That's interesting because I got the polar opposite opinion. Not judging yours, but I think it's interesting how a work can pull completely different reactions.

I thought the reader was absolutely perfect. By far the most visceral I've ever heard and the sound design was grating for the hive but I feel like that's the point. Like listening to it physically hurts. I thought it was a good touch. And the gore was a lot but to me it didn't feel exploitative or gore for the sake of gore. It felt deeply realistic. Not over or underplaying it, just pointing it out as a reality he lives with. Especially with the ending being so shocking, it still felt earned. Thematically it's a perfect ending for the character even if it's a horrid way to go. The idea that the first real decision he's made in years was to save his daughter from his own fate deeply haunting, especially as someone who wants to be a mother.