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racham1123's review against another edition
1.0
Wow. That was a really big let down. I was sooooo excited for this. You don’t understand- I was esthetic. It’s out of print and by some random occurrence I happened to find it one night. I was THRILLED.
Now, I am disappointed and mildly annoyed.
Ok, first- in the very beginning I became acutely aware that I wasn’t a fan of the language structure but I was “give it chance, it’s literally page 5”. Randomly specific page number you say but alas page #4, #5 and #6 are all slightly different fonts/sizes. (Immediate irk) Also, chapter one starts on page 4 with a line at the top but next page has no header but all the pages moving forward say the authors name on the left page header and the title of the book on the right page header.
I realize these are technical problems, as is the inconsistency with how the page breaks are marked within chapters (sometimes spaced down, sometimes centered and sometimes with just three ### to start a new paragraph), as well as the few times there are words where there shouldn’t be- messing up the flow of the sentence. Not to mention how some pages are just absolutely blank. And you’re right, these things don’t effect the actual story but my god do they effect my opinion. The layout is awful. This is in fact what editors are for, correct?
Moving on, this is a super short read but it felt like it lasted forever. I honestly wanted to DNF it but I was SO EXCITED, REMEMBER? So I kept going because ‘I wanted to finish a book today’ and also I thought maybe the ending would give me a twist or something that would make it feel like it was all worth it. I was wrong, this isn’t like a Gillian Flynn book.
Our story goes back and forth between real time/reality with Willow and her nightmare time and both story lines are linked to her and her cousin and their friends going to an abandoned asylum called Ashwood.
Here’s the thing, the reality chapter were cringe at best. I had to start skimming them. The nightmare chapters were way more exciting and I wish that had been the whole book. But, then we get to a point where both storylines blur and it’s hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t (which is probably the point but boy was it annoying to me). It felt like we were trudging through thick muddy waters, not going anywhere.
Then there at the end this becomes more of a girl falls in love with a ghost story- that felt pushed despite how Willow and the ghost had grown closer through the book. Or you know as much as you can when you’re whole life basically becomes a hallucination.
And, then the book was finally ending and everything was wrapping up neatly and I was annoyed but relieved it was over. But, then. Then Malarsky gives us those last 9 sentences, and I know they are supposed to evoke a chill and suspense within in but I am just so unbelievably annoyed by the entire experience now. I feel like there was literally no point. None at all
Now, I am disappointed and mildly annoyed.
Ok, first- in the very beginning I became acutely aware that I wasn’t a fan of the language structure but I was “give it chance, it’s literally page 5”. Randomly specific page number you say but alas page #4, #5 and #6 are all slightly different fonts/sizes. (Immediate irk) Also, chapter one starts on page 4 with a line at the top but next page has no header but all the pages moving forward say the authors name on the left page header and the title of the book on the right page header.
I realize these are technical problems, as is the inconsistency with how the page breaks are marked within chapters (sometimes spaced down, sometimes centered and sometimes with just three ### to start a new paragraph), as well as the few times there are words where there shouldn’t be- messing up the flow of the sentence. Not to mention how some pages are just absolutely blank. And you’re right, these things don’t effect the actual story but my god do they effect my opinion. The layout is awful. This is in fact what editors are for, correct?
Moving on, this is a super short read but it felt like it lasted forever. I honestly wanted to DNF it but I was SO EXCITED, REMEMBER? So I kept going because ‘I wanted to finish a book today’ and also I thought maybe the ending would give me a twist or something that would make it feel like it was all worth it. I was wrong, this isn’t like a Gillian Flynn book.
Our story goes back and forth between real time/reality with Willow and her nightmare time and both story lines are linked to her and her cousin and their friends going to an abandoned asylum called Ashwood.
Here’s the thing, the reality chapter were cringe at best. I had to start skimming them. The nightmare chapters were way more exciting and I wish that had been the whole book. But, then we get to a point where both storylines blur and it’s hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t (which is probably the point but boy was it annoying to me). It felt like we were trudging through thick muddy waters, not going anywhere.
Then there at the end this becomes more of a girl falls in love with a ghost story- that felt pushed despite how Willow and the ghost had grown closer through the book. Or you know as much as you can when you’re whole life basically becomes a hallucination.
And, then the book was finally ending and everything was wrapping up neatly and I was annoyed but relieved it was over. But, then. Then Malarsky gives us those last 9 sentences, and I know they are supposed to evoke a chill and suspense within in but I am just so unbelievably annoyed by the entire experience now. I feel like there was literally no point. None at all
aelurus's review against another edition
3.0
Un roman adolescent intéressant et un peu effrayant mais qui ne m'a pas totalement convaincu.
La structure du roman oscillant entre rêve et réalité m'a par moments complètement perdu.
Pourtant les histoires mettant en scènes les lieux abandonnés et notamment les hôpitaux psychiatrique, donnent toujours une ambiance particulière qui instille des frissons durant la lecture. Mais là j'ai trouvé que les côtés rêve, mythe slave et recherche scientifique donnés plus de confusions qu'autre chose. Une impression que l'histoire partait dans tous les sens sans jamais vraiment trouver de ligne directive.
Mais sur des adolescents cette histoire peut fonctionner et donner quelques sueurs froides.
https://letmentertainyou.com/2022/02/01/ashwood/
La structure du roman oscillant entre rêve et réalité m'a par moments complètement perdu.
Pourtant les histoires mettant en scènes les lieux abandonnés et notamment les hôpitaux psychiatrique, donnent toujours une ambiance particulière qui instille des frissons durant la lecture. Mais là j'ai trouvé que les côtés rêve, mythe slave et recherche scientifique donnés plus de confusions qu'autre chose. Une impression que l'histoire partait dans tous les sens sans jamais vraiment trouver de ligne directive.
Mais sur des adolescents cette histoire peut fonctionner et donner quelques sueurs froides.
https://letmentertainyou.com/2022/02/01/ashwood/
carlyoc's review against another edition
4.0
Scary as only a really good horror novel can be. Very impressed with this debut author.
Will write a full review for The Daily Geekette. dailygeekette.wordpress.com
Will write a full review for The Daily Geekette. dailygeekette.wordpress.com
thegothiclibrary's review against another edition
4.0
I requested a copy of this book from the author for review about 6 months ago and finally got around to reading it... Better late than never, right? >.<
I'm so glad I finally did get around to reading it, though. What a great foray back into the horror genre! Ashwood is one of those psychological thrillers where the scariest thing is not knowing what's real and what isn't. Of course it's also got its fair share of frightening imagery, mounting dread, and dangerous enemies.
Willow, the protagonist of Ashwood, is a young teen somewhat outcast from her peers because of her weirdness and Lolita style. Lacking many friends, Willow instead hangs out with her cool older cousin, Devin. But when Willow tags along with Devin and his friends to take some photos in an abandoned Asylum, her life is changed forever.
After the older teens play a prank on Willow that leaves her temporarily trapped inside a drawer in the asylum morgue, Willow wakes up inside a twisted version of the asylum. This world feels like a horror video game (Marlarsky even alludes at some point to the Escape the Room type games) where every new room and hallway leads to new horrors. Willow is attacked by twisted versions of her friends, swarmed by creepy butterflies, and catches glimpses of former inmates. She races to escape the building, but the doors lock and open as Ashwood guides her through the path it wants her to take. Finally Willow wakes back up in the real world to find her friends laughing at her fright and everything seems back to normal. But now every time Willow falls asleep, she re-enters the asylum dream world. Will Willow uncover the asylum's secrets and find a way out before it's too late?
What could be more classic horror than a haunted asylum? Despite the slightly cliched premise, Malarsky gives the story a unique twist by incorporating Slavic mythology (and a little bit of Jungian philosophy). There's also a hint of romance, which I always enjoy. While Malarsky's writing occasionally falls into some common pitfalls of debut authors, like too much exposition and writing out unnecessary scenes, overall the writing style is very good and engaging. I think most of the issues could be solved with some good editing and, of course, experience. I'm looking forward to seeing more from this author!
See my full review on The Gothic Library: http://www.thegothiclibrary.com/review-of-ashwood-a-haunting-debut-horror/
I'm so glad I finally did get around to reading it, though. What a great foray back into the horror genre! Ashwood is one of those psychological thrillers where the scariest thing is not knowing what's real and what isn't. Of course it's also got its fair share of frightening imagery, mounting dread, and dangerous enemies.
Willow, the protagonist of Ashwood, is a young teen somewhat outcast from her peers because of her weirdness and Lolita style. Lacking many friends, Willow instead hangs out with her cool older cousin, Devin. But when Willow tags along with Devin and his friends to take some photos in an abandoned Asylum, her life is changed forever.
After the older teens play a prank on Willow that leaves her temporarily trapped inside a drawer in the asylum morgue, Willow wakes up inside a twisted version of the asylum. This world feels like a horror video game (Marlarsky even alludes at some point to the Escape the Room type games) where every new room and hallway leads to new horrors. Willow is attacked by twisted versions of her friends, swarmed by creepy butterflies, and catches glimpses of former inmates. She races to escape the building, but the doors lock and open as Ashwood guides her through the path it wants her to take. Finally Willow wakes back up in the real world to find her friends laughing at her fright and everything seems back to normal. But now every time Willow falls asleep, she re-enters the asylum dream world. Will Willow uncover the asylum's secrets and find a way out before it's too late?
What could be more classic horror than a haunted asylum? Despite the slightly cliched premise, Malarsky gives the story a unique twist by incorporating Slavic mythology (and a little bit of Jungian philosophy). There's also a hint of romance, which I always enjoy. While Malarsky's writing occasionally falls into some common pitfalls of debut authors, like too much exposition and writing out unnecessary scenes, overall the writing style is very good and engaging. I think most of the issues could be solved with some good editing and, of course, experience. I'm looking forward to seeing more from this author!
See my full review on The Gothic Library: http://www.thegothiclibrary.com/review-of-ashwood-a-haunting-debut-horror/
emyals's review against another edition
4.0
First off, I should mention this book was received as an ARC and I'm very very thankful for that! It took me longer to read than expected and I'm very sorry for the late review.
From the start it really does feel like dark fantasy. I, who is easily scared by the way, was glad that I've read it durign the daylight hours (despite being a spn fan!!). The first few chapters were really scary.
The first poing of view and descriptions of her emotios give out the perfect vibe, making the reader live through the dangers together with the character. Yet somehow during me reading it I lost the connection. I wasn't that interested or hyped to read the book. After longer parts of descriptions or without any dialogues I got a tad bored.
Besides that it got all a good book should have. There was romance, action, sadness and even som mystery that needed to be solved. I give it four stars only because it didn't drive me crazy. I actually managed to put it down to read another book, which I reviewed in the meantime and am almost over with another one.
Still it was a great book with just as great ending. Promising some more mystery from the author along with unanswered questions.
From the start it really does feel like dark fantasy. I, who is easily scared by the way, was glad that I've read it durign the daylight hours (despite being a spn fan!!). The first few chapters were really scary.
The first poing of view and descriptions of her emotios give out the perfect vibe, making the reader live through the dangers together with the character. Yet somehow during me reading it I lost the connection. I wasn't that interested or hyped to read the book. After longer parts of descriptions or without any dialogues I got a tad bored.
Besides that it got all a good book should have. There was romance, action, sadness and even som mystery that needed to be solved. I give it four stars only because it didn't drive me crazy. I actually managed to put it down to read another book, which I reviewed in the meantime and am almost over with another one.
Still it was a great book with just as great ending. Promising some more mystery from the author along with unanswered questions.
tahlz's review against another edition
2.0
DNF @ 45%
Cheesy, cliche characters who promote cheesy, cliche quotes and dialogue.
This is like a middle schooler's attempt at writing a horror novel - not very good.
Cheesy, cliche characters who promote cheesy, cliche quotes and dialogue.
This is like a middle schooler's attempt at writing a horror novel - not very good.
justinemanzano's review
5.0
Whoa. This book. The way it...well, I can't tell you what to expect except to be left breathless. Ashwood is a carefully rendered and gorgeously executed YA Horror about the nature and origins of fear. And, you know, a haunted insane asylum. I can legitimately say that I loved this story from beginning to end. Willow is a fun character with a unique personality who most people will find easy to relate to. As she journeys through the nightmarish world of Ashwood's reality, the author does a great job of seamlessly blending Willow's reality with her nightmare world. This creates a frightening loss of stability--just like a good horror story should. The supporting characters, both her family and friends, and those she meets in Ashwood, are brought to life with strong, complex characterizations. This is an edge-of-your-seat read. Follow Willow down the rabbit hole - you won't regret it. CJ Malarsky is your next favorite YA author!
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