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leyendoconsusy's review against another edition
4.0
Una escuela en una antigua abadía, niños que desaparecen por las noches y un extraño ser retorcido que recorre los pasillos por las noches. Una ambientación maravillosa para una historia truculenta y adictiva
davicalpa's review against another edition
3.0
Cuando uno piensa en todos los elementos que se necesitan para crear una poderosa e irresistible historia de terror le viene a la cabeza varias posibilidades que, combinadas, pueden conseguir estremecerte. De entrada requiere de una ambientación poderosa, llena de rincones oscuros, pasadizos secretos, ventanas que aúllan moviendo las cortinas, polvo, suciedad, arañas y todo tipo de decoraciones que te transporten de lleno a un lugar de pesadilla. En ese espacio sitúas a un personaje inocente y desvalido. Una persona con la que puedas empatizar desde el comienzo y que tenga la misma información, y miedo, que tú en medio de ese ambiente amenazador. Y finalmente una trama detrás de todos ellos que te vaya absorbiendo y atenazando mientras descubres como el horror va impregnando a cada uno de los elementos que conforman la novela.
Lo curioso es que todo eso lo encuentras en esta novela de Sarah Read en donde acompañamos al pequeño Charley en su internamiento en una escuela de principios de siglo XX cuyos cimientos se apoyan en una antigua y siniestra abadía. Tan solo falta una pequeña chispa para que el terror se adentre en tu cabeza y pronto verás como todo empieza a arder.
Sin embargo no conseguí disfrutar de esta historia como lo había esperado. Quizás por las tremendas expectativas que tenía acerca de esta obra ganadora del premio Stoker, que prometía una experiencia realmente terrorífica, o porque quizás la presencia de todo aquello que a uno le gusta en una novela no tiene por qué funcionar siempre.
El caso es que aquí tenemos a ese personaje indefenso lleno de carisma con el que empatizas desde el inicio. Su valentía a la hora de afrontar las situaciones con las que tiene que lidiar consigue que, en más de una ocasión, sientas las penurias por las que tiene que pasar. Y la descripción de todos los elementos que conforman esa escuela/abadía pone los pelos de punta en más de una ocasión.
Pero lo que en una novela como esta tendría que provocarte pesadillas ante lo que acontece a mi no terminó de convencerme. Quizás porque los hechos que te narran no dejan de ser una mezcla de situaciones reconocibles en donde nada es lo que parece. O porque el comportamiento de los personajes a lo largo de la trama está tan definido que ya intuyes que te están distrayendo. O porque la autora quiere apostar por una trama en la que lo sobrenatural y lo humano no encuentran diferencias. Sea por una razón o por otras, el caso es que mis expectativas se fueron diluyendo poco a poco hasta perder el interés y eso, en una novela como esta es una pena.
Porque todos los hechos que ocurren en el último tercio son formidables. Llenos de tensión, de revelaciones y de momentos de auténtico horror que pone los pelos de punta. Uno de esos finales estremecedores que merecen toda la atención de los amantes de este género. Pero cuando llegas a esos instantes sin mayor interés por lo que te cuentan es que algo ha fallado, aunque puede que ese algo seas tú.
Aun así, la historia es sólida, no deja cabos sueltos y estremece cuando quiere, por lo que la propuesta no deja de ser atractiva. Al fin y al cabo, ¿a quien no le gusta la sensación de estar arropado bajo la almohada mientras nota como algo se acerca en la noche?
Lo curioso es que todo eso lo encuentras en esta novela de Sarah Read en donde acompañamos al pequeño Charley en su internamiento en una escuela de principios de siglo XX cuyos cimientos se apoyan en una antigua y siniestra abadía. Tan solo falta una pequeña chispa para que el terror se adentre en tu cabeza y pronto verás como todo empieza a arder.
Sin embargo no conseguí disfrutar de esta historia como lo había esperado. Quizás por las tremendas expectativas que tenía acerca de esta obra ganadora del premio Stoker, que prometía una experiencia realmente terrorífica, o porque quizás la presencia de todo aquello que a uno le gusta en una novela no tiene por qué funcionar siempre.
El caso es que aquí tenemos a ese personaje indefenso lleno de carisma con el que empatizas desde el inicio. Su valentía a la hora de afrontar las situaciones con las que tiene que lidiar consigue que, en más de una ocasión, sientas las penurias por las que tiene que pasar. Y la descripción de todos los elementos que conforman esa escuela/abadía pone los pelos de punta en más de una ocasión.
Pero lo que en una novela como esta tendría que provocarte pesadillas ante lo que acontece a mi no terminó de convencerme. Quizás porque los hechos que te narran no dejan de ser una mezcla de situaciones reconocibles en donde nada es lo que parece. O porque el comportamiento de los personajes a lo largo de la trama está tan definido que ya intuyes que te están distrayendo. O porque la autora quiere apostar por una trama en la que lo sobrenatural y lo humano no encuentran diferencias. Sea por una razón o por otras, el caso es que mis expectativas se fueron diluyendo poco a poco hasta perder el interés y eso, en una novela como esta es una pena.
Porque todos los hechos que ocurren en el último tercio son formidables. Llenos de tensión, de revelaciones y de momentos de auténtico horror que pone los pelos de punta. Uno de esos finales estremecedores que merecen toda la atención de los amantes de este género. Pero cuando llegas a esos instantes sin mayor interés por lo que te cuentan es que algo ha fallado, aunque puede que ese algo seas tú.
Aun así, la historia es sólida, no deja cabos sueltos y estremece cuando quiere, por lo que la propuesta no deja de ser atractiva. Al fin y al cabo, ¿a quien no le gusta la sensación de estar arropado bajo la almohada mientras nota como algo se acerca en la noche?
jeanne25's review
4.0
3.5 rounded up - I went into this story with no knowledge of what it was about. I found it to be enjoyable and well written. There were some good visuals but I wasn't really impressed with the story as much as I was with the writing. I think it could have been fleshed out a bit more. On story alone, this would have been a 3 star review. Considering it was the author's first novel, I am looking forward to trying more of her work.
theboldbookworm's review
4.0
This was a delightfully creepy, atmospheric novel. I could feel the cold and smell the dirt at the school. There were a few twists that kept me guessing. I recommend this if you like atmospheric gothic stories.
motherhorror's review against another edition
5.0
Originally published the review on Cemetery Dance May 28th, 2019
Where are my fellow John Bellairs fans? Raise your hands and be counted. I need to know who you are. It’s important to this review because I’m an avid horror fan who was first nourished on the horror milk of John Bellairs novels. Bellairs wrote dark, gothic mysteries for young readers and he never shied away from being “too scary” for kids. I relished my time in those pages.
Here I am now at forty-two years of age and Sarah Read, the talented author of The Bone Weaver’s Orchard, has just rekindled that fire by tapping some of my favorite things I loved as a young reader.
But hold up! This is not to say this book is a young adult book, (although it could be read and enjoyed by anyone) I’m just saying it reached out beyond the written word in a familiar way that immediately appealed to me. First and foremost, this book is gothically atmospheric in the best possible way. The Old Cross School for Boys is a horribly delicious setting for all sorts of wickedness and secrets.
As soon as we meet our protagonist, Charley Winslow (I love you, Charley!!) he is dumped on the steps of the most intimidating building one could imagine. The author’s prose is noticeably rich as she takes her time on all the interesting details. The character development is another level! I found myself falling in love with Charley and then his unlikely friend Sam—like dangerously in love with them. My reader’s heart was bound and tethered to them, making all the suspense and terror that much more threatening and heart-pounding!
Especially Charley. This young man is so sweet and eccentric with his little passion for insects. He’s brave and curious and I just wanted to reach through the pages and take him home with me, away from mean boys, sinister adults and hidden secrets that demand to stay hidden.
This book was one of those stories that you find yourself thinking about all day while you’re busy “adulting” and looking forward to jumping back into as soon as you get in bed at night. My time with Sarah Read and her words on these pages are some of my favorite. A serious contender for my favorite book of 2019.
One more thing: there was a moment in this book where I gasped out loud. There was a very distinct turning from a moody, dark “coming of age” story to grisly horror, full stop. It was from that moment on; I knew the full extent of Read’s talent. She’s an amazing, gifted writer and I will absolutely show up for anything she puts out in the future. Horror lovers, this book is a must-have and Sarah Read is a new insta-buy author.
Where are my fellow John Bellairs fans? Raise your hands and be counted. I need to know who you are. It’s important to this review because I’m an avid horror fan who was first nourished on the horror milk of John Bellairs novels. Bellairs wrote dark, gothic mysteries for young readers and he never shied away from being “too scary” for kids. I relished my time in those pages.
Here I am now at forty-two years of age and Sarah Read, the talented author of The Bone Weaver’s Orchard, has just rekindled that fire by tapping some of my favorite things I loved as a young reader.
But hold up! This is not to say this book is a young adult book, (although it could be read and enjoyed by anyone) I’m just saying it reached out beyond the written word in a familiar way that immediately appealed to me. First and foremost, this book is gothically atmospheric in the best possible way. The Old Cross School for Boys is a horribly delicious setting for all sorts of wickedness and secrets.
As soon as we meet our protagonist, Charley Winslow (I love you, Charley!!) he is dumped on the steps of the most intimidating building one could imagine. The author’s prose is noticeably rich as she takes her time on all the interesting details. The character development is another level! I found myself falling in love with Charley and then his unlikely friend Sam—like dangerously in love with them. My reader’s heart was bound and tethered to them, making all the suspense and terror that much more threatening and heart-pounding!
Especially Charley. This young man is so sweet and eccentric with his little passion for insects. He’s brave and curious and I just wanted to reach through the pages and take him home with me, away from mean boys, sinister adults and hidden secrets that demand to stay hidden.
This book was one of those stories that you find yourself thinking about all day while you’re busy “adulting” and looking forward to jumping back into as soon as you get in bed at night. My time with Sarah Read and her words on these pages are some of my favorite. A serious contender for my favorite book of 2019.
One more thing: there was a moment in this book where I gasped out loud. There was a very distinct turning from a moody, dark “coming of age” story to grisly horror, full stop. It was from that moment on; I knew the full extent of Read’s talent. She’s an amazing, gifted writer and I will absolutely show up for anything she puts out in the future. Horror lovers, this book is a must-have and Sarah Read is a new insta-buy author.
beverleyleeauthor's review against another edition
5.0
This has been on my radar since I first saw it on bookstagram a year ago. Turns out I should have read it much sooner!
Sarah Read's debut novel is a dark, gothic mystery featuring a young protagonist, Charley Winslow (I'll add that I adored Charley and wanted to protect him from all of the Badness) sent away to the lonely Old Cross School for Boys in North Yorkshire. The story starts in 1926 as Charley arrives from Cairo clutching a box of jars. As with all old schools, this one hides a secret locked away in the crumbling East wing. When boys start go missing in strange circumstances, Charley finds a hidden passage and is soon snared in the jaws of grisly discoveries, dragging him further and further into danger.
With a young protagonist it's easy to think that the darkness in this might be somehow sanitised, but what happens to Charley pulls no punches, and I really admired the way the author tackled this element of the story.
With wonderful character development, this well-paced and atmospheric story is definitely worth picking up!
Sarah Read's debut novel is a dark, gothic mystery featuring a young protagonist, Charley Winslow (I'll add that I adored Charley and wanted to protect him from all of the Badness) sent away to the lonely Old Cross School for Boys in North Yorkshire. The story starts in 1926 as Charley arrives from Cairo clutching a box of jars. As with all old schools, this one hides a secret locked away in the crumbling East wing. When boys start go missing in strange circumstances, Charley finds a hidden passage and is soon snared in the jaws of grisly discoveries, dragging him further and further into danger.
With a young protagonist it's easy to think that the darkness in this might be somehow sanitised, but what happens to Charley pulls no punches, and I really admired the way the author tackled this element of the story.
With wonderful character development, this well-paced and atmospheric story is definitely worth picking up!
christinogle's review against another edition
5.0
A very scary tale set in a boys’ school. You’ll want to read it in one sitting. Very enjoyable!
inkychaotics's review against another edition
4.0
Sarah Read's writing is so beautiful -- I never thought anyone could make me sentimental about bugs before, but young Charley's fascination and attachment to the critters he collects is charming. They seem to be the only thing that really gives him a sense of peace as he navigates through a truly terrifying school, desperate to make the adults understand his truth. Read's debut novel contains strong prose, gorgeously dark descriptions, and many twists and turns as grotesque as what Charley finds in the East Wing. While I enjoyed being in Charley's POV most of the book, I think Sam ended up being my favorite character -- there is a complex history and background there and with the connection of the matrons that I wanted to know more about as we neared the poignant ending. Overall, this is a fantastic read and I truly look forward to more Sarah Read novels in the future!