Excellent book, written well and kept me interested and wanting more throughout. Not really horror like I expected, but still a great story with intriguing characters. ( )

It's different from the HBO series, and significantly enough that I'd consider the two as separate entities. There are several points in the book that aren't present in the series and vice versa. Nonetheless, it was an interesting read. Artistically, I think I prefer the series, to a point. I'm glad I read this to sort of round things out with the other characters in the narrative. ( )

Why, oh why did I wait so long to read this book!? The TV series prompted me to finally pick it up. But this is even better than the show. Great characters, great stories, fascinating (and infuriating) historical context. Read this book!
[Audiobook note: Listen to this book! Kevin Kenerly is a great narrator!] ( )

I read it again while watching the series. The series is quite different, so don't worry if you watched it before reading. ( )

I started reading this after we watched the HBO series, and while it's only 4 episodes, I do think this is one of the adaptations that builds on the source material in a good way. I think that's because the adaption becomes an #ownvoices story, with Black creators adding nuance and depth to some already solid characters. Ruff does a decent job, as an example of writing outside your experiences because you do the homework to back it up. It does feel a little "I learned about X, gotta mention it", but what this novel does well is combining real life horrors with creeping pulpy horror. The chapters feel like issues of a comic book following different characters, though there is an overarching story.

Really solid read, and good addition to a 2020 reading list if you want to add fiction to your nonfiction. ( )