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theespressoedition's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Updated to 5 stars in 2023 after third read.
If you're looking for the perfect spoopy book to enjoy during Halloween - or you just need a great low fantasy to enjoy this autumn/winter, this is the book for you!
I'm definitely not someone who enjoys being scared. I hate horror movies and I can't even read thrillers. So, I was a little weary going into this book because I just wasn't sure if it would be too spooky for me or not. It definitely wasn't! It felt like paranormal fantasy (nothing too creepy) mixed with a mystery!
My mind was so focused on "solving" everything that was going on that I barely even noticed the more "spooky" parts - and I wouldn't even consider them all that spooky. More just... slightly eerie? And only because they take place in a somewhat haunted forest.
It was beautifully written and made me want to take a trip to the mountains in the winter - but hopefully not to get snowed in with a strange boy! *wink wink*
If you're looking for the perfect spoopy book to enjoy during Halloween - or you just need a great low fantasy to enjoy this autumn/winter, this is the book for you!
I'm definitely not someone who enjoys being scared. I hate horror movies and I can't even read thrillers. So, I was a little weary going into this book because I just wasn't sure if it would be too spooky for me or not. It definitely wasn't! It felt like paranormal fantasy (nothing too creepy) mixed with a mystery!
My mind was so focused on "solving" everything that was going on that I barely even noticed the more "spooky" parts - and I wouldn't even consider them all that spooky. More just... slightly eerie? And only because they take place in a somewhat haunted forest.
It was beautifully written and made me want to take a trip to the mountains in the winter - but hopefully not to get snowed in with a strange boy! *wink wink*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Alcohol and Bullying
malloryfitz's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Car accident
brookey8888's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this which shocked me! I really just liked the vibe of it. I loved the mystery and the weirdness of like everything. I really did like Nora she was very intriguing. I don’t read many books like this but I’m glad I did because the vibes were immaculate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
elliekg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Grief, Violence, and Bullying
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Winterwood is a book that tried to be a mysterious, magical, atmospheric love story, and while it did manage to be mysterious, it fell flat in every other aspect. Spooky woods, a protagonist that doesn’t fit in either in her family or with the other kids in town? Been there,
done that. Ernshaw’s story, unfortunately, doesn’t bring anything new to the table, and it wasn’t even interesting. In fact, for most of the book, I was quite bored, and only pushed through because I didn’t want to DNF my first read of the new year.
Additionally, the romance really didn’t work for me. Nora and Oliver hardly knew each other, and they were kissing days after they met. It would be different if they actually had chemistry, but they didn’t. Not a single spark. Also, when you’re trying to figure out how the boy you like might’ve been involved in another boy’s death, should you really be kissing him? Come on.
Lastly, I don’t think the ending made much sense. Okay, fine, Nora discovers what kind of magic she has. Good for her. But nothing else fit. Ernshaw clearly prioritized Nora and Oliver’s relationship over everything else, and I was not a fan. Romance should only come before plot in actual romance
novels.
Maybe this book will be someone else’s
cup of tea, but it certainly wasn’t mine. I now also know that Ernshaw’s writing is just not for me. Hopefully I enjoy my next read more.
done that. Ernshaw’s story, unfortunately, doesn’t bring anything new to the table, and it wasn’t even interesting. In fact, for most of the book, I was quite bored, and only pushed through because I didn’t want to DNF my first read of the new year.
Additionally, the romance really didn’t work for me. Nora and Oliver hardly knew each other, and they were kissing days after they met. It would be different if they actually had chemistry, but they didn’t. Not a single spark. Also, when you’re trying to figure out how the boy you like might’ve been involved in another boy’s death, should you really be kissing him? Come on.
Lastly, I don’t think the ending made much sense. Okay, fine, Nora discovers what kind of magic she has. Good for her. But nothing else fit. Ernshaw clearly prioritized Nora and Oliver’s relationship over everything else, and I was not a fan. Romance should only come before plot in actual romance
novels.
Maybe this book will be someone else’s
cup of tea, but it certainly wasn’t mine. I now also know that Ernshaw’s writing is just not for me. Hopefully I enjoy my next read more.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Alcoholism
whatellisreadnext's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘺 𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥, 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴.
Nora Walker always enters the cursed woods surrounding Fir Haven, on a full moon, when the trees are sleeping. Walker women have a special connection with these woods, finding lost things amongst trees. This time she stumbles upon a boy laid on the forest floor. Oliver has been missing for 2 weeks, how did he survive all that time in the freezing cold Wicker Woods?
I'm not going to lie to you, I totally bought this book because it has a gorgeous cover, and the word 'Winter' in the title. I had a vague understanding that it was about witches, but I went in pretty much blind and I ended up loving it.
There was so much magic and darkness in this gripping YA novel, I was instantly enamoured by Nora and her story. The mystery at the heart of this wonderful book, had be turning the pages so fast, I hardly stopped to breathe. I definitely figured out the twist, but not that long before it was revealed, and this didn't ruin my enjoyment of it at all.
I loved the spellbook pages scattered throughout the book, telling us about past Walker women and the powers they had. Paired with guidelines to try the spell out for yourself. It just added a whole other layer to the narrative.
My recommendation for this one is to go into it knowing as little as possible. Let the beautiful writing take you on this dark and magical journey. I have underlined so many passages in this book, I was not expecting the writing to be such a dream to read. I have already ordered myself a copy of Ernshaw's debut novel The Wicked Deep, and I can't wait for it to arrive💃🏻
Nora Walker always enters the cursed woods surrounding Fir Haven, on a full moon, when the trees are sleeping. Walker women have a special connection with these woods, finding lost things amongst trees. This time she stumbles upon a boy laid on the forest floor. Oliver has been missing for 2 weeks, how did he survive all that time in the freezing cold Wicker Woods?
I'm not going to lie to you, I totally bought this book because it has a gorgeous cover, and the word 'Winter' in the title. I had a vague understanding that it was about witches, but I went in pretty much blind and I ended up loving it.
There was so much magic and darkness in this gripping YA novel, I was instantly enamoured by Nora and her story. The mystery at the heart of this wonderful book, had be turning the pages so fast, I hardly stopped to breathe. I definitely figured out the twist, but not that long before it was revealed, and this didn't ruin my enjoyment of it at all.
I loved the spellbook pages scattered throughout the book, telling us about past Walker women and the powers they had. Paired with guidelines to try the spell out for yourself. It just added a whole other layer to the narrative.
My recommendation for this one is to go into it knowing as little as possible. Let the beautiful writing take you on this dark and magical journey. I have underlined so many passages in this book, I was not expecting the writing to be such a dream to read. I have already ordered myself a copy of Ernshaw's debut novel The Wicked Deep, and I can't wait for it to arrive💃🏻
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
Drowning
More...