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hectaizani's review
4.0
I hope Bill Schweigart continues writing this series. I’ve heard that the third book is in the works, and I cannot wait. I enjoy the characters; the author has done a superb job bringing them to life. That is not to say that they are perfect or don’t do stupid things, but they are likable and entertaining. It is easy to pick a favorite and then worry about them for the rest of the book. Because scary bad things are happening and nobody is safe.
Northwoods begins by introducing a new setting and a new character, Agent Davis Holland is ex-military, and he is a man on a mission to save the town he is not only assigned to protect but that he has adopted as his own. The story begins with a mysterious box that Agent Davis discovers in the woods under suspicious circumstances. Enter Ben, Lindsay and Alex, the intrepid investigators from Beast of Barcroft, who are again commissioned by cryptozoologist Severance to discover just what’s going on. At first glance, it consists of tourist schlock, mainly tee-shirts, and cutesy stuffed toys but as the investigation deepens they find desecrated graves, and strange disturbances in the woods.
The monsters are scary and disturbing, and the author goes all out with the blood and guts. He certainly doesn’t hold back on the horror, and by the time the book culminates in a frantic, bloody battle the reader be on the edge of their seat wondering what is coming next.
Think X-Files, or Supernatural.nes
Northwoods begins by introducing a new setting and a new character, Agent Davis Holland is ex-military, and he is a man on a mission to save the town he is not only assigned to protect but that he has adopted as his own. The story begins with a mysterious box that Agent Davis discovers in the woods under suspicious circumstances. Enter Ben, Lindsay and Alex, the intrepid investigators from Beast of Barcroft, who are again commissioned by cryptozoologist Severance to discover just what’s going on. At first glance, it consists of tourist schlock, mainly tee-shirts, and cutesy stuffed toys but as the investigation deepens they find desecrated graves, and strange disturbances in the woods.
The monsters are scary and disturbing, and the author goes all out with the blood and guts. He certainly doesn’t hold back on the horror, and by the time the book culminates in a frantic, bloody battle the reader be on the edge of their seat wondering what is coming next.
Think X-Files, or Supernatural.nes
sinala's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
barbtrek's review
4.0
This was an enjoyable book to listen to. I liked the characters. The story was well written, a little scary, a little gross & action packed. The narration was very good BUT, according to me, everybody I know, and Gordon Lightfoot is is pronounced Gitchi-GOO-me not Gitchi-gimme!
ghostly1's review
4.0
So fun!
Love the characters and pacing and all the folklore. Great read for the beach or a rainy fall night. Loved it!
Love the characters and pacing and all the folklore. Great read for the beach or a rainy fall night. Loved it!
enygmatic's review against another edition
1.0
what begins as an interesting premise quickly degenerates into an incomprehensible plot that no amount of suspension of disbelief can overcome. still trying to figure out what I read !!!
longtimereader's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book a great deal! I have to say I liked the last book I read by this author, The Beast of Bancroft. This is the next book in the series. You have enough added in to keep you from getting lost.
Ben and Lindsay are working for a man with plenty of deep pockets. His name is Richard Severance. Ben is still upset over the Jersey Devil's escape in the last book, but this isn't looking like that precisely. Monsters are real, and so are the deaths. Which allegedly mythical creatures are responsible, or is it human? What it if it is mix of both?
I really enjoyed this second book in the series. I am quickly becoming a fan. My copy came from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
Ben and Lindsay are working for a man with plenty of deep pockets. His name is Richard Severance. Ben is still upset over the Jersey Devil's escape in the last book, but this isn't looking like that precisely. Monsters are real, and so are the deaths. Which allegedly mythical creatures are responsible, or is it human? What it if it is mix of both?
I really enjoyed this second book in the series. I am quickly becoming a fan. My copy came from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
wellwortharead's review against another edition
4.0
This sequel to The Beast of Barcroft is a creepy, creature packed tale. This is the further adventures of Ben and Lindsay doing what they do best, getting on each others nerves with snarky but humorous affection, and hunting down deadly supernatural beings.
It will give you shivers, and not just from the icy Minnesota setting. If you liked the first book you’ll love the second, and if you haven’t read the first book you really should.
I received an advance copy for review.
It will give you shivers, and not just from the icy Minnesota setting. If you liked the first book you’ll love the second, and if you haven’t read the first book you really should.
I received an advance copy for review.
bryceoc's review
4.0
I received a copy of this book through Net Galley.
Bill Schweigart knows how to write a good monster story. Is that how you would describe this book? Creature-horror-action-adventure, maybe. [b:The Beast of Barcroft|25300888|The Beast of Barcroft|Bill Schweigart|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442245408s/25300888.jpg|45028658] was a really enjoyable read, and I'm happy to say that this sequel is a worthy addition to what looks to be a series. For all the action, genuinely creepy bits of horror, and interesting takes on some creature myths, what makes both Northwoods and its predecessor a cut above schlocky action-horror fare is the characterization. This author writes characters that are distinctive, developed, and fun to spend time with (not to mention diverse without a big show being made of it). That is what made both of these novels so fun to read, or at least more fun than they would have been otherwise.
Now to wait for book 3.
Bill Schweigart knows how to write a good monster story. Is that how you would describe this book? Creature-horror-action-adventure, maybe. [b:The Beast of Barcroft|25300888|The Beast of Barcroft|Bill Schweigart|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442245408s/25300888.jpg|45028658] was a really enjoyable read, and I'm happy to say that this sequel is a worthy addition to what looks to be a series. For all the action, genuinely creepy bits of horror, and interesting takes on some creature myths, what makes both Northwoods and its predecessor a cut above schlocky action-horror fare is the characterization. This author writes characters that are distinctive, developed, and fun to spend time with (not to mention diverse without a big show being made of it). That is what made both of these novels so fun to read, or at least more fun than they would have been otherwise.
Now to wait for book 3.
missjackieoh's review
4.0
Oh man, this book was so good! This is a sequel to Schweigart’s first novel The Beast of Barcroft, but can also be read as a standalone. Unfortunately I had not read TBoB, and for that I am VERY disappointed! However, I am so very thankful that it was recommended to me and I ended up requesting Northwoods from Netgalley, and now I am a firm fan of Mr. Schweigart, Alex, Lindsay, and Ben! Plus the new guy Davis! Of course I am still weary and unsure of Severance.
Northwoods follows Alex, Lindsay and Ben a year after the events of TBoB, and everyone is for the most part scarred, but functioning. I missed a lot of the dynamic because I hadn’t read the first book, but it didn’t take away anything. It was still exciting and bone chilling.
I loved the characters, loved the plot; and I can’t wait to read the next installment!
I received this book from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Northwoods follows Alex, Lindsay and Ben a year after the events of TBoB, and everyone is for the most part scarred, but functioning. I missed a lot of the dynamic because I hadn’t read the first book, but it didn’t take away anything. It was still exciting and bone chilling.
I loved the characters, loved the plot; and I can’t wait to read the next installment!
I received this book from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
errantdreams's review against another edition
3.0
This sometimes happens when I get a review book: I find out the hard way that I’m starting in the middle of a series. I thought the bits of information sifted into the text did a decent job giving me enough information to hang on, without ungainly infodumps. That’s a tough line to ride, and the author did it well.
I have a problem or two with the opening ‘event’. The sensors and drones that check the border before Davis gets contacted supposedly can sense all sorts of things (like people), and part of what’s wrong with what’s happening is that although the sensors got tripped, there was no sign of, say, actual people out there. Yet six people somehow end up dead–shouldn’t they have shown up on the monitors? We also never really find out what was going on in this scene or why/how it happened. It would have been nice to at least have some speculation.
Some of the dialogue was really good; there are a few nice quotable bits here and there. Ben and Lindsay are two people who shared a paranormal experience the previous year that has left them both emotionally scarred. A wealthy man, Richard Severance, despite their dislike for him, manages to drag them off to check into reports of a lake monster. They get to know some of the locals, such as Davis, and end up with no choice but to help when everything goes to hell. Before our heroes take off for the great white north, Lindsay’s ex-girlfriend shows up wanting to sleep with her, and at one point Lindsay basically tells her to shut up and take her clothes off or get out (but with more expletives). If this had been said to a woman by a man, we’d be appalled and we’d almost certainly expect him to be a bad guy. But I guess it’s supposed to be okay if a woman says it? I was never able to reconcile myself with Lindsay’s character as a good guy after that. I don’t think that’s what the author had in mind.
Once things take off and events get crazy, I enjoyed this book. The pacing is done well, with plenty of smaller battles and revelations leading up to the great battle. Alex Standingcloud, his father, and a number of fellow tribesmen play a dramatic role in the battle, which takes place partly on a frozen lake–well, one that we hope is frozen enough! Soon they’re fighting both weird, supernatural hyenas and the people they know and love–who seem to have been replaced by giggling, people-eating monsters.
The pacing and battles were the best part of Northwoods. Some of the characters I liked quite a bit; some not so much. It’s one of those books that hooks you in the moment, then develops some cracks when you go back afterward and think about things.
NOTE: Book provided free for review by publisher.
Original review on my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2016/02/review-northwoods-bill-schweigart/
I have a problem or two with the opening ‘event’. The sensors and drones that check the border before Davis gets contacted supposedly can sense all sorts of things (like people), and part of what’s wrong with what’s happening is that although the sensors got tripped, there was no sign of, say, actual people out there. Yet six people somehow end up dead–shouldn’t they have shown up on the monitors? We also never really find out what was going on in this scene or why/how it happened. It would have been nice to at least have some speculation.
Some of the dialogue was really good; there are a few nice quotable bits here and there. Ben and Lindsay are two people who shared a paranormal experience the previous year that has left them both emotionally scarred. A wealthy man, Richard Severance, despite their dislike for him, manages to drag them off to check into reports of a lake monster. They get to know some of the locals, such as Davis, and end up with no choice but to help when everything goes to hell. Before our heroes take off for the great white north, Lindsay’s ex-girlfriend shows up wanting to sleep with her, and at one point Lindsay basically tells her to shut up and take her clothes off or get out (but with more expletives). If this had been said to a woman by a man, we’d be appalled and we’d almost certainly expect him to be a bad guy. But I guess it’s supposed to be okay if a woman says it? I was never able to reconcile myself with Lindsay’s character as a good guy after that. I don’t think that’s what the author had in mind.
Once things take off and events get crazy, I enjoyed this book. The pacing is done well, with plenty of smaller battles and revelations leading up to the great battle. Alex Standingcloud, his father, and a number of fellow tribesmen play a dramatic role in the battle, which takes place partly on a frozen lake–well, one that we hope is frozen enough! Soon they’re fighting both weird, supernatural hyenas and the people they know and love–who seem to have been replaced by giggling, people-eating monsters.
The pacing and battles were the best part of Northwoods. Some of the characters I liked quite a bit; some not so much. It’s one of those books that hooks you in the moment, then develops some cracks when you go back afterward and think about things.
NOTE: Book provided free for review by publisher.
Original review on my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2016/02/review-northwoods-bill-schweigart/