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pgm's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
rock_n_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I received a free advance reader's copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
After reading The Siren and the Specter earlier this year, I knew that I wanted to read more from Jonathan Janz. I was very excited to receive an ARC of The Sorrows from Flame Tree Press! This is actually Janz's first published novel, and it did not disappoint.
The pacing of the story was perfect for me- I loved that there was a bit of suspense from the very beginning, and there was never a lull in the action. Janz does a great job setting the scene and his characters are well written. I found myself invested in the "good guys" and appalled by some of the villains. The cruelest of characters got what was coming to them, which was very satisfying to read!
The Sorrows is a creepy and engaging novel, and I cannot wait to read its sequel, as well as every other novel from this author! Jonathan Janz has secured a place on my insta-buy authors list going forward.
After reading The Siren and the Specter earlier this year, I knew that I wanted to read more from Jonathan Janz. I was very excited to receive an ARC of The Sorrows from Flame Tree Press! This is actually Janz's first published novel, and it did not disappoint.
The pacing of the story was perfect for me- I loved that there was a bit of suspense from the very beginning, and there was never a lull in the action. Janz does a great job setting the scene and his characters are well written. I found myself invested in the "good guys" and appalled by some of the villains. The cruelest of characters got what was coming to them, which was very satisfying to read!
The Sorrows is a creepy and engaging novel, and I cannot wait to read its sequel, as well as every other novel from this author! Jonathan Janz has secured a place on my insta-buy authors list going forward.
ljwrites85's review against another edition
3.0
CONTAINS SEXUAL SCENES, SCENES OF ABUSE AND VIOLENCE.
Ben is suffering from writers block, trying to come up with a new musical score for a horror film by famous director Lee Stanley. In desperation to get him into the zone his friend Eddie arranges for them to travel to an island called The Sorrows which has been uninhabited for a long time after a series of murders. They bring a young intern called Claire and Eva, Lee Stanley’s assistant.
From the moment they step onto the island, they feel something is wrong with the place, each of them have their sanity pushed to the limits. Will they get off the island alive?
So I really enjoyed Jonathan Janz’s previous book The Siren and the Specter (you can read my review here) so I jumped at the chance to read The Sorrows.
While this is still the horror genre, the previous book was a ghost story, whereas I was class this as more Gothic horror. In places it reminded me of the classics like Frankenstein and Dracula.
This is definitely a more slow burn novel, that creeps up on you, giving you that uneasy feeling and putting you on edge.
The characters are each realistically flawed and interesting but I have to be honest I did particularly warm to the characters which is fine, not every character has to be likeable.
There are some quite uncomfortable scenes and watching the characters worst fears and insecurities was a little hard to read at times. I also have to say, this is just me being picky, is I felt there was too much sex or sexual references for my taste.
Overall The Sorrows is a creepy Gothic horror, I’d recommend for anyone who enjoys classic horror but is looking for something a bit more modern and edgy.
Ben is suffering from writers block, trying to come up with a new musical score for a horror film by famous director Lee Stanley. In desperation to get him into the zone his friend Eddie arranges for them to travel to an island called The Sorrows which has been uninhabited for a long time after a series of murders. They bring a young intern called Claire and Eva, Lee Stanley’s assistant.
From the moment they step onto the island, they feel something is wrong with the place, each of them have their sanity pushed to the limits. Will they get off the island alive?
So I really enjoyed Jonathan Janz’s previous book The Siren and the Specter (you can read my review here) so I jumped at the chance to read The Sorrows.
While this is still the horror genre, the previous book was a ghost story, whereas I was class this as more Gothic horror. In places it reminded me of the classics like Frankenstein and Dracula.
This is definitely a more slow burn novel, that creeps up on you, giving you that uneasy feeling and putting you on edge.
The characters are each realistically flawed and interesting but I have to be honest I did particularly warm to the characters which is fine, not every character has to be likeable.
There are some quite uncomfortable scenes and watching the characters worst fears and insecurities was a little hard to read at times. I also have to say, this is just me being picky, is I felt there was too much sex or sexual references for my taste.
Overall The Sorrows is a creepy Gothic horror, I’d recommend for anyone who enjoys classic horror but is looking for something a bit more modern and edgy.
readbyashleyd's review against another edition
5.0
I found out after reading this book that it is Janz’s debut novel and I’m absolutely floored. I absolutely loved it before I found that out but now that I know, I’m just STUNNED that this is a freaking debut and it’s given me a whole new level of appreciation for this book! This is my favourite kind of horror, where it feels like you’re watching a movie and constantly shaking your head at the characters and thinking you’d obviously survive when they don’t because they’re total idiots but you secretly love that they don’t because you get to watch them brutally murdered. That’s what reading this book felt like to me and it was glorious! I also immediately ordered the sequel the second I was finished reading because I NEED MORE of this!!!
joelrsundquist's review against another edition
5.0
Janz doesn't have a book that I have read that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. This is no exception.
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
5.0
Ben is a famous horror film composer, but his divorce has left him in a rut he can’t seem to shake, so his partner Eddie decides what Ben needs is a month-long stay on a haunted island named The Sorrows. When the two men and the women staying with them arrive, they begin to realize that the island’s grisly, murderous past might not be over yet.
After reading The Siren and the Specter from Jonathan Janz earlier this year—and deeming it not only my favorite horror read of the year, but perhaps of my life thus far—I can easily say he won me over as the kind of reader who will happily pick up anything he writes without hesitation, so I was beyond delighted to pick up this re-release of his debut novel, The Sorrows.
Except this building did not look like it could fall. It looked like it would stand forever, far outliving its inhabitants.
Or claiming them.
First, let’s revisit that last statement: this is his first novel, from 2012, and yet what amazes me is that—having read work he’s written this year as well—his writing was just as incredible then as it is now. If that’s not proof that Jonathan has a natural talent for storytelling deep in his bones, I don’t know what is.
There was something corruptive here, a palpable sense of depravity.
The other thing that amazes me about Jonathan’s writing is how effortless he makes it seem when he scares the hell out of me! I’ve spent years complaining over my seeming inability to find books that genuinely terrified me, with very rare exceptions, but Jonathan’s imagination gets so twisted at times that I just can’t help being frightened. What’s fascinating about The Sorrows in particular is the way the island brings out the inner demons in each person, once again forcing us to ponder which is worse—actual monsters, or the ‘monsters’ humans can become?
No, the presence I felt was something totally unfamiliar, and even more disturbing, wholly unfriendly.
Finally, he has this way of writing some characters that I can’t help but root for despite their flaws—while other characters in his stories are so fun to hate that I’m left literally cheering when they meet their demise. Ben is an easy protagonist to like, and the feelings he has for his son are so authentic and familiar that it’s easy to see where Jonathan’s love for his own family shone through in the writing here.
Even now I wish to live, to experience any emotion, even sorrow.
Dear God. I hear something in the hallway.
The love interest, Claire, is also very near and dear to my heart. Not only did her entire personality resonate so much with me—her protective nature, the tremendous guilt she feels when facing very difficult decisions, and her struggles with her own appearance—but Jonathan handles the topic of body positivity so flawlessly in her character. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an adult horror novel shut down fat-shaming so quickly and handle it with such care, and I’m adding it to the long list of reasons Jonathan has earned me as a lifelong supporter.
“It is you who have brought me death—but you shall know much of horror before the year is through.”
One last thing: this book does tackle a lot of assault-related issues, as well as featuring some on-page assault, so it’s a tough read at times, but those moments are thankfully brief, far between, and handled with care. Though the story was written 6 years ago, there’s even a very Weinstein-esque character who felt tremendously relevant to issues that are being discussed heavily in Hollywood lately, and I thought that representation felt fitting and well-done. As with everything, it’s clear that Jonathan handles each of these sensitive issues with careful hands and good intentions.
I cannot get over how enjoyable Jonathan's work is, and how creepy and artful his stories are. I loved this just as much as I knew I would, and I cannot wait to read more from him. I love the settings he weaves, the characters he creates, and the careful way he treats sensitive topics within his creations.
Content warnings for fat-shaming, sexism, racism, assault, abuse, gratuitous violence and murder (all challenged in text)
All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Flame Tree Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
wellwortharead's review against another edition
5.0
The premise sounded simple enough as I settled in to read what I expected to be a spooky but not unusual tale of a haunted castle. I should have known after my last foray into horror with Jonathan Janz (The Siren and The Specter) that this is not an author who does "simple." While this book is heavy with supernatural horror, it also showcases the fact that sometimes the worst monsters are of the human variety. It frazzled my nerves and had me terrified over whether or not the characters I cared about would survive, while simultaneously wishing a horrific death to those who deserved one.
5 out of 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy for review.
5 out of 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy for review.
rodsreads's review against another edition
2.0
A castle with a dark history, located on a remote island? Sign me up!
After finishing "Dust Devils" (my first Janz novel), I knew right away that I needed to read The Sorrows.
The book started off great!
I was intrigued to find out more about the mysterious Castle Blackwood and its dark past.
But then as I was introduced to more characters, I found myself not really caring about any of them.
It's unfortunate when this happens because then I have to rely 100% on the story to pull its weight.
At the end of the day, The Sorrows just didn't work out for me.
With that being said, I will definitely read the second "The Sorrows" book, called: Castle of Sorrows.
Huge thanks to Flame Tree Press for sending me a review copy.
stephrabig's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Great writing style, love the premise, but this one lost me when the only character I was really rooting for was raped and mutilated by one villain, and then murdered by the villain she'd been trying to bring down. Also a teen girl was being raped by her step-dad, and not only does he get no consequences for that, but nobody mentioned her again after he used her as a human shield. So. Hell with her, I guess?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Rape
motherhorror's review against another edition
2.0
Film composers, Bill & Eddie go to "Castle Blackwood" to get inspired for their next musical score: A horror movie. They travel with two guests, Eva Rosales & Claire Harden (mainly for no other reason than to hook up with them). Castle Blackwood is on this eerie, isolated island with a seriously disturbing history.
The perfect set up for a horror novel.
Except, unfortunately, I had so many issues with this book that it wasn't a very enjoyable experience for me. First, I feel like I must preface this review with the statement that I am a huge Janz Fan. I recently told Scream Magazine readers that Jonathan Janz is one of the best horror storytellers of our time. His newest release THE SIREN AND THE SPECTER was an incredible five star read.
But I don't put on fangirl blinders when I read books. I might have biases and I might reach for their new releases without hesitation but I never overrate a book I didn't enjoy just because I'm a fan of the author. SO
With that being said and understood,
THE SORROWS.
This is a previously released title, Janz's first I believe, and it is being reissued for a December release this year. I read an ARC sent from Flametree.
The book starts off pretty compelling--I was intrigued but in the back of my mind, I was also annoyed. Both of the female characters are quickly relegated to "meat market" status. The narrative overly describes their looks and their bodies and basically rates them accordingly. Eva is the hot, sexy one. Claire is the not so hot "plain Jane" who will probably compromise her morals to get ahead in life. I wasn't a fan of either Claire or Eva (don't get me started on Eva's mother) and I was less of a fan of Bill & Eddie who were difficult to differentiate from as they were both similar in machismo and horniness.
(I'm also a bit picky about names--I'm easily distracted by fictional names. I read a book once where everyone's first and last names started with the same letters, like Curtis Crabell and Lisa Lamore and I about died. In THE SORROWS, I thought the names of places and people were sort of silly, "Ben Shadeland" "Eddie Blaze" but I figured it could be Janz trying to make them all sound very 'Hollywood' so I let it go.) There is a HUGE cast here--lots of characters. Which was a wee bit confusing or muddy at times.
As the story progressed, I found that I was suspending disbelief in a few areas, not just names. The hauntings and strange activity begin so suddenly and aggressively, I found that I was dragging my heels as events were unfolding. And maybe it's because I had just come off of reading some slow burn, atmospheric and emotional horror that I wasn't in the right frame of mind for this "Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am" style? But I found the sex to be banal, the characters two dimensional and the horror a bit over the top.
In other words, I almost DNFd in a few places.
Ugh, it pains me to say all of this. Mostly because Janz has clearly come a long way in writing chops since this debut because CHILDREN OF THE DARK, EXORCIST FALLS and THE SIREN AND THE SPECTER are dazzling in their skill and character development.
But it's okay--this is my experience and it is what it is. It took me about 12 days to finish-lots of pick ups and put downs and at the end of the day, this is just not my cup of tea. However, lots of horror reviewers I trust LOVE this book so I could be out of step on this one. You must try for yourself.
I can't wait for the rest Flametree's Janz reprints. Especially SAVAGE SPECIES and THE NIGHTMARE GIRL.
The perfect set up for a horror novel.
Except, unfortunately, I had so many issues with this book that it wasn't a very enjoyable experience for me. First, I feel like I must preface this review with the statement that I am a huge Janz Fan. I recently told Scream Magazine readers that Jonathan Janz is one of the best horror storytellers of our time. His newest release THE SIREN AND THE SPECTER was an incredible five star read.
But I don't put on fangirl blinders when I read books. I might have biases and I might reach for their new releases without hesitation but I never overrate a book I didn't enjoy just because I'm a fan of the author. SO
With that being said and understood,
THE SORROWS.
This is a previously released title, Janz's first I believe, and it is being reissued for a December release this year. I read an ARC sent from Flametree.
The book starts off pretty compelling--I was intrigued but in the back of my mind, I was also annoyed. Both of the female characters are quickly relegated to "meat market" status. The narrative overly describes their looks and their bodies and basically rates them accordingly. Eva is the hot, sexy one. Claire is the not so hot "plain Jane" who will probably compromise her morals to get ahead in life. I wasn't a fan of either Claire or Eva (don't get me started on Eva's mother) and I was less of a fan of Bill & Eddie who were difficult to differentiate from as they were both similar in machismo and horniness.
(I'm also a bit picky about names--I'm easily distracted by fictional names. I read a book once where everyone's first and last names started with the same letters, like Curtis Crabell and Lisa Lamore and I about died. In THE SORROWS, I thought the names of places and people were sort of silly, "Ben Shadeland" "Eddie Blaze" but I figured it could be Janz trying to make them all sound very 'Hollywood' so I let it go.) There is a HUGE cast here--lots of characters. Which was a wee bit confusing or muddy at times.
As the story progressed, I found that I was suspending disbelief in a few areas, not just names. The hauntings and strange activity begin so suddenly and aggressively, I found that I was dragging my heels as events were unfolding. And maybe it's because I had just come off of reading some slow burn, atmospheric and emotional horror that I wasn't in the right frame of mind for this "Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am" style? But I found the sex to be banal, the characters two dimensional and the horror a bit over the top.
In other words, I almost DNFd in a few places.
Ugh, it pains me to say all of this. Mostly because Janz has clearly come a long way in writing chops since this debut because CHILDREN OF THE DARK, EXORCIST FALLS and THE SIREN AND THE SPECTER are dazzling in their skill and character development.
But it's okay--this is my experience and it is what it is. It took me about 12 days to finish-lots of pick ups and put downs and at the end of the day, this is just not my cup of tea. However, lots of horror reviewers I trust LOVE this book so I could be out of step on this one. You must try for yourself.
I can't wait for the rest Flametree's Janz reprints. Especially SAVAGE SPECIES and THE NIGHTMARE GIRL.