Reviews

Gone to See the River Man by Kristopher Triana

k1llp0p's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Gone to See the River Man is definitely not for the weak. Starting this book i had no idea what i was getting into. The book begins with the main character Lori who seems to have a troubling relationship with serial murderer Edmund Cox who is currently in prison. During one of their visits he talks her into some kind of quest to go see “the river man”. Lori accepts in an attempt to prove herself and try to understand him. At first Lori seems like just a troubled/disturbed woman with responsibilities she deems unfair and a yearning for some kind of messed up true acceptance. As the book progresses and she heads into this journey you get to know her character and the absolute disastrous and depraved things that take place in her head, also what leads her to fall for such a man like Edmund and accept the quest. 

This synopsis truly does lack because i cant possibly describe with words the perversion and beauty that this book holds. I say beauty because despite its content it is beautifully written and the imagery leading up to meeting the river man and the way the ambiance is described is absolutely stunning. Gone to See the River Man is only the second book i have had the pleasure to read by Kristopher Triana and it certainly wont be the last. With gore, horror and a characters story that will truly unsettle you and shock you, yet also has staggering and beautiful writing along with it.

motherofchis's review against another edition

3.0

I’ve had this book in my TBR for a while. I finally caved for the Indie Horror Brawl. Quick read but a little overhyped in my opinion.

jordanb94's review against another edition

4.0

Very entertaining but highly disturbing. A really quick read that will keep you turning the page until you've finished the book!

ay_ay_sanne's review

5.0

I cannot give this utterly fucked up, disgusting shit a normal star rating.

edit: just kidding I can, here’s 5 stars Kristopher Triana

screamweaver's review against another edition

5.0

The most elaborate prison break you'll ever read.

anxinjie's review against another edition

1.0

Badly written & overuse of gore and general "disturbing" things for cheap shock value, no depth or substance to the story or any of the characters

mbp_918's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

brutallybookish's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The way this story unfolded was so addictive. Every time I thought I had an idea of what was to come, I was surprised and intrigued, especially given the taboo topics of Lori's past and how her attempts to rationalize her actions somehow continued to humanize her up until the very end. I loved the description of Lori's quest, the land she traversed as it changed, and her descent into a madness that also somehow felt like coming home. The language was simultaneously poetic and graphic, and so many descriptions were hard-hitting. I can't wait to pick up the sequel to this book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Eating disorder and Violence

Minor: Sexual content and Grief

haruka_mori's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

leahlovesbirds's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0