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sea_caummisar's review
This is a creepy vacay story. Twin sisters and a small dog embark on a journey that will forever change their lives.
The beginning chapters set the tone for a creepy setting. A small town where things feel off. Not to mention a couple large guard dogs, oh and some sort of evil ceremony performed in the middle of the night by the town people.
This is a rare read in the sense it's not often that I read a book with violence against children and animals. Those scenes were brief, and very pertinent to the storyline. So I get it, it was written with a purpose, and helped some things make sense.
The ending was fine, but did leave me with a couple questions. I have a feeling I would have to read the rest of the series to get the answers I'm looking for.
The beginning chapters set the tone for a creepy setting. A small town where things feel off. Not to mention a couple large guard dogs, oh and some sort of evil ceremony performed in the middle of the night by the town people.
This is a rare read in the sense it's not often that I read a book with violence against children and animals. Those scenes were brief, and very pertinent to the storyline. So I get it, it was written with a purpose, and helped some things make sense.
The ending was fine, but did leave me with a couple questions. I have a feeling I would have to read the rest of the series to get the answers I'm looking for.
mxsallybend's review
3.0
Although a little uneven in its pacing, and often more creepy than terrifying, 7 Days in Hell caught my interest with the first chapter and kept me reading, curious as to where it was all headed,
Iseult Murphy has a way with words and a flair for detail that creates the perfect atmosphere for the story. The opening pages introduce us to the pungent country, the smell of death, and the animal excrement and decaying rodent bodies squelching beneath our feet, and it's all we can do not to see and smell the village. She draws us in with the creepiest of moments, such as the young girl rubbing her dead cat all over Irene's chest and belly, and then shocks us with a roar, a dark shape lunging, and startling white teeth snapping. The juxtaposition of the two is where the power of the narrative lies.
Vicky and Irene are strong characters to lead the story, twin sisters with their own distinct personalities who are engaging and relatable. They bicker and argue, and don't always agree, but there's an unmistakable bond there that allows us to hope for the best. Although I was fearing the same old dog-saves-the-day trope, Ronnie is actually an interesting addition to the story, with a satisfyingly dark role to play in the climax. The village of Basard and its Halloween celebration are what attracted me to the book in the first place, and that setting is everything I could have hoped for, with odd townsfolk (Fergal especially), unnerving events, peculiar mysteries, and just enough doubt to genuinely wonder just what was real.
That said, the story is a bit wordy at times, with a lot of filler in the first third that I think holds the story back. I was curious, and I liked the book, but it didn't really become a page-turner until the last few chapters. Perversely perhaps, as much as I enjoyed the spectacle of ritual and loved the mindless hunger, I did chafe a bit against the holy salvation of Father McBride - it's just one of those horror tropes that sort of defeats my interest. All in all, though, 7 Days in Hell is a satisfyingly dark and sometimes gory slice of horror, one where nobody is safe and survival is pretty much as happy an ending as we can hope for.
https://beauty-in-ruins.blogspot.com/2021/04/horror-book-review-7-days-in-hell-by.html
Iseult Murphy has a way with words and a flair for detail that creates the perfect atmosphere for the story. The opening pages introduce us to the pungent country, the smell of death, and the animal excrement and decaying rodent bodies squelching beneath our feet, and it's all we can do not to see and smell the village. She draws us in with the creepiest of moments, such as the young girl rubbing her dead cat all over Irene's chest and belly, and then shocks us with a roar, a dark shape lunging, and startling white teeth snapping. The juxtaposition of the two is where the power of the narrative lies.
Vicky and Irene are strong characters to lead the story, twin sisters with their own distinct personalities who are engaging and relatable. They bicker and argue, and don't always agree, but there's an unmistakable bond there that allows us to hope for the best. Although I was fearing the same old dog-saves-the-day trope, Ronnie is actually an interesting addition to the story, with a satisfyingly dark role to play in the climax. The village of Basard and its Halloween celebration are what attracted me to the book in the first place, and that setting is everything I could have hoped for, with odd townsfolk (Fergal especially), unnerving events, peculiar mysteries, and just enough doubt to genuinely wonder just what was real.
That said, the story is a bit wordy at times, with a lot of filler in the first third that I think holds the story back. I was curious, and I liked the book, but it didn't really become a page-turner until the last few chapters. Perversely perhaps, as much as I enjoyed the spectacle of ritual and loved the mindless hunger, I did chafe a bit against the holy salvation of Father McBride - it's just one of those horror tropes that sort of defeats my interest. All in all, though, 7 Days in Hell is a satisfyingly dark and sometimes gory slice of horror, one where nobody is safe and survival is pretty much as happy an ending as we can hope for.
https://beauty-in-ruins.blogspot.com/2021/04/horror-book-review-7-days-in-hell-by.html
leonareads's review
4.0
In the days coming up to Halloween, twins Vicky and Irene Murtagh, as well as Irene's little schnauzer Ronnie, journey to the countryside of Southern Ireland for a getaway holiday. They end up staying in the village of Basard which at first looks like a sleepy little town with no internet connection and not much else to do. But then there's the town's strange pagan history, the sounds of distant crowds at night and the unnerving behaviour of some townsfolk.
I don't want to say too much else about the plot because I don't want to spoil anything. But once this story picks up, it never really stops. There is an ensemble of characters who I found myself wanting to know more about. The Brennans in particular!
I loved the relationship between the two sisters. It was a well written and believable siblingship. Despite being polar opposites and the occasional spat, Vicky and Irene are each other's allies. They're family and they love each other. I also loved the dog, Ronnie, because who doesn't love a miniature schnauzer.
Another aspect I loved was the Irish colloquialisms, being Irish myself. I've read plenty of stories set in Ireland, that don't read like they're set in Ireland. I really enjoyed the author's use of some Irish sayings. I loved the setting of this book. The way the author described the town of Basard made me think of all the little out of the way Irish towns that I've visited (although my journeys never turned out the way Vicky and Irene's did).
This is the first book of what will be a series and I actually cannot wait to read the next installment. I want to see more of the story's villain who in all honesty was horrifying. That character's backstory is one I would definitely like to see delved into in the next installments. I felt like in this book, you get a glimpse of how evil they are but I would like to see how they got to that point.
I will give a trigger warning for violence particularly toward animals and children.
I received a copy of this book from Blackthorn Book Tours with a request for an honest review.
I don't want to say too much else about the plot because I don't want to spoil anything. But once this story picks up, it never really stops. There is an ensemble of characters who I found myself wanting to know more about. The Brennans in particular!
I loved the relationship between the two sisters. It was a well written and believable siblingship. Despite being polar opposites and the occasional spat, Vicky and Irene are each other's allies. They're family and they love each other. I also loved the dog, Ronnie, because who doesn't love a miniature schnauzer.
Another aspect I loved was the Irish colloquialisms, being Irish myself. I've read plenty of stories set in Ireland, that don't read like they're set in Ireland. I really enjoyed the author's use of some Irish sayings. I loved the setting of this book. The way the author described the town of Basard made me think of all the little out of the way Irish towns that I've visited (although my journeys never turned out the way Vicky and Irene's did).
This is the first book of what will be a series and I actually cannot wait to read the next installment. I want to see more of the story's villain who in all honesty was horrifying. That character's backstory is one I would definitely like to see delved into in the next installments. I felt like in this book, you get a glimpse of how evil they are but I would like to see how they got to that point.
I will give a trigger warning for violence particularly toward animals and children.
I received a copy of this book from Blackthorn Book Tours with a request for an honest review.
cyireadbooks's review
2.0
Perhaps my expectations were too high with 7 Days in Hell. The title was catchy but the content fell short of what I expected to be a spine-chilling novel. I'm not new to the horror genre so I probably was a little biased inasmuch as I love the writings of George Romero and Stephen King. That being said, 7 Days in Hell was somewhat of a disappointment.
I can't divulge the plot without giving away the story. But if you read the description, it should give you at least a hint of what to expect.
If you are new to the horror genre, then this book should give you the scare that you want and/or crave. For me, however, it was an okay two star read.
I received a digital copy of the book from Blackthorn Book Tours. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
I can't divulge the plot without giving away the story. But if you read the description, it should give you at least a hint of what to expect.
If you are new to the horror genre, then this book should give you the scare that you want and/or crave. For me, however, it was an okay two star read.
I received a digital copy of the book from Blackthorn Book Tours. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
ruth5garcia5's review
4.0
Murphy never disappoints to deliver engaging stories, fun characters, and a creepy storyline.
Irene and Vicky wanted a holiday to get away from their lives and go to a small town with its quirks. Things start off well but halfway through, I was getting anxious with each page I turned. The characters, setting, and plot were on point. I really enjoyed the little dog, Ronnie. The town was pretty awesome and made me want to visit a town like that on a real holiday (not in this situation, lol).
I love the page-turning adrenaline that I get from reading Murphy's book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book 7 weeks in hell in 2021. :)
Irene and Vicky wanted a holiday to get away from their lives and go to a small town with its quirks. Things start off well but halfway through, I was getting anxious with each page I turned. The characters, setting, and plot were on point. I really enjoyed the little dog, Ronnie. The town was pretty awesome and made me want to visit a town like that on a real holiday (not in this situation, lol).
I love the page-turning adrenaline that I get from reading Murphy's book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book 7 weeks in hell in 2021. :)
crunden's review
5.0
“Run,” screamed the primal, fight or flight part of her. “Run before they eat you.”
I don't read a whole lot of horror. (I still need to finish The Exorcist, which I'm like 1/3 of the way through.) But pitch me a horror novel (really, a novel, poem, song, etc) set in Ireland and I'm so there.
This book follows Vicky and Irene, twin sisters, and their dog Ronnie, as they take a sojourn to a small Irish town and quickly find far more than they bargained for.
DUN DUN DUN.
THINGS GET SCARY QUICK, M'KAY???
I loved how immersive Murphy's writing is. There's such great detail and atmosphere in the scene setting. She really paints a vivid, terrifying tale. Poor Irene, Vicky and Ronnie :(
This is a book horror fans should definitely check out - and it appears there's a sequel, too!
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
I don't read a whole lot of horror. (I still need to finish The Exorcist, which I'm like 1/3 of the way through.) But pitch me a horror novel (really, a novel, poem, song, etc) set in Ireland and I'm so there.
This book follows Vicky and Irene, twin sisters, and their dog Ronnie, as they take a sojourn to a small Irish town and quickly find far more than they bargained for.
DUN DUN DUN.
THINGS GET SCARY QUICK, M'KAY???
I loved how immersive Murphy's writing is. There's such great detail and atmosphere in the scene setting. She really paints a vivid, terrifying tale. Poor Irene, Vicky and Ronnie :(
This is a book horror fans should definitely check out - and it appears there's a sequel, too!
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
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