I found myself captivated by this book and couldn’t put it down as Eleanor tried to learn how to fit in with her family and figure out who she can, and cannot trust. The dynamics of the family and house becomes more and more interesting and strange as the story unfolds. This causes a rift to form between her already tenuous relationship with her family. She feels like she doesn’t fit in as she arrives home and has a lot of responsibility abruptly thrust upon her. The only place she has to go is ‘home’ where she tries to catch up with her estranged, wild family. ”I’ve been alone for so long that I can’t remember what it feels like to belong.” This dark, twisted story follows teenage Eleanor as she runs away from her school after an encounter with a classmate goes wrong. It has lots of spooky, monster vibes and would be a great fall read. I do wish I had read this in October, approaching Halloween. Maybe I will re-read in the future to see. I want to love this book and I suppose partially why I'm feeling blasé about it could that I am coming off a book I really didn't enjoy and it's rubbing off on this book. Also, her love interest in Arthur was creepy and super cringey. They physically and verbally abused her, actively seem to hate her for just existing, refused to believe her regarding her grandmother's death, and attempted to murder her several times. I found myself wondering why Eleanor even bothered saving her family because they were all just so horrible to her. The concept is interesting, the imagery was unique, but I think I was hoping for more of the Addams Family when I picked this up. All of the LGBTQIA rep was a bonus as well. It really made the book atmospheric in that the setting was just so tangible.
I did love the writing and descriptions in this book. Our main character was sympathetic and I wanted her to succeed and be happy for once. I became almost disinterested in what happened to any of them.
Over time, however, I found myself wanting to put the book down while reading it. I was intrigued over the mystery and weirdness and monstrousness of the Zarrin family.
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