obscurastrange's Reviews (166)

What a gorgeously atmospheric and creepy folk horror story this was! Usually I quite literally *hate* shifting timelines, but the chapters were short and snappy and with the way the story unfolded, I was actually quite excited to shift back and forth and try and uncover more of what was happening. 

 

I think the pacing did lack in the first half, so much so that if the chapters weren’t short, it would have been a bit of a slog. And particularly with the way in which the villagers acted towards Sophie the main character, I didn’t actively feel like she was in danger most of the time. However, the way in which this built up to the end reveal was soooo enjoyable, and I devoured last 60% of the book very quickly. I also found the final reveal very unique and quite creepy! 

 

If you haven’t read Folk Horror before, this is a really wonderful book to start with. It has a great mix of dark nature, grey moral characters, and a town and woods that breathe on its own. Similarly, if you’ve read folk horror before this is a lovely addition to the genre. 

 

Pick this up if you like: folk horror, creepy northern countryside towns, dark pagan festivities, character metamorphosis 

 

Thank you for the ARC, which was provided in exchange for an honest review. 

This book had me HOOKED from the first few pages. I have read Tidepool by Nicole Willson and absolutely adored it, I rated it 5 stars, and it’s one of my favourite books. So I was excited to see that she was bringing out a Gothic Haunted House story, as they’re one of my most beloved type of stories. This is a book that will keep you turning the pages, I was so captivated by what was going to happen next, and the writing really keeps you enthralled and wanting to read on. The way Geoff was written, with all the niggling remarks reaaaaaally made me dislike him, and I really enjoy when a book can give me an emotional response like that. This is a young adult book, which I don’t often reach for and did so because I have loved the author’s previous work Tidepool. I think it would be both a perfect starter book for someone just getting into Horror or Gothic fiction, and an eerie, enthralling read for fans of the genre. There are some really beautifully written haunting scenes, and I LOVE how strong willed the women in this book are. 

This is a Gothic Ghost Story that will keep you guessing and turning the pages. 

 

Pick this up if you like: gothic haunted house stories for spooky season, strong gothic heroines a la Beetlejuice’s Lydia Deetz, eerie haunted houses, ultra creepy ghosts and haunting scenes, & gorgeous book covers. 

 

This review is based on an ARC in exchange for an honest review.