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Juniper
A story about those who revel in the grotesque- about the inherent contradictory nature of dogma- about the red string of fate being pulled so tightly that it strangles. Nothing but meat and candy.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 8, 2024
Grotesque, Cerebral and at times dream-like, Not a story for the faint of heart or weak of stomach
April 3, 2025
The first thing I want to say is, I sincerely regret not picking this up to read sooner. The next is that I devoured this book in only three sittings, the only thing that had me putting it down was the inescapable responsibilities of life, otherwise I would have kept going. And the third is I work in a specialized store that sells frozen meat and read over half this book on the clock, and it honestly felt like a prefect venue to do so, surrounded on all sides by butchered things, both encased behind glass and on the page.
I found the relationships shown in the town of Juniper to be fascinating and true to how complex ones in real life small towns can be, how messy is can get between people who occupy the same space for decades and how they intersect and relate to one another; the history, the love, the hate, or simply having to tolerate.
I wasn't expecting all the feelings Mona would invoke, but I welcome them, the way they are written, I can't help but simultaneously be nauseated by and also deeply invested in getting to know them better at different points. The scenes between Mona and Roswell were also a treat, so much simultaneous care and tension, especially when they stop communicating as much as they have previously, I felt helpless waiting for it to boil over and the truth to come out.
If I had to pick a favourite character, it would have to be Denver, I found myself frequently sitting up and eyes wide at his portions. The multiple dream sequences throughout the book were all fantastic for different reasons, how they peeled back layers to the characters that were having them was engrossing, but the dream Denver had and the change it woke up in him? Amazing to witness.
I'd be an idiot to not bring up November, I was hit with no small amount of sadness in relation to her, I found myself relating to Nascha. I had a best friend who died in an unfair and tragic way in her 20s much too young, when I still lived in the same small town I knew her in, I felt a similar kind of haunted nature, as well as a desire to shut myself off, anger because people didn't understand the depth of our friendship or my feelings on the matter. Everything between the pair hit very close to home in many ways.
The emotional depth to be found between the pages of Juniper is stunning. From the vivid descriptions of violence to the enveloping dream sequences, to the rich characters, all tied together with bloody tendons and soaked in strawberry syrup, I am going to be recommending this book over and over. To say I am excited for the next two instalments is a severe understatement.
I found the relationships shown in the town of Juniper to be fascinating and true to how complex ones in real life small towns can be, how messy is can get between people who occupy the same space for decades and how they intersect and relate to one another; the history, the love, the hate, or simply having to tolerate.
I wasn't expecting all the feelings Mona would invoke, but I welcome them, the way they are written, I can't help but simultaneously be nauseated by and also deeply invested in getting to know them better at different points. The scenes between Mona and Roswell were also a treat, so much simultaneous care and tension, especially when they stop communicating as much as they have previously, I felt helpless waiting for it to boil over and the truth to come out.
If I had to pick a favourite character, it would have to be Denver, I found myself frequently sitting up and eyes wide at his portions. The multiple dream sequences throughout the book were all fantastic for different reasons, how they peeled back layers to the characters that were having them was engrossing, but the dream Denver had and the change it woke up in him? Amazing to witness.
I'd be an idiot to not bring up November, I was hit with no small amount of sadness in relation to her, I found myself relating to Nascha. I had a best friend who died in an unfair and tragic way in her 20s much too young, when I still lived in the same small town I knew her in, I felt a similar kind of haunted nature, as well as a desire to shut myself off, anger because people didn't understand the depth of our friendship or my feelings on the matter. Everything between the pair hit very close to home in many ways.
The emotional depth to be found between the pages of Juniper is stunning. From the vivid descriptions of violence to the enveloping dream sequences, to the rich characters, all tied together with bloody tendons and soaked in strawberry syrup, I am going to be recommending this book over and over. To say I am excited for the next two instalments is a severe understatement.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews