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laurenleigh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
While I think this was a great story written well, I cannot believe they had not one, not two, but three TERRIBLE narrators. It makes me wonder if the direction is to blame, because they all had such a flat, lifeless, weak tone. I’m referring to the three main characters, who do 90% of the book. The first narrator who does just the first chapter was amazing and totally got me hooked. If it wasn’t for that stellar opening, I would not have kept on. This reading experience was a practice in separating narrator from text, because the work itself was quite good. It was an interesting plot, especially in this time, and I can’t help but compare the characters’ fear of Rot with our fears of Covid. Not that they are the same by any means, but it was a thought-provoking read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Confinement, and Xenophobia
gm_vak's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Violence, Ableism, Infidelity, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Torture, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, and Medical trauma
jademrosas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A History of Wild Things is atmospheric, mysterious and engaging. I really enjoyed the book overall because I believe Ernshaw was able to take the reader into the minds of the characters but also into Pastoral. I will say that, for me, the downside was how predictable it was. The reveals weren’t entirely revealing since I was able to see them pretty early on in the book and I did feel like the ending was slightly rushed. However, despite it being predictable, I still felt the story and writing was compelling enough to keep reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
tamara_joy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
As the back cover says, "a riveting, atmospheric thriller" is right.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Pregnancy, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Death
Minor: Alcoholism, Gun violence, and Fire/Fire injury
tormerritt's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Have you ever had a book hangover?
Where you can't start another book because you are still living in the most recent book you read? You constantly think about it even after the last page is finished? The emotions you experienced while reading it still remain... That is what I am feeling currently over, A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw.
I had to take a while to think about this review because I know anything that I write, won't give justice to this incredible book.
A History of Wild Places is about a man named Travis Wren who is hired as a last ditch effort to find Maggie St James, a children's author who has gone missing. Travis is known for his psychic abilities and is able to see "after images" or memories of another person with a touch of an object that belonged to them. Travis starts on a quest to find Maggie, but ends up finding a lot more than expected. I don't want to go into too much more detail and give away the book.
Ernshaw has such a rich and beautiful writing style, you feel mesmerized by the words on the page and transported in to this confusing, but also, enchanting and wild place. With this gorgeous prose, she invokes a sense of dread and darkness throughout this book. This story completely enveloped me and I've never felt so immersed or lost within a book. What a phenomenal, thrilling, and unique experience this was.
If you are fascinated with commune living/cults, nature, the PNW wilderness you should go pick this up ASAP. If you want a tense, atmospheric, and mysterious read.... GO BUY THIS BOOK! I will never stop reccomending this one. As with all of the books I read, please check TW!
I'm sad that it is over and need so much more of this book. I want to read it over and over again. It is absolutely a new five-star favorite and it will remain displayed on my shelf, as it is truly a work of art.
Thank you Shea Ernshaw for creating a truly amazing reading experience for me. You are a new favorite author and I have purchased all of your other books immediately after reading A History of Wild Places. I cannot wait to dive into them! (I am most excited for Long Live the Pumpkin Queen coming out in July!) ❤
Where you can't start another book because you are still living in the most recent book you read? You constantly think about it even after the last page is finished? The emotions you experienced while reading it still remain... That is what I am feeling currently over, A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw.
I had to take a while to think about this review because I know anything that I write, won't give justice to this incredible book.
A History of Wild Places is about a man named Travis Wren who is hired as a last ditch effort to find Maggie St James, a children's author who has gone missing. Travis is known for his psychic abilities and is able to see "after images" or memories of another person with a touch of an object that belonged to them. Travis starts on a quest to find Maggie, but ends up finding a lot more than expected. I don't want to go into too much more detail and give away the book.
Ernshaw has such a rich and beautiful writing style, you feel mesmerized by the words on the page and transported in to this confusing, but also, enchanting and wild place. With this gorgeous prose, she invokes a sense of dread and darkness throughout this book. This story completely enveloped me and I've never felt so immersed or lost within a book. What a phenomenal, thrilling, and unique experience this was.
If you are fascinated with commune living/cults, nature, the PNW wilderness you should go pick this up ASAP. If you want a tense, atmospheric, and mysterious read.... GO BUY THIS BOOK! I will never stop reccomending this one. As with all of the books I read, please check TW!
I'm sad that it is over and need so much more of this book. I want to read it over and over again. It is absolutely a new five-star favorite and it will remain displayed on my shelf, as it is truly a work of art.
Thank you Shea Ernshaw for creating a truly amazing reading experience for me. You are a new favorite author and I have purchased all of your other books immediately after reading A History of Wild Places. I cannot wait to dive into them! (I am most excited for Long Live the Pumpkin Queen coming out in July!) ❤
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Death, and Blood
apiora215's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Murder
brittishliterature's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow, this book wasn't quite what I expected and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was hesitant to read it, but I'd seen good reviews and wanted to branch out a bit from my usual genres. This was an atmospheric, emotional, reflective, slow-paced thriller set in a rural/forest landscape. At first, I was worried it might get too creepy/disturbing for me, but it never did and I liked that (I'm not much for media that leaves me scared to be home alone at night in the dark or constantly thinking someone's gonna be in my house to murder me lol).
It was dark and twisty with a touch of magical realism and beautiful imagery. I thought some of the plot twists were more clarifying than shocking but still very good. I enjoyed the flow of the narrative and where the journey took me as a reader from beginning to end. I definitely would recommend this book.
It was dark and twisty with a touch of magical realism and beautiful imagery. I thought some of the plot twists were more clarifying than shocking but still very good. I enjoyed the flow of the narrative and where the journey took me as a reader from beginning to end. I definitely would recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Gaslighting
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Infidelity, and Medical content
Minor: Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Suicide
kenzieb1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Confinement
Moderate: Murder and Alcoholism
Minor: Pregnancy, Gun violence, Murder, Infidelity, and Domestic abuse
elliez's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Review to come after I process my thoughts on the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pregnancy, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Gun violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexual content
bandysbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
A missing person mystery with magical realism and descriptive literary writing? Sign me up immediately.
The plot of this story isn't the most revolutionary. An author goes missing after a trip into the woods. A private investigator with supernatural abilities is sent out to find her. What follows is a beautifully written, winding story of her disappearance. There are plot twists, most of which I could easily predict, but it kept me entertained.
The main characters are all relatively interesting. Travis, the investigator, has the ability to see past memories when he touches things. Maggie St. James left behind some creepy children's books. And as we meet the members of Pastoral, we slowly are introduced to several charismatic characters as well. (Don't want to say much more because of spoilers)
What made this book so magical was the writing. It is simply gorgeous. It was such a vivid and visceral experience. I could imagine every scene in great detail. There was a magical quality to it all, even as the plot started to get darker. Atmospheric. Eerie. At times creepy. It's just the perfect mix.
All in all, if you like mystery, magical realism, and literary fiction, I think this just may be the book for you! It was definitely my favorite read in January.
The plot of this story isn't the most revolutionary. An author goes missing after a trip into the woods. A private investigator with supernatural abilities is sent out to find her. What follows is a beautifully written, winding story of her disappearance. There are plot twists, most of which I could easily predict, but it kept me entertained.
The main characters are all relatively interesting. Travis, the investigator, has the ability to see past memories when he touches things. Maggie St. James left behind some creepy children's books. And as we meet the members of Pastoral, we slowly are introduced to several charismatic characters as well. (Don't want to say much more because of spoilers)
What made this book so magical was the writing. It is simply gorgeous. It was such a vivid and visceral experience. I could imagine every scene in great detail. There was a magical quality to it all, even as the plot started to get darker. Atmospheric. Eerie. At times creepy. It's just the perfect mix.
All in all, if you like mystery, magical realism, and literary fiction, I think this just may be the book for you! It was definitely my favorite read in January.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Murder, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, and Violence