We Are Always Tender With Our Dead

I knew going into We Are Always Tender With Our Dead that LaRocca has a reputation for pushing boundaries, and this book is no exception. This first entry in the Burnt Sparrow trilogy is unsettling, visceral, and deeply disturbing. Horror fans looking for a bleak and nightmarish read will find much to appreciate here.

LaRocca’s artistry shows in his vivid depictions of violence. The graphic descriptions are purposefully tied to themes like the brutality of humanity, the darkness of human nature, the corrosive power of shame, and the prejudice and bigotry that fester in small communities. The worldbuilding is strong, dropping readers straight into a grim, claustrophobic landscape that feels both immersive and relentless.

That said, there were a few aspects that didn’t entirely work for me. One choice that broke my trust as a reader was the inclusion of a story told by a character, which felt shoehorned in and came across as filler or a repurposed short story. It pulled me out of the narrative. At times, I also questioned the authenticity of character relationships, since their dynamics felt either flat or overly forced. Lastly, while I can forgive some ambiguity in the first book of a trilogy, I do wish LaRocca had rewarded me with a bit more insight into why events unfolded as they did.

Overall, the book delivered on bleak atmosphere, disturbing imagery, and striking ideas, but its uneven execution didn’t quite achieve a lingering chill or spark the desire for me to continue with the series.

Rating: ⭐⭐½ (Rounded up)