I can appreciate the experimentation and radical use of text and word throughout the novel. However when I was struggling to understand what it was trying to say, what the plot is (if it exists) and what the characters are about... It didn't pay off for me.

I don’t understand how this book has such a high rating on Goodreads. I barely understood it because most of the book is just incoherent rambling. The plot is basically nonexistent and even using context clues is confusing. If you gave it over 3 stars, why? I’m just curious as to what you took from this book. What am I missing ?

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FYI: on a 5-point scale I assign stars based on my assessment of what the book needs in the way of improvements:
*5 Stars ~ Nothing at all. Chefs kiss. No notes.
*4 Stars ~ It could use some slight adjustments here and there but pretty solid overall.
*3 Stars ~ Adjustments need to be made and rewriting needs to be done. Good but could be a lot better. I read it once and don’t need to do it again.
*2 Stars ~ This book needs a lot of work. Whether it be rewriting the plot, characters, style or ending. Something or everything needs to be changed.
*1 Star ~ Dumpster fire.

Yellow Barks Spider is a captivating and unsettling journey into the depths of the human psyche. Harman Burns masterfully weaves a tale of childhood trauma, identity, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

The novel's narrative structure is as innovative as its content. The text reflects the protagonist's fractured psyche, mirroring the disintegration of reality as Kid descends into a world of disturbing visions. This bold literary technique creates a truly immersive reading experience, drawing the reader into the character's chaotic inner world.

As Kid grows older, the novel explores themes of gender identity, addiction, and love with raw honesty and sensitivity. The author's exploration of these complex issues is insightful and thought-provoking, offering a nuanced portrayal of the human condition.

While the novel's pacing may be uneven at times, the emotional intensity of the narrative more than compensates. Yellow Barks Spider is a powerful and unforgettable read that will linger in the reader's mind long after the final page.

this was certainly strange and the descriptions perfectly encapsulated confused panic spiral in a way where I felt uncomfortable here and there, however, the plot is so thin and I'm not an only vibes girly. I will always appreciate stories that do something funky with the text, but I ended this just overall confused and was bored at a handful of points

This book was so beautiful and moving. Right off the bat, the glimpses into Kid's childhood felt like glimpses into my own youth, which I think Burns achieves through pointed imagery, as well as a focus on little details and moments.

I enjoyed how Burns played with form as well, whether it be punctuation and capitalization to mark certain epochs of Kids' life, or incorporating line breaks and indentation to further illustrate what's going on in Kids' mind and life. Parts of this book read as if they should be sung, which I think is partially due to the form, but is also a product of beautiful writing.

It definitely took awhile for this story to sink in, but I like that about it as well. Yellow Barks Spider addresses a variety of important themes, and it leaves the reader pondering bigger questions and drawing new meaning through reflection. I felt so many emotions while reading this story. At times unsettling, at times heartbreaking, at times hopeful and tender, this book covers a lot in a short amount of pages, and I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I think some novels that play around with form tend to sacrifice great writing and plot for the sake of experimentation. But this was superb all around. So good.

This book has one of the most bizarre writing styles I've ever experienced. I think I liked it...? This one was sort of stream of consciousness feeling and flips between past and present and future? Maybe? As well as reality and imagination. There were some interesting pages in terms of formatting reminiscent of house of leaves- which I found very interesting0 these pages help to add further discomfort to the reader. This book covers trauma, assault, coming of age, finding oneself. This book is wildly unique and at times very dark and honestly a bit confusing- I'm sure there were things I missed all together, while this book may not be for everyone I think those that it does resonate with will carry it for life.

This was incredibly well-written, and I am very impressed! I found this book to be dark, chilling, and unsettling. I think it was the perfect length, and I was able to read it pretty quickly! The author did a great job creating a spooky atmosphere.

I really really really enjoyed this book! It had such interesting writing, almost poetic, and it was just so pretty to read. I love the nostalgic themes, it reminded me of my own upbringing when I visited my grandparents. I do think a little bit of the writing did go over my head, so I might have missed some things, but at the end of the day, I loved this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

I was surprised by this book in the best way possible. It felt nostalgic to me in so many ways that were personal and somewhat specific. The first part of the book in particular made me think a lot of visiting my own grandparent's house during the summers, and I feel like it captured that setting perfectly. The writing style was unique, and had a lovely rhythm to it. Unsettling and touching at the same time. I couldn't put it down and ended up reading through it in one sitting, that's how much it resonated with me!

The only drawback I can think of is that, while I enjoy the writing style being so unique, it was occasionally difficult to understand. Nothing that can't be powered through, but it might take a bit of getting used to.

Thank you to NetGalley and LPG for the ARC!