Black Sheep I By Rachel Harrison

 

 

Book Review | Horror

Black Sheep
Publisher:
Published: September 19th, 2023
A cynical twentysomething must confront her unconventional family’s dark secrets in this fiery, irreverent horror novel from the author of Such Sharp Teeth and Cackle. Nobody has a “normal” family, but Vesper Wright’s is truly...something else. Vesper left home at eighteen and never looked back—mostly because she was told that leaving the staunchly religious community she grew up in meant she couldn’t return. But then an envelope arrives on her doorstep. Inside is an invitation to the wedding of Vesper’s beloved cousin Rosie. It’s to be hosted at the family farm. Have they made an exception to the rule? It wouldn’t be the first time Vesper’s been given special treatment. Is the invite a sweet gesture? An olive branch? A trap? Doesn’t matter. Something inside her insists she go to the wedding. Even if it means returning to the toxic environment she escaped. Even if it means reuniting with her mother, Constance, a former horror film star and forever ice queen. When Vesper’s homecoming exhumes a terrifying secret, she’s forced to reckon with her family’s beliefs and her own crisis of faith in this deliciously sinister novel that explores the way family ties can bind us as we struggle to find our place in the world.       (Goodreads)

 

 

 

My thoughts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Narrative and Plot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Sheep follows the template of a typical Rachel Harrison novel. Told from the perspective of the main character Vesper, it has an eerie, mysterious tone that sets the atmosphere for the story.

 

 

 

 

 

As the story progresses, we learn more about Vesper’s world and the way she grew up. While satirical, the story ventures into whimsical territory to deliver its message in the most literal form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Characters and Conflicts

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vesper, like most of Rachel Harrison’s main protagonists, tends towards being an unlikeable character. She has impulsive thoughts, and she clearly doesn’t think of herself as a good person. However, in this story, she has valid reasons for being the way she is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her complicated relationship with her mother, Constance, adds layers to the story. That said, Constance remains a fascinating character till the end. The central conflict and the general theme of the story revolve around whether or not you can rise above your upbringing and discover who you really are.

 

 

 

With its own dramatic flair, the story explores this idea and lets Vesper come out on top. Even so, the past lingers, no matter how far you leave it behind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, Black Sheep was a one-time read for me. While it wasn’t a pleasant or uplifting tale, the story delves deep into the theme of familial abuse and adds a touch of the paranormal. If you wish to pick this up, I would suggest checking the trigger warnings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

📚 Heads up, bookbugs! 🫖

Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! Think of it as a little thank-you hug for all the bookish content I pour my heart into. 💛

 

 Your support keeps the pages turning. ☕📖

 

Thank you for being here! ✨

You may also like...

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Bookbugworld

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading