Review: Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis ⭐ 2.5/5 ⭐️
I really tried with this one. I even picked it up three separate times before finally getting through to chapter 6 thanks to the audiobook (bless Libby and my library card 🙌).
The first three chapters… whew. Dreadful is the right word. The pacing dragged, and it felt like we were wandering in circles with Gav, who had no idea where he was going. It took forever for the plot to land, but once the woman sorcerer appeared finally! Things started to click, and I thought, okay, maybe this is worth sticking with.
From the end of chapter 3 into 4, things did pick up. The consequences of summoning a demon of knowledge? Chef’s kiss. The demon terrorizing Gav and the princess was wild, and I loved that part. This was the book at its best: chaotic, fun, and a little unhinged.
But here’s where it lost me: the endless introspection. Gav questions everything about himself who he is, who he might have been, what he might become and it happens over and over again. Instead of letting the plot unfold naturally, the story stops for page after page of repetitive inner monologue. It yanked me right out of the story and honestly gave me a headache. I wanted to use my own brain to piece things together, but the book wouldn’t let me.
The humor definitely kept me from DNF’ing sooner, and the audiobook narrator was fantastic. But by chapter 6, I just couldn’t do it anymore. This book might work better if you’re in the mood to turn your brain off and just go along for the ride, but for me, it was too frustrating.
✨ Funny in parts, with some cool ideas (that demon 👏), but the slow start and constant overthinking wore me down. 2.5 stars from me.
Okay, so you've heard about 'Dreadful' by Caitlin Rozakis, maybe seen that striking red and gold cover with its gothic architecture and intriguing tagline: 'Would it hurt... to be a little more... good?' It definitely caught my eye too! I mean, a comedic fantasy with swirling designs and a skull and smoke motif? Sounds like a wild ride, right? A lot of you might be wondering, 'Is Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis spicy?' From my read, I'd say no. While there's chaos and some truly unhinged moments, it's not the kind of 'spicy' romance or overtly explicit content some fantasy readers look for. It leans much more into the comedic and fantastical elements, rather than steamy scenes, so if that's what you're after, this might not be your pick. My journey with this book was quite a trek. I actually picked it up three separate times before finally pushing through, thanks largely to the audiobook (bless Libby and my library card for making it accessible!). The first few chapters were a real test of patience. The pacing really dragged, and I felt like I was wandering in circles with Gav, the protagonist, who seemed just as lost as I was. It took a while for the plot to truly kick in, but once the woman sorcerer made her appearance, things did start to click, and I thought, 'Okay, maybe this is worth the effort.' The highlight for me, hands down, was the *demon of knowledge*. Seriously, the consequences of summoning it and its subsequent terrorizing of Gav and the princess were pure gold. It was exactly what I hoped for from a chaotic fantasy, delivering on the promise of the quirky cover art. This part truly clicked and showed the book's potential for fun, chaos, and a little bit of beautiful madness. But then there was the endless introspection from Gav. Oh, boy. It wasn't just contemplation; it felt like hitting the same wall over and over. I was hoping for more plot-driven exploration, letting me connect the dots myself, but instead, it felt like the narrative was constantly pausing for internal monologues that didn't always advance the story. If you're someone who prefers fast-paced fantasy or minimal internal dialogue, this might be a point of friction for you as well. It genuinely gave me a headache at times, pulling me right out of the immersive experience. I wanted to actively piece things together, but the constant hand-holding through his thoughts became quite frustrating. Despite my struggles, if you're looking for a book to truly turn your brain off and just enjoy the ride, especially with a fantastic audiobook narrator, this might be your jam. The humor is genuinely present, and there are some really clever ideas, particularly surrounding the magical system and certain character interactions. It could be a perfect pick for a light, humorous fantasy read where you don't mind a slower start and don't expect a lot of pulse-pounding action right away. So, while 'Dreadful' wasn't a perfect fit for my reading taste due to its pacing and introspection, it certainly had its moments of brilliance. If you appreciate dry wit, unique magical creatures, and don't mind a meandering character journey, give it a shot – but maybe go in with tempered expectations, especially if you're not a fan of heavy internal monologues!
