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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
*audiobook*
I really struggled to grasp how this is described as a 'horror' novel. I usually LOVE Ania Ahlbourn, some of her books are some of my favourite books but this one just didn't work for me. Maybe it was the audiobook version that made it a bit laughable or maybe the fact that I imagined the monsters from Scooby-Doo movie as the 'monsters' in the book
I really struggled to grasp how this is described as a 'horror' novel. I usually LOVE Ania Ahlbourn, some of her books are some of my favourite books but this one just didn't work for me. Maybe it was the audiobook version that made it a bit laughable or maybe the fact that I imagined the monsters from Scooby-Doo movie as the 'monsters' in the book
2.5/5
The audiobook is well-produced and the narrator does a great job, but I wouldn't call The Shuddering a literary masterpiece :P As a fan of 80's & 90's horror B movies, I enjoy the adrenaline rush I get from lethal dangers and blood-thirsty creatures hidden in desolate settings, especially in snowy landscapes.
That said, I also like nuanced characters, and all the characters in "The Shuddering" (except for the dog which is wonderful) are as flat as a pancake, and their issues rely way too much on recycled tropes.
I'll give the author props for that bold ending that totally crushes readers' hopes. However, when it's all said and done, I'm just not that impressed.
The audiobook is well-produced and the narrator does a great job, but I wouldn't call The Shuddering a literary masterpiece :P As a fan of 80's & 90's horror B movies, I enjoy the adrenaline rush I get from lethal dangers and blood-thirsty creatures hidden in desolate settings, especially in snowy landscapes.
That said, I also like nuanced characters, and all the characters in "The Shuddering" (except for the dog which is wonderful) are as flat as a pancake, and their issues rely way too much on recycled tropes.
I'll give the author props for that bold ending that totally crushes readers' hopes. However, when it's all said and done, I'm just not that impressed.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
I picked this up after searching for a winter horror novel. I have mixed feelings on it, as I felt the creatures in the book were outstanding, but the rest of it fell flat for me. It's a decent popcorn style horror if you're in the middle of winter.
There are great moments of creature feature style horror in here. The creatures chosen, matter of fact, were actually scary and I adored these parts of the book since it was so well done. The gore was also done well in here, and the deaths felt fitting for how the creatures behaved.
A big part of where I struggled was the characters. They felt one-dimensional and the side romances going on took up a bigger part of the story than I thought. I don't mind a little romance in books as long as it's done well, but this didn't feel that way for me. I did find myself skimming for that reason throughout the book. I wasn't attached to anyone, so I could've cared less on who lived or died. I found myself annoyed with the characters and their drama that was talked about for half the book itself.
Some of the parts in between the monsters were fine, and I thought exploring minor characters outside of the main crew was a good touch. There were a lot of repetitive moments that didn't have a point to them. The ending was meh for me. I wish some things were better explained - it would have been cool to get more backstory on the creatures and less petty drama between a friend group.
I know Ania Ahlborn is a talented writer, so I'll be trying something else of hers down the line.
There are great moments of creature feature style horror in here. The creatures chosen, matter of fact, were actually scary and I adored these parts of the book since it was so well done. The gore was also done well in here, and the deaths felt fitting for how the creatures behaved.
A big part of where I struggled was the characters. They felt one-dimensional and the side romances going on took up a bigger part of the story than I thought. I don't mind a little romance in books as long as it's done well, but this didn't feel that way for me. I did find myself skimming for that reason throughout the book. I wasn't attached to anyone, so I could've cared less on who lived or died. I found myself annoyed with the characters and their drama that was talked about for half the book itself.
Some of the parts in between the monsters were fine, and I thought exploring minor characters outside of the main crew was a good touch. There were a lot of repetitive moments that didn't have a point to them. The ending was meh for me. I wish some things were better explained - it would have been cool to get more backstory on the creatures and less petty drama between a friend group.
I know Ania Ahlborn is a talented writer, so I'll be trying something else of hers down the line.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A decent popcorn, creature feature romp! This reads like a horror movie, but still packs an emotional punch. The secluded, snowy cabin setting makes it a perfect winter read. The end is pulse pounding, but just not entirely my favorite.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated