Nun horror is sure having a moment! Can it continue into 2025...I guess we'll see!
This was a very fast read. I really liked the writing style (the translator did a wonderful job) and thought the story was compelling. I usually shy away from post-apocalyptic stories, but this novel didn't focus on the events but rather the survivors in the aftermath. I would recommend this book to people who like dark literary fiction.

IDk what I read, iv'e been thinking about it for a week and I just don't know what to say. I loved it. I like that the world building is a bit vague, it leaves room to imagine. overall I felt this was a little more abstract than I expected, and the journal style definitely assisted with that, but in a really really good way.

I’m not sure what to say about this novel. I have such mixed feelings. It’s well-written. It’s well-structured; the story unfolds in a compelling way. I have no criticism at all of the narrative or writing itself. It is very well done and very impactful. But it is one of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read. It is extremely violent and also very descriptive of such violence. The violence has a point (to show the horrors of the bizarre cult at the center of the story) but that didn’t make it any easier to read. Overall, this is an impressive book but the subject matter was incredibly disturbing and not something I want to revisit.

honestly, this made me think of a mix of Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz and Hermann the Recluse. incredibly well done work by an awesome author. 5 stars. tysm for the arc

I was thrilled to get an early copy of Agustina Bazterrica's new novel THE UNWORTHY in time for a spooky October read. TENDER IS THE FLESH is one of those books that has stayed with me and I couldn't wait to see what else she had up her sleeve.

Unfortunately, THE UNWORTHY is not quite the worthy (pun!) successor to that banger of a debut. This one is also dystopic, but a lot more claustrophobic, eerie, and often hard to follow. A mysterious woman writes the book as we are reading it, using blood, dirt, and old ink while stuck in a cell within a strange convent of an unnamed religion. She stops and starts, as the story unfolds, and we begin to learn that the world as we know it has drastically changed and her only way of survival is to climb the ranks of this "sisterhood" - from an unworthy to an enlightened.

The book is short, so I breezed through it, but I didn't really enjoy it and didn't leave me with the thrill TENDER IS THE FLESH did. It's dark and depressing and highlights the agonizing cult of religion in Bazterrica's unique voice. Perhaps the book would have been better served it was longer? I wanted to know more about the world and these scary nuns. Regardless, there is no one quite like her writing today and can't wait to see what's next.

*3.5⭐️ - I feel like this story could be so much more if it was fleshed out more. It was still an enjoyable read but I felt like it was just a little too short. I wanted more background on what happened to the world outside the walls of this compound as you could call it and more about the “cult”. Overall, still a disturbing read from the author that brought us Tender Is The Flesh.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Unworthy.

I was looking forward to The Unworthy since Tender In the Flesh was creepy and disturbing.

I'm not a fan of narratives focused on cults but considering the author, I hoped to be shocked or, at least, amused in a macabre way.

Sadly, I was none of those things except annoyed. And confused.

Climate change has nearly killed the entire population. The main character is a lowly member of a religious cult that uses torture, intimidation and cruelty to escape the ravages of the world.

We know nothing of the main character's life before she joined the cult, which is the most interesting part of her life but is rarely delved upon.

There is no world building on how we ruined the world.

Everything we know comes from the main character, so we're stuck in her head. And her head is a mess.

The narrative is filled with torture porn, humiliation, blood, suffering, degradation, and may be potential triggers for some readers.

I just didn't care about anyone or what was happening; the writing style may have something to do with that.

It was very wordy with long paragraphs and few breaks in between.

I didn't mind the ending, considering the narrative, there was only one way it could have ended and that was it.

Our unnamed protagonist is an unworthy; a member of the Sacred Sisterhood. We see her life written out for us in letters made with whatever she can find, which sometimes requires her blood. In that place, blood runs freely and the sounds of screams are a daily occurrence. But when the world around you has completely collapsed, which dangers can you live with?

It is utterly bleak. If you loved “Tender is the Flesh” then you’ll be pleased to see that this world is just as ominous. Bazterrica is able to conjure beautiful prose that spells out horrific scenarios, a style that makes you want to read again and again to find what you missed. This author creates such a potent work in just a few short pages, it’s another novella you shouldn’t miss.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Scribner for the ARC. I was so excited to read another work from Bazterrica.

Bazterrica is a true talent. I've read other books by her and this was is another amazing addition to her collection. The writing is impactful and the characters are engaging. Two things that when combined create a wonderful story and this is it. Bazterrica is one of my favorite authors and that says something because this is usually a genre I don't read but anything with her name on it I have to read and it never disappoints

oof okay! this one was quite a rollercoaster for me - I had super high hopes when I first saw this arc, was stoked to get approved, downloaded to read it immediately, started reading it and was like uhhh hmm maybe not for a solid 10%, and then just as quickly got sucked right tf in and couldn't put it down until I finished it. similar to my experience with tender is flesh - bazterrica just knows how to hook me I guess!

I thought this was incredibly unsettling with vivid, horrific imagery. I loved the post-apocalyptic setting, how dark and gothic and creepy and tense it all felt. just truly a frickin time.

somewhere between 4-4.5 stars for me!

3.75 stars, maybe?

This started out really strong. I love reading about cults, whether fictional or real. Add in religion that severely restricts its followers' actions, and you have me seated and binging. I have to say though, I wish this had a proper ending that didn't feel so rushed.

The creepy, suffocating vibes are on point. You barely know anything that's going on, or why, in the first paragraph, the MC's obsessed with torturing cockroaches, and then torturing Lourdes with live cockroaches. (Cockroaches are heavily featured in this little novel. And crickets too. But as a food source.)

This book really leans in on religious abuse and social control. The cult speaks their own language and shuns members who don't adhere to this rule. Different orders either have their eyes sewn shut, their eardrums ruptured, or their tongues cut out. This is a brutal world, and the author reminds you of this quite often.

While I loved the dark and depressing atmosphere, and the pieces of hope that the MC finds along the way, including the MC's acts of rebellion (writing her experiences down on paper, falling in love, etc.), I really wished the author took her time to draw out an ending that wasn't so rushed.

I wanted a lot more out of the climax and the ending. A couple of big events happen that really set things in motion, but it felt like they happened so suddenly and without enough buildup. The author took her time to create this small world, and then decided to just finish it. I wanted more oomph from the creepy revelations near the end, and reflections from the MC on those revelations.

Instead, the story just ended.

Oh well. I had a great time, nonetheless. So I'll take what I can get.

Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for this arc.

I’ve cried so much it feels like my eyes are bleeding. This is horrifically dark and extremely brutal, interspersed with moments of tenderness and hope.

This is my first Bazterrica, I know everyone dug Tender is the Flesh but it never appealed to me. Anyway all that to say I’m late to the party yet again 🙄

You might like this if you’re into apocalyptic stories and terrifying nuns.

One star off for the death of Circe. I’m fed up with reading about cat death.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is WILD.
I was so so excited to get my hands on this. It did not disappoint. I was prepared for something fairly unhinged and that is exactly what I got. There's commentary on climate crisis and religious extremists and it was very hard to put down. This book also nearly had me crying in the break room at work at one point, so there's that.
Tender Is the Flesh was fantastic as well and I absolutely think that everyone who liked that will like this.

4.5 stars

This was a crazy ride. The first page made me question whether or not I wanted to continue reading. It’s incredibly disturbing and oftentimes I found it to be absolutely revolting.

This book takes place in a convent set during a dystopian future. The earth has succumbed to devastation. All technology has been taken out and the world is overrun with natural disasters. The Sacred Sisterhood is a safe haven for women. It’s run by Sister Superior and a mysterious “He”. Sister Superior runs the place with an iron fist and punishes or kills anyone who disobeys. The story follows one of the unworthy as she secretly writes about her life in a diary. One day she discovers someone new. Someone that will force her to think and feel things like never before.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It’s amazing how a story can make you feel so many emotions. In the beginning you’re a little confused about what’s going on, but the more you find out, the more disturbed and concerned you become. During the last third of the book, I had a sense of dread that just would not go away. This book left me angry and heartbroken. I know It’ll stay with me for a long time.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

This was a wonderfully done novel and was hooked from the first page and had that horror element that I was looking for. The characters had that element that worked in the supernatural element that I was hoping for, and worked with the previous book from Agustina Bazterrica.

In this haunting post-apocalyptic narrative, Agustina Bazterrica crafts an unforgettable tale that masterfully blends psychological horror with profound commentary on human nature. Through the eyes of an unnamed narrator chronicling her experiences at The House of Sacred Sisters, readers are drawn into a world where reality itself becomes questionable.

The novel's unique structure, told through journal entries written in whatever medium the narrator can find—blood, ink, or crushed berries—immediately establishes both its experimental nature and its urgency. These fragments, some left tantalizingly unfinished, create a claustrophobic window into a world we can only partially glimpse. The narrator's unreliability, amplified by the knowledge of contaminated water affecting the population's mental state, forces readers to question every revelation and memory presented.

Bazterrica's decision to alternate between past and present timelines proves extraordinarily effective. This non-linear approach creates a compelling mystery that keeps readers engaged while gradually revealing the circumstances that led our narrator to the house. The parallel narratives work in concert to build tension and horror, each timeline informing and deepening the other.
The author's command of literary devices is exceptional. Through careful use of symbolism and repetition, Bazterrica creates a rich tapestry of meaning that extends beyond the immediate horror of the situation.

Perhaps most impressive is how the novel serves as a perfect parallel to contemporary society, particularly in its exploration of false idolization and institutional power. Through the microcosm of The House of Sacred sisters, Bazterrica examines how systems of belief and authority can be corrupted and weaponized against the vulnerable. While the novel certainly delivers intense body horror, these elements never feel gratuitous. Instead, they serve the larger narrative purpose of examining the human condition under extreme circumstances. The physical horror becomes a vessel for exploring deeper psychological and societal terrors.

"The Unworthy" is a masterwork of literary horror that will linger in readers' minds long after the final page. Through its unreliable narrator, experimental structure, and powerful symbolic language, it delivers both an engaging narrative and a scathing critique of societal structures. This book is highly recommended for readers who appreciate intelligent horror that challenges both literary and social conventions, though they should be prepared for intense and disturbing content.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for providing this copy.

This was my first book from this author, whose previous novel Tender is the Flesh blew up online. I have a real penchant for novels about nuns but this took me by surprise by not being the typical. Everything is ambiguous in this post apocalyptic setting. And I didn’t really enjoy the flashbacks. Some parts were so ambiguous that it took me flipping back to reread to see if I really got it.

I'm sorry but I hated this.

This book had so much potential. Climate change has killed Earth and we follow a character's diary entries as she lives in a convent at the end of the world. This convent follows a new religion that mutilates and tortures those within it.

The book had very poor world-building and an astonishing lack of character focus. It's just literary torture porn with a religious tint. It got boring after 20 pages.

My issues:
- It tried too hard to be edgy and literary. (Though I must say, it's got nice writing and I like that it was experimental.)
- Very little exposition. You learn from the world as you go, but the narrator speaks in riddles and enigmas so you learn very little. If I don't understand shit, I don't give a shit.
- So many characters show up once every many pages with little info and honestly ?? Am I supposed to remember them? Care? Only Lucía gets proper attention and that's around the 60% mark, too little too late.
- I see most of the 1-star reviews are about the ending. Look, nothing happens in this book. And then it ends the way it ends, and maybe it's a bit unsatisfying we don't get more, but it was definitely the book's highlight for me.

This story was unfortunately a mixed bag for me. I loved the darkness of Tender is the Flesh, but the subject matter of this latest book didn't hold my interest as much. I appreciated the unique and disturbing style of writing that the author always brings which is why I give 4 stars, but I don't think I was the best audience for this book.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this highly anticipated novel!

*I was so close to giving this 3 stars because there's an extremely high possibility that I'm not smart enough for this book, so please take this entire review with a grain of salt.*

After reading Tender Is The Flesh and thinking it was an absolute work of genius, I was chomping at the bit to see what Bazterrica did with catastrophic climate change as the backdrop. The answer turned out to be not much.

The reason I think this book may be smarter than me is because while world ending climate change happened in the far, far back of this story, the main focus is a relious type cult. As somebody who has little to no knowledge on either of those topics and the story being told from the perspective of somebody at the bottom of this ladder of power, the bulk of this story made absolutely no sense to me. I went into this asking myself, "why?," and left asking myself, "why?," tenfold. The main character is telling us this story through the journal she has been keeping in secret. She has very little memory of her time before entering this cult (the most interesting part of this story by far; the parts with all the end of the world business) and she seems to not have much knowledge regarding the meaning and inner workings of this cult. I was so frustrated by the lack of information I could cry, which made this fairly short book a slog to get through, and by the end, I felt like my time was wasted.