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bookeduntil's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Alcohol, Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Body horror, and Blood
Moderate: Vomit, Car accident, and Self harm
Minor: Abandonment
jes's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
casexoxo's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This book is one of the best, most well suspense books I have read since reading The Silent Patient. And I felt more reward and resolve and amaze reading this book. I don’t know how Megan, the author, did it, but Theo and Quinn specifically are you and the person you love the most. Whether it’s your friend, sibling, partner, that’s them and you feel it like you’ve known those characters forever.
The world she creates is amazing. I haven’t experienced anything of that magnitude since reading a wrinkle in time nearly 20 years ago. Her world is complex, thoughtful, and so relatable. I truly can’t wait to follow this author and this publishing company. What an incredible experience it was to read this story.
The world she creates is amazing. I haven’t experienced anything of that magnitude since reading a wrinkle in time nearly 20 years ago. Her world is complex, thoughtful, and so relatable. I truly can’t wait to follow this author and this publishing company. What an incredible experience it was to read this story.
ddeevvviinn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Reading this book felt like falling down a rabbit hole of unexpected turns.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book, felt more like a possible psychological horror or a "what's hunting in the woods" kind of vibes.
Then about halfway thru the book there is a pretty significant theme change. There are going to be some that are very disappointed and felt like they were reading two different books. I, however, actually enjoyed the change. It went in a direction I was not expecting and I was waiting for the next twist.
I wasn't a fan of really any of the characters, but I liked that they weren't "likable" they had issues, there was deep rooted problems that actually translated into how differently people handle grief and trauma. Felt more realistic.
I enjoyed the read and if you're down for a little adventure this is a easy book to pick up and read. I'm curious with what else this author will come out with.
*Thank you to Quill and Crow Publishing House, NetGalley, & the Author for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review*
I really enjoyed the first half of the book, felt more like a possible psychological horror or a "what's hunting in the woods" kind of vibes.
Then about halfway thru the book there is a pretty significant theme change. There are going to be some that are very disappointed and felt like they were reading two different books. I, however, actually enjoyed the change. It went in a direction I was not expecting and I was waiting for the next twist.
I wasn't a fan of really any of the characters, but I liked that they weren't "likable" they had issues, there was deep rooted problems that actually translated into how differently people handle grief and trauma. Felt more realistic.
I enjoyed the read and if you're down for a little adventure this is a easy book to pick up and read. I'm curious with what else this author will come out with.
*Thank you to Quill and Crow Publishing House, NetGalley, & the Author for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review*
thenightingalereads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Eye of the Ouroboros is a fast paced, action-packed prose, punctuated with skin-picking suspense. I was also drawn in with the poetically illustrative language that usually eludes this genre, for the most part. I have so many highlighted lines on my Kindle. Bontrager has skillfully weaved sci-fi jargon with literary elements seamlessly, making for a truly immersive reading experience. The setting is also slightly reminiscent of the Upside Down in Stranger Things, so fans of the series, you might want to pick this one up!
The magic limitations in the Eye of Ouroboros was fantastic, playing on blood sacrifice and the concept of giving an eye for an eye. In my opinion, this concept very much supported the character development and made it more emotionally gutting to have to say goodbye to the characters.
Bontrager’s skill for beautiful prose made her debut novel so impressive, paving the way for her future works to be anticipated greatly.
I highly recommended this to fans of Stephen Chbosky's Imaginary Friend, and fans of Stranger Things.
I highly recommended this to fans of Stephen Chbosky's Imaginary Friend, and fans of Stranger Things.
eila's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Title: Eye of the Ouroboros
Author: Megan Bontrager
Genres: Horror, LGBTQIA
Pub Date: 15 Apr 2024
Pages: 270
Format: EPUB
Rating: ⭐️⭐️.5 (2.5/5), rounded up to 3 on NetGalley for the author's first attempt.
This debut novel felt like it would tick a lot of boxes for me: horror/sci-fi mashup, queer park ranger, a mystery to solve, all set in moody Appalachia? Brilliant!
Things start off relatively strong despite the first-person narration (something that really needs to be done with intent to work well), with a tense first chapter, but overall this novel could really have used stronger editing.
Others have already expanded on the plot points and where they falter, but for me the characterisation is the weakest link here. The MC lacks individuality, and the supporting cast are a cookie-cutter collection of Good Ol' "Normal" Folks, "Weird" Folks, and I Read Too Much Creepypasta. It's a shame, because the writing itself is solid enough, and it's clear that with better support & guidance there was the capacity for depth here.
The setting also never really feels genuine; I don't know if the author has spent much/any time in rural West Virginia, but the descriptors always just felt like Generic Backwoods Americana rather than anything approaching the distinct & tangible identity of this region. Don't get me wrong, there've been plenty of badly-pigeonholed takes on WV/Appalachia in general, but this doesn't just feel sanitised - it feels displaced, and the novel may as well have taken place anywhere, and could have done with just a few words swapped about.
I concur with others who mentioned the time/space-bending qualities of the 'Loki' TV series - the comparison is pretty linear, and I didn't enjoy the author's attempts at this any more than I did the series. No points off for that, however, as it's just not my cup of tea.
I did my best to finish this, as I really wanted to give this novel every opportunity to improve, but unfortunately I DNF at 78% - I honestly just didn't care enough about the characters, or find the plot or writing enjoyable enough, to push the rest of the way through.
Thank you to Quill and Crow Publishing House, NetGalley, and the Author for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
#EyeoftheOuroboros #NetGalley
Author: Megan Bontrager
Genres: Horror, LGBTQIA
Pub Date: 15 Apr 2024
Pages: 270
Format: EPUB
Rating: ⭐️⭐️.5 (2.5/5), rounded up to 3 on NetGalley for the author's first attempt.
This debut novel felt like it would tick a lot of boxes for me: horror/sci-fi mashup, queer park ranger, a mystery to solve, all set in moody Appalachia? Brilliant!
Things start off relatively strong despite the first-person narration (something that really needs to be done with intent to work well), with a tense first chapter, but overall this novel could really have used stronger editing.
Others have already expanded on the plot points and where they falter, but for me the characterisation is the weakest link here. The MC lacks individuality, and the supporting cast are a cookie-cutter collection of Good Ol' "Normal" Folks, "Weird" Folks, and I Read Too Much Creepypasta. It's a shame, because the writing itself is solid enough, and it's clear that with better support & guidance there was the capacity for depth here.
The setting also never really feels genuine; I don't know if the author has spent much/any time in rural West Virginia, but the descriptors always just felt like Generic Backwoods Americana rather than anything approaching the distinct & tangible identity of this region. Don't get me wrong, there've been plenty of badly-pigeonholed takes on WV/Appalachia in general, but this doesn't just feel sanitised - it feels displaced, and the novel may as well have taken place anywhere, and could have done with just a few words swapped about.
I concur with others who mentioned the time/space-bending qualities of the 'Loki' TV series - the comparison is pretty linear, and I didn't enjoy the author's attempts at this any more than I did the series. No points off for that, however, as it's just not my cup of tea.
I did my best to finish this, as I really wanted to give this novel every opportunity to improve, but unfortunately I DNF at 78% - I honestly just didn't care enough about the characters, or find the plot or writing enjoyable enough, to push the rest of the way through.
Thank you to Quill and Crow Publishing House, NetGalley, and the Author for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
#EyeoftheOuroboros #NetGalley
bookishbyjennaavh's review
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
1.0
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
This was a DNF for me.
I’m pretty bummed because when I first got this I was so excited and the first chapter was amazing and had me hooked. Then the FMC became insufferable, unreliable and just not good.
The writing took a down hill turn fast and at one point when she kept talking about the flask and her drinking I wondered if this verbiage was meant to mimic being drunk. But I don’t think that’s the case.
I got pretty far but I couldn’t take it any longer. The fmc contracted herself constantly and was angry at how people choose to grieve and then would circle back and say she felt the same way.
I’m really disappointed because I wanted to love this. It had all the makings of a book I love but the character being this unlikable for me is a pass, I can’t connect with her
dliterate's review
4.0
Thanks to Quill and Crow Publishing House for making Eye of the Ouroboros by Megan Bontrager available as an ARC on Netgalley.
In Eye of the Ouroboros, Theo has dedicated herself to searching for and rescuing those who have gone missing in the woods that claimed her sister as a child. While her life falls apart around her as she struggles with the strain of not being able to find her, she starts to experience increasingly strange things, both at work and at home. With the help of her best friend Quinn, her ex-girlfriend Delilah, a conspiracy theorist named Wesley and his informant, Roman, Theo will find that the world is a much bigger and scarier place than she could have realised; and the woods aren't the only thing watching her from the shadows.
To start with the positives: Megan Bontrager is a great writer. Not only was her prose rich and compelling, but she did a really great job of defining most of her characters in no time at all. The core group in particular are not only outlined as individuals, but their inter-group dynamics are well-established as well.
The world that these characters inhabit is also fleshed out really well, and there are some genuinely spooky moments when things start to take a turn.
There is, however, a weird tonal shift from about the 54% to 70% mark, where we go from a paranormal story to what's essentially a heist story. This didn't completely lose me, but it definitely didn't keep me as engaged as what came before and after. I'd also argue that the 70% mark is the emotional peak of the book, with what comes after not having the same impact despite being narratively appropriate.
I also found the Big Bad to be a bit hollow when compared to the other characters, which was a bit disappointing. Not because what we get is bad, but because it doesn't live up to the standard set by the rest of the writing.
All that said and done, I'm glad I read this; and if there were to be a sequel, I'd definitely pick it up. I'd like more time in this world.
Rating: 4/5
Eye of the Ouroboros will be available from the 15th of April, 2024.
In Eye of the Ouroboros, Theo has dedicated herself to searching for and rescuing those who have gone missing in the woods that claimed her sister as a child. While her life falls apart around her as she struggles with the strain of not being able to find her, she starts to experience increasingly strange things, both at work and at home. With the help of her best friend Quinn, her ex-girlfriend Delilah, a conspiracy theorist named Wesley and his informant, Roman, Theo will find that the world is a much bigger and scarier place than she could have realised; and the woods aren't the only thing watching her from the shadows.
To start with the positives: Megan Bontrager is a great writer. Not only was her prose rich and compelling, but she did a really great job of defining most of her characters in no time at all. The core group in particular are not only outlined as individuals, but their inter-group dynamics are well-established as well.
The world that these characters inhabit is also fleshed out really well, and there are some genuinely spooky moments when things start to take a turn.
There is, however, a weird tonal shift from about the 54% to 70% mark, where we go from a paranormal story to what's essentially a heist story. This didn't completely lose me, but it definitely didn't keep me as engaged as what came before and after. I'd also argue that the 70% mark is the emotional peak of the book, with what comes after not having the same impact despite being narratively appropriate.
I also found the Big Bad to be a bit hollow when compared to the other characters, which was a bit disappointing. Not because what we get is bad, but because it doesn't live up to the standard set by the rest of the writing.
All that said and done, I'm glad I read this; and if there were to be a sequel, I'd definitely pick it up. I'd like more time in this world.
Rating: 4/5
Eye of the Ouroboros will be available from the 15th of April, 2024.
shae_w_reads's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Do you remember the late 2000s, when CreepyPasta was all the rage and one could spend hours going down the rabbit hole of horror that could be found there? That is precisely the vibe of Eye of the Ouroboros: a sometimes chaotic, sometimes horrifying, entertaining ride through a mix of horror, scifi, and human nature. None of the characters, except Quinn, are good people, and honestly I liked it that way. I loved the grief and unhealthy ways it manifested in nearly all the cast. Was Theo a drunk and borderline abusive to her friends sometimes? Sure. Was she also grieving and dealing with trauma and reacting in a very human way? Also yes.
I'll admit there were some wild plot twists, and not always in the best way. There were some odd shifts in theme and some things just came out of nowhere. But if I'm just going on vibes, this book was a lot of fun.
"You fight and fight— for what? To die valiantly ? Or to die at the hands of your own hubris?”
There are some genuinely poignant and meaningful lines throughout. The ending brought me to tears over several chapters and I wouldn't change a thing about how it ended. Not a thing.
I believe this is a debut novel for this author and if so, this is a great first impression. I'll be watching for more from Megan going forward!
I'll admit there were some wild plot twists, and not always in the best way. There were some odd shifts in theme and some things just came out of nowhere. But if I'm just going on vibes, this book was a lot of fun.
"You fight and fight— for what? To die valiantly ? Or to die at the hands of your own hubris?”
There are some genuinely poignant and meaningful lines throughout. The ending brought me to tears over several chapters and I wouldn't change a thing about how it ended. Not a thing.
I believe this is a debut novel for this author and if so, this is a great first impression. I'll be watching for more from Megan going forward!