2025 Reads - I’ll Make a Spectacle of You
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for this Arc
I truly wanted to love this book, I’ve heard some good reviews about it. Dark academia, a secret society, hoodoo and a beast in the woods made for good story telling. I didn’t really get invested until closer to the end of the story I got the opportunity to immerse read and the audio/narrator is what saved the rating for me. The first 75% was quite boring it read very YA. I thought this was gonna be a scary horror novel but nothing really happened, I thought for sure something insane was gonna happen to Zora with all the times she had to call on her ancestors for protection.
The ending was not what I had hoped for and definitely not what I expected, it felt very rushed. I would’ve like Zora to have more time to study and tap into stronger Hoodoo magic or do crazy stuff to save her sister or not.. even if the ending stayed the same. I just wanted a little more Horror. ⭐️Overall rating: 3/5
#Netgalley #illmakeaspectacleoutofyou #lemon8bookclub #bookish #bookworms
“I'll Make a Spectacle Out of You” blends rich elements such as dark academia, hoodoo, and supernatural suspense but has elicited mixed feelings among readers. The story centers on Zora, who calls on her ancestors’ protection multiple times, tying deeply into hoodoo practices and mystical heritage. Despite the promising setup, the narrative pacing slows considerably for much of the book, resonating more with young adult fiction than the anticipated intense horror genre. However, this novel's true strength appears in the immersive audio narration that brings the story to life, adding depth and emotion where the prose may fall short. Fans of secret societies and atmospheric tales will appreciate the nuanced weave of folklore and the eerie presence of a beast in the woods, which maintains an undercurrent of tension throughout. The critique of the ending being rushed is shared by some readers who hoped to see Zora’s hoodoo abilities develop further, with more dramatic confrontations or a stronger magical climax. The desire for a darker horror experience reflects a common expectation from the genre blend, but instead, the narrative opts for a quieter resolution that leaves some plot threads less explored. For enthusiasts of dark academia and occult fiction, “I’ll Make a Spectacle Out of You” still offers considerable value, especially when experienced via audio for a richer emotional connection. The book invites readers to consider themes of heritage, protection, and the unknown, while balancing a unique combination of supernatural and academic mysteries. Even with its shortcomings, the novel provides a compelling glimpse into a world where ancestral magic intersects with personal struggle, making it a noteworthy addition to contemporary dark fantasy and supernatural fiction.