Scan barcode
sheramelton's review against another edition
4.0
I have no idea why everyone seems to have such an issue with this book. It was great! Even in the parts where nothing scary was happening at the moment, there was a sense of dread and fear built up that kept you edgy. Maybe being from a small rural southern town I can just relate a lot more than most people. But things in the book were done in the way they actually happen. Teens hide their sexuality for fear of being persecuted for it. People lie, and even kill, to protect their friends and families pasts and cover things up. That is just how it is. The ending was great. At first I thought she was going in the direction I didn't want her to go. The easy predictable way out. Then there was surpise after surprise after surprise.
gdeweerd's review against another edition
2.0
This book had a lot of potential: layers to the story, a prevalent sense of evil and unease, and hints of something supernatural - but something felt flat.
I didn't connect with the characters. A lot of the unsettling elements were brought up once and then ignored. The townies hate people of the Glen, but why? It's mentioned and then never brought up again other than to describe a character's disfigurement. The plot moved pretty slowly, and only at the end it picks up to the point I missed details because it was all happening at once.
Definitely an author to watch, but this wasn't a strong debut.
I didn't connect with the characters. A lot of the unsettling elements were brought up once and then ignored. The townies hate people of the Glen, but why? It's mentioned and then never brought up again other than to describe a character's disfigurement. The plot moved pretty slowly, and only at the end it picks up to the point I missed details because it was all happening at once.
Definitely an author to watch, but this wasn't a strong debut.
librarianlex's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The May Queen Murders has been on my TBR list for over a year now. I don't remember exactly where I saw the title mentioned, but it struck me as something I would enjoy. "Dark, dangerous, and drippingly gothic," has been used to describe the book. Lately I have been reading dark-fantasy, mysteries, or something with an element of horror. Sarah Jude's novel, The May Queen Murders did not disappoint.
Like most books on my TBR list, I see the cover, see a quote or quick description, and decide it sounds like something I want to read. More often than not I don't read reviews, summaries, or anything else about the book. I just go with my gut. I was pleasantly surprised by this title. I knew there were sapphic and horror elements, but not much more than that. Similar to the Village, Rowan's Glen is commune like and a self-sufficient town, set apart from the modern world, a town full of old-fashioned superstitions, traditions, and secrets. "Stay on the roads. Don’t enter the woods. Never go out at night."
The best part of The May Queen Murders's for me was the overall vibe, it's a Southern Gothic horror mystery that really delivers on both the horror and the mystery aspects. I was so intrigued and drawn in by Rowan's Glen and its residents, traditions, and murders. From the title to the prologue, the entire experience felt ominous. At times there are silvers of hope and falling in love, the backdrop of spring creating a false sense of security when the realty of the story is sinister. Written in first person, the secrets unfolded as if you are experiencing them yourself. I was constantly anticipating the next bad thing that would happen. There were a few too many twists making things hard to keep up with. It was a very atmospheric and eerie read that managed to be quite gripping at times and the end payoffs are worth it. If you're looking for an unexpected, spooky read, I suggest adding this to your TBR stacks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Drug use
liz1004's review
2.0
I honestly can't believe I finished this book. It just wasn't for me, what with all the animal cruelty and death. I can deal with human death a lot better in my books than animal. Anyway, I was mildly interested in the story, so it got 2 stars but it was just disappointing for me.
wolfyreader's review
3.0
This book had an interesting start that captured my interest right off the first page. It got difficult to read at times, trying to understand the characters took work. There are twists and turns you don't see coming. It's just graphic enough to keep you interested it you like violence.
delirium23's review
1.0
Read for the book with a month or day in the title category for the Popsugar 2017 Reading Challenge
This book hardly made sense. I only have negative things to say, I will leave it at that.
This book hardly made sense. I only have negative things to say, I will leave it at that.
amdame1's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. Great title, cover, and premise, but the content falls flat.
Set in Rowan's Glen, which feels very Appalachian in nature. This village has the fell of a cult set apart from the nearby town. Years ago a girl who had been named as May Queen was murdered and the Glen has never been the same since. Families also use the name of the alleged murderer to scare small children into behaving as it is said that he still lives in the woods just outside the glen.
Now small animals are being killed and everyone is afraid that the murderer has returned.
Pace is pretty slow throughout until it races to a slapdash conclusion with several huge and unexpected plot twists. If the rest of the book had been as good as the ending, it would have gotten a much higher rating from me.
Set in Rowan's Glen, which feels very Appalachian in nature. This village has the fell of a cult set apart from the nearby town. Years ago a girl who had been named as May Queen was murdered and the Glen has never been the same since. Families also use the name of the alleged murderer to scare small children into behaving as it is said that he still lives in the woods just outside the glen.
Now small animals are being killed and everyone is afraid that the murderer has returned.
Pace is pretty slow throughout until it races to a slapdash conclusion with several huge and unexpected plot twists. If the rest of the book had been as good as the ending, it would have gotten a much higher rating from me.
inkdrinkerpdx's review
3.0
I struggled to finish this book. It started out strong but I found myself not caring about the characters or paying attention to the words I was reading.
Ivy kind of made me crazy but I did like how she was half Mexican. You don’t get a lot of heroines that’s are. The best part of the story was when the whole mystery unraveled in the last 10 pages.
This also kind of reminded me of that movie The Village.
Ivy kind of made me crazy but I did like how she was half Mexican. You don’t get a lot of heroines that’s are. The best part of the story was when the whole mystery unraveled in the last 10 pages.
This also kind of reminded me of that movie The Village.
ideallyportia's review
5.0
Everybody knows if you go in those woods, there’s a chance you ain’t coming out.
I loved this book. I had a feeling I was going too, but it really did give me what I wanted. I was glued to the pages, and I just couldn’t get enough. This is a really great debut novel.
May Queen takes place in an incredibly small town, that does things in all of the oldest ways. There are no cell phones, or other modern conveniences. What the town of Rowans Glen does have is a dark history. Because of this, everyone knows to stay out of the woods, don’t travel alone at night. Keep to the main roads, and all that jazz. But there are plenty of horrors waiting for the towns people that will come right to their doorstep. The woods aren’t the only problem. Our protagonist, Ivy, gets caught up in everything and is the unfortunate one that uncovers so many secrets.
One of my favorite things about this book was that the town (Ivy especially) heavily believes in old superstitions. I love it. There are so many throughout the book that I find so interesting. Not only that, but they have teas they brew for just about everything, from headaches to nightmares. Everything is passed down from generation to generation. This all helps to really provide that feeling of how old the town is and how close knit all of the families are.
“A bird in a house means death is flyin’ about.”
My absolute favorite thing about this book was how ominous it felt the entire time. Nothing ever felt light or good. It was sinister and Gothic. I was constantly anticipating the next bad thing that would happen. And there was blood. And I love when things get bloody. It actually reminded me of another book I read in the fall, and LOVED. Daughters Unto Devils by [a:Amy Lukavics|7372372|Amy Lukavics|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-6a03a5c12233c941481992b82eea8d23.png] (click the title if you would like to see my review!). It was very different, but provided that same ominous feeling, everything being so eerie and bloody. So if you liked this book, check that out, and vice versa.
Something I would like to point out about this book is that is a tiny tiny bit sexual a couple of times. Like, not New Adult levels of sexual, but sexy on a young adult level in a way I didn’t expect. So this creepy, eerie book even has some mild sensual moments. Lol…. random, I know, and unexpected, but very well written. I wonder what Jude could do with a New Adult novel???
Anyway, I loved it. I definitely recommend checking this out!!
**Original review can be found at No BS Book Reviews!**
iheartya311's review
3.0
Creepy, dark and weird. Just what I expected. The Mayqueen Murders is a good fall read. I would have rated it a 4 instead of 3 but it
had pacing issues and some aspects seemed implausible. The first half was a slow burn but I really sunk my teeth into it after that. I may have nightmares tonight.
had pacing issues and some aspects seemed implausible. The first half was a slow burn but I really sunk my teeth into it after that. I may have nightmares tonight.