Black Iris
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Community Reviews
Find this review and more on my blog, After Hours at Lilybloombooks
More like 3.5 stars
When I first came across Black Iris - my first thought was THIS IS TOTALLY A "ME" BOOK. Not only because I loved Leah's debut novel, Unteachable, but because I have a thing for dark, unapologetic novels. The added flare of a F/F relationship and revenge plot had me beyond excited.
Now. There are many, many things about Black Iris that I enjoyed. But I just couldn't love this one. The same things that I enjoyed - irritated the shit of me. It's confusing as hell. Hopefully, my muddled thoughts are coherent enough for me to explain.
The characters. Every single character is flawed, dangerous and totally fucked up. And I loved it. I have so much respect for people (and characters) that own who they are and don't apologize for it. They live their live how they want to - right or wrong. And there was a lot of wrong.
The plot was intense and there were more than one plot twist thrown in that had me reeling. There were several times I thought I knew where things were going, only to be completely wrong once everything has been laid out.
The writing. Leah has a very poetic voice and normally, purple prose gives me hives - but in Black Iris, it didn't bother me as much. Yes, the many metaphors were grating after a while, but I went with it. The way this book was written was quite interesting too, alternating between different times and events throughout a year or so; slowly giving us the details that lead up to where Laney is and why she is doing what she is doing. At first, I didn't like it because the pacing was awfully slow and it took awhile for things to really get going. But once everything came to light? It was just brilliant. Over the top and NOT LIKELY but, brilliant none the less. I also loved how Laney's sexuality was explored. She is not gay, she is not bi - she just is.
So like I said - the things I enjoyed were also irritating. And there isn't one single thing that kept me from loving this - I honestly think it's a combination of things. The way Laney's character was written was suggesting that what she did was OKAY, because of what was done to her. 99% of the shit she did was NOT okay - and most would agree. Yes, I respect that she IS unapologetic and I even applaud that Leah wrote such a dark character but at the same time, I just can't get over the shit she did. It was extreme - and yes, she was treated horribly and didn't have the best of life at first, but that does not make anything she did OKAY.
I also can't really put my finger on the POINT of the novel, other than to express the pains, trials and psycho things people will do to get revenge. Maybe I missing something? I just don't get it. Maybe there isn't even a point at all - and I am over thinking it.
I also thought the subliminal messages about "typical romances" were beyond irritating. I get it - this isn't a typical romance novel. I agree with all of them - but after like, the 5th one, I couldn't keep from rolling my eyes.
So see, my thoughts are confusing and are contradicting. *shrug*
While I enjoyed Black Iris, it's not for everyone. It's dark, balls to the wall intense, sexy and a complete mind fuck. If you are anything at all like me, and you crave this type of book, then go for it.
*I received a copy of this book from Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
More like 3.5 stars
When I first came across Black Iris - my first thought was THIS IS TOTALLY A "ME" BOOK. Not only because I loved Leah's debut novel, Unteachable, but because I have a thing for dark, unapologetic novels. The added flare of a F/F relationship and revenge plot had me beyond excited.
Now. There are many, many things about Black Iris that I enjoyed. But I just couldn't love this one. The same things that I enjoyed - irritated the shit of me. It's confusing as hell. Hopefully, my muddled thoughts are coherent enough for me to explain.
What I liked
The characters. Every single character is flawed, dangerous and totally fucked up. And I loved it. I have so much respect for people (and characters) that own who they are and don't apologize for it. They live their live how they want to - right or wrong. And there was a lot of wrong.
The plot was intense and there were more than one plot twist thrown in that had me reeling. There were several times I thought I knew where things were going, only to be completely wrong once everything has been laid out.
The writing. Leah has a very poetic voice and normally, purple prose gives me hives - but in Black Iris, it didn't bother me as much. Yes, the many metaphors were grating after a while, but I went with it. The way this book was written was quite interesting too, alternating between different times and events throughout a year or so; slowly giving us the details that lead up to where Laney is and why she is doing what she is doing. At first, I didn't like it because the pacing was awfully slow and it took awhile for things to really get going. But once everything came to light? It was just brilliant. Over the top and NOT LIKELY but, brilliant none the less. I also loved how Laney's sexuality was explored. She is not gay, she is not bi - she just is.
My hang ups
So like I said - the things I enjoyed were also irritating. And there isn't one single thing that kept me from loving this - I honestly think it's a combination of things. The way Laney's character was written was suggesting that what she did was OKAY, because of what was done to her. 99% of the shit she did was NOT okay - and most would agree. Yes, I respect that she IS unapologetic and I even applaud that Leah wrote such a dark character but at the same time, I just can't get over the shit she did. It was extreme - and yes, she was treated horribly and didn't have the best of life at first, but that does not make anything she did OKAY.
I also can't really put my finger on the POINT of the novel, other than to express the pains, trials and psycho things people will do to get revenge. Maybe I missing something? I just don't get it. Maybe there isn't even a point at all - and I am over thinking it.
I also thought the subliminal messages about "typical romances" were beyond irritating. I get it - this isn't a typical romance novel. I agree with all of them - but after like, the 5th one, I couldn't keep from rolling my eyes.
So see, my thoughts are confusing and are contradicting. *shrug*
While I enjoyed Black Iris, it's not for everyone. It's dark, balls to the wall intense, sexy and a complete mind fuck. If you are anything at all like me, and you crave this type of book, then go for it.
*I received a copy of this book from Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
If it is purple is gay.
Is there a genre for "Gay Girls With Mental Illnesses Seeking Revenge and Being Sad in The Meantime"?
I really liked this book, I didn't know how smutty it was going to be, but that is not all there is. The completion of the puzzle was good, the buildup, the way it makes you like all the characters for then make them kick you in the face.
The bad guys are really bad and the good guys are really bad and there are no good girls and everyone is just your neighbour pretending to be normal, but are they really?
Yeah, I'm putting this in my favourites shelf. It is so quotable, I need to highlight and underline the whole thing.
But of course, be prepared for A LOT of drugs talk, bullying, mental illnesses, homophobia and all that not really nice stuff. Suicide and guilt, manipulation... it starts dark and goes darker.
Five stars, no complaints.
Ok, one complaint, or request. I need this same vibe but with 20somethings going 30s going 40s.
It is too good of a story to give it to "children".
I mean, yeah, probably an adult would think things twice and not go all on it, but I'm sure there are plenty of adults that will be and do worse than this, and isn't that what we like?
All I'm saying is these golden characters need to be a bit older.
Is there a genre for "Gay Girls With Mental Illnesses Seeking Revenge and Being Sad in The Meantime"?
I really liked this book, I didn't know how smutty it was going to be, but that is not all there is. The completion of the puzzle was good, the buildup, the way it makes you like all the characters for then make them kick you in the face.
The bad guys are really bad and the good guys are really bad and there are no good girls and everyone is just your neighbour pretending to be normal, but are they really?
Yeah, I'm putting this in my favourites shelf. It is so quotable, I need to highlight and underline the whole thing.
But of course, be prepared for A LOT of drugs talk, bullying, mental illnesses, homophobia and all that not really nice stuff. Suicide and guilt, manipulation... it starts dark and goes darker.
Five stars, no complaints.
Ok, one complaint, or request. I need this same vibe but with 20somethings going 30s going 40s.
It is too good of a story to give it to "children".
I mean, yeah, probably an adult would think things twice and not go all on it, but I'm sure there are plenty of adults that will be and do worse than this, and isn't that what we like?
All I'm saying is these golden characters need to be a bit older.
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