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sarahthereadingaddict's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was full of Intrigue and I was so gripped. I really enjoyed something a bit different because I usually like a romance novel.
This book is exciting and keeps you involved right from the beginning.
Whiteland is a brilliant book and I think the concept of it is so interesting, nothing like I've read before.
The twoing and froing between Kira and Callum is quite amusing in parts and I was looking forward to seeing what was going to happen with them
When Kira is in her dreams I feel like I'm there in her dreams with her, its so we'll written.
I really enjoyed the references to Game of Thrones and Lord of the rings.
Lastly I loved at the end of the book at you find out Whiteland is based where the author lives. It sounds both spooky and beautiful.
This book is exciting and keeps you involved right from the beginning.
Whiteland is a brilliant book and I think the concept of it is so interesting, nothing like I've read before.
The twoing and froing between Kira and Callum is quite amusing in parts and I was looking forward to seeing what was going to happen with them
When Kira is in her dreams I feel like I'm there in her dreams with her, its so we'll written.
I really enjoyed the references to Game of Thrones and Lord of the rings.
Lastly I loved at the end of the book at you find out Whiteland is based where the author lives. It sounds both spooky and beautiful.
capnlinnius's review
2.0
I received an e-ARC through NetGalley.
Rated 2.5/5 rounded down.
I'm not quite sure what to say about this book. It felt as though I read two different books; the first half of this was a strange supernatural horror-ish story, the second half was a fairy tale about sacrifice. The main reason I'm not rating this higher is this inconsistent feel of the style. It reminded me of the book Hekla's Children, which is another book I very much enjoyed, but which read as two very different types of stories.
The best part of this was definitely the language; poetic and compelling and fitting with the fairy tale vibes. Although some of the pop-culture references felt unnecessary and forced, overall I enjoyed the writing a lot.
The less good was the inconsistency in POV and the attempts at twists that weren't very surprising. There was really no need to throw in random little chapters from a minor character's POV here and there. And I've seen other reviewers say the ending was unexpected, but I just felt as though we didn't read the same book.
I admit to being a bit disappointed on the whole. But if you're looking for a new adult dark fairy tale, this may well be the book for you.
Rated 2.5/5 rounded down.
I'm not quite sure what to say about this book. It felt as though I read two different books; the first half of this was a strange supernatural horror-ish story, the second half was a fairy tale about sacrifice. The main reason I'm not rating this higher is this inconsistent feel of the style. It reminded me of the book Hekla's Children, which is another book I very much enjoyed, but which read as two very different types of stories.
The best part of this was definitely the language; poetic and compelling and fitting with the fairy tale vibes. Although some of the pop-culture references felt unnecessary and forced, overall I enjoyed the writing a lot.
The less good was the inconsistency in POV and the attempts at twists that weren't very surprising. There was really no need to throw in random little chapters from a minor character's POV here and there. And I've seen other reviewers say the ending was unexpected, but I just felt as though we didn't read the same book.
I admit to being a bit disappointed on the whole. But if you're looking for a new adult dark fairy tale, this may well be the book for you.
seang81's review
2.0
I was intrigued by the opening of this book - a young woman lost in the woods stumbles upon a spooky occurrence...however, the novel then stumbled as much as the protagonist with a fantastical spin that really was not for me. An 'okay' novel, one I finished but felt a little bit of a slog.
disconightwing's review
3.0
I have no idea how to describe how I feel about this one. I didn’t like it was much as I thought I would, but I enjoyed it more than I feel like I should have.
Generally speaking, Kira and her family are on vacation in Switzerland when her sister goes out for a walk at night and nearly dies. She is somehow changed when she gets back, terrifying and otherworldly and her parents just seem to want to pretend like it’s not happening. She makes friends with a local boy, Callum, who helps her even though no one is exactly sure why he would.
I felt for Kira throughout this book, mostly because the real horror seemed to be how childish her parents were and how much they relied on her to be the adult... it continued on in the most annoyingly unacknowledged way and that was truly frustrating.
The horror elements are based on Scandinavian folklore and are passably frightening, at least in the beginning—I feel like this lost me around halfway and I never really got back into it again. It seemed like it had a little too much filler, especially around the middle. But I still generally liked it... perhaps it reminded me more of a screenplay than a novel.
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Generally speaking, Kira and her family are on vacation in Switzerland when her sister goes out for a walk at night and nearly dies. She is somehow changed when she gets back, terrifying and otherworldly and her parents just seem to want to pretend like it’s not happening. She makes friends with a local boy, Callum, who helps her even though no one is exactly sure why he would.
I felt for Kira throughout this book, mostly because the real horror seemed to be how childish her parents were and how much they relied on her to be the adult... it continued on in the most annoyingly unacknowledged way and that was truly frustrating.
The horror elements are based on Scandinavian folklore and are passably frightening, at least in the beginning—I feel like this lost me around halfway and I never really got back into it again. It seemed like it had a little too much filler, especially around the middle. But I still generally liked it... perhaps it reminded me more of a screenplay than a novel.
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
pbanditp's review
2.0
Romy went out overnight and was returned changed. She was found in the snow by Callum and she should be dead. Instead she was violent and not herself. Romy’s sister, Kira goes to see where Callum found her older sister and the two of them find themselves in another world. They endlessly walk though the woods and on a road only to end up back at the resort where they started. Eventually all of Kira’s family goes missing and Kira and Callum risk their lives to find them.
The writing was interesting, almost a cross between poetic and English as a second language. Some very unique phrases and word choices.
DNF. I got 65% of the way through before I decided to quit. There are just to many good books out there to force myself to read something that I am not enjoying. Not compelling at all. The characters were okay but nothing had been explained and I did not care enough to find out.
The writing was interesting, almost a cross between poetic and English as a second language. Some very unique phrases and word choices.
DNF. I got 65% of the way through before I decided to quit. There are just to many good books out there to force myself to read something that I am not enjoying. Not compelling at all. The characters were okay but nothing had been explained and I did not care enough to find out.
pbanditp's review against another edition
2.0
Romy went out overnight and was returned changed. She was found in the snow by Callum and she should be dead. Instead she was violent and not herself. Romy’s sister, Kira goes to see where Callum found her older sister and the two of them find themselves in another world. They endlessly walk though the woods and on a road only to end up back at the resort where they started. Eventually all of Kira’s family goes missing and Kira and Callum risk their lives to find them.
The writing was interesting, almost a cross between poetic and English as a second language. Some very unique phrases and word choices.
DNF. I got 65% of the way through before I decided to quit. There are just to many good books out there to force myself to read something that I am not enjoying. Not compelling at all. The characters were okay but nothing had been explained and I did not care enough to find out.
The writing was interesting, almost a cross between poetic and English as a second language. Some very unique phrases and word choices.
DNF. I got 65% of the way through before I decided to quit. There are just to many good books out there to force myself to read something that I am not enjoying. Not compelling at all. The characters were okay but nothing had been explained and I did not care enough to find out.
nerdontheloose's review
3.0
A family of four is on a vacation at a secluded, and snowy Swiss mountain village. One of the daughters goes out at night, to get some air, and enjoy some freedom. But something dark and dreary creeps into her, and what comes back the next morning, is not her, is not even human!
This is a folk-lore cum dark-fantasy and horror all merged into one. The first thing I noticed was how well written it is, even at times, when the story stopped working for me, I continued because of the writing, and I think it was the writing style and the tone of the writing that made it a 100 times more creepy than the story was supposed to be.
The starting hooked me in completely, but then it all went downhill from there. The atmosphere is eerie and creepy from the get-go and only increased in intensity as the story progressed. There were typical jump scares and characters all mindlessly doing what they weren’t supposed to, just like in a horror movie, lol. But it all worked till the middle of the story, and then it became a chore for me to continue. It did pick up a bit towards the ending, and I think the ending made up for everywhere it lacked previously, I love dark endings and this one delivered just that.
I think this story is more suited for a younger audience, I found the witty back and forth between the characters ill-timed and sometimes jarring to read, especially given the circumstances. Having said that, I think it’ll do great if it’s adapted for the screen, it has all the components to make it there and do well.
Thanks to Netgalley, author and publishers for a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a folk-lore cum dark-fantasy and horror all merged into one. The first thing I noticed was how well written it is, even at times, when the story stopped working for me, I continued because of the writing, and I think it was the writing style and the tone of the writing that made it a 100 times more creepy than the story was supposed to be.
The starting hooked me in completely, but then it all went downhill from there. The atmosphere is eerie and creepy from the get-go and only increased in intensity as the story progressed. There were typical jump scares and characters all mindlessly doing what they weren’t supposed to, just like in a horror movie, lol. But it all worked till the middle of the story, and then it became a chore for me to continue. It did pick up a bit towards the ending, and I think the ending made up for everywhere it lacked previously, I love dark endings and this one delivered just that.
I think this story is more suited for a younger audience, I found the witty back and forth between the characters ill-timed and sometimes jarring to read, especially given the circumstances. Having said that, I think it’ll do great if it’s adapted for the screen, it has all the components to make it there and do well.
Thanks to Netgalley, author and publishers for a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
loreofthebooks's review
1.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was looking forward to a good scary book -- the cover was cool and the description was interesting. However, when I got into the book it was not at all what I thought. I had many issues with this book, and unfortunately, I don't really have anything positive to say about it. I wish I did, but sadly, there was nothing in this book that would convince me that this was a final draft.
The problems start with the writing, which, while isn't horrible, just feels very juvenile. I like prose filled writing, but the writing in this book was so stitled and awkward, as was the dialogue. It made reading the book very, very difficult.
The other issue is I was bored during this book. So very, very bored. I wanted to be invested, but I didn't like the characters, I didn't like the plot once we got into it. And this was only at 13%! But I decided to give the whole book a go in hopes there was something redeeming. At 30% and then 60% there was nothing that was redeeming. In fact, the whole book felt very disjointed overall. Nothing worked, nothing was cohesive. It was one big mess.
This was not a good book -- it wasn't for me, and I could not recommend it. There were just too many issues.
I was looking forward to a good scary book -- the cover was cool and the description was interesting. However, when I got into the book it was not at all what I thought. I had many issues with this book, and unfortunately, I don't really have anything positive to say about it. I wish I did, but sadly, there was nothing in this book that would convince me that this was a final draft.
The problems start with the writing, which, while isn't horrible, just feels very juvenile. I like prose filled writing, but the writing in this book was so stitled and awkward, as was the dialogue. It made reading the book very, very difficult.
The other issue is I was bored during this book. So very, very bored. I wanted to be invested, but I didn't like the characters, I didn't like the plot once we got into it. And this was only at 13%! But I decided to give the whole book a go in hopes there was something redeeming. At 30% and then 60% there was nothing that was redeeming. In fact, the whole book felt very disjointed overall. Nothing worked, nothing was cohesive. It was one big mess.
This was not a good book -- it wasn't for me, and I could not recommend it. There were just too many issues.
bubblewombat's review
4.0
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I fell in love with this book, slowly and then all at once.
The setting, the writing style (so flowy, hell, even the chapter names rhyme), the characters, the mythology...
Kira is on holiday with her family and all is well...except it isn't. Her sister Romy goes missing (twice), so naturally, Kira teams up with the adorably funny Callum to find her. That doesn't go as planned. Where it does go, however, is definitely not what I expected.
The spookiness is perfect till around 30 something %, after that it gets a bit slow but picks right back up near half of the book and oh boy, it delivers. It delivers strong. At that point I honestly couldn't put it down. It was sooooo good.
The people and the creatures Kira and Callum meet on the way are proper fairytale material and I'm definitely going to look some of those things up.
And the ending, LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT SHALL WE? What a cruel way to leave the reader hanging, I love it. I was about ready to throw my phone away when I got to the acknowledgements and saw it was part of a trilogy. PHEW, PHONE SAVED. I'll eagerly be awaiting the continuation of this magical story.
So why four stars and not five?
The previously mentioned slowness and some scenes could've done with a little less description. Almost perfect but not quite.
I fell in love with this book, slowly and then all at once.
The setting, the writing style (so flowy, hell, even the chapter names rhyme), the characters, the mythology...
Kira is on holiday with her family and all is well...except it isn't. Her sister Romy goes missing (twice), so naturally, Kira teams up with the adorably funny Callum to find her. That doesn't go as planned. Where it does go, however, is definitely not what I expected.
The spookiness is perfect till around 30 something %, after that it gets a bit slow but picks right back up near half of the book and oh boy, it delivers. It delivers strong. At that point I honestly couldn't put it down. It was sooooo good.
The people and the creatures Kira and Callum meet on the way are proper fairytale material and I'm definitely going to look some of those things up.
And the ending, LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT SHALL WE? What a cruel way to leave the reader hanging, I love it. I was about ready to throw my phone away when I got to the acknowledgements and saw it was part of a trilogy. PHEW, PHONE SAVED. I'll eagerly be awaiting the continuation of this magical story.
So why four stars and not five?
The previously mentioned slowness and some scenes could've done with a little less description. Almost perfect but not quite.