cleosvx

My take on this recent read of mine. I just had to get this out of my head.
          	
          	
          	
          	I was in a reading slump for a couple of years until this week. I have a bit of free time for art, reading, and writing, and so I try to make the most of those.
          	
          	One thing about me as a reader is that I love unique and intriguing stories. It doesn't matter if it's odd, as long as it's to my liking, then it's sold. The trope is not in question, but how the story sets apart from the rest. I do not fancy over hyped books just because it appealed to a huge audience. I don't even care how it's written as long as it has something to keep my attention.
          	
          	I noticed very recently that the books I've particularly enjoyed are under the category of romance with a subcategory at least either one of these: fantasy, historical, mystery/thriller. Too many options and too many stories to choose from but I could count in my hands the stories that stood out.
          	
          	I was scrolling here and there for something to read then came across this story. It's been a long while since a novel made me feel like a rollercoaster of emotions—even made me cry—until today. 
          	
          	Title: My Darling Dreadful Thing
          	Author: Johanna Van Veen
          	
          	The tags that were inserted under this story were: gothic, horror, queer, lesbian, paranormal. Only, I think it was more centered on psychological rather than horror/paranormal.
          	
          	This book was something else. This is definitely not for everyone. This has taken me by surprise. I was not ready to read this but I finished it. I thought I was reading a romance book that has a little touch of suspense/thriller. I expected it to lean more towards the 'kilig' factor. There are only about two scenes in this that made me feel that but the rest had me frowning my brows, tearing up, and being upset.
          	
          	You know a character was well crafted and impressively established, when you care for them. And you know the writing has depth when you feel the emotion carved to its core and have it reflected to you.

cleosvx

@Enything_ Indeed! Ruth is the 'My Darling Dreadful Thing' so it makes sense. Ruth is actually my favorite there haha! 
          	  
          	  Akala ko nga I accidentally checked the 'announce' box, kasi may nagreply. Anyway, hope you enjoyed. You might want to check these books in my TBR list and see if they're to your liking: 
          	  
          	  House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson 
          	  Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna Van Veen 
          	  Bloom Town: Genesis by Ally North
          	  Bloom Town: Exodus by Ally North
• Reply

Enything_

 @cleosvx earlier chaps rin fave ko haha, sa gitna kasi the parang medyo nag slow yung story, tapos parang biglang peak yung pa ending. gusto ko sana medyo horror/thriller pa pero parang hindi ata yun ang intention ng writer. yung phasing nya medyo may pagka The Haunting of Bly Manor haha kaya nagustuhan ko rin. 
          	   si Ruth medyo napa isip ako kung she's one of Roo's identity kumbaga kala ko may DID sya, pero aware kasi sya agad kay Ruth so parang hindi. Ruth was made to be her companion/savior/soulmate. 
          	   HAHA buti na lang sumasaglit ako minsan dito sa account mo nakita ko tong story, tumitingin kasi ako if may announcement ka ba na di naka notify dito.
• Reply

cleosvx

@Enything_ 
          	  That's very well put. They shared a somewhat similar pain. A's trauma with T made her treat R the same way she was treated (i meant the passive aggression), and I didn't like that. All throughout I was caring for Roos. She clung to A because she felt that's her purpose and I hated her so called Mama for that. I don't have any idea from A's perspective and she's had a history of being a liar so I find it hard to trust her intention, although I feel sorry for her just as I am for Roos.
          	  
          	  What Roos experienced was real to her. I'm honestly conflicted about this. I searched about folie à trois in psychiatry, and it made me believe that they are having a shared delusion. Remember the scene with Miss K, nung ilang ulit nyang pinipilit si R that T was there? I believe Miss K is the inducer of the delusion. Also, they already expected that T would soon become a spirit so it was already present in their mind. Had A remain oblivious to what R did to T's body, would she be able to see T? This theory is strong and believable. I couldn't take the scene with T seriously, it was cringe and laughable lang especially when he said, "I release you" to R just because R won't have any of his shts anymore lmao. Also, I've read the transcripts of Dr. M and the author's take.
          	  
          	  Now, what made this confusing is, doon sa findings during the trial, the bites didn't match R's teeth, and A's body was carried—not dragged—to the bog. I'm conflicted on what to believe given these points. 
          	  
          	  A part of me believes that it was real and another believes that it was only real to R. I think, it was meant to leave us with questions on whether it was real or not. Hence, the point of the paranormal element of the story.
          	  
          	  How about you? What do you think? Also, do you have a favorite? Sa'kin are the earlier chapters. I like how Roos and Ruth met and how they met Agnes. I find Ruth cute; she acts childishly lol.
• Reply

cleosvx

My take on this recent read of mine. I just had to get this out of my head.
          
          
          
          I was in a reading slump for a couple of years until this week. I have a bit of free time for art, reading, and writing, and so I try to make the most of those.
          
          One thing about me as a reader is that I love unique and intriguing stories. It doesn't matter if it's odd, as long as it's to my liking, then it's sold. The trope is not in question, but how the story sets apart from the rest. I do not fancy over hyped books just because it appealed to a huge audience. I don't even care how it's written as long as it has something to keep my attention.
          
          I noticed very recently that the books I've particularly enjoyed are under the category of romance with a subcategory at least either one of these: fantasy, historical, mystery/thriller. Too many options and too many stories to choose from but I could count in my hands the stories that stood out.
          
          I was scrolling here and there for something to read then came across this story. It's been a long while since a novel made me feel like a rollercoaster of emotions—even made me cry—until today. 
          
          Title: My Darling Dreadful Thing
          Author: Johanna Van Veen
          
          The tags that were inserted under this story were: gothic, horror, queer, lesbian, paranormal. Only, I think it was more centered on psychological rather than horror/paranormal.
          
          This book was something else. This is definitely not for everyone. This has taken me by surprise. I was not ready to read this but I finished it. I thought I was reading a romance book that has a little touch of suspense/thriller. I expected it to lean more towards the 'kilig' factor. There are only about two scenes in this that made me feel that but the rest had me frowning my brows, tearing up, and being upset.
          
          You know a character was well crafted and impressively established, when you care for them. And you know the writing has depth when you feel the emotion carved to its core and have it reflected to you.

cleosvx

@Enything_ Indeed! Ruth is the 'My Darling Dreadful Thing' so it makes sense. Ruth is actually my favorite there haha! 
            
            Akala ko nga I accidentally checked the 'announce' box, kasi may nagreply. Anyway, hope you enjoyed. You might want to check these books in my TBR list and see if they're to your liking: 
            
            House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson 
            Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna Van Veen 
            Bloom Town: Genesis by Ally North
            Bloom Town: Exodus by Ally North
• Reply

Enything_

 @cleosvx earlier chaps rin fave ko haha, sa gitna kasi the parang medyo nag slow yung story, tapos parang biglang peak yung pa ending. gusto ko sana medyo horror/thriller pa pero parang hindi ata yun ang intention ng writer. yung phasing nya medyo may pagka The Haunting of Bly Manor haha kaya nagustuhan ko rin. 
             si Ruth medyo napa isip ako kung she's one of Roo's identity kumbaga kala ko may DID sya, pero aware kasi sya agad kay Ruth so parang hindi. Ruth was made to be her companion/savior/soulmate. 
             HAHA buti na lang sumasaglit ako minsan dito sa account mo nakita ko tong story, tumitingin kasi ako if may announcement ka ba na di naka notify dito.
• Reply

cleosvx

@Enything_ 
            That's very well put. They shared a somewhat similar pain. A's trauma with T made her treat R the same way she was treated (i meant the passive aggression), and I didn't like that. All throughout I was caring for Roos. She clung to A because she felt that's her purpose and I hated her so called Mama for that. I don't have any idea from A's perspective and she's had a history of being a liar so I find it hard to trust her intention, although I feel sorry for her just as I am for Roos.
            
            What Roos experienced was real to her. I'm honestly conflicted about this. I searched about folie à trois in psychiatry, and it made me believe that they are having a shared delusion. Remember the scene with Miss K, nung ilang ulit nyang pinipilit si R that T was there? I believe Miss K is the inducer of the delusion. Also, they already expected that T would soon become a spirit so it was already present in their mind. Had A remain oblivious to what R did to T's body, would she be able to see T? This theory is strong and believable. I couldn't take the scene with T seriously, it was cringe and laughable lang especially when he said, "I release you" to R just because R won't have any of his shts anymore lmao. Also, I've read the transcripts of Dr. M and the author's take.
            
            Now, what made this confusing is, doon sa findings during the trial, the bites didn't match R's teeth, and A's body was carried—not dragged—to the bog. I'm conflicted on what to believe given these points. 
            
            A part of me believes that it was real and another believes that it was only real to R. I think, it was meant to leave us with questions on whether it was real or not. Hence, the point of the paranormal element of the story.
            
            How about you? What do you think? Also, do you have a favorite? Sa'kin are the earlier chapters. I like how Roos and Ruth met and how they met Agnes. I find Ruth cute; she acts childishly lol.
• Reply

Wendysrien

Hi! It’s been a while since I last opened this app, and so much has happened since then. I read TLWD when I was in my 2nd/3rd year of nursing school, and now I’ve graduated and passed my board exam. I’m officially an RN, and I’m so happy seeing all the new updates here! I hope you had a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year.l, author! <333

Wendysrien

@cleosvx salamat po! your stories and characters cheered me up during the stressful days of nursing school that's why they have a special place in my heart :')
• Reply

cleosvx

@Wendysrien that's wonderful, congratulations! i remember you told me a few months ago that you graduated, and now you passed the board? simply well done. anyway, thank you for appreciating my work/s.  happy holidays! ♡
• Reply

ar1xtocrap

Hello author! Did you delete the Christmas Special chapter po? :(

tinthingz

@cleosvx noted po author
• Reply

cleosvx

@tinthingz i'm not sure. i might post it again on new year's day. @s0meb0dy_n0b0dy yes, i commented on that chapter regarding sa time limit. i sometimes do this—posting a chapter for a limited time.
• Reply

s0meb0dy_n0b0dy

Limited time lang po talaga sya inupload?
• Reply

jujutabi

i'll never get over henri talaga, kahit ilang beses ko basahin it still feels the same—in fact, much more intense. even if i read other books i always end up here, i love them so much it hurts. i really hope na in time, if god permits, there will be a physical copy. so that ill have something i could keep forever. thank you so much, miss! this really made my christmas a lot more special.

jujutabi

@cleosvx i can yap about it all day tbh, looking forward for the alt ver with nothing but love and patience : ))
• Reply

cleosvx

@jujutabi henlo! this  is heartwarming. idk how TLWD resonated with you but i'm glad it did.  thank you for appreciating them. despite of the many flaws the story has. lovelots!
• Reply

jujutabi

love na love ko talaga si henri, my favorite yearner.
• Reply