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bryce_is_a_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Probably McDowell's most standard story, a traditional ghost story of ghastly deeds and ghastlier revenge from beyond the grave. But man, if I ever find myself to big for a well told old fashioned ghost story go ahead roll me to the boneyard.
wendigo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
3hundtony's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jensen1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
No one does it quite like Michael McDowell. McDowell is to Deep South as king is to Maine.
Though Blackwater remains my favorite, this has an awesome dose of vengeance more than the others I’ve read
Though Blackwater remains my favorite, this has an awesome dose of vengeance more than the others I’ve read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Rape, and Murder
ariel937's review against another edition
2.0
ah, i should’ve trusted the other reviews of this book.
i’m currently on the hunt for folk-like horror/southern horror, and this was one of the books that popped up. but my enjoyment of this novella tanked pretty quickly. this isn’t a BAD book, and it’s actually really well written and suspenseful in some parts. but i was really frustrated with the incompetence of the characters (which i know is some of the point but it was still really annoying to read, lol) and there was honestly just a lot of unnecessary racism that like didn’t HAVE to be in there, y’know? i also just didn’t find this to be scary at all because for most of the book you’re following the actual killer, and i was honestly just looking forward to him getting caught/killed—didn’t really make for a very suspenseful reading experience.
was this the worst book ever? no. would i ever recommend this? hell no, lol. but if you have any other folk horror recs that are as well written as this and not just a B-rated “horror” ghost story, please send them my way!!
i’m currently on the hunt for folk-like horror/southern horror, and this was one of the books that popped up. but my enjoyment of this novella tanked pretty quickly. this isn’t a BAD book, and it’s actually really well written and suspenseful in some parts. but i was really frustrated with the incompetence of the characters (which i know is some of the point but it was still really annoying to read, lol) and there was honestly just a lot of unnecessary racism that like didn’t HAVE to be in there, y’know? i also just didn’t find this to be scary at all because for most of the book you’re following the actual killer, and i was honestly just looking forward to him getting caught/killed—didn’t really make for a very suspenseful reading experience.
was this the worst book ever? no. would i ever recommend this? hell no, lol. but if you have any other folk horror recs that are as well written as this and not just a B-rated “horror” ghost story, please send them my way!!
bread_mountain's review against another edition
5.0
I appreciate that Michael McDowell writes horror novels that are best enjoyed in 90 degree heat.
jconfess's review against another edition
3.0
This is really more of a 3.5. Not as good as The Elementals, but what is?