CJ LeedeReviews

Religious trauma, horny zombies and good doggies.
Lilith made the right choice.

From the authors note:
“Here’s to dancing, book by book, question by question, through this vast, shining existence. Together.”

https://youtube.com/@chanelchapters

A very dark read with real American Psycho vibes. Pretty messed up and gets better as it goes. The main character was well crafted and engaging. It makes some great points about female villains and their motivations.

A disease is spreading across America that makes people frenzy with lust. This horror-filled future is next-level scary when you are a sheltered teenage girl—a terrifying examination of consent, agency, and morality! LibroFM Review for Raven Bookstore½

I enjoyed this one, and how it unapologetically borrowed from—and in my opinion, vastly improved upon—AMERICAN PSYCHO, a book that I'm on record for absolutely loathing. I have my reasons, and I can't be bothered going through them yet again.

But this one? I enjoyed Maeve's journey to finding herself, to breaking free of the conventions, I loved the backstory, I loved all of it. Even when it got gorey, though Leede looks away as much as she stares down the gore.

However, when comparing it with her next novel, AMERICAN RAPTURE, I can see how she'd grown from this to that. Less reliance on other novels and music to make her point.

A good book, and worth the read. I'm looking forward to what she comes up with next.

The first thing I will say in regard to this book is to check the trigger warnings before you read this. It is quite graphic in more ways than one.

That being said, I absolutely loved Maeve Fly. I wasn't even halfway through the novel before I knew I would want to be rereading this one and annotating it.

I loved the analysis on villains. Specifically, it looked at who in society is allowed to be villains, what justifies becoming a villain, and what is considered villainous. The feminist take on how women always need a reason to do evil while men do not (and oftentimes have the exact same acts as the "evil" women not be considered evil when they do it) was exquisite.

It also looked at the idea of society's expectations of individual units within society, showing how Maeve's reliance on herself as an individual and distrust of anyone else ultimately leads to her own downfall.

I am sure if I had read the books it was referencing throughout, I would have even more of an appreciation for this book.

This book was definitely interesting and different. I listened to the audiobook and I don't know that I loved the narrator. I felt like she just had a winey voice the whole time for the main character. I didn't know if I wanted to listen to this as I'm kind of done with pandemic/flu disease that shuts things down. [SPOILER] But the fact that people got the disease and then just wanted to screw everything was different. lol. A bit sexually charged overall. Not sure my feelings on "wanting a different body because they were so hot" - I don't know. That only attractive people are wanted by others. It's an annoying thing about the culture we live in and don't love when a book feeds into that. I know she asks Ben, why do you like me - because she wants to be sure it's not about her looks. But kind of an insane ride. I think I would've liked this book more if it was a bit shorter. It went on a little bit for my tastes. And when the dog burned towards the end, I was ready to end the book then. However, then the author's note at the end made me feel seen. It was her way of dealing with grief over losing a dog, but still. Still an interesting story of an apocalypse, the world coming to an end, people killing each other, very strong religion, a bit of a winey and naive 17-year old who everyone wants to screw, and an amazing loyal dog that is found along the way. Most people die in this book too. But in the end, her and Ben go on an adventure to his native land and come to find out is close to where she thinks her twin brother went to.½

Prepare to be entranced, disturbed, and utterly captivated by "Maeve Fly," a spellbinding novel by C. J. Leede. This dark and thrilling narrative delivers a mesmerizing exploration of identity, transformation, and the seductive allure of the forbidden.

The story revolves around Maeve Fly, a character with a double life as intriguing as it is enigmatic. By day, she graces a world of childhood dreams as an enchanting ice princess in the happiest place on Earth. Yet, as the neon lights of the Sunset Strip begin to flicker to life, Maeve's persona transforms into a complex enigma as she immerses herself in dive bars, clutching a drink in one hand and an engaging book in the other. Her unapologetic imitation of misanthropic literary heroes sets the stage for a narrative with multiple dimensions.

The arrival of Gideon Green, her best friend's brother, sparks an intense shift in Maeve's world, awakening dormant desires and inner turmoil. Her ensuing transformation is nothing short of electrifying, as she sheds her discontented act and assumes a new, more audacious persona, one inspired by the pages of "American Psycho." Maeve's journey into this darker realm is a gripping, chilling, and ultimately exhilarating experience.

What truly sets "Maeve Fly" apart is the book's ability to weave together various elements seamlessly. The plot is riveting, the characters are richly developed and utterly relatable, and the writing style is nothing short of lyrical. Leede masterfully blends gore with a sense of wonder, bringing both the Sunset Strip and the "Disneyland"-esque theme park to life in vivid detail.

Maeve's struggle with belonging and disconnection in these contrasting worlds resonates with depth and authenticity, making her a character readers can't help but cheer for. The desire for a prequel, shedding light on Maeve's grandmother and her glory years, is a testament to the book's ability to evoke curiosity and engagement.

In conclusion, "Maeve Fly" is a masterpiece that effortlessly transcends genres, immersing readers in a complex, compelling, and darkly alluring narrative. The interplay of Maeve's dual identities, the exploration of transformation, and the vividly portrayed settings make this book an absolute must-read. With a resounding five-star rating, "Maeve Fly" is a literary gem that demands a place on every bookshelf. Highly recommended!

Full disclosure, two weeks ago, I very briefly met the author at a Horror Reader Weekend event, and someone mentioned her newest release was quite good. I fully intended to buy it, but it quickly sold out...making me think that there might be something to this story.

After getting home, I snagged the audio. And I'm really glad I did. Leede takes the COVID pandemic, elements of Captain Trips from THE STAND, folds in a huge helping of Christian guilt ("There's no hate like Christian love") and the examination of how the fiction of religion can colour every perception of the world. At the same time, at the centre of this storm, is Sophie, the main character who's going through the traumas of losing first her twin brother, then her parents, then having the real world slap her around when she was completely unprepared for it.

Honestly, this book exceeded every single one of my already-high expectations, and it did so from many angles. The overal story, to start with, but also the scenes of devastating horror, as well with how much the book had to say. There's so much to unpack from this novel, it's one that begs to be read more than once.

There's so much I want to say about this novel, but I wouldn't want to steal all the thunder that's encased between its covers.

Just...read it.

I went into this one a bit apprehensive, having heard it contains basically rape zombies and a brutal animal death. This was not nearly as graphic or violent as I thought it might be, so that was a relief in some ways. I listened to this on audio and the death of the dog is at 13:15-about 13:24 if you need to skip it. The author's note about the death of her dog explained why that was included. This is an excellent fundamentalist Christian deconstruction horror. Definitely more of a cathartic read for the already deconstructed rather than a wake up call for the not yet so.

Oh, and I loved to Wisconsin setting, especially the inclusion of the House on the Rock, which is weirder than it ever is in books (the last book I read where it appeared was American Gods, probably a little inspired). Ending at Holy Hill was also a nice touch.

This was a twisty fever dream that was everything that I've come to expect from CJ Leede. The apocalypse, a deadly virus, religious trauma, cults, and heart wrenching scenes. I couldn't ask for more. This book cemented the fact that Leede is an auto buy author for me now

Met and heard her speak about her writing at LYNX on Oct. 29, 2024; signed book

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

I had very high expectations for this since I really enjoyed Meavefly, and this really kind of let me down! I kept expecting it to divert or change somehow, but it was a very cut and dry apocalypse story. I do resonate with the religious guilt aspects, but it felt very repetitive to me. Unsure!

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I got an eGalley of this from NetGalley for review.

Thoughts: I really liked this. It is a gory and disturbing apocalyptic read. The story was incredibly engaging and hard to put down. I enjoyed the main character's journey from mind-washed Catholic teen to a more self-confident and self-thinking woman.

Sophie is raised in a rigid Catholic family. She does not have a phone or exposure to outside news. Her life is very restricted; she is only allowed to read certain books at the library, she goes to a Catholic school with a very strict curriculum, and she lives a small and very sheltered life. However, when people start getting sick, some of them start getting sick in a way that leaves them sexually manic and violently insane. When the sickness spreads to Sophie's home town, she finds herself not only fighting for survival but questioning the ideals she was raised under in a hardcore way.

This is an uncomfortable and distressing read. There is a lot of violence, including sexual violence and violence against a pet. However, I thought the writing style and content really fit the story well. This story also has a lot of heart and focuses on the bright spots of humanity in the midst of so much pain and darkness.

Sophie grows a lot as a character. She is forced to confront realities outside of the small sphere she's been living in in a very sudden and shocking way. Humanity has turned into a mess of freakish sexual humans that are literally attacking and eating each other in violent ways. Unfortunately, there are other elements of humanity that are more evil because they are chosen. Sophie has to take an extreme step back to consider the awful things people are doing under the guide of religious righteousness. In the end, Sophie is left re-considering what it means to be family and what it means to be a "good".

I loved the close and trusting relationship Sophie forms with a dog in this book, and I loved how she builds a sort of new family for herself. There is a lot in here about what it means to be evil, religious brainwashing, and the crazy stuff humans do during a zombie/viral apocalypse.

I also found it strangely endearing that the characters spend part of their time hiding out at House on a Rock, which I have visited a couple of times. Yes, it is as weird of a place as it is described to be and just as creepy too. I have always found House on a Rock to be oddly intriguing and would recommend a visit if you are in the mood for something truly odd and slightly disturbing.

As with many apocalyptic books I read, I found the ending a bit unsatisfying but realistic. The story ends on a somewhat hopeful note.

My Summary (4/5): Overall this is a visceral and vicious read that I found strangely engaging. I enjoyed the characters and their growth throughout the story. I also enjoyed a lot of the irony in here around how Sophie had to reevaluate her whole upbringing in a whole new light. A lot of this story is uncomfortable to read; there is extreme sexual violence and just violence in general. So if that is not your cup of tea, I would skip this. However if you enjoy viscous zombie apocalypse novels with some heart I would recommend it.½

I’m really surprised by the positive reviews this book is getting. It took me forever to get through it. I almost gave up on it several times. The book is 271 pages long. It’s pretty dull until page 202. Even then, the first truly horrific act of violence is simply a variation of Rat Torture, albeit using a mouse instead of a rat. I expected better.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

I read this based on one of my favorite horror booktokkers recommendations and was pleasantly surprised! I read it in one sitting. It was really well written and the plot really didn't stop til the very last second.

I don't think this is my brand of horror, but it wasn't awful. I haven't read American Psycho so I'm probably not picking up on all the references here, but I can feel it trying to emulate a lot of horror that's come before.

Honestly super disappointed by this book considering how well-received it is. I read it in two days and it helped me get out of a bit of a graphic novel slump (love graphic novels and starting to enjoy manga, just missed being able to read an entire "regular" book), so that absolutely counts for something, but as I texted my boyfriend while I was reading, "if i wanted to read about someones slow drift towards insanity i could have read my own journal imma be real." It all felt either pointless or I was repulsed just because I was grossed out. This was my first horror novel so maybe that's what the genre is all about, but I guess I was hoping for something else. Also, I predicted every plot twist. Seriously. Every one. And I typically suck at that sort of thing. Oh well. I would still say maybe it's just that the genre is just not for me, thus the (I would say) generous three stars.

Edit: upon reading it for a second time, honestly i thought it was really fun and enjoyed both the "slow drift towards insanity" plot as well as the gore that "grossed [me] out." Not my favorite thing I've ever read or anything, but I definitely liked it a lot more than I apparently did the first time around.

Based on the cover alone, I knew that this book was going to be amazing. I wasn’t sure if it would be amazingly good or amazingly bad so I am quite pleased to report that it definitely falls into the good category for me. Now, this is not going to be a book for everyone but I really enjoyed it. I had hoped that it would be a little different when I picked it up and it was just that. It is gory, violent, and disturbing all rolled into one neat little package. I just couldn’t stop listening once I started.

Maeve spends her days working as a princess at Disneyland but her time away from work is often a bit more depraved. I don’t think that there is much that Maeve is unwilling to do and I really enjoyed just sitting back and waiting to see what she might do next. When she meets her best friend’s brother, Gideon, they seem to have an instant connection. I just loved the fact that basically, anything could happen within the pages of this novel.

This is the first time that I have had the opportunity to listen to Sosia Bacon’s work as a narrator and I must say that I was quite impressed. She really brought this story to life and added a layer of excitement through her reading. She had a very pleasant voice that was easy to listen to for hours at a time. I do believe that her narration added to my enjoyment of this story.

I would recommend this book to horror fans. I loved that this was a different kind of story that ended up being full of surprises. Maeve was not a nice character but I found that I liked her anyway. I will be on the lookout for future works by this talented author.

I received a review copy of this book from Macmillan Audio and Tor Nightfire.

I'm really unsure how to review this and frankly I had a hard time finishing it.

The first 75% is pretty standard for a horror book in terms of violence/dark thoughts etc. Maeve has always known she was different but tries to bury it deep inside, after being advised by her grandmother that people won't like the "wolf" in her. She works at Disneyland, a place she has always loved, as one of the people in costumes greeting guests. But then she meets her friend's brother Gideon, and finally thinks she has found a kindred spirit. Together they start to act out in increasingly disturbing ways, unleashing the real Maeve.

But then it really crossed a line for me in the last 25% to the point that I had to skip entire chapters because listening to the scenes play out was making me nauseated. I'm sure some people are fine with this level of violence but to me it was basically torture porn and it's the reason I can't give this more than 3 stars.

Thank you netgalley and Macmillan audio for giving me an advanced review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Classic over-the-top gore, violence, and sexual sadism could have made for a good time but didn't quite manage it for me. It was rather slow with a lot of time on the romance and the main character's introspection, neither of which was very compelling. I went back and forth on whether I found this look into Maeve's psyche interesting or insufferable. She's pretentious and has a not-like-other-girls streak. She's always thinking about how male serial killers just are what they are, but women have to be made into monsters by trauma/abuse/etc. but not her; she's always been "the wolf". Fair enough, except all the killing we get to see her do is triggered by traumatic loss in her life. Kind of diluted the strength of that concept. Since it takes a long time for the book to get to any action and the other characters weren't explored much, it was good that Maeve had some depth, but it felt unintentionally hypocritical.½