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michaelrgoodwin's review against another edition
4.0
This was a gruesome story about the weight of grief, and the lengths one woman went through to get reprieve from it. Oh, and ghosts. Creepy, creepy ghosts.
The author takes command immediately, throwing you deep into despair alongside Lucy, a grieving mother. All she wants is to connect with her son, who had been murdered horrifically months before. There is a rapid descent into madness, all of which feels real and gets under your skin in the best/worst way.
The story was fast paced, creepy, unsettling, and at times downright gruesome. There were some really well-crafted moments, and I enjoyed the duality of who/what really lived in the shadows until the final reveal.
My only criticism is that some parts felt unresolved, making me wonder if the author originally planned for more from these secondary characters but ultimately decided to go a different route. The ending, albeit a little predictable, was still satisfying.
REMAINS is a great ghost story, and a recommended read. Just make sure you have the lights on.
The author takes command immediately, throwing you deep into despair alongside Lucy, a grieving mother. All she wants is to connect with her son, who had been murdered horrifically months before. There is a rapid descent into madness, all of which feels real and gets under your skin in the best/worst way.
The story was fast paced, creepy, unsettling, and at times downright gruesome. There were some really well-crafted moments, and I enjoyed the duality of who/what really lived in the shadows until the final reveal.
My only criticism is that some parts felt unresolved, making me wonder if the author originally planned for more from these secondary characters but ultimately decided to go a different route. The ending, albeit a little predictable, was still satisfying.
REMAINS is a great ghost story, and a recommended read. Just make sure you have the lights on.
elwirax's review
3.0
The element of grief in Remains was dealt with and explored in such a raw way it was heartbreaking at times. The book was atmospheric and there were a few creepy sections although I was definitely not prepared for the brutal imagery of Alex's murder. Remains takes quite a bit of time to fully immerse yourself but picks up towards the middle. However, I found many parts of this book to be quite cliche and the ending was very much expected therefore, by the end I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. I do think that Remains was a decent horror and I would recommend you to give it a try if it seems like something you'd be interested in.
mindysbookjourney's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
jasmeaniethebookish's review against another edition
5.0
This book was my favorite of the month by far. A story of grief, loss, and just how far a mother will go to do whatever she can for her children. Be that dead or alive. Lucy is driven to a breakdown by the murder of her young son. She commits herself to a psych ward and stays until she starts feeling a pull towards the house where the murder happened. Lucy can’t escape the need to be close to the house but to what end? This is a super dark, atmospheric book (there might be a theme here) but holy wow, is it ever worth it. Remains was most definitely a 5 star read!
rhirhireader's review against another edition
4.0
A Horrifying read! After part one 'grief is a black house '.... the story turns to the darkest of places.
For a debut novel- this is fantastic. The scene is nicely set at the beginning. But all the while I was able to feel the horrors lurking.
When the evil comes into life just before halfway, my reading became an actual experience.
Lucy returns to a house where her son was obscenely murdered. Here she re-lives a nightmare and we live it with her. I felt her every fear and saw shadows on my sleep! Really scary story that rooted from real life happenings in san fransisco. My hairs stood on end in the ouija board scenes!
Can't wait to read more from the author. Would also love to delve deeper into the back story of some of the characters in remains. .
For a debut novel- this is fantastic. The scene is nicely set at the beginning. But all the while I was able to feel the horrors lurking.
When the evil comes into life just before halfway, my reading became an actual experience.
Lucy returns to a house where her son was obscenely murdered. Here she re-lives a nightmare and we live it with her. I felt her every fear and saw shadows on my sleep! Really scary story that rooted from real life happenings in san fransisco. My hairs stood on end in the ouija board scenes!
Can't wait to read more from the author. Would also love to delve deeper into the back story of some of the characters in remains. .
lucyreads's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
After reading - and absolutely loving - Cull's short story collection BONES last year I had a feeling I was going to love REMAINS and I'm glad to say I wasn't wrong!
Remains follows Lucy, a woman whose young son has tragically died and she'll do anything to be able to see him again. This is an emotional and haunting horror read that explores the complexities of grief and the ways it can manifest within a person.
This is a shorter book so I don't want to say too much on what happens as it'd be easy to give away a little too much, but it is a bleak, harrowing and utterly gutting storyline. I knew from reading Bones that Cull is a great author for pulling emotions out of his readers but this book cemented that for me - I went through such a wide range of emotions reading this one and was so heartbroken seeing what Lucy was going through.
It's definitely a devastating read but also so wonderfully written and explored. I'm so impressed with Cull's writing and I can't wait to read more of his work in the future!
Remains follows Lucy, a woman whose young son has tragically died and she'll do anything to be able to see him again. This is an emotional and haunting horror read that explores the complexities of grief and the ways it can manifest within a person.
This is a shorter book so I don't want to say too much on what happens as it'd be easy to give away a little too much, but it is a bleak, harrowing and utterly gutting storyline. I knew from reading Bones that Cull is a great author for pulling emotions out of his readers but this book cemented that for me - I went through such a wide range of emotions reading this one and was so heartbroken seeing what Lucy was going through.
It's definitely a devastating read but also so wonderfully written and explored. I'm so impressed with Cull's writing and I can't wait to read more of his work in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Child death
bloodinthesigil's review
4.0
Gut wrenching
This book starts off slow. A stark look at grief and loss and by the end becomes so much darker and scarier.
This book starts off slow. A stark look at grief and loss and by the end becomes so much darker and scarier.
foggyfiction's review against another edition
5.0
Yup
I really loved it. I'm invested in the story and characters,and i absolutely want more. The art was great. So much love.
I really loved it. I'm invested in the story and characters,and i absolutely want more. The art was great. So much love.
theboldbookworm's review
4.0
This was a very unique take on a haunting. It was heartbreaking at times reading about the feelings of a mother who has lost her child. There were some very chilling moments as well. I had a sense of foreboding through much of the book. It ended up turning out completely different from what I expected, and that is a good thing. I look forward to reading more from Andrew Cull!
motherhorror's review
5.0
4.5 stars! (rounded up for Goodreads)
I get so excited about debut novels. Especially when I've previously read some short stories from the author and loved them. (This happens more times than you think!)
Such is the case with Andrew Cull. Last year, BONES was a surprise hit for horror readers. A dark horse! Cull came out of nowhere and dropped this book of collected horror novellas on us and BAM! BONES made everyone's "Best of the Year" roundup. (it's a must buy if you haven't yet)
REMAINS is Cull's debut novel with a scheduled release date of August 1st, 2019.
It's this reader's opinion that fans of emotional-wrecking-grief-horror, unreliable narrators/protagonists and paranormal visitations should plan on buying this book.
Let's dive in a little deeper! (no spoilers of course)
I'll often hesitate to use the words, "Slow burn" as it pertains to a book because it suggests a negative connotation but I think I can use it appropriately for this book. This story is a slow burn. There is a long period of inactivity during the initial story's set up, Part One titled, "Grief is a Black House". The reader is introduced to our protagonist, Lucy- a woman self-committed to an institution due to mentally crippling grief after the brutal murder of her son, Alex.
Even though the subject matter is emotionally intense, for some reason at this point in the story, I felt like an observer to the events as they were unfolding; I experienced a lack of real investment and engagement with the story. It took a fair amount of time before I settled in and could feel myself getting emotionally tied to the characters.
So I'll be honest and admit that I was struggling a little.
I can pinpoint exactly where it clicked for me. Page 91.
From page 91 until the end, this felt like a different story.
I almost physically felt Cull turning the heat up from a slow simmer to a rapid boil.
As soon as the reader meets the antagonist, this book makes a full transition; A dark tale of grief and loss to straight-up horror, full stop.
There are scenes that got under my skin and unsettled me to the point of turning lights on in the house and wondering if I should keep reading this in bed before sleep.
Scary stuff in these pages; and a painful, shocking conclusion.
It's funny-- in the matter of just a few pages, this book went from 3 stars to a solid 4.5
I don't feel like I can give it 5 stars just because there was that struggle in the beginning for almost 100 pages. I'm almost 100% sure that experience won't be everyone's experience--so please just know that I am just one reader with individual preferences and I'm sharing that with you now.
But honestly, the last half of the book is so gripping--I almost forgot the patience I practiced early on. I highly recommend this book. I think this is a solid debut novel from an up and coming horror author everyone should have on their radar. I'm anticipating big things from Andrew Cull in the future. He knows how to write original, unsettling horror. I'm here for it.
I get so excited about debut novels. Especially when I've previously read some short stories from the author and loved them. (This happens more times than you think!)
Such is the case with Andrew Cull. Last year, BONES was a surprise hit for horror readers. A dark horse! Cull came out of nowhere and dropped this book of collected horror novellas on us and BAM! BONES made everyone's "Best of the Year" roundup. (it's a must buy if you haven't yet)
REMAINS is Cull's debut novel with a scheduled release date of August 1st, 2019.
It's this reader's opinion that fans of emotional-wrecking-grief-horror, unreliable narrators/protagonists and paranormal visitations should plan on buying this book.
Let's dive in a little deeper! (no spoilers of course)
I'll often hesitate to use the words, "Slow burn" as it pertains to a book because it suggests a negative connotation but I think I can use it appropriately for this book. This story is a slow burn. There is a long period of inactivity during the initial story's set up, Part One titled, "Grief is a Black House". The reader is introduced to our protagonist, Lucy- a woman self-committed to an institution due to mentally crippling grief after the brutal murder of her son, Alex.
Even though the subject matter is emotionally intense, for some reason at this point in the story, I felt like an observer to the events as they were unfolding; I experienced a lack of real investment and engagement with the story. It took a fair amount of time before I settled in and could feel myself getting emotionally tied to the characters.
So I'll be honest and admit that I was struggling a little.
I can pinpoint exactly where it clicked for me. Page 91.
From page 91 until the end, this felt like a different story.
I almost physically felt Cull turning the heat up from a slow simmer to a rapid boil.
As soon as the reader meets the antagonist, this book makes a full transition; A dark tale of grief and loss to straight-up horror, full stop.
There are scenes that got under my skin and unsettled me to the point of turning lights on in the house and wondering if I should keep reading this in bed before sleep.
Scary stuff in these pages; and a painful, shocking conclusion.
It's funny-- in the matter of just a few pages, this book went from 3 stars to a solid 4.5
I don't feel like I can give it 5 stars just because there was that struggle in the beginning for almost 100 pages. I'm almost 100% sure that experience won't be everyone's experience--so please just know that I am just one reader with individual preferences and I'm sharing that with you now.
But honestly, the last half of the book is so gripping--I almost forgot the patience I practiced early on. I highly recommend this book. I think this is a solid debut novel from an up and coming horror author everyone should have on their radar. I'm anticipating big things from Andrew Cull in the future. He knows how to write original, unsettling horror. I'm here for it.