but not the meat. Everything that happens after Tara's discovery feels like the author was just throwing anything at the wall. 

Last but not least, I have to acknowledge that maybe reading this as an audiobook was not the best way to approach the book. The narration did very little to bring in gothic atmosphere to the novel - an opportunity missed.

All That Consumes Us

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