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fallonheartss's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.5
davidcottington's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this from the first word to the last.
It’s such a messy little book but messy in a way that adds to the story.
It’s such a messy little book but messy in a way that adds to the story.
villagrandres's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Truly a creative book in many senses of the word. Love how the author plays with the syntax to create tension and horror. The twist was also quite surprising, and landed well for me and didn’t feel shoe horned or unbelievable.
kristadee16's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
Nonsensical, pretentious and painful to read. The story goes around in circles in a way that is maddening and really doesn’t end up anywhere significant when you reach the sweet relief of the final page.
ludacrystal414's review against another edition
2.0
I was all set to rate this a 4 star. Until that ending. Did not enjoy.
amelia_horseman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
songwind's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is very creepy and atmospheric. The narrative follows the narrator's changing perspective, including her mental deterioration, very deftly.
If you like horror stories about madness, claustrophobia, paranoia and monsters, you'll probably enjoy this one.
CW: pretty intense physical and emotional abuse against children and adults in this one.
If you like horror stories about madness, claustrophobia, paranoia and monsters, you'll probably enjoy this one.
CW: pretty intense physical and emotional abuse against children and adults in this one.
laurenkara's review against another edition
4.0
Read this review @ my blog Wonderless Reviews
** I was provided with a free copy of this book via Hachette Australia in exchange for an honest review **
Why do I always read books that impossible to review without giving away the entire plot? Anyway.
The Creeper Man is an atmospheric and haunting tale of two sisters – Silla and Nori. Silla and Nori have not had an easy home life which is evident in Silla’s withdrawn personality and Nori’s mutism. Things come to a head and they both escape from their old life and find themselves at their Aunt Cath’s mansion, La Baume. The mansion is surrounded by Python Wood and Aunt Cath warns the girls that they can never go back in there because of something she and her two sisters (one of those being Nori and Silla’s mother) did when they children. Despite Aunt Cath’s eccentric behaviour, Silla and Nori start to believe that they can start a new life at La Baume, but it doesn’t take long for things to change and they realise they’ve just substituted one hell for another.
What I loved the most about The Creeper Man was that at the start of some chapters there were “broken book entries” which kind of read like blackout poetry in the sense that certain words were bolded. There some really cool stylised pages too. The book, in general, was a lot more poetic and atmospheric than I was expecting. It wasn’t your usual kind of action packed horror. Sure there were some extremely grotesque and confronting scenes, but it was quite slow paced and almost felt like a Gothic Horror at times.
Dawn Kurtagich wrote Silla’s descent into madness brilliantly. I honestly felt like I was going mad myself along with her. If you’re triggered by intrusive thoughts please be careful if you decide to read this. I felt like they really helped you feel what Silla was experiencing, but I know some people can’t read things like that. I also want to warn you for a slight trigger warning involving eating disorders. You’ll probably be confused the entirety of the book. I feel like Silla’s madness, the scenes involving the trees closing in around the house along with The Creeper Man (who was very Slender Man-esque) were some of the strongest parts of the book. The neglect and malnourshment that Silla and Nori faced was extremely realitstic and not glossed over like it can be in a lot of YA books. You know how in some Dystopias where everyone still looks perfect even though they’re not supposed to have food ect? This definitely doesn’t happen here.
One thing that really confused me was when the story took place. It was supposed to be in the present, but there was talk of war and the style of writing and the way the characters spoke made it feel like it was set in the past. I’m not sure if it was intentional, but it definitely made me feel a little off while reading.
“three little girls
knelt by an alder
to summon a man
to be their protector
their game hard to bear
when protector turned
and gave them a scare!”
The mansion, La Baume, felt like its own character and I love when the settings in books feel alive. I enjoyed Nori and Silla as characters too. Nori was mute and Silla spoke to her in sign language and I thought it was great to see that represented in a book. Their sister relationship is strong and realistic despite the chaos around them. Silla does have a love interest and it is quite instalove-y. There’s a reason for this, but it’s still something I can never get behind.
The ending, like most horrors, was quite vague. I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m not sure I was a fan of it. It sort of seemed like it made the rest of the book redundant.
It’s hard to say much more without spoiling things and this is definitely a book where you need to discover things along with the characters. Overall, I did really enjoy this though. It was creepy, vivid and I was really caught up with what was happening. If you’re looking for a unique horror read then I definitely recommend that you check out The Creeper Man!
** I was provided with a free copy of this book via Hachette Australia in exchange for an honest review **
Why do I always read books that impossible to review without giving away the entire plot? Anyway.
The Creeper Man is an atmospheric and haunting tale of two sisters – Silla and Nori. Silla and Nori have not had an easy home life which is evident in Silla’s withdrawn personality and Nori’s mutism. Things come to a head and they both escape from their old life and find themselves at their Aunt Cath’s mansion, La Baume. The mansion is surrounded by Python Wood and Aunt Cath warns the girls that they can never go back in there because of something she and her two sisters (one of those being Nori and Silla’s mother) did when they children. Despite Aunt Cath’s eccentric behaviour, Silla and Nori start to believe that they can start a new life at La Baume, but it doesn’t take long for things to change and they realise they’ve just substituted one hell for another.
Rotting in your skin
rotting in your mind
you are rotting in this house
in this house you’ll die.
What I loved the most about The Creeper Man was that at the start of some chapters there were “broken book entries” which kind of read like blackout poetry in the sense that certain words were bolded. There some really cool stylised pages too. The book, in general, was a lot more poetic and atmospheric than I was expecting. It wasn’t your usual kind of action packed horror. Sure there were some extremely grotesque and confronting scenes, but it was quite slow paced and almost felt like a Gothic Horror at times.
Dawn Kurtagich wrote Silla’s descent into madness brilliantly. I honestly felt like I was going mad myself along with her. If you’re triggered by intrusive thoughts please be careful if you decide to read this. I felt like they really helped you feel what Silla was experiencing, but I know some people can’t read things like that. I also want to warn you for a slight trigger warning involving eating disorders. You’ll probably be confused the entirety of the book. I feel like Silla’s madness, the scenes involving the trees closing in around the house along with The Creeper Man (who was very Slender Man-esque) were some of the strongest parts of the book. The neglect and malnourshment that Silla and Nori faced was extremely realitstic and not glossed over like it can be in a lot of YA books. You know how in some Dystopias where everyone still looks perfect even though they’re not supposed to have food ect? This definitely doesn’t happen here.
One thing that really confused me was when the story took place. It was supposed to be in the present, but there was talk of war and the style of writing and the way the characters spoke made it feel like it was set in the past. I’m not sure if it was intentional, but it definitely made me feel a little off while reading.
“three little girls
knelt by an alder
to summon a man
to be their protector
their game hard to bear
when protector turned
and gave them a scare!”
The mansion, La Baume, felt like its own character and I love when the settings in books feel alive. I enjoyed Nori and Silla as characters too. Nori was mute and Silla spoke to her in sign language and I thought it was great to see that represented in a book. Their sister relationship is strong and realistic despite the chaos around them. Silla does have a love interest and it is quite instalove-y. There’s a reason for this, but it’s still something I can never get behind.
The ending, like most horrors, was quite vague. I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m not sure I was a fan of it. It sort of seemed like it made the rest of the book redundant.
It’s hard to say much more without spoiling things and this is definitely a book where you need to discover things along with the characters. Overall, I did really enjoy this though. It was creepy, vivid and I was really caught up with what was happening. If you’re looking for a unique horror read then I definitely recommend that you check out The Creeper Man!
And then it falls forward on all fours, long and thing and impossible, scuttling back ito the woods, head cocked up to me, grinning, until he is nothing but tree and shadow and I don’t know if I’ve seen it at all.
The Creeper Man.
Of all the things that thing could have been, a man is not it.
shaunareads's review against another edition
3.0
Half-way through this book I thought it was going to be a five star read, possibly on my favorites list. But then...the ending.
I.hated.it.
I felt like it ruined an otherwise unique and thrilling book.
I.hated.it.
I felt like it ruined an otherwise unique and thrilling book.