Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing the sequel to Bird Box by Josh Malerman called Malorie. I have been on a HUGE Malerman kick as of late and have been devouring his horror novels in a day. They are so good that once I start I simply can’t stop! After reading Bird Box, I watched the movie which was alright and eagerly awaited for Malorie to arrive at the library. As soon as I read the first page, I knew exactly what I was doing for the rest of my day! Before we begin our discussion, I will be placing a trigger warning on Malorie for graphic violence, disturbing content, and child abuse. Now, let’s get to it:
Malorie begins essentially where Bird Box left off. She and her children, Tom and Olympia, made the terrifying blind journey by rowboat to the Jane Tucker School For The Blind. Despite being in a safe space, Malorie insists on “living by the fold”. Meaning that even if they are in an enclosed area with everything they could ever need, her and her children will continue to do so blindly. Malorie’s constant mantra to herself is “don’t get lazy” and that is a good thing as they will soon have to flee and find home elsewhere.
Fast forward ten years later and Malorie, Tom, and Olympia’s home is an old summer camp. Her children are now teenagers and the family has the entire run of the camp and an excellent supply of food and water. In their semblance of a life, Olympia chooses to read everything in the camp’s library. Tom, on the other hand, spends his time inventing tools to allow them to be outside safely even if creatures are there. Creatures that turn you mad with one look – so insane that you will hurt anyone in your way and yourself. As the years go by, Malorie grows increasingly paranoid and takes it out on her children. The brunt falls on Tom who wants to explore the world desperately and without the constant fear that his mother instills in him and his sister.
Then, opportunity comes knocking. Quite literally. A man knocks on the family’s cabin door claiming that he is with the census. He is finding survivors and collecting information about how they have withstood the worldwide takeover of the creatures. To Tom’s delight, the man leaves his literature on the porch and his wildest dreams come true. There is a town called Indian River that is filled with progressive thinkers. People who claim to have caught a creature, people who are trying to invent tools every day and improve the lives that everyone has been subjected to.
Tom is not the only one to learn something new from the papers the census taker left. On the list of survivors, Malorie is shocked to see the names of people she believed to be dead. The route to find them is just a thirty mile walk and a blind train trip away. The family leaves immediately to catch the train, knowing that they are putting themselves in imminent danger. Creatures are lurking everywhere as are ghosts of the past. Will their trip be fruitful? Or will man continue to be the scariest creature of all? Read Malorie to find out!
The reviews I read for Malorie were lackluster at best and I completely disagree. I liked it just as much as Bird Box (Which received my coveted ten star rating), if not more. After reading Bird Box, I wanted to know more about this crazy world that Josh Malerman created and that is exactly what I got. I got a novel that told the tale of teens becoming adults, the titular character becoming someone new, and a world that is on the verge of collapse evolving as the years go by. Malorie is told from the perspective of Tom and Olympia as well as their mother but make no mistake. Although it is family focused, this book is dripping with horror and uncertainty with every turn of the page.
The book being told from the children’s point of view too filled me with such a sense of protection for them as I read. There is gentle Olympia who harbors secrets and fills her head with other people’s stories. Tom is the polar opposite. He wears his heart plainly and is steadfast in his desire to change the world. To see the world no matter what his mom says. This could lead to salvation or his untimely demise but it is a reminder that no reward will come from no risk. A reminder that Malorie will need when she takes her children on what she hopes to be their final trip to a safe home.
Like Bird Box, I am going to award Malorie with a ten out of ten stars. This was the perfect follow up to Bird Box and I really hope they make a movie of it!!
What are you currently reading? Who is your favorite horror author? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
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