Red Rabbit Ghost | Jen Julian

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🌟 Red Rabbit Ghost by Jen Julian 🌟

📚 Genre: Horror, Fiction

📅 Release Date: July 22, 2025 — Purchase Link

🖊️ Publisher: Redhook

🔗 Goodreads: Red Rabbit Ghost on Goodreads

💫 Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

In this debut novel, Jesse Calloway returns to his hometown of Blacknot, North Carolina, after receiving some mysterious messages about his mom’s death eighteen years ago. While trying to piece together the truth, he meets Alice Catherine, whose family has secrets of their own. Together, they start digging into the town’s dark past, tangled with timey magic and creepy woods. But the deeper they go, the more they question what’s real and who they can trust.

My Thoughts 💭

🔍 Why I Picked This Up:

The synopsis intrigued me with its promise of a mysterious death, small-town secrets, and supernatural elements. I was eager to dive into an interesting gothic horror story. Plus, I got an ARC from a local bookstore (for free), and I was excited to dive in!

✨ What I Loved:

The latter part of the book, particularly from chapter 8 onward, marked a significant improvement. The story became more focused, the pacing tightened, and I could actually follow what was happening. I appreciated the inclusion of queer characters and the exploration of complex relationships, which added depth to the narrative. Alice’s character kept me intrigued with her layers and secrets. When the plot actually got going, I was fairly engaged.

✍️ Room for Improvement:

The first half of the book was a struggle to get through. The narrative was bogged down by excessive backstories and information dumps that often felt disconnected from the main plot. The introduction of numerous characters with detailed histories made it difficult to discern which details were essential, leading to confusion and a lack of engagement from me. The diary entries felt underdeveloped and didn't contribute significantly to the story. Honestly, it was hard to stay engaged with this book, and I considered DNFing more than once.

🥉 Overall Takeaway:

Red Rabbit Ghost had its moments, but it felt like I had to push through a lot of slow, disconnected stuff to get to the good bits. If you’re into atmospheric reads and don’t mind a slow start, you might enjoy it. But if you’re looking for something that grabs you from the first few pages, this book might not be one for you.