Book Review: The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel

Wow.

This title was recommended to me by the publisher and I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy it. It sounded a little too dark and depressing, and as the mother of a daughter I wasn’t sure I would be able to finish it. I am so glad I overcame that initial reluctance and read it, as this was an absolute powerhouse of a story. It is brutal and gut-wrenching and insightful and nuanced. The writing was fantastic, as was the characterization. I thoroughly lost myself in the story, even when I didn’t want to be where the author was taking me…

No one knows the lengths they will go to for their child until the unthinkable happens and I found the dark and windy-twisty path of this exploration of the unthinkable to be both fascinating and gripping. I fell into this one from the opening pages and only left when I was dumped by the side of the road at the very end… I will definitely be looking for more from Amy Engel. She presents a horribly compelling tale and her ability to paint characters and emotions with naked intensity made for a stunning read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.