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zenithharpink's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
There wasn't much to like about this book. The pacing was irritatingly slow. A lot was left unexplained or incompletely explained. The characters behaved in bizarre and unexplained ways - what was documented of their thoughts and temperaments was at odds with their behavior. Additionally, the tone was spooky by not mysterious. There was gore for the sake of goriness, it added nothing to the plot. All in all, this just struck a foul note.
I believe this would have been better as a short story. I don't recommend.
I believe this would have been better as a short story. I don't recommend.
betwixt_the_pages's review
5.0
Death hasn't visited Rowan Rose since it took her mother when Rowan was only a little girl. But that changes one bleak morning, when five horses and their riders thunder into her village and through the forest, disappearing into the hills. Days later, the riders' bodies are found, and though no one can say for certain what happened in their final hours, their remains prove that whatever it was must have been brutal.
Rowan's village was once a tranquil place, but now things have changed. Something has followed the path those riders made and has come down from the hills, through the forest, and into the village. Beast or man, it has brought death to Rowan's door once again.
Only this time, its appetite is insatiable.
- - - - -
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Quick Reasons: gorgeous prose; crisp, clear descriptions readers can almost see/feel/hear/taste/smell; a complex, entertaining blend of fairy tale and horror/mystery; an edge-of-your-seat, keep-you-up-all-night journey
OH. MY. GOODNESS.
I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this read! I can't even explain right now, so I'll start with something simple. The cover? Absolutely gorgeous. The words on both the front AND the spine of the dusk jacket are raised, and sort of allude to the “glass casket”--a fitting title, all things considered, though not QUITE what this story is about!
The prose is beautiful. McCormick Templeman obviously knows a thing or two about the “show, don't tell” schpeal—she does so beautifully. Don't believe me? Take a glimpse at a few of my favorite beautiful quotes, why don't you:
There's this beautiful, almost masterful blending of fairy tales and horror that leaves a delicious, anticipatory tingle across the mind while reading. The characters leap to life from the page, secrets held and kept close until just the right moment, the many unexpected twists catching at hearts. You never know quite what to expect next; McCormick Templeman worked hard to keep readers from being able to see TOO far ahead, instead playing foreshadowing and clues close to the page.
I've read a few other reviews for this, and discovered some people feel it opened too slowly. I didn't feel it did; I was so wrapped up in the beautiful imagery, so ensnared by the characters and their different movements, I felt the read passed more quickly than I might have liked—it was over too soon, leaving me wishing for more.
There are several nods toward well-known fairy tales: Snow White and Red Riding Hood play very prominent roles in the creation of this tale, I have a feeling, and McCormick Templeman both honored them and made them just enough her own to stand apart. The tale of Sleeping Beauty also, for a moment, makes an entrance. All of these elements are woven and interlocked so tightly, you wouldn't know they were there unless you were actively looking (I was). The horror puts a new, and decidedly Brothers Grimm, twist to each of these well-loved stories.
Of course, this wouldn't be a TRUE YA fairy tale/retelling without a love triangle...but it's done so well, you won't even notice it's there. (And really, if I'm being honest, it's more a love...hectagon? Is that even a thing? Who cares, it's a thing now.) There IS something very close to insta-love...but again, there's just such a twist on it to make it work for this story, so I didn't mind it much either. The idea behind it is carefully done; I appreciated McCormick Templeman's sensitivity toward such cliches/tropes in this. She also explored religion and personal beliefs in a fascinating, emotionally engaging way, so I applaud her for this as well.
I should probably put a trigger warning on this read for violence, gore, and almost-rape; if these things make you at all uncomfortable, please consider them carefully before picking up this read.
Overall, I REALLY enjoyed this, and would definitely recommend to lovers of fairy tales, retellings, and horror/mystery stories alike. A must-read!
Rowan's village was once a tranquil place, but now things have changed. Something has followed the path those riders made and has come down from the hills, through the forest, and into the village. Beast or man, it has brought death to Rowan's door once again.
Only this time, its appetite is insatiable.
- - - - -
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Quick Reasons: gorgeous prose; crisp, clear descriptions readers can almost see/feel/hear/taste/smell; a complex, entertaining blend of fairy tale and horror/mystery; an edge-of-your-seat, keep-you-up-all-night journey
OH. MY. GOODNESS.
I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this read! I can't even explain right now, so I'll start with something simple. The cover? Absolutely gorgeous. The words on both the front AND the spine of the dusk jacket are raised, and sort of allude to the “glass casket”--a fitting title, all things considered, though not QUITE what this story is about!
The prose is beautiful. McCormick Templeman obviously knows a thing or two about the “show, don't tell” schpeal—she does so beautifully. Don't believe me? Take a glimpse at a few of my favorite beautiful quotes, why don't you:
“Roughly Rowan's age, the girl had been beautiful in the way that a crisp apple was delicious—almost too sharp, but with an underlying sweetness that makes its jaggedness seem merely bright.” (page 8)
“To look on a dead man's secrets was to invite disaster.” (page 26)
“Fear is the domain of the small-minded. You are to be a scholar, my dear, and scholars do not go around fearing the wind and quivering away at the thought of wolves.” (page 38)
“There are some men who love only once, and Tom Parstle was such a man.” (page 335)
There's this beautiful, almost masterful blending of fairy tales and horror that leaves a delicious, anticipatory tingle across the mind while reading. The characters leap to life from the page, secrets held and kept close until just the right moment, the many unexpected twists catching at hearts. You never know quite what to expect next; McCormick Templeman worked hard to keep readers from being able to see TOO far ahead, instead playing foreshadowing and clues close to the page.
I've read a few other reviews for this, and discovered some people feel it opened too slowly. I didn't feel it did; I was so wrapped up in the beautiful imagery, so ensnared by the characters and their different movements, I felt the read passed more quickly than I might have liked—it was over too soon, leaving me wishing for more.
There are several nods toward well-known fairy tales: Snow White and Red Riding Hood play very prominent roles in the creation of this tale, I have a feeling, and McCormick Templeman both honored them and made them just enough her own to stand apart. The tale of Sleeping Beauty also, for a moment, makes an entrance. All of these elements are woven and interlocked so tightly, you wouldn't know they were there unless you were actively looking (I was). The horror puts a new, and decidedly Brothers Grimm, twist to each of these well-loved stories.
Of course, this wouldn't be a TRUE YA fairy tale/retelling without a love triangle...but it's done so well, you won't even notice it's there. (And really, if I'm being honest, it's more a love...hectagon? Is that even a thing? Who cares, it's a thing now.) There IS something very close to insta-love...but again, there's just such a twist on it to make it work for this story, so I didn't mind it much either. The idea behind it is carefully done; I appreciated McCormick Templeman's sensitivity toward such cliches/tropes in this. She also explored religion and personal beliefs in a fascinating, emotionally engaging way, so I applaud her for this as well.
I should probably put a trigger warning on this read for violence, gore, and almost-rape; if these things make you at all uncomfortable, please consider them carefully before picking up this read.
Overall, I REALLY enjoyed this, and would definitely recommend to lovers of fairy tales, retellings, and horror/mystery stories alike. A must-read!
milktoast's review
4.0
Creepy, suspenseful book that uses some imagery and ideas from different fairy tales to create a unique story with believable characters. Enjoyed this one a lot!
emjay24's review
4.0
This was a quick, one day read on an introvert Sunday as a break from longer books. This book reads like an old time fairy tale, and is in fact a retelling of several fairy tales all mixed together. Maybe more true to how fairy tales used to be, it’s also a horror story about a village plagued by mysterious, violent deaths. Our main character is daughter of a scholar, and a scholar herself, who hopes to escape marriage and the town and go work with her brain in the capitol, and the story is a lot about her discovering herself, what she wants, and believes. The book started a little bit slowly, but I quickly warmed up to the style and recommend it to anyone who enjoys fairy tales. If you don’t enjoy the old style of talking and storytelling and are looking for something with a modern feel, then skip this one.
cmcornell0216's review
4.0
It was very hard to get into but once it started to progress and add more and more layers of mysteries. You're gonna be hooked. It was a good book
kaitrosereads's review
4.0
Last year I was really tempted to read McCormick Templeman's debut novel, The Little Woods, but for some reason, I put it off. I'm glad I didn't do the same thing with The Glass Casket. After reading this one, I'm definitely going back and reading The Little Woods because The Glass Casket was fabulous.
The Glass Casket is a chilling, atmospheric read that captivated me from the start. Admittedly, it does not have the quickest start but if you're willing to get past that (and you should be) the story that's held between these pages is worth it. The story is the perfect mix of fantasy, romance, and horror. It's easy to see from the very first pages that The Glass Casket is not your typical fantasy story. While I wouldn't compare it to The Near Witch in the typical way, it has a similar feeling to it, if you get what I mean.
The writing is fabulous. It's probably one of my favorite parts about the book and the reason that I definitely will be checking out more from McCormick Templeman. It's not overly descriptive but definitely is not lacking in that department. It's the perfect style of writing for this kind of story. It gives the book an added sense of creepiness and mystery.
The characters were amazing. Rowan is not the easiest person to like at the start and neither are Tom and Jude but they did grow on me. The interactions between all of them were wonderful and it's easy to see the relationships between them all. No matter what the relationship was, they all had a certain chemistry to them.
Overall, I would definitely recommend The Glass Casket to fans of fantasy with a hint of horror. McCormick Templeman does not hold anything back with this book.
The Glass Casket is a chilling, atmospheric read that captivated me from the start. Admittedly, it does not have the quickest start but if you're willing to get past that (and you should be) the story that's held between these pages is worth it. The story is the perfect mix of fantasy, romance, and horror. It's easy to see from the very first pages that The Glass Casket is not your typical fantasy story. While I wouldn't compare it to The Near Witch in the typical way, it has a similar feeling to it, if you get what I mean.
The writing is fabulous. It's probably one of my favorite parts about the book and the reason that I definitely will be checking out more from McCormick Templeman. It's not overly descriptive but definitely is not lacking in that department. It's the perfect style of writing for this kind of story. It gives the book an added sense of creepiness and mystery.
The characters were amazing. Rowan is not the easiest person to like at the start and neither are Tom and Jude but they did grow on me. The interactions between all of them were wonderful and it's easy to see the relationships between them all. No matter what the relationship was, they all had a certain chemistry to them.
Overall, I would definitely recommend The Glass Casket to fans of fantasy with a hint of horror. McCormick Templeman does not hold anything back with this book.
trisha_thomas's review
3.0
Hmmm...I'm not sure what I expected. I was very entertained and I did enjoy the story.
This tale is about young love. But it's not your average story. It is full of magic and horror, death and mystery. It's a bit of all these things with a fairy tale but also dream-like quality.
But don't spend too much time trying to place what kind of re-telling this is. I think that took away from my experience - trying to define the story. It really stands well on it's own and doesn't need to be compared to other stories.
This tale is about young love. But it's not your average story. It is full of magic and horror, death and mystery. It's a bit of all these things with a fairy tale but also dream-like quality.
But don't spend too much time trying to place what kind of re-telling this is. I think that took away from my experience - trying to define the story. It really stands well on it's own and doesn't need to be compared to other stories.
ladyfives's review
4.0
Slowly he walked to her, and gazing at her with all the love of a broken man, he said, "You can enchant me all you want. You can confuse me, and exhaust me, and drive me half mad, but I'm still a man, and I know what you are."
I have a soft spot for haunted little towns with their fairy myths, and for girls that are fearsome because of how beautiful they are. I'm glad you finally came to me, book. you and your weird beautiful cover
caitdamp's review
4.0
See this review and others like it at my blog Brains and Beauty
I loved it! I have to admit that it wasn’t what I was expecting and from reading the other reviews on it I think a lot of people feel the same way. But, I enjoyed the fact that it was different from anything else I had read.
I don’t want to say too much and give anything away, but basically a mysterious, beautiful stranger comes to town. And before anyone can learn much about her she’s killed by something in the forest. Only that’s not the end of her story, more people are killed and she may have something to do it.
Overall this book had a dark, Grimm feel throughout which I really enjoyed. it was also more gruesome than I was expecting. So if you can’t handle blood and gore this book is not for you. And it had an excellent twist that kept me guessing until the very end! You will finished this book with a feeling of closure. There’s no annoying cliffhanger, or question left hanging in the air. This is the first book I’ve read by McCormick Templeman but I will definitely be reading more by her in the future!
If you are looking for a book with good flow and is an easy, relaxed read pick this up and give it a go.
I loved it! I have to admit that it wasn’t what I was expecting and from reading the other reviews on it I think a lot of people feel the same way. But, I enjoyed the fact that it was different from anything else I had read.
I don’t want to say too much and give anything away, but basically a mysterious, beautiful stranger comes to town. And before anyone can learn much about her she’s killed by something in the forest. Only that’s not the end of her story, more people are killed and she may have something to do it.
Overall this book had a dark, Grimm feel throughout which I really enjoyed. it was also more gruesome than I was expecting. So if you can’t handle blood and gore this book is not for you. And it had an excellent twist that kept me guessing until the very end! You will finished this book with a feeling of closure. There’s no annoying cliffhanger, or question left hanging in the air. This is the first book I’ve read by McCormick Templeman but I will definitely be reading more by her in the future!
If you are looking for a book with good flow and is an easy, relaxed read pick this up and give it a go.