Friday, March 18, 2016

An Unusual DNF: Good Girls by Glen Hirshberg


Series: Motherless Children Trilogy #2
352 p.
Published: 2/23/16
Publisher: Tor Books
Source: From publisher for review
Three-time International Horror Guild and Shirley Jackson Award Winner Glen Hirshberg brings his flair for the grim, grisly, and emotionally harrowing to this standalone sequel toMotherless Child. 
Reeling from the violent death of her daughter and a confrontation with the Whistler--the monster who wrecked her life--Jess has fled the South for a tiny college town in New Hampshire. There she huddles in a fire-blackened house with her crippled lover, her infant grandson, and the creature that was once her daughter’s best friend, who may or may not be a threat. 
Rebecca, an orphan undergrad caring for Jess’s grandson, finds in Jess’ house the promise of a family she has never known, but also a terrifying secret.
Meanwhile, unhinged and unmoored, the Whistler watches from the rooftops and awaits his moment. 
And deep in the Mississippi Delta, the evil that spawned him stirs…
My thoughts:

I did DNF this book at about the 1/2 mark, so I will not give stars for the review. However, unlike other DNF "reviews" (since I didn't read the whole thing, it really isn't a review) I have to say I did like what I read. My problem is that I just didn't quite understand what I was reading. Confused? I wouldn't blame you.

I don't mind books that befuddle me somewhat, but should have a thread or come together at least by the half mark. While I did start to see a thread, it just wasn't enough. I didn't read the first book but was assured that I would be fine reading this as a standalone. I don't think this was the case for me. I think what I needed was in that first book and I aim to find out what what thread or key I needed to pull more of the images together. What I did read was strange and just disjointed but in a way that really captivated me and interested me. In fact, the more confusing parts were the most interesting. Usually it is the most frustrating but I didn't feel that way. I did want to continue the book and hope that it all came together in the end, but I kept feeling that I was missing the most important aspect of the trilogy and so needed that first book to do this one justice. So while I DNF'd this one, I am determined to come back to it once I read the first book. I think those with more patience possibly could read this one without reading the first, but it wasn't that way for me.

Btw, for those that don't like horror, it was a bit horrific, but more on the creepy end than terror (or what I did read). If you read the first book, let me know what you think, but I am intrigued enough to try it.

27 comments:

  1. ah yes it's complicated when it's confusing

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    1. I have a feeling I wouldn't be as confused if I read the first book.

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  2. I think I understand, I had a book I dnfed, it was good, but bloody hell, I did not understand one bit

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    1. Yea, it really kept my interest in one way but I knew I couldn't do it justice if I kept going.

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  3. No worries. I once DNFd a steampunk time travel novel because it's like a math fiction. I'm the type who can't take things like that for granted and move with the story. It has to make sense to me somehow otherwise I won't appreciate its cleverness.

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    1. Math fiction? Oh I know a couple of math people who would probably LOVE that. LOL

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  4. I'm having that problem with I Crawl Through It by A.S. King.

    The writing is excellent but I just don't understand what is happening or connect to anyone.

    I didn't want to give up because I kept hoping it would come together but eventually I set it aside.


    Karen @For What It's Worth

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    1. Now I'm curious about that book. I guess we like to torture ourselves. :D

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  5. This does sound interesting and strange and all those other adjectives. :)
    Sorry this didn't work for you but I can completely see why!

    Have a great weekend!!

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  6. Hopefully the first book will really shed some light on the events on this one and you can be captivated without being thoroughly confused the next time you pick it up Melissa!

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  7. Ack. I'm feeling the same way about the book I'm currently reading. It's full of space jargon so the book is incredibly dry. But I can't quit because I know it's bound to get better. I do understand you when you say you don't understand what you've read. I'm in the same boat as you.

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    1. Oh I do hope it picks up for you. Too much jargon can really slow a book.

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  8. Oh man, that stinks that it was just too confusing. I hope you read the first and find that you like it. :)

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    1. I have a feeling I won't feel the same if I do read that first book.

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  9. I hope that reading the first book will help you out. Sometimes the author will help you out in the second book and sometimes if you haven't read the first book, you can't finish the rest of the series. This one sounds like the later. Good luck.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. I think it will. I've seen excellent reviews on the first book and this one so I think that is the problem.

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  10. Ahhh that does not sound good. Hate when it's a second or further and assured it'll be fine and...not so much.

    Love your pin up girl :D They're all so fun!

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    1. It may be fine for someone else to pick it up and read w/o the first but it wasn't for me. :)

      Thanks!

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  11. Sometimes you just have to DNF them. I hate having to do that especially if you pay for them. I had to DNF a book yesterday, one from an author. This was edited so poorly I just couldn't continue. But if you can't understand what you're reading how can you enjoy a book? I don't blame you!

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    1. I do think I will try it again after reading the first one. It may just be me.

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  12. I agree you need to slip in at some point and grasp the world. Sounds like the publisher gave you some bad info regarding standalone. I do love horror, so I am curious about book one..:)

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    1. Well, I just needed more. I do want to read that first book and it made me very curious for it.

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  13. Godo for you to let go if it wasn't working. I am finally learning to do the same.

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  14. No good when you can't understand what you are reading. That sucks.

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