Who Would Like This Book:
If you're drawn to stories dripping with atmosphere, nostalgia, and nuanced body horror, The Rust Maidens is an absolute treat. Kiste's writing is beautiful and haunting, with a poetic touch that brings both the crumbling Rust Belt setting and the surreal transformation of its characters to life. This book is tailor-made for fans of weird fiction, gothic horror, and anyone who loves exploring the darker side of coming-of-age tales - plus, if you dig books about decaying industrial towns or female friendship under strain, this one is for you.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If slow-burn narratives and introspective, musically lyrical prose aren't your thing, you may find this book drags at times. Some readers found the pacing uneven or the plot a little padded with moments that could have been trimmed for a tighter read. The main character's voice can come off as repetitive or overly analytical, and if you prefer your horror gory or fast-moving, you might not be satisfied here. Those looking for traditional explanations or closure might also find themselves a little puzzled.
About:
In 'The Rust Maidens' by Gwendolyn Kiste, the story revolves around Phoebe and her best friend Jacqueline, who undergo a tragic body transformation in their neighborhood. The narrative, told by Phoebe, effortlessly jumps between the past and present, blending cliffhangers and suspense. The book delves into themes of life, stubbornness, growth, and acceptance, portraying a dark tale of eerie body horror and the haunting effects of a mysterious illness on young women in a desolate town.
The author, Gwendolyn Kiste, intricately describes the decaying town of Cleveland, creating an atmospheric setting that enhances the anguish of the story. The writing style is described as beautiful and seductive, drawing readers into a world of eerie transformations and dark secrets. The plot unfolds through Phoebe's eyes as she revisits her childhood home, revealing the impact of the girls' transformation on both survivors and victims, leaving a lasting impression on readers long after they finish the book.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for The Rust Maidens would include body horror, themes of trauma, and possibly triggers related to gendered violence.
From The Publisher:
Something's happening to the girls on Denton Street.
It's the summer of 1980 in Cleveland, Ohio, and Phoebe Shaw and her best friend Jacqueline have just graduated high school, only to confront an ugly, uncertain future. Across the city, abandoned factories populate the skyline; meanwhile at the shore, one strong spark, and the Cuyahoga River might catch fire. But none of that compares to what's happening in their own west side neighborhood. The girls Phoebe and Jacqueline have grown up with are changing. It starts with footprints of dark water on the sidewalk. Then, one by one, the girls' bodies wither away, their fingernails turning to broken glass, and their bones exposed like corroded metal beneath their flesh.
As rumors spread about the grotesque transformations, soon everyone from nosy tourists to clinic doctors and government men start arriving on Denton Street, eager to catch sight of "the Rust Maidens" in metamorphosis. But even with all the onlookers, nobody can explain what's happening or why-except perhaps the Rust Maidens themselves. Whispering in secret, they know more than they're telling, and Phoebe realizes her former friends are quietly preparing for something that will tear their neighborhood apart.
Alternating between past and present, Phoebe struggles to unravel the mystery of the Rust Maidens-and her own unwitting role in the transformations-before she loses everything she's held dear: her home, her best friend, and even perhaps her own body.
Ratings (4)
Incredible (2) | |
Did Not Like (1) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (15):
Read It (4) | |
Want To Read (10) | |
Not Interested (1) |
1 comment(s)
Just wasn't what I wanted. Couldn't get into this story like countless others seen to have. 🤷
What can you read after
The Rust Maidens?
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