In Horrid, Katrina Leno brings the reader in with Jane's vulnerability and pain after her father's sudden death when she moves away from her home in California, leaving everything she knows and loves. She moves into her mother's childhood home, an unnerving gothic mansion with something sinister holding residence. Jane tries to somewhat adapt to her new life the best way she knows how. However, strange and unusual occurrences keep happening to her that she can't explain or comprehend. Her mother, who should be her rock and guiding light through this challenging time, seems to be unraveling and losing herself, so she isn't much help. Jane tries to talk to her mom about the odd, otherworldly episodes, but her mom keeps blaming it on her grief, refusing to look at the fact that something is seriously wrong with the house they are in, not to mention Jane is not okay.
Horrid had me captivated in a way that doesn't happen too often because the grief Jane felt was so raw and real it was overwhelming at times. And the mysterious gothic horror elements with the house and roses in the garden made for an eerie fascination that was almost a pleasure to read. It's like when you watch a great horror movie, and it scares you so much it gives you chills.
Horrid by Katrina Leno is a beautifully layered emotional gut punch that keeps coming.
Horrid had me captivated in a way that doesn't happen too often because the grief Jane felt was so raw and real it was overwhelming at times. And the mysterious gothic horror elements with the house and roses in the garden made for an eerie fascination that was almost a pleasure to read. It's like when you watch a great horror movie, and it scares you so much it gives you chills.
Horrid by Katrina Leno is a beautifully layered emotional gut punch that keeps coming.
