Mothered is a standalone psychological thriller by author, Zoje Stage. I've seen the authors debut, Babyteeth recommended many times and highly praised so I was excited to grab a copy of this latest release by the same author.

The book is set during a pandemic, and written while one was actually going on which gives an interesting and unique concept that I've yet to see done before. I could related to our characters being in isolation and their fears about the impacts of an unknown virus. The story follows our main character Grace, who has a complex and strained relationship with her mother, Jackie since the death of her sister in childhood. When Jackie has to move in with Grace things between the two set to reach boiling point.

The author teases us that something terrible has happened in the opening but we will have to read along to find out exactly what. I found myself invested in the story and turning the pages to reach the conclusion and uncover the truth about this one. It's hard to say too much more about the plot without spoilers.

I can see why this author is so highly praised and recommended. I have added Babyteeth to my TBR list and am looking forward to read that one next.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

Picture this: it's the middle of an ongoing viral pandemic. Not hard, right? Exactly - Mothered is set in present day This Earth reality. It is the middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic (aka the pandemic that will probably never end because we're a planet of morons).

Things have been going pretty well for Grace. She has a job at a salon she loves, she's just bought a new house, and her mom lives across the country. Everything is as it should be. But of course, the ol' pandy had to roll in and ruin EVERYTHING. Now Grace's job has shuttered, she's struggling to pay bills, and her mom is in the market for a new living situation following the death of her husband.

Now Grace finds herself living with Mom. Hooray (not).

Grace and Jackie have never seemed to get on all that well. Things have always been tense between them. Grace's disabled twin sister seemingly took up all of Jackie's time and energy, and after her death years before things have only gotten more strained. But she thinks that maybe having Jackie stay with her will give them the opportunity to bond - or at least to begin to heal some old wounds.

But, much like humanity as a whole, it seems that the relationship is set on a potentially irreversible doom spiral. As tensions continue to rise between the two, judgments and accusations begin to fly.

They can't really escape each other, so they're forced to bear the weight of each other's accusations. When repressed emotions meet cabin fever, things start to go horribly awry. Soon, it becomes difficult to tell what is reality, and what is just paranoid, sleep-deprived delusion.

When I started reading this in July of 2022 (I am SO SLOW getting these reviews written/uploaded, I know) I remember thinking to myself, "I wonder if this is going to be difficult to read due to taking place in the current, ongoing pandemic." Well, it was. It might be less so now that I'm another half-year jaded. So. Unbelievably. Jaded.

But I think it is kind of brilliant the way Stage uses the backdrop of the pandemic to both parallel and ratchet up the mounting tension and borderline insanity of Grace's home. I love that it prods at the terrible things that extended quarantining has done to those of us who bothered to listen to medical science and do so at any point (or were able to do so due to being deemed "non-essential" - no shade to those who weren't given the choice. I'm sorry our government/society nominated you to play the part of cannon fodder whether you were willing or not).

*this review goes live on my website Feb 1, 2023*

As Zoje Stage remarks in her acknowledgments, “Mothered is a batshit crazy book.”

“Cat. Fat cat. Cat with a rat. Hickory dickory f*ck, the mouse ran out of luck. The clock struck two, the mouse got the flu, hickory dickory f*ck.” 🤣

It’s the dreaded lockdown of 2020, and Grace just lost her job as a stylist at Barbara’s beauty salon. Never mind that she just moved into her first house the day lockdown began. How is she going to pay her bills? When her mother, Jackie, threatens to move in with her, Grace isn’t sure it is a good idea. However, Jackie agrees to pay rent and stay out of her way.

“Agreeing to this arrangement was something a Good Daughter would do. But was Grace a Good Daughter? For that matter, was Jackie a Good Mother?”

Will they survive Covid, the lockdown, and living with each other?

Mothered is the second book that I have read from Stage, and I’m still not sure what to think about her writing. It’s kind of like watching a car crash, you just can’t look away. She really captures the claustrophobic atmosphere, fears, and anxieties about Covid and the very dysfunctional relationship between Grace and Jackie. Didn’t we all go a little stir crazy too?

I wasn’t really sure where this plot was headed throughout most of the book, which kept me reading. However, the second half of the book became very repetitive and didn’t include any plot twists. Unfortunately, I was also left with a few lingering questions.

I’m sure this was a difficult book to write so soon after Stage’s own mother died from Covid-19.

Read this: If you are looking for a book about the Covid-19 pandemic
Skip this: If it’s still too soon for you

3.5/5 stars rounded down

Expected publication date: 3/1/23

Thank you to Thomas and Mercer publishing for the ARC of Mothered in exchange for an honest review.

Zoje has done it again. Another reality bending novel that leaves you questioning your sanity and the reality that surrounds it.

This story starts off relatively normal…In the midst of a new pandemic Grace has to deal with her estranged mother moving in. Quickly the story veers off into left field. The dreams blur into reality and you have to take a moment to decipher that you’ve just read.

What is truth and what is fiction or better yet a fever dream.

Mothered tells the story of a mother and daughter quarantined together during the pandemic. The forced lockdown together finally forces them to confront their toxic relationship. There were some really well done, creepy scenes but I didn’t like the dream sequences. It left me feeling confused and not sure what was real. Overall, Mothered was an entertaining read that fans of Stage’s previous work will enjoy.

ARC Review
It’s awful that I’ve already forgotten the fear of Covid. Weren’t we all scared? I haven’t read many books about the pandemic but I thought the author portrayed a good example of the early days. Having said that I was interested and engaged in the plot until I wasn’t. The back and forth was to much and what was real?
I found it confusing and disjointed and maybe that was the point. But it was just too crazy for me.
I’m giving this a 3⭐️. And what really happened here? Anybody?
Thanks Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley.

Sadly, I had to DNF this one after ~15% in. the premise was alluring, but ultimately, the build-up was too slow for my liking—since I'm reading shorter books at the moment, being impatient is 100% my fault.

Thank you so much to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC; it is greatly appreciated.

I have had this e-ARC since July, and since then I have seen this book everywhere. It seems to be on everyone's most anticipated list for the year, or at least it is in the horror community. There is definitely hype building for this book, but since this was my first read by this author I went in with no expectations, and an open mind.

Unfortunately, I was immediately confronted with something I don't wish to read about: the pandemic. There's actually an author's note stating how this did not start out as a pandemic book, and so that would not be a large part of the story. However, I'd have to argue that it is. Nothing in this book would have happened without the pandemic. It really seemed to be used as a plot point to put the characters in their appropriate places and mental states. The pandemic was prevalant throughout the entire story to where I'd say it was a character itself.

Most of the horror in this was subtle, which I've discovered recently is something I quite enjoy. That build up of tension, anger, and confusion is done well, and transfers as anxiety to the reader. Because of this I did not mind the slow plot, as I thought that the payoff, or "reveal", would bring everything happening into a satisfying conclusion. Unfortuantely, that didn't happen.

The last few chapters of the book felt incredibly rushed compared to the rest. We go from a slow, gradual build up, to entire personality changes overnight. I did not understand what was happening or why, and since we don't get any solid answers in the end, I finished this book feeling confused.

Overall, I'd say I enjoyed the first 80-90% of this book. It wasn't anything I hadn't seen before, but it was enjoyable and pretty quick to read. However, the last 10-20% just felt like a different book entirely and sucked my enjoyment out of reading it. If you are not a fan of dream sequences or reading about the pandemic, then I would pass on picking this up. If you enjoy a slow burn with little to no twists, and don't need answers to any questions, than give this a shot. I just don't think this author's style is for me.

Mothered is the second book I’ve read by author Zoje Stage. Just like the first, I’m not really sure what to think about this story. The author tends to write really creepy, eerie type reads. After finishing it, I’m still not sure if I understand it any more than I did when I started. It’s about Grace who was a twin. Her twin, Hope, was born with cerebral palsy. She is now dead. Grace believes she had a seizure and died but her mother is telling her that she smothered her. Who do you believe? This is a really messed up story written by a very clever and creative author. Zoje Stage must have a fantastic imagination. Although I did enjoy reading it, I was left puzzled as to what really happened and what to think of it all. I did like how the story takes place during the pandemic. It made it all the more real and relatable. Grace having her mom move in with her when they were never all that close to begin with was bound to cause conflict. But financially it would help them both during this strange time. But, was the mother out to drive her crazy? Although it left me somewhat confused, I’m sure many will really enjoy reading this. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc to read and review. I’m giving this a 4 star rating because it held my interest and the writing was really good. This is a book that I think would be very interesting to discuss in a book club to hear everyone’s take on the subject matter.

"Grace felt something tearing—her skin, unzippering from her neck down. When it was loose enough, she pulled her arms out of the skin sleeves. Freed each leg like she was peeling off a pair of itchy tights. She left the skin facade on the sidewalk, with its crumpled facial features and limbs like flesh-colored noodles. What did she look like now? Pink tissue and red blood and white bits of bone ?"

Set in the height of the COVID quarantine, Grace's mother Jackie asks her if she can come stay with her, and Grace reluctantly agrees. Their relationship is strained at best, full of pain after the loss of Grace's sister. But soon after her mother arrives Grace starts having very strange dreams, And then the dreams start blending in with reality and it's hard for both her and us reading it to know what's really happening. This is a story full of psychological horror. The tension build steadily throughout the whole story.

I really enjoyed the story. Thank you netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Okay... prepare yourself! This is the post-pandemic book I've been waiting for. Thrilling. Covering many topics that I shared worry over, but making my trip through 2020 look like an all year spa vacation in comparison. But, importantly, highlighting where that year took many Americans and others mentally but with a horror/supernatural twist.

Grace has just bought a house when the pandemic begins. She is frustrated with work and even more so when her mom kind of forces her way into her home. Her mom seems to go between a manic overwhelming kindness, helping vibe, to being more sullen and hateful. Grace experiences some horrifying dreams during this time, all while once again facing her childhood past with her dead twin.

So, yeah, it's a hard read but it also kept my eyes glued to the pages with this need to figure out the puzzle of what is happening. Grace seems to be an unreliable narrator leaving me confused at times but riveted to the story.

Definitely recommend this as a dark thriller/horror!

Out March 1, 2023!

Mothered was a fun read and had me constantly questioning my own expectations of what was going to happen. After so many different takes on mother/daughter relationships in books and movies at the moment (Run came to mind on Netflix), I always like it when they all take a slightly different perspective.

I'm a fan of unreliable narrators but unfortunately the "is it/is it not a dream?" narrative was too played out for me in this novel - it took away from the true creepiness of the plot. The ending was fantastic though.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book gave me a visceral anxiety reaction everytime I picked it up! Not that anything was so overtly disturbing or grotesque but the way Stage writes just leaves me with an unease that is hard to replicate or explain. The characters are fully fleshed out and you aren’t sure what’s going on or what is going to happen, even WHILE it’s happening.

Highly recommend for fans of domestic claustrophobic thrillers!

I loved Zoje's Baby Teeth. Absolutely loved it. The weirdness between the daughter and mother was so appealing. MOTHERED also focuses on a daughter/mother relationship, but the focus, for me, was unfortunately elsewhere. The pandemic. COVID. A character on a ventilator. It's just too soon.

When I requested MOTHERED I was so excited because Zoje Stage was the author. I admit, I did not read the description carefully enough. I have a rule to not read any fictional books that mention lockdowns, the virus, restrictions, masks, hospitals... I am so fatigued from the real-world event the last thing I want to do is read about it, even in a fictional setting.

I tried to dismiss the references from the start. But when one of the character ends up on a ventilator it was skimming time. I was curious to see how the story ended, but I checked-out halfway through the book.

I also thought the plot started off so strong and then lost it's way. It became confusing and didn't make sense at times.

I still think Zoje is an amazing writer and I'll certainly read more of her books. It sounds like she was closely impacted by the pandemic, I absolutely understand why she wanted to write about it. But, for me, I'm still not ready to read anything pandemic-related in 2023.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for an e-copy of MOTHERED to review.

I rate MOTHERED one out of five stars.

This was such a unique read, twisted , fast, and kept me guessing until the end. I have read this author before and think this was even better then Baby Teeth!

ARC REVIEW

Mothered
By Zoje Stage

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Publishing Date : 3/1/2023

Grace is from Pittsburgh and is trying to navigage the nee Covid world. Her mother, needing a place to live, comes to Pittsburgh and moves in with Graces. They have never had a great relationship, but add in the stress of a pandemic, quartening in close quarters and the added stress of sharing your home with someone else.....things start to unravel.

Everything seems to be progressing fine, but Grace starts having odd dreams about her disabeled sister who died when she was a child.  She starts sleepwalking, and is having a hard time seperating her dreams, from reality.  When her mom makes a VERY shoccking accusataion against her, Grace starts to unravel. Will she be able to seperate reality from delusion and figure out why her mother has it out for her?! ........and try not to get covid.

Review:

Iam not a huge fan of dream sequences, so that wasn't my favorite part of the book. However, I loooooooved the creepy, ominous vibe. 

This book was an adventure! I was dieing, to know what the heck was going on! It was decently paced and kept my interest. It had me saying " what the heck" on multiple occasions. I didnt mind the covid element.  It added to the stress.

If you liked, Sharp Edges or books with dark tones, this one is good! I could also see fans of The Push and Verity reading and enjoying this one.

I will say...I'm a tad confused on the ending. If you have read this, I would love to talk about it with you! ( but I think the confusion regarding the ending was intended!)

I can see this book being very popular after its released!

A big thanks to @netgalley and Thomas & Mercer publishing for this wild adventure!

This book was absolutely bonkers but I’m on the fence about if it was good bonkers or just straight bonkers. Grace was an interesting character who I sometimes felt was a little shallow despite the many facets of her we see and the backstory we get. There are lots of dream sequences which are not my favorite.

Some of the horror imagery was great and what I want when I pick up a horror novel (but not always what I get). The decision to set this during the early days of the pandemic really added to the tension, paranoia, and claustrophobic feel of the novel. I didn’t want to put this down because it always felt like something crazy was right around the corner.

I’m not disabled myself but something about the way the disabled character was portrayed kind of rubbed me the wrong way. While I like that the book shows that disabled people are just like able bodied people in terms of variations in temperament and personality, the decision to make the disabled sister a bit of a villain might not be well received. I don’t think there’s anything egregiously bad about the portrayal but again, I’m not disabled or have a disabled person close to me.

Holy crap, what did I just read??? Mothered was a WILD ride, and completely triggering if you have any kind of strand mother-daughter relationship. A fucked up fever dream right til the end.

Thank you to net galley and Thomas and Mercer publisher for letting me read an arc copy. I have read books by Zoye Stage before and I love her "wow" factor when she writes her thrillers. This book was written about the pandemic that did not bother me but, i felt like I was reading and nothing was happening.

A claustrophobic, pandemic-set thriller that has you questioning what is going on and which character you can trust.

I think there are a lot of people who would say that having their parent move in with them would be a nightmare-but add in a sprinkle of unresolved childhood conflict to a bowl of forced quarantine and you're bound to end with a disaster.

I enjoy the writing style of Zoje Stage and LOVED Baby Teeth, but this one was an average thriller to me. (I am a self-diagnosed thriller snob though, so take that with a grain of salt).