Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison | Book Review

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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.

I was so scared to read Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison because I am admittedly a chicken. Now that I have kids, I am so out of practice with reading horror stories. I cannot handle anything with kids in danger. However, Cackle was soooo good that I knew I needed to give Black Sheep a shot. Add in that the audiobook is narrated by Jeremy Carlisle Parker, and friends, I am SOLD.

This book is about Vesper Wright. Vesper works at a restaurant and is a twenty something living a pretty quiet life. She has quite a history though. You see, Vesper grew up in the Hell’s Gate cult. She ended up leaving at 18. Vesper is called back with an invitation to the wedding of her best friend and ex boyfriend. Rather than turning it down, she ends up going back home. There we learn about her mom, Constance Wright, who was a famous horror actress. Also, about her mysterious father who has been in and out of her life. Only, y’all there’s a huge twist with her dad. Also, this book for sure takes a supernatural turn.

I am so glad I read Black Sheep. It was a solid spooky season read for me. I like books that are creepy and not gory. I am not at all a fan of gore. There’s a smidge of gore and moments where I was like WTF is going on here. However, the best part is that this gives off that creepy feeling where we know something is sinister and off but not quite what it is. I love that. Also, Vesper kind of starts off as kind of… someone in need of growth and she really just is so dynamic by the end. The audiobook was worth the listen. Jeremy Carlisle Parker does an excellent job as Vesper, but also with the voice of Vesper’s father. It was easy to differentiate between the different characters. The audiobook is 9 hours and 54 minutes long – a superb spooky season listen, although I did feel a little awkward everytime they were like hail Satan hahaha.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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