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triciab04 's review for:
The Suffering
by Rin Chupeco
THE SUFFERING BY: RIN CHUPECO + A GIVEAWAY!
4.5 stars!
Well color me impressed! The Suffering was everything I could have hoped for in a sequel. I am really blown away at the thoughtfulness Chupeco put in from the very first sentence to the very last. There wasn't an inch of space that didn't aid in making this story come together in the most fabulous way. One of the things I loved the most is Chepeco's way of writing horror. The Suffering was a potent mix of traditional horror and psychological thriller. I appreciated that even the most visually spine-chilling spirits in this story weren't always the most malevolent things creeping up behind you. Sometimes the most ordinary, innocuous appearing PEOPLE were more monstrous than any wraith.
Furthermore these nefarious characters, more often than not, were the ones that molded those vengeful spirits into the horrors that they ultimately became. In the end I found I had a hearty mixture of fear and pity towards these savage spirits.
I would I also like to say that I am eating my own words from my review of The Girl From the Well where I said that Tark was not quite as interesting as the affliction he bore. Yep, I was gloriously proven wrong in this sequel. Being in Tarquin head in this story was a much different experience than being in Okiku's in the first book. Each had their ups and downs, but I have to say I think I much preferred Tark's point of view. What's even better is that we still got clips from Okiku since her and Tarquin are so intertwined in The Suffering. I was totally engrossed in the symbiotic relationship between Tark and Okiku. It was a perfect balance, and I found Tarquin to be a very intriguing character that I was really rooting for! I also think that Tarquin had matured since the last book, which I found to be a really nice addition as well.
I couldn't have asked for a better setting either.The Aokigahara (aka the Suicide Forest, wiki link for more info...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aokigahara) was such a menacing and poignant place.The Aokigahara is chilling enough in what we know to be facts about it, and the myths surrounding that are hard to just write off as nothing when so much suffering flocks there. It was the perfect place for a story such as this one to take place. It definitely added to the mysterious and unnerving atmosphere of the tale. I really like stories like this that take a real piece of mythology/legend and weave their own tales out of it. That makes even the fantastical feel like it could be possible.
There were definitely times, especially while reading at night in bed, where the creepiness of the story had my heart racing and me not so casually looking using my Kindle on full brightness to shine around the room....just to make sure nothing strange was lurking. I wasn't necessarily hiding under the blankies, but it was enough that when I actually put the book up for the night I did spend a chunk of time laying there in the dark, hyper-listening for any unwelcomed movements lol.
Yet again the Japanese culture was rich and expertly weaved in throughout the story. Every time I read a Rin Chupeco book I find myself searching on the internet for more about all the enchanting lore and culture she puts in her stories. I also appreciate her affinity for the antihero. I can't help but to cheer on these characters that take matters into their own hands and avenge the innocent souls that perished at the hands of others. I find it chillingly satisfying each time, Okiku especially, exacts her gruesome justice upon the wicked. I only hope that this won't be the last time we see Tarquin and Okiku taking on the world!
I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
****To enter for your chance to win a copy of both The Girl From the Well and The Suffering, please click the following link to my blog and there you will find a Rafflecopter giveaway! https://bookwormcoalition.wordpress.com/2015/09/01/the-suffering-by-rin-chupeco-review-excerpt-a-giveaway/
Good Luck, my friends! ****
4.5 stars!
Well color me impressed! The Suffering was everything I could have hoped for in a sequel. I am really blown away at the thoughtfulness Chupeco put in from the very first sentence to the very last. There wasn't an inch of space that didn't aid in making this story come together in the most fabulous way. One of the things I loved the most is Chepeco's way of writing horror. The Suffering was a potent mix of traditional horror and psychological thriller. I appreciated that even the most visually spine-chilling spirits in this story weren't always the most malevolent things creeping up behind you. Sometimes the most ordinary, innocuous appearing PEOPLE were more monstrous than any wraith.
Furthermore these nefarious characters, more often than not, were the ones that molded those vengeful spirits into the horrors that they ultimately became. In the end I found I had a hearty mixture of fear and pity towards these savage spirits.
I would I also like to say that I am eating my own words from my review of The Girl From the Well where I said that Tark was not quite as interesting as the affliction he bore. Yep, I was gloriously proven wrong in this sequel. Being in Tarquin head in this story was a much different experience than being in Okiku's in the first book. Each had their ups and downs, but I have to say I think I much preferred Tark's point of view. What's even better is that we still got clips from Okiku since her and Tarquin are so intertwined in The Suffering. I was totally engrossed in the symbiotic relationship between Tark and Okiku. It was a perfect balance, and I found Tarquin to be a very intriguing character that I was really rooting for! I also think that Tarquin had matured since the last book, which I found to be a really nice addition as well.
I couldn't have asked for a better setting either.The Aokigahara (aka the Suicide Forest, wiki link for more info...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aokigahara) was such a menacing and poignant place.The Aokigahara is chilling enough in what we know to be facts about it, and the myths surrounding that are hard to just write off as nothing when so much suffering flocks there. It was the perfect place for a story such as this one to take place. It definitely added to the mysterious and unnerving atmosphere of the tale. I really like stories like this that take a real piece of mythology/legend and weave their own tales out of it. That makes even the fantastical feel like it could be possible.
There were definitely times, especially while reading at night in bed, where the creepiness of the story had my heart racing and me not so casually looking using my Kindle on full brightness to shine around the room....just to make sure nothing strange was lurking. I wasn't necessarily hiding under the blankies, but it was enough that when I actually put the book up for the night I did spend a chunk of time laying there in the dark, hyper-listening for any unwelcomed movements lol.
Yet again the Japanese culture was rich and expertly weaved in throughout the story. Every time I read a Rin Chupeco book I find myself searching on the internet for more about all the enchanting lore and culture she puts in her stories. I also appreciate her affinity for the antihero. I can't help but to cheer on these characters that take matters into their own hands and avenge the innocent souls that perished at the hands of others. I find it chillingly satisfying each time, Okiku especially, exacts her gruesome justice upon the wicked. I only hope that this won't be the last time we see Tarquin and Okiku taking on the world!
I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
****To enter for your chance to win a copy of both The Girl From the Well and The Suffering, please click the following link to my blog and there you will find a Rafflecopter giveaway! https://bookwormcoalition.wordpress.com/2015/09/01/the-suffering-by-rin-chupeco-review-excerpt-a-giveaway/
Good Luck, my friends! ****