"Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke My Heart" by Emma Simmerman

 

"Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke My Heart" by Emma Simmerman is a dark debut murder mystery about a college student whose habit of writing eulogies for her exes takes a deadly turn.

Sloane has a bad record: a history of substance abuse, a DUI, and an affair with one of her teachers. In short, a mess. On top of that, she writes fake eulogies in her journal every time a guy breaks her heart. Now she’s ready to start her senior year at Pembroke College and leave all that behind, with the support of her friend group.

The plot thickens when her exes turn up dead one by one, each with a note containing her eulogy near the body. She becomes the prime suspect and is forced to team up with her frenemy, Asher, to find the murderer. Between college parties, drinking to excess, a fake relationship, secret societies, and murders, her life has never looked darker.

I picked up the book because of the intriguing premise. While it delivered on that front, it disappointed on the character side. This is one of those books where I liked the plot but couldn’t care less about the protagonists. I enjoyed the group dynamics, the banter, the dark humor, and the mystery—but not the main characters.

To say Sloane is a mess is an understatement. She drinks too much, does drugs, and makes one bad decision after another—decisions that only make things worse. She’s 21; she should act like it and get her act together. That said, she does have some redeeming qualities.

Asher isn’t any better. He’s rude, manipulative, jumps from one girl to another, and only cares about himself. He does grow a bit toward the end, but it’s too little, too late. And no, his home circumstances don’t justify his behavior. I didn’t like the way he treated Sloane. For all her flaws—and believe me, there were many—she felt remorseful about the deaths of her exes and was big enough to forgive a few.

Asher’s family wasn’t any better. They knew what was happening at his home and did nothing. And don’t get me started on their friends. A memorial for a murderer? Really? I rolled my eyes when I read that.

The book explores themes of toxic relationships, abuse, found family, love triangle themes, psychological dread, betrayal, and forgiveness. There are a couple of smut scenes, so be aware. The romance is a slow-burn, and I liked that it was built up gradually rather than sprung on us. The last chapter is written from Asher’s POV, which didn’t make me like him any better.

To sum up: a great mystery with very unlikable characters. There are plenty of red herrings and twists. While I guessed the identity of the murderer toward the end, it still caught me by surprise. The ending is more implied than explicit, which I can’t say I liked.

Overall, it was a tense and quick read, so I only knocked off one star. Twisty, dark, and full of flawed characters you’ll love to hate—this one kept me hooked from start to finish. If you love a twisty mystery and don’t need to relate to the characters to enjoy it, this one is for you.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "Here Lie All the Boys Who Broke" by Heart Emma Simmerman

"House of the Beast" by Michelle Wong

 

"House of the Beast" by Michelle Wong is an impressive dark fantasy debut that follows a cast-out girl and a vengeful eldritch being. As someone who loves "fairy tales soaked in gothic atmosphere," the blurb immediately caught my eye - and boy, what a ride it was!

Alma, our heroine, is the illegitimate daughter of House Avera, one of the four noble houses of Kugara that serve the gods and are imbued with their powers. Her father is a vessel of the Dread Beast, the most terrifying god of all - a harbinger of death. When her mother becomes gravely ill, Alma strikes a deal with her estranged father: she will sacrifice her left arm to the Beast in a binding ceremony in exchange for treatment for her mother. Tragically, her mother dies anyway, leaving Alma isolated and unwanted in a house that doesn't feel like a home, a mere pawn in her father’s plans.

Rejected by her arrogant relatives and kept at a distance, Alma dreams of revenge. Heartbroken, isolated, and consumed by anger and hatred, she longs to bring down her cruel father. Her only friend is Aster, a mysterious eldritch being that only she can see. Together, they plot and prepare to challenge their circumstances. Thus begins a gripping story of revenge, resilience, and angst that kept me hooked until the very last page.

I absolutely loved this story and rooted for Alma from start to finish. She is a wonderfully complex character. At the story's start, she is just 11 years old, but after a few chapters, the narrative jumps ahead eight years. Watching her grow, change, and grapple with the realization that the world is not simply black and white was incredibly compelling. Her grief over her mother’s death is heart-wrenching, and her journey is relatable and deeply moving.

While Alma is full of resentment and hatred for her relatives, she also possesses remarkable compassion. She can be spiteful and selfish, but she is also soft-hearted and genuinely cares for others. Even in her darkest moments, she recalls her mother’s gentle admonishments to avoid harming others. Aster complements her, supports her, and shares a complex dynamic that adds depth to the narrative. They don't always see eye to eye, which adds to the realism of their relationship.

The side characters, including Fion, Kaim, Six, and Sevelie, are also well-developed, with enough detail to make them feel real and relatable. The themes of loneliness, abandonment, family, revenge, and the power of love are beautifully woven throughout the story. It also explores forgiveness, selflessness, and the sacrifices we make for those we care about.

The dark atmosphere, intricate relationships, and rich lore were fascinating. This is truly a dark tale - limb amputation to bind oneself to the gods is no small thing - but somehow, it all fits together seamlessly. The world-building and lore were outstanding. While there’s little focus on a magic system, the lore more than compensates for it. I also appreciated the subtle references to other countries and their lack of magic, highlighting the uniqueness of Kugara’s divine connections.

The illustrations deserve a special mention. They were not only visually striking, but also beautifully enhanced the story’s gothic and atmospheric tone, bringing the world and its characters vividly to life. The ending was unexpected, but after some reflection, I realized it was the right choice - it stayed true to the story’s tone and message.

With a story told from the first point of view, a well-constructed world, beatific black-and-white illustrations, likeable protagonists, and an enthralling narrative, we have an enjoyable and engaging read. The romance is very light, and never overshadows the story’s primary focus.

The pacing of the book was steady and engrossing for most of the story, but the last section picked up significantly, delivering a fast-paced, gripping climax. This shift worked well to build suspense, keeping me fully engaged until the very end. That said, I did find the use of the word "fuck," to be jarring in the otherwise unique world.

Overall, I adored this book and highly recommend it. House of the Beast is a gritty and captivating read, perfect for fans of flawed characters, intricate lore, and dark tales. Readers who enjoy emotionally-driven stories that delve into themes like trauma, loneliness, and the search for belonging will likely appreciate it.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "House of the Beast" by Michelle Wong