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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-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:
Complicated
I really had to think about what to rate this one, as I found myself caught between a 2 and a 3, so 2.5 felt like the right spot. The concept of the story is intriguing, and I loved the atmosphere, which set the stage perfectly for some good mystery and folk tales. Unfortunately, the execution didn't quite live up to its potential.
For much of the book, not a whole lot happens. It meanders into lengthy descriptions and interactions that didn't seem to add much to the overall experience. Then, out of nowhere, the pace picks up towards the end, making me wish the whole book had maintained that level of intensity and engagement.
It feels like the story could have benefited from some serious editing—trimming down the excess and focusing more on the eerie setting and core plot. There's so much potential here, and it's a shame it didn't quite come together in the way I was hoping.
Overall, Pine had the bones of a great tale, but it left me wanting more in terms of substance and suspense.
For much of the book, not a whole lot happens. It meanders into lengthy descriptions and interactions that didn't seem to add much to the overall experience. Then, out of nowhere, the pace picks up towards the end, making me wish the whole book had maintained that level of intensity and engagement.
It feels like the story could have benefited from some serious editing—trimming down the excess and focusing more on the eerie setting and core plot. There's so much potential here, and it's a shame it didn't quite come together in the way I was hoping.
Overall, Pine had the bones of a great tale, but it left me wanting more in terms of substance and suspense.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Overall an okay read. I found it very slow and didn't feel like there was much build up for the conclusion which happened in a page. But I did love the ghostly vibes throughout the book.
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is described as a Gothic thriller which if you know me, is RIGHT up my street, so as you can imagine, I was ridiculously excited to start this. I have to say that there were some fantastic moments of horror throughout this book, mostly stemming from the description and appearance of the woman from the woods.
Pine is a story that is set in a desolate highland town and follows a father and daughter (Niall and Lauren) who are coming to terms with the death of the wife/mother. With more people in the neighbourhood knowing more than they let on, combined with the uncanny sightings of a strange woman and the disappearance of a young girl, Lauren, must learn who to trust and who not to.
Although this book ‘on paper’ should have been EXACTLY the type of book I love, I found the story a bit flat and struggled to stay interested in the story. It was perhaps because, in my opinion, the story couldn’t seem to make its mind up on what it wanted to be. Was it a murder mystery? Was it a thriller? Was it a ghost story? Was it a coming-of-age story? I’m not entirely sure.
Overall, it was quite a big disappointment for me because I feel like it should have been everything I wanted…but it wasn’t. I think the only saving grace was that it had some fabulous creepy scenes.
Pine is a story that is set in a desolate highland town and follows a father and daughter (Niall and Lauren) who are coming to terms with the death of the wife/mother. With more people in the neighbourhood knowing more than they let on, combined with the uncanny sightings of a strange woman and the disappearance of a young girl, Lauren, must learn who to trust and who not to.
Although this book ‘on paper’ should have been EXACTLY the type of book I love, I found the story a bit flat and struggled to stay interested in the story. It was perhaps because, in my opinion, the story couldn’t seem to make its mind up on what it wanted to be. Was it a murder mystery? Was it a thriller? Was it a ghost story? Was it a coming-of-age story? I’m not entirely sure.
Overall, it was quite a big disappointment for me because I feel like it should have been everything I wanted…but it wasn’t. I think the only saving grace was that it had some fabulous creepy scenes.
dark
mysterious