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chewbekka1893's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
unicornpng's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Loved it!!! Admittedly I had to trudge through the very beginning, but as soon as Harrow Lake and some of the supporting characters started getting fleshed out I was hooked! I loved the mystery and discovering things along with our protag Lola, watching her slowly unravel at the seams.
With most horror/thriller novels, I always feel like the ending gets rushed. I feel that's somewhat the case with Harrow Lake, but it feels much more earned compared to some other books I've read lately. There have been breadcrumbs left here and there, so it feels more like a payoff than a frantic rush to the finish line.
Honestly, the worst thing I can say about this book is that it's over! I want to read more!
With most horror/thriller novels, I always feel like the ending gets rushed. I feel that's somewhat the case with Harrow Lake, but it feels much more earned compared to some other books I've read lately. There have been breadcrumbs left here and there, so it feels more like a payoff than a frantic rush to the finish line.
Honestly, the worst thing I can say about this book is that it's over! I want to read more!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Domestic abuse and Sexual assault
kaylo88's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Reading this book was a wild ride, leaving me unsure of whether I enjoyed it or not. The author's writing style is incredibly atmospheric and there were moments where I was completely engrossed in the story. I found myself feeling just as confused and lost as the main character, Lola, which is a testament to the author's ability to craft a compelling narrative.
One of the most impressive aspects of the book was how it showcased how real life can be more terrifying than fiction. The author cleverly wove in elements of psychological horror, making it difficult to discern what was real and what was imagined. The result was a deeply unsettling reading experience that kept me on edge throughout the book.
Despite this, I found the characters to be a bit tedious, if not outright annoying. Lola's repeated use of the word "optimal" was grating and made me want to pull my hair out. While I couldn't say that I particularly liked her as a character, I did feel empathy for her and understood how her traumatic experiences had shaped her personality.
Overall, I don't think I'd want to read this book again, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. I'd give it a solid three stars.
One of the most impressive aspects of the book was how it showcased how real life can be more terrifying than fiction. The author cleverly wove in elements of psychological horror, making it difficult to discern what was real and what was imagined. The result was a deeply unsettling reading experience that kept me on edge throughout the book.
Despite this, I found the characters to be a bit tedious, if not outright annoying. Lola's repeated use of the word "optimal" was grating and made me want to pull my hair out. While I couldn't say that I particularly liked her as a character, I did feel empathy for her and understood how her traumatic experiences had shaped her personality.
Overall, I don't think I'd want to read this book again, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. I'd give it a solid three stars.
nguyeent's review
2.5
0.5 star knowing that its for YA and I am not the target audience
this book was a SLOG to get through even by audio, there is a whole lot of...nothing? I get the protagonist is unlikeable esp as a teenager so i'm not deducting the book for that. Even the plot twists at the end I definitely saw it coming and wasn't too surprised cause....all the signs are kinda there.....
this book was a SLOG to get through even by audio, there is a whole lot of...nothing? I get the protagonist is unlikeable esp as a teenager so i'm not deducting the book for that. Even the plot twists at the end I definitely saw it coming and wasn't too surprised cause....all the signs are kinda there.....
theduchess93's review against another edition
5.0
WOW. It's been a few weeks since I finished reading this book and I still can't stop thinking about it, despite having read several books since. The setting, the characters, the southern gothic family drama with a swirl of urban legends and cult horror films that may be more than they seem?? Yes ABSOLUTELY sign me up! I wish this book came out sooner than August because I want everyone I know to read it ASAP.
perjacxis's review against another edition
4.0
“He got trapped underground for a really long while,
Then he fed on the dead and got a brand-new smile ...”
Oh wow. I picked this up because Kirsty Logan recommended it (and when she recommends creepy books I definitely need them) but almost regretted buying it while reading the first 60 pages or so. The writing style didn’t win me over immediately and the main character Lola is not necessarily likeable nor very engaging. But while reading I got to understand her better. Some of her choices don’t seem logical but I enjoyed the journey into her thoughts and learning how messed up the relationship with her father is.
This book definitely has some delightfully creepy moments. My horror-loving heart loved reading it in the dark. All the elements of a small town with secrets, creepy legends and missing persons work so well together. I loved reading about Nightjar and would definitely watch this film if it were real.
Unfortunately, there were some loose ends otherwise this could have been a 5-star read for me.
kellsbells374's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. It had a good amount of mystery and even though some of that was from the narrator's own faulty memory it was done in a way that made the reader feel they were figuring it out with her as opposed to being tricked. I enjoyed the audiobook narration also.
moreteawesley's review against another edition
3.0
Well that was one of the more annoying protagonists I’ve encountered. As an homage to creepy small towns in horror movies, this was fairly entertaining and definitely atmospheric, but the plot was kind of a disjointed mess. More style than substance.
callentha's review against another edition
2.0
2,5 ⭐️ Maybe horror is just not my genre. Who knows. Yes this was creeping at different points and I liked the ending but mostly it was confusing.