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Such a Pretty Smile - Kristi DeMeester



4/5

A serial killer only known as The Cur, comes out at night and hunts down, mutilating young girls that aren’t “good girls”. Those who fight back and use their voice to stand up for themselves.

This is absolutely a feminist horror novel that explores dark themes of sexism and societal expectations of gender norms.

Told in duel timelines, we follow Lila, a 13-yr old, and her mother Caroline in their town as a young girl’s body was just discovered after having gone missing a few days before. And then jumping back to when Caroline was younger and we start to see parallels between then and now.

Both are unreliable narrators, but don’t fall into the category of the reader being frustrated with their every decision. Tension builds slow but steady until you’re on the edge of your seat, devouring what happens.

Recommended for horror fans that like a bit of social commentary and feminist elements.

CW: Some graphic imagery\description referencing to assault\mutilation of younger teen victims.

1/18/22

*This review was previously posted on my Google Site

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