A darkly funny deconstruction of the beauty industry and a gripping examination of identity, beauty and desire. Literally asks the questions: what is your favourite cult beauty brand was actually a cult? Slowly leading readers down the path of the uncanny and ultimately weird will leave them hooked until the very end. Weird literature at it’s finest.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐲𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐥𝐨𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐧

Thanks to the publisher for supplying me an ARC of this books to review.

I had to sit on this one for a little bit before reviewing. Though this book kept me intrigued enough to keep reading, I feel like maybe I’m missing something. It really feels like one of those books that should be analysed in an English class for all of its underlying meanings and its potential stance regarding the state of the world.

It follows an MC (honestly I already forgot her name) who really lacks any direction in herself, her own opinions and from what I gather - is really longing for someone to tell her how she should be feeling. At the start of the book she finds herself working for a company she isn’t passionate about (though honestly I’m not sure if she’s ever passionate about anything) and still reeling after a past relationship that ended sourly.

When the book really picks up is when she gets recruited for a popular makeup and skincare brand in Melbourne which at first seems super trendy and female-dominated. That is, until it virtually becomes a cult.

I found the book to be a really interesting take on what many men think feminism is and the point in which maybe traumatic experiences can alter your perception of reality and morality. I’m sure there are other subthemes that went above my head…

Not all that much happened until like the 80% mark and I really think there was a lot of unnecessary filler but overall it was okay. I think if you like to think deeply and analyse your books, you would probably enjoy this… me? I really only read to enjoy and relax so I don’t really think I got too much out of this one :/

I really enjoyed the writing style and thought the tone landed brilliantly on every page!

The ending felt a little rushed, and I would have loved to see the darkness and horror aspects taken further... which might actually say more about me than the book.

I would definitely recommend to anyone who is fascinated with the beauty industry.

Melbourne cosmetics company cult book.

I loved the heightened reality, borderline surreal, aspects of the story. The ending is satisfying in regards to character, but slightly unsatisfying in regards to plot.

I was familiar with Chloe’s work for Shameless Media, and this book did not disappoint! The strange nature of the workplace environment at rytual keeps you gripped.

Rytual captivates you, drawing you into its intoxicating, indulgent, yet lustful depiction of the femme fatale side of the Australian beauty industry. It is mesmerisingly creepy and just immaculate. As a result, I can no longer see Mecca Cosmetica or any Beauty brand the same way.
5