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half_bloodreader's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
Dual pov
Haunted forest
Atmospheric
YA Magical realism
Small town
Witchy Family Lore
Slow Burn Mystery
Lonely mcs
Gosh, this book has left me feeling so cold
I don't know if it's me, but after the beginning which was really atmospheric and left me satisfied that this would be a sort of light creepy YA paranormal story, the pacing just became way too slow, with repetitions, and I started getting really frustrated with the mc, Nora. By chapter 4, at the 18% mark, I realised what was going on, so how could she not, having been raised by that witchy grandmother of hers?!
I kept asking Nora why did she care about the boy who supposedly died in a sort of obsessive way from the first time she heard about it. She's a Walker, made of darker stuff. She's supposed to live uninvolved. She's not a detective, they are cut off from the rest of the world due to a blizzard, and a death omen is following her. Why did she keep walking into danger, but only recoil from Oliver?!
Why it's a no
1. After the beginning, there's no more creepy forest even though that's what the blurb promised and why I'm here
2. Insta love
3. Nonsensical time lapses + no normal human routine: eating, sleeping, chores, gathering wood, BATHING
4. Mc with a death wish. Keeps angering possible murderers by playing awful detective after death omen and wandering off late at night with no sleep. When that doesn't work, decides to walk on frozen lake. Must I remind you they have no power, so no cops, no neighbours but an old man with arthritis
5. Repetitive drivel of inner monologues and dialogues with Oliver
6. 🎶Everyone is stupid, everyone is too stupid to live🎶 (sing to tune of Everything is Awesome)
Even the family lore entries couldn't save this boredom about a bunch of morons.
This book is a manual on: don't meddle, don't overshare, don't overstay, keep your distance from boys. So much could've been avoided if she just kept her mouth shut!
Haunted forest
Atmospheric
YA Magical realism
Small town
Witchy Family Lore
Slow Burn Mystery
Lonely mcs
Gosh, this book has left me feeling so cold
I don't know if it's me, but after the beginning which was really atmospheric and left me satisfied that this would be a sort of light creepy YA paranormal story, the pacing just became way too slow, with repetitions, and I started getting really frustrated with the mc, Nora. By chapter 4, at the 18% mark, I realised what was going on, so how could she not, having been raised by that witchy grandmother of hers?!
I kept asking Nora why did she care about the boy who supposedly died in a sort of obsessive way from the first time she heard about it. She's a Walker, made of darker stuff. She's supposed to live uninvolved. She's not a detective, they are cut off from the rest of the world due to a blizzard, and a death omen is following her. Why did she keep walking into danger, but only recoil from Oliver?!
Why it's a no
1. After the beginning, there's no more creepy forest even though that's what the blurb promised and why I'm here
2. Insta love
3. Nonsensical time lapses + no normal human routine: eating, sleeping, chores, gathering wood, BATHING
4. Mc with a death wish. Keeps angering possible murderers by playing awful detective after death omen and wandering off late at night with no sleep. When that doesn't work, decides to walk on frozen lake. Must I remind you they have no power, so no cops, no neighbours but an old man with arthritis
5. Repetitive drivel of inner monologues and dialogues with Oliver
6. 🎶Everyone is stupid, everyone is too stupid to live🎶 (sing to tune of Everything is Awesome)
Even the family lore entries couldn't save this boredom about a bunch of morons.
This book is a manual on: don't meddle, don't overshare, don't overstay, keep your distance from boys. So much could've been avoided if she just kept her mouth shut!
syraluna's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
This was really an amazing story. I can’t wait to read more from Shea!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Alcoholism and Bullying
Minor: Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Murder
emilye3's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 This book was very atmospheric and I’ve come to expect that from this author. Her writing flows so easily. I enjoyed reading this story and found that the history of the walker women were my favorite parts. This story is mysterious and enchanting and also dark. The few problems I Had were being lost with the plot and also the Intst-Love that took place. The magic was a little confusing too. Other than that it was still and enjoyable read.
iris_smith's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
fairiesdust's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
3.0
trixx_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Fairy tales have taught us not to go into the dark woods alone. Yet Nora does, as a descendant of an ancient witch family, she can't be harmed by the Forest. She spends her days alone since her grandmother died, because her mother is often away. She has no friends at school, as no one wants to give a witch a chance. Her only company is her dog, Fin, who is a half-wolf, so the locals are afraid of him too.
The mystery of Oliver was a challenge for me, and I only partially solved it. I had forgotten how the story of the missing boy and the dead boy could be connected. There were a few suspicious clues that led me to figure out what was going on with Oliver, but the Max case surprised me too. It's a bit of a coincidence that uncontrollable boys end up in this camp for a reason...
I really liked the way Nora and Oliver's love slowly built in the book. She also discovered her magical powers, which is more special than you might think. And all the time he blamed himself for what happened, but in the end it turned out that he wasn't the evil one at all.
The story was given a unique atmosphere by the short book excerpts that described the lives of the Walker family's most interesting witches. My favourite was Nora and her grandmother Iona.
If you are looking for a special winter read, I highly recommend Winterwood!
The mystery of Oliver was a challenge for me, and I only partially solved it. I had forgotten how the story of the missing boy and the dead boy could be connected. There were a few suspicious clues that led me to figure out what was going on with Oliver, but the Max case surprised me too. It's a bit of a coincidence that uncontrollable boys end up in this camp for a reason...
I really liked the way Nora and Oliver's love slowly built in the book. She also discovered her magical powers, which is more special than you might think. And all the time he blamed himself for what happened, but in the end it turned out that he wasn't the evil one at all.
The story was given a unique atmosphere by the short book excerpts that described the lives of the Walker family's most interesting witches. My favourite was Nora and her grandmother Iona.
If you are looking for a special winter read, I highly recommend Winterwood!
lunaenandromeda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
scepter's review against another edition
4.0
What a beautiful, whimsical book Winterwood is!
I am still enchanted by Nora Walkers' story, the dark and dangerous woods and the strange boy she finds there.
Everything moves in a poetical pace which slows the story down at times. But the magical voice of Shea Ernshaw keeps one under her spell and brings the mystery to a wonderful ending.
Also, the little stories of the Walker Women before Nora, told on black pages inbetween chapters, are a great look at the strange and witchy lifes her ancestors lived.
Overall I can see how this book may not appeal to everyone, but if you love slow and whimsical stories and stories where natural magic bleeds into real life, if you love narration similar to Maggie Stiefvater, then this is a book I wholeheartedly recommend.
I am still enchanted by Nora Walkers' story, the dark and dangerous woods and the strange boy she finds there.
Everything moves in a poetical pace which slows the story down at times. But the magical voice of Shea Ernshaw keeps one under her spell and brings the mystery to a wonderful ending.
Also, the little stories of the Walker Women before Nora, told on black pages inbetween chapters, are a great look at the strange and witchy lifes her ancestors lived.
Overall I can see how this book may not appeal to everyone, but if you love slow and whimsical stories and stories where natural magic bleeds into real life, if you love narration similar to Maggie Stiefvater, then this is a book I wholeheartedly recommend.
idratherliveinbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.0