832 reviews for:

Grey Dog

Elliott Gish

3.86 AVERAGE

fast-paced

This book is told via journal entries of the main character, Ada. It's an incredibly slow burn, with nothing obviously creepy happening until about 30% of the way in, but Ada's voice is compelling. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the quiet, maybe uncomfortable little town in 1901. In my head it was somewhere in New England, but I don't know if I made that up or missed where it's actually set. It's also vaguely sapphic, which I wasn't aware of when I started, but added an interesting angle to the events that take place.

Where it lost me was the ending. I was very curious where this was all going and I enjoyed the way my feelings towards Ada changed as her entries went on. But only in the last few pages does any action truly take place - and, arguably, any horror - and then the book abruptly ends. I don't really love ambiguous endings and I feel like this one was especially disappointing because of how much build up was surrounding a possibly paranormal aspect of the story. But we never get to find out as readers if there is, or if everything is just in Ada's head. 

Overall though, this was enjoyable. I don't know that I'd classify it as horror though, so much as maybe thriller, or just creepy.
adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
magikskydad's profile picture

magikskydad's review

4.0
challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced
mollywadkins's profile picture

mollywadkins's review

3.25
dark slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
madamecashew's profile picture

madamecashew's review

3.75
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

ohemvi's review

4.0
dark
foxwars's profile picture

foxwars's review

2.0
dark mysterious sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Now that is a folk horror! 

A slow burn with exquisite writing. The sense of place was excellent - I found the author’s description of the environment, landscape, and woods exceptionally well done - I felt like I was there in the woods, particularly. 

I’ve been so underwhelmed by recent folk horror but this book has reminded me how awesome it can be when it’s done well!