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Reviewed by Mary Clarke for Readers' Favorite
The Grotesque by Sean Foy is a dark thriller that follows Katrina, Jared, and Michael. Katrina is a dancer with a difficult life who uses tattoos and dance as a way to hide her pain and disappointments and express herself. Jared is a young man who struggles with terrifying memories from his past and scary hallucinations. Michael is a manipulative man who always sees himself as a victim despite his weakness and cruelty. Michael's relationship with Katrina doesn't seem to be going well. Jared is suspicious of Michael and feels a need to protect Katrina from the dangers around her. His desire to protect Katrina turns into a dangerous obsession. Michael and Katrina feel stalked as Katrina is determined to stand up for herself and face her past. The Grotesque shows the characters facing their worst fears with themes of abuse, grief, trauma, and purpose.
I loved how this book was narrated from different perspectives. I was able to relate to the characters on a deeper level and see how they are both heroes and villains in their own way. Jared's visions of demons were not just used for fantasy; they helped in showing how deep his psychological sufferings and trauma were. The flashbacks, too, especially for Jared's story, show how confusing his mental state is and how his past still affects him. I didn't have a favorite character. The main characters have their flaws, and their personalities made it hard for me to trust them. The author was able to create such a complex plot and jump between timelines without me getting lost. The Grotesque covers important topics like how people see themselves, how they find meaning in life, and how a cycle of abuse can be so destructive. I recommend The Grotesque by Sean Foy to readers who enjoy dark thrillers with complex characters and deep emotional themes.
