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theaceofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
2.5
I had such high hopes for this book. The story of a queer park ranger exploring some mysterious woods and the dark secrets they hide sounded great to me. And it starts off so strong as well. Unfortunately things start faltering a bit towards the middle. I don't know if it's personal taste or if this part was edited less (in which case it might have changed by the final release), but it just didn't work as well for me anymore. I feel like some ideas could have had more of an impact if they had been explored a bit more, allowing for a deeper investment what was happening to our characters. Things do pick up again towards the end of the main action, but the weaker middles meant that I felt like I missed something and it didn't hit as hard as I think it was meant to.
While I didn't love this book, I'm sure others will. It is definitely dark and creepy with an interesting mysterious hidden world if that is the kind of horror you enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
While I didn't love this book, I'm sure others will. It is definitely dark and creepy with an interesting mysterious hidden world if that is the kind of horror you enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Gore
Minor: Blood, Self harm, and Animal death
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
rmnedder's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Disclaimer: thank you to NetGalley and Quill & Crow for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was enthralled with this book from start to finish. The premise is really intriguing to begin with, but the opening brings you right into the thick of things and doesn't stop moving until the story ends. The prose is so atmospheric and immersive, and the world is well-built. The pacing of the plot was very effective; Bontrager is excellent at weaving in little details and building the foundations of intrigue for the incredibly impactful reveals she sets up for later. It's part of what kept me so invested!
The characters are well-developed, for the most part; I do wish we could have known more about Delilah or Roman. Each of the individual relationships between Theo and the other characters is so nuanced and specific—particularly her relationships with Quinn and Flora—and it's part of what brings a lot of life to a story that deals with a lot of death. I will admit I found Theo to be a bit standoffish at first, and it took me a minute to warm up to her. That being said, once I did warn up to her I found Theo to be a wonderful narrator and protagonist; she's raw, she's earnest, she's determined, and she cares so deeply that it heightens the stakes of the entire rest of the story.
Overall, this was a fantastically spooky and heart wrenching read that left me wanting more long after I had put it down.
I was enthralled with this book from start to finish. The premise is really intriguing to begin with, but the opening brings you right into the thick of things and doesn't stop moving until the story ends. The prose is so atmospheric and immersive, and the world is well-built. The pacing of the plot was very effective; Bontrager is excellent at weaving in little details and building the foundations of intrigue for the incredibly impactful reveals she sets up for later. It's part of what kept me so invested!
The characters are well-developed, for the most part; I do wish we could have known more about Delilah or Roman. Each of the individual relationships between Theo and the other characters is so nuanced and specific—particularly her relationships with Quinn and Flora—and it's part of what brings a lot of life to a story that deals with a lot of death. I will admit I found Theo to be a bit standoffish at first, and it took me a minute to warm up to her. That being said, once I did warn up to her I found Theo to be a wonderful narrator and protagonist; she's raw, she's earnest, she's determined, and she cares so deeply that it heightens the stakes of the entire rest of the story.
Overall, this was a fantastically spooky and heart wrenching read that left me wanting more long after I had put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Suicide, and Body horror
Minor: Vomit
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