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emilykb03's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
wellreadintrovert's review
5.0
Mella lives in a tiny house in the middle of a dense forest with her mommy and her baby brother, Pete. Sometimes her daddy comes and with him often the bad man comes, as well. Mella knows that she, her mommy and little brother are a secret family living where nobody knows they are, but she can't remember why that is or why her mommy is chained to the floor. In The Tall Trees is a story told through the eyes of our little hero as she must brave what's out there, lurking in the shadows, to save all that she knows and loves in the world.
What a haunting and heartbreaking little book I have found here. Books told from the perspective of a child will always hit differently one way or another. To hear some of the real world horrors the little one sees in her own words is so unsettling and thought provoking.
In The Tall Trees in raw and thought provoking, perfect for fans of short horrors and real world horror stories. Binged in one session is the only way to read this one. This way may not be for everyone, but if you think it might be - definitely give this one a try.
What a haunting and heartbreaking little book I have found here. Books told from the perspective of a child will always hit differently one way or another. To hear some of the real world horrors the little one sees in her own words is so unsettling and thought provoking.
In The Tall Trees in raw and thought provoking, perfect for fans of short horrors and real world horror stories. Binged in one session is the only way to read this one. This way may not be for everyone, but if you think it might be - definitely give this one a try.
lacieshields's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
datewithathriller's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
evlchk's review
5.0
In The Tall Trees is the first book in Angel Van Atta's Little Voices series. This is my second book by Angel, and I must admit I am a fan. I love her writing style and her approach to horror. I am thankful that I am a part of a wonderful horror community on Facebook and have had the opportunity to speak to the author—she is simply one of the nicest people I’ve ever chatted with.
The book follows Mella and her small family, who live in a tiny house in the middle of nowhere surrounded by dense forest. Her only company is her mom and her baby brother, Pete. Sometimes, her daddy visits, but it isn’t always a happy visit. Sometimes, he brings the bad man with him—the bad man who yells in exclamation marks and hurts Mommy. Mella loves her Daddy, superheroes, and peanut butter cups! The story is told through her eyes, which wrenches my heart.
Having a story told through a little girl's eyes will gut-punch you. The way the abuse or intense emotion is described in colors is fantastic. While you witness what Alix (Mommy) has to go through to protect her children, having it described by a child - whew…my heart. The story is intense, heartbreaking, and a page-turner. I cannot wait to read book two.
Thank you to Angel Van Atta for gifting me an eARC of In The Tall Trees. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
better_read_then_dead's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
5.0
Dark romance is another one of my favorite genres and I have read some messed up things in that genre including things that happen in this story and they have no effect on me whatsoever, but this by far out beats them all. It's because it's told from a child’s POV. The horror Mella sees, hears and encounters is heartbreaking. And to hear it all in her words crushed me. So many emotions were felt while reading this. Such an amazing story! Why is horror making me cry? 😅 Incredible job Angel!
aj_humphreys's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
WOW. I. Mean. wow.
I often enjoy the joke, "I haven't felt this way since I was a little girl," but damn if this isn't the first time it was almost true. I at least could say, "I haven't felt this way since I was a little boy, " and it would be 100% accurate.
The story comes to readers through the eyes of a child, Mella. A girl raised in the woods by a mother chained to the floor and a father who f*cks off as he pleases.
I hated daddy. Such a nightmarish character, but a perfect juxtaposition to Mella's innocence.
Through those perfectly captured innocent eyes of a child, we are prisoners to what this tiny tyke can comprehend. The writing captures her growing awareness of this awful situation, but what little girl doesn't blindly love their daddy?
So we scream louder, with deep aching pangs of regret, "No, Mella! Listen to your conscience! This isn't right!"
No good person wants to fracture the pristine innocence of a child, but it's the only way for Mella, her mother, and baby brother to get out alive.
The story is so visceral in the best/worst way. The writing is good enough to chill to the core with nothing but the background score... i.e. the scenes, the setting, the passive world created by Van Atta are wonderfully dark and vivid.
Can I write an essay on this one?
Cuz I might...
I often enjoy the joke, "I haven't felt this way since I was a little girl," but damn if this isn't the first time it was almost true. I at least could say, "I haven't felt this way since I was a little boy, " and it would be 100% accurate.
The story comes to readers through the eyes of a child, Mella. A girl raised in the woods by a mother chained to the floor and a father who f*cks off as he pleases.
I hated daddy. Such a nightmarish character, but a perfect juxtaposition to Mella's innocence.
Through those perfectly captured innocent eyes of a child, we are prisoners to what this tiny tyke can comprehend. The writing captures her growing awareness of this awful situation, but what little girl doesn't blindly love their daddy?
So we scream louder, with deep aching pangs of regret, "No, Mella! Listen to your conscience! This isn't right!"
No good person wants to fracture the pristine innocence of a child, but it's the only way for Mella, her mother, and baby brother to get out alive.
The story is so visceral in the best/worst way. The writing is good enough to chill to the core with nothing but the background score... i.e. the scenes, the setting, the passive world created by Van Atta are wonderfully dark and vivid.
Can I write an essay on this one?
Cuz I might...
calliek927's review
4.0
I received this audio version directly from the author, and all my thoughts in this review are my own.
This book was heartbreaking on so many levels. We have a mother, chained to the floor, and her baby son and young daughter. "Daddy" only visits; he doesn't live there and often brings the "bad man" with him. The bad man who actually is "daddy".
The novella is told through the eyes of Mella, the young girl. We get some childlike words with the audio, but they seem to fit perfectly.
This author is new to me, but I'll definitely be reading more from her. A 4.25 rounded down to 4 stars.
This book was heartbreaking on so many levels. We have a mother, chained to the floor, and her baby son and young daughter. "Daddy" only visits; he doesn't live there and often brings the "bad man" with him. The bad man who actually is "daddy".
The novella is told through the eyes of Mella, the young girl. We get some childlike words with the audio, but they seem to fit perfectly.
This author is new to me, but I'll definitely be reading more from her. A 4.25 rounded down to 4 stars.
heidij79's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-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? No
4.0