The Lamb | Lucy Rose | LGBTQ,Body Horror & Cannibalism | Book Review

 

February reading update: my book and I are in a situationship. 📚

Some days I’m deeply committed, turning pages like a maniac. Other days, I just stare at it like, “I’ll read you tomorrow, promise.”

Did start a few interesting ones though—nothing life-changing yet, but enough drama, mystery, and suspense to keep February from being boring.

Still waiting for that book that makes me forget sleep and responsibilities.

How about you—any page-turners or reading betrayals this month? 😄

Name of Book: The Lamb

Author: Lucy Rose

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Publication Date: 30 Jan 2025

No. of Pages: 329

Format: Digital

A FOLK TALE. A HORROR STORY. A LOVE STORY. AN ENCHANTMENT.

Margot and Mama have lived by the forest since Margot can remember. When Margot isn't at school, they spend quiet days together in their cottage, waiting for strangers to knock on their door. Strays, Mama calls them. Mama loves the strays. She feeds them wine, keeps them warm. Then she satisfies her burning appetite by picking apart their bodies.

But Mama's want is stronger than her hunger sometimes, and when a white-toothed stray named Eden turns up in the heart of a snowstorm, little Margot must confront the shifting dynamics of her family, untangle her own desires and make a bid for freedom.

With this tender coming-of-age tale, debut novelist Lucy Rose explores how women swallow their anger, desire and animal instincts - and wrings the relationship between mother and daughter until blood drips from it.

My Opinion

The Lamb by Lucy Rose is a disturbing blend of horror and cannibalism, delicately entwined with a lover’s tale. The narrative unfolds slowly, allowing the themes to deepen over time. At its core, the novel focuses on a woman’s intense struggle for identity and freedom. Much of the story is layered with metaphors, which adds depth but also makes the author’s true intent difficult to decipher at certain points. The climax remains heavily riddled and open to interpretation, leaving readers unsettled. While the concept is strong, richer and more descriptive world-building could have elevated the reading experience significantly.

• Characters ------------------ ⭐⭐⭐
• Atmosphere ---------------- ⭐⭐⭐
• Writing Style -------------- ⭐⭐⭐
• Plot ------------------------- ⭐⭐⭐
• Intrigue -------------------- ⭐⭐⭐
• Logic ---------------------- ⭐⭐⭐
• Enjoyment ---------------- ⭐⭐⭐