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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
Blown away by #Changeling by @ConcreteKraken. My favorite book of 2019 so far and it may remain so at the end of the year. The format drives the story so well, giving us bits at a time. The tapping in my head throughout turns into an unexpected roaring crescendo at the end. Underneath it all is a powerfully told story of victimization. Really brilliant mystery. Really important story. Unforgettable characters.
This book was a bit of a random read, I read the blurb and thought this would be a nice December read (although in the end it wasn’t as winter-y as I hoped it would be). This is the first book I’ve read in the Six Stories series.
In Changeling, Scott King looks into the case of Alfie Marsden, a 7-year-old boy who went missing near Wentshire Forest in 1988, the only person nearby his father who took his eyes off of him for a minute. The boy hasn’t been seen since. In his podcast Six Stories, Scott King talks to different people who were close to the case, talking about the strange things happening in the forest, Alfie’s behavior at school, the relationship between Alfie’s parents Sorrel and Sonia, and in the end, what happened to Alfie that winter night in 1988.
I feel a little conflicted about this one, there were parts that I really enjoyed, but there’s also parts that didn’t work as well for me. Still, the story really got to me, I read the entire thing in two days, I just couldn’t put it down. I think it particular the first five episodes were extremely strong, especially the descriptions of all the weird things happening in the forest really creeped me out. I also thought the slow build-up to revealing
However, that part is also what disappoints. Because in the end, there’s no real mystery. Instead, we get two pretty lame twists (in my opinion). They don’t ruin the story, but once you start thinking about them, they don’t make much sense. First, Second, Both twists felt rather anticlimactic to me.
This was a nice and easy read. I really appreciated the dark and often creepy atmosphere, but was a bit let down by the solution of the mystery. I’m definitely interested in reading more from this series! (Rating: 3.5 stars)
In Changeling, Scott King looks into the case of Alfie Marsden, a 7-year-old boy who went missing near Wentshire Forest in 1988, the only person nearby his father who took his eyes off of him for a minute. The boy hasn’t been seen since. In his podcast Six Stories, Scott King talks to different people who were close to the case, talking about the strange things happening in the forest, Alfie’s behavior at school, the relationship between Alfie’s parents Sorrel and Sonia, and in the end, what happened to Alfie that winter night in 1988.
I feel a little conflicted about this one, there were parts that I really enjoyed, but there’s also parts that didn’t work as well for me. Still, the story really got to me, I read the entire thing in two days, I just couldn’t put it down. I think it particular the first five episodes were extremely strong, especially the descriptions of all the weird things happening in the forest really creeped me out. I also thought the slow build-up to revealing
Spoiler
the monster that Sorrel actually was, was very well done. Although I was suspicious of him from the start, I didn’t expect this extent of abusive behavior. I think the author handled this element of the story very well, it’s obvious he knew quite a bit about it. The way he manipulated and gaslighted Sonia was hard to read about, in particular when he starts involving Alfie with that as well.However, that part is also what disappoints. Because in the end, there’s no real mystery. Instead, we get two pretty lame twists (in my opinion). They don’t ruin the story, but once you start thinking about them, they don’t make much sense. First,
Spoiler
we’re supposed to believe that Mary-Anne was just able to take Alfie from the car while Sorrel was somewhere? We know that she went to visit Sonia first to talk to her that evening, but she was somehow also able to follow Sorrel’s car? The timeline is a bit confusing. I also find it hard to believe that she didn’t leave any car tracks or footsteps in the mud, Sorrel would have seen those.Spoiler
there’s the final twist in which we learn that actually our protagonist Scott King was actually Alfie all along. I don’t know how to feel about this, since this is the first book I’ve read in this series, I don’t know if there’s any buildup to this in the other books. To me, it felt very sudden and weirdly out of place. I also find it hard to believe that Scott didn’t realize this sooner. I imagine he would have seen photos of Alfie, wouldn’t he at some think “huh, when I was a child I looked exactly like this missing boy”, wouldn’t that be the first thing he would have noticed?This was a nice and easy read. I really appreciated the dark and often creepy atmosphere, but was a bit let down by the solution of the mystery. I’m definitely interested in reading more from this series! (Rating: 3.5 stars)
This one will keep you on your toes the entire time. An absolutely amazing read with a twist at the end you don’t see coming. First book I read from the series and will be reading the others straight away.
fast-paced
Podcaster Scott King receives a letter urging him to investigate the Alfie Marsden disappearance. On Christmas Eve 1988, a seven year old goes missing from dad’s parked car in Wentshire Forest Pass. There have been numerous scary stories about this place. It’s now undeveloped and part of military grounds. King interviews six witnesses: a developer who tried to build there; a worker at the grounds; a male friend of Sorrel, the dad; Wendy, a female friend of Sorrel; Sonia, the mom; and Sorrel, the dad. Along the way, King develops a relationship with Anne, a blind older woman who is later revealed to be the psychic who says Alfie is safe in the royal court.
Creepy and atmospheric. You learn The insidious ways an abuser gains control. Quick read.
Creepy and atmospheric. You learn The insidious ways an abuser gains control. Quick read.
Very original, creative premise. I’m going to try the other ones on audio book as I think they’ll work really well!
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
“We’re beneath different trees this series, but our feet are sounding against the same darkness and once again we’re facing our fears head-on.”
If ever a quote summed up the experience of reading Matt Wesolowski’s books, this chiller from Changeling is perfect.
I had been dying to read Changeling ever since I saw the beautiful cover on Twitter a few months back, and let’s face it, being a superfan means I have literally NO PATIENCE when it comes to waiting for these things. So huge thanks to both Karen and Matt for letting me read an early copy.
Reader, it does not disappoint.
In Changeling, Scott King is back investigating again. This time it is the disappearance of Alfie Marsden from his father’s car in the Wentshire Forest Pass on Christmas Eve 1988. Alfie disappeared without a trace and was officially declared dead seven years and three months after he disappeared. Scott sets out with his usual investigative zeal in search of answers.
I read Changeling over the course of today, making notes as I went, which I never do. And even with these notes, I still feel like I can’t do this book the justice it deserves.
Changeling is by far, my most favourite of the Six Stories books, and I love them all, I mean I REALLY love them. So just know I am not saying that lightly. Changeling got under my skin in a way the others didn’t.
The tension and sense of menace is there from the outset. It builds steadily, rolling like waves in a storm, until it crashes around your consciousness and leaves you almost breathless. Hidden and implied horror help to make Changeling a thoroughly bracing read, leaving the reader more than a little unsettled in its wake.
Much like the Changeling in old folklore, this book itself goes through a metamorphosis. But the author does this slowly, almost imperceptibly, and it creeps up on you gradually that what you are reading is a little different to what you started reading.
I PROMISE I will do a more in-depth review, but for now, know this;
Changeling is an intense, dark and utterly absorbing book. The pages crackle with tension, the characters have real depth and the writing is truly stunning.
Matt Wesolowski has to be one of the most imaginiative and talented young writers out there at the moment. His ability to make his writing current in terms of style, while still managing to write the perfect kind of crime/horror/psychological thriller mash-up, astounds me more with every book of his I read.
Highly, highly recommended.
Always.
If ever a quote summed up the experience of reading Matt Wesolowski’s books, this chiller from Changeling is perfect.
I had been dying to read Changeling ever since I saw the beautiful cover on Twitter a few months back, and let’s face it, being a superfan means I have literally NO PATIENCE when it comes to waiting for these things. So huge thanks to both Karen and Matt for letting me read an early copy.
Reader, it does not disappoint.
In Changeling, Scott King is back investigating again. This time it is the disappearance of Alfie Marsden from his father’s car in the Wentshire Forest Pass on Christmas Eve 1988. Alfie disappeared without a trace and was officially declared dead seven years and three months after he disappeared. Scott sets out with his usual investigative zeal in search of answers.
I read Changeling over the course of today, making notes as I went, which I never do. And even with these notes, I still feel like I can’t do this book the justice it deserves.
Changeling is by far, my most favourite of the Six Stories books, and I love them all, I mean I REALLY love them. So just know I am not saying that lightly. Changeling got under my skin in a way the others didn’t.
The tension and sense of menace is there from the outset. It builds steadily, rolling like waves in a storm, until it crashes around your consciousness and leaves you almost breathless. Hidden and implied horror help to make Changeling a thoroughly bracing read, leaving the reader more than a little unsettled in its wake.
Much like the Changeling in old folklore, this book itself goes through a metamorphosis. But the author does this slowly, almost imperceptibly, and it creeps up on you gradually that what you are reading is a little different to what you started reading.
I PROMISE I will do a more in-depth review, but for now, know this;
Changeling is an intense, dark and utterly absorbing book. The pages crackle with tension, the characters have real depth and the writing is truly stunning.
Matt Wesolowski has to be one of the most imaginiative and talented young writers out there at the moment. His ability to make his writing current in terms of style, while still managing to write the perfect kind of crime/horror/psychological thriller mash-up, astounds me more with every book of his I read.
Highly, highly recommended.
Always.