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georgie_kc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dcgu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anomieus's review
4.0
∞ ∞ ∞
Now that I have finished it I need to reread it... such a difficult one to describe.
Prehistoric myth and legend, time-travel, anthropology, alternate dimensions, an ♾ loop of a plot that was cleverly crafted, topped off with The Furies/Fates...
Now that I have finished it I need to reread it... such a difficult one to describe.
Prehistoric myth and legend, time-travel, anthropology, alternate dimensions, an ♾ loop of a plot that was cleverly crafted, topped off with The Furies/Fates...
bubacill's review against another edition
2.0
This book could have been half its size with the same exact plot. It was messy, disjointed, & gruesome without seemingly any point. The characters were hard to connect to or sympathize with but, also: what did Nathan do that was so deserving of the terrible fate he ended up with?? The two stars are for the interesting plot & what could have been.
kipahni's review against another edition
3.0
I might have read this book to fast but I never did figure out what or who the hekla is in Heckla’s children?
Still I found a new genre to me that I enjoyed-the fantasy horror history intersection.
Still I found a new genre to me that I enjoyed-the fantasy horror history intersection.
stephanimichelle's review against another edition
4.0
Nathan Brookes was really not having a good day, the woman he was seeing was not happy with him, leading to him being distracted when he was supposed to be looking after four teenagers on a school trip.
That few minutes of distraction changes the course of his life, when the children go missing. Nathan is questioned over the incident and no one believes his story that they walked over a wooden bridge into a forest. There is no forest, there is no bridge.
A day later, one of the missing kids, Olivia Crawford, is found at the spot she went missing. She is severely dehydrated, and claims to have no memory of what happened, or where the others are.
Still under suspicion from the authorities and parents of the missing teenagers, Nathan leaves his job and becomes a mountaineering guide in North Wales.
Ten years later, his ex Sue contacts him via Facebook, sending a news article about a body that has been found in the bogs of Sutton Park. Nathan is drawn back to the place where his life fell apart, but is it the body of one of the missing children, or something far more insidious?
Dr Tara Doumani is an Osteoarchaeologist, who’s expertise is called upon to identify the body found in the park. At first, it seems very clear cut, the body is obviously a bog mummy, and carbon dating proves it was placed there 3,000 years ago. The body couldn’t possibly belong to one of the missing teenagers… or could it?
Nathan and Tara are flung together by events triggered thousands of years ago, and taking place now. Because it’s happening now. It’s always happening now.
This book was not what I expected. It seems to constantly change genres as you progress through the book. Hekla’s Children starts out as thriller/mystery, turns into outright horror halfway through, and then transforms into a fantasy novel. I also really loved the bits about North Wales (wooo).
This book is creepy, graphic, visual, slow burning and incredibly gory. There are also random bits that make you giggle. Ultimately, this is a story about one man’s realisation that he has become the thing he despises most.
If you’re a fan of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman or Thomas Olde Heuvelt you will love this book.
I gave this book 4/5 stars - it was excellent, but there were a few bits where I found it a bit slow going.
That few minutes of distraction changes the course of his life, when the children go missing. Nathan is questioned over the incident and no one believes his story that they walked over a wooden bridge into a forest. There is no forest, there is no bridge.
A day later, one of the missing kids, Olivia Crawford, is found at the spot she went missing. She is severely dehydrated, and claims to have no memory of what happened, or where the others are.
Still under suspicion from the authorities and parents of the missing teenagers, Nathan leaves his job and becomes a mountaineering guide in North Wales.
Ten years later, his ex Sue contacts him via Facebook, sending a news article about a body that has been found in the bogs of Sutton Park. Nathan is drawn back to the place where his life fell apart, but is it the body of one of the missing children, or something far more insidious?
Dr Tara Doumani is an Osteoarchaeologist, who’s expertise is called upon to identify the body found in the park. At first, it seems very clear cut, the body is obviously a bog mummy, and carbon dating proves it was placed there 3,000 years ago. The body couldn’t possibly belong to one of the missing teenagers… or could it?
Nathan and Tara are flung together by events triggered thousands of years ago, and taking place now. Because it’s happening now. It’s always happening now.
This book was not what I expected. It seems to constantly change genres as you progress through the book. Hekla’s Children starts out as thriller/mystery, turns into outright horror halfway through, and then transforms into a fantasy novel. I also really loved the bits about North Wales (wooo).
This book is creepy, graphic, visual, slow burning and incredibly gory. There are also random bits that make you giggle. Ultimately, this is a story about one man’s realisation that he has become the thing he despises most.
If you’re a fan of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman or Thomas Olde Heuvelt you will love this book.
I gave this book 4/5 stars - it was excellent, but there were a few bits where I found it a bit slow going.
ktxx22's review against another edition
I’m DNFing this book at 28% because I couldn’t care less about these characters or the mystery if I’m honest. It’s apparently supposed to get horror but yawn I don’t want to wait for it. Life’s too short to power through books you aren’t enjoying. Remember that kids.
hayleysf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
2.0
The setup is a mysterious disappearance, but that is thoroughly explained and the second half of the book is, well, more fantasy than horror and not in a way that tickled me. The two star rating is not a reflection on the quality of the book, it just wasn't my cup of tea. If you enjoy bog body horror, you might like this one: [b:The Bog|454705|The Bog|Michael Talbot|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327939548s/454705.jpg|1334797]
the_evergrowing_library's review against another edition
4.0
What we have here is a mystery fused with folklore/mythology and horror. I could say a lot more about what else makes it up, but then we’re running into spoiler territory!
I enjoyed Brogdens style of writing and it felt a little like a modern James Herbert. The plot, which I will be honest was a little confusing to follow at times, was expansive and covered both ground and story. The research of the story details, geography and presumably folklore felt looked into and well developed.
I did enjoy the book overall but found it difficult to connect to the characters a lot of the time and there were definitely some decisions made that i feel could have benefited from a little more explanation.
A decent novel that went in directions you don’t see regularly.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
I enjoyed Brogdens style of writing and it felt a little like a modern James Herbert. The plot, which I will be honest was a little confusing to follow at times, was expansive and covered both ground and story. The research of the story details, geography and presumably folklore felt looked into and well developed.
I did enjoy the book overall but found it difficult to connect to the characters a lot of the time and there were definitely some decisions made that i feel could have benefited from a little more explanation.
A decent novel that went in directions you don’t see regularly.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4