What a freaky little book! That was so unexpected, but an incredible ride. Equal parts gorgeous and horrific. Very excited to see what Lucy Rose does next.

Um. Like. Woah. I don't think I have had a more visceral reaction to a book in a long time. The ending was incredibly heartbreaking because I was rooting for Margot the whole time, but ultimately it was not meant to be. Overall, I loved this book and will be waiting to see what else Lucy Rose puts out in the future.

"The Lamb" by Lucy Rose is a dark, intriguing tale that suffers from needing an editor: its central concept would be an excellent novella, but is stretched far too thinly over 300 pages. Margot lives with Mama, who dines on lost travelers (yes, you read that right - cannibalism). "The Lamb" tells the tale of their toxic relationship and subsequent chaos when Mama acquires a new friend who shares in her zest for murder. I spent the first quarter of this book enraptured - the writing is eerie and precise, the plot unfurling like a poisonous flower - but the dragging toward the middle just ruined the pace for me. An interesting folk horror, but not one that I'd recommend without reservation.

I really really really loved this. It's so hard to talk about this book without giving anything away, but telling people they just have to read it is usually a great way of grabbing their attention. Trying to explain how I felt about it seemed like it would give too much away.

There is a twist (multiple twists, depending on how you consider those) that could be surprising or not (also depending on the reader). The one with her dad didn't blindside me 100% but it was surprising in its own ways. Once you find out, you're kinda like "Oh yeah, that checks out."

I found this to be so heartbreaking because I wanted Margot to get out of the situation so badly. I had so much hope for her, but I'm really glad she was able to take down her mom and Eden on her way out. Doesn't make it better by a lot, but at least they got what was coming to them because WHY CAN'T THEY LOVE HER. Her mom is the worst.

The whole ghost situation was not my fave. I don't mind an open ending, so I wouldn't have been too angry about cutting the few final chapters. A lot of people prefer closure, though, and the whole ghost situation was the only thing that was going to answer the question of whether or not Margot's plan worked.

I'll be thinking about this book and morning this poor kid for a long time. Good job, Lucy Rose. Your writing is amazing.

This really was not what I expected at all when I read the premise. It fully tore me apart by the end. I loved that the story is told in the point of view of a child. As an adult you see how her innocence distorts her view of what is happening, which does make this hard to read without feeling immense sadness. Her journey finding out what it means to love and be loved had a tragically beautiful arc. If you are sensitive to themes of child abuse I would read with caution.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was a surprise! Beautifully written, visceral, sad, intense, there were some sections I had a hard time getting through just due to content. But it'll stick with me a long time, that's for sure.

I don’t have the words to accurately explain how hauntingly phenomenal this book is.

Like holy shit. I am speechless. This is an immediate buy for me and an immediate auto buy author from now on.

NO WORDS. JUST HOLY SHIT SO GOOD

Content Warnings: Cannibalism, Child Abuse, Wounds, Self-Harm, Neglect, Bullying

Rose's debut novel does not feel like a debut. Her voice and writing skills are top notch. I lost myself in this book and read it in two sittings, interrupted only because I needed to go to bed for work the next day. Margot, our first person narrator, is the driving force of the book. I have rarely felt closer to a narrator and her emotions, and I had to keep reading to see how she would navigate her situation next.

The other primary characters, Mama and Eden, were also well done, especially in how Margot's viewpoint colored them. Mama is a despicable human being, but the complicated feelings Margot has for her abuser, and how they evolve over time, are perfectly rendered. Eden's ability to enter, and affect, that already tumultuous landscape was really the part that hit on folklore for me. She feels like an inverse Fairy Godmother, someone who comes to make things worse instead of better. Likewise, Margot's description of school vs home, and how both fail her, are tragic. The brief moments of joy to be found in burgeoning love for her classmate, Abbie, and her friendship with the school bus driver are made all the more bittersweet as a result.

In short, this book was addictive, enrapturing, but throughout heart breaking and gritty. The detailed cannibalism scenes, as well as the extreme child abuse, mean this book is not at all for the faint of heart. I adored this book and wouldn't change a thing about it -- I just think people should know what they're signing up for.