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lucybecool's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
meganlee3001's review against another edition
4.0
This book was just the right type of horror for me!
I loved the eerie goings on, the little hints that all was not well.
I really liked the characters and how they were developed and explored. I think Rob did a great job of introducing us to the select few residents.
The timing of this book was great. I liked how little bits were revealed here and there until ir gradually snowballed into this full scale horrorshow.
I will say, there was a couple of scenes in this book that were a little too weird for me but that's just personal taste.
The ending of this book was so shocking (in a great way). The writing was fantastic, the atmosphere was haunting.
Overall a great 4 star read!
Thank you to Rob Parker & Red Dog Press for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest
I loved the eerie goings on, the little hints that all was not well.
I really liked the characters and how they were developed and explored. I think Rob did a great job of introducing us to the select few residents.
The timing of this book was great. I liked how little bits were revealed here and there until ir gradually snowballed into this full scale horrorshow.
I will say, there was a couple of scenes in this book that were a little too weird for me but that's just personal taste.
The ending of this book was so shocking (in a great way). The writing was fantastic, the atmosphere was haunting.
Overall a great 4 star read!
Thank you to Rob Parker & Red Dog Press for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest
hrkershaw's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
karenrc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Brace yourselves, I think this is possibly my longest review ever!
I am not going to lie, it has taken me some time to get my thoughts together after finishing this book, but that is not necessarily a bad thing! The thoughts and words that were flying around my head straight after finishing would not have done this book justice and were mainly NSFW, but the over-riding thought is still, WTAF have I just read!
Full disclosure, I don't generally read horrors for a few reasons. Firstly, I do most of my reading at night before I go to sleep so can do without the scary stuff being in my head as I am dozing off. Secondly, the last time I read a creepy book at night, I almost throat-punched my own child when he ninja'd up to my side of the bed! I screamed, which made the peacefully sleeping dog next to me jump, who then kicked my also sleeping husband square in the balls! Nobody got much sleep that night, everyone was in a mood for days, it wasn't fun. So you can see why I was slightly apprehensive! But, I have followed Rob on the socials for a while now, seen him on some virtual book events and am a regular listener to podcasts he is on, and he comes across as a genuine, chatty bloke with a cheeky, infectious laugh. How bad could it be?!
The first half of this book kind of pootles along setting the scene, introducing all the characters, while a general creepy undertone settles around the estate that the new residents are all moving to. It is testament to the writing that despite the unsettled atmosphere and every warning sign going, you feel compelled to read on. There are some very believable, relatable characters here and you will no doubt identify any and all the residents as similar to those in your own neighbourhood. I am declaring it now though, best character for me was Dewey!
From about halfway though, the creepiness dials up to full-on terrifying and shit gets well and truly real! But by that point the author has drawn you in, got you invested in the story and concerned about the characters, so buckle up, you are in it for the long haul! For two nights running, I had to put this book down when I got to certain parts (baby monitor and kitchen island - if you know, you know!) and carry on the following day, in daylight, with some very loud Biffy Clyro playing, as there was no way I would have slept if I had carried on with it!
I won't say any more about the plot because I think the less you know going in the better, but honestly, from a non-horror reader, this book is worth the disturbance for the excellent storytelling and brilliant characters.
I am not going to lie, it has taken me some time to get my thoughts together after finishing this book, but that is not necessarily a bad thing! The thoughts and words that were flying around my head straight after finishing would not have done this book justice and were mainly NSFW, but the over-riding thought is still, WTAF have I just read!
Full disclosure, I don't generally read horrors for a few reasons. Firstly, I do most of my reading at night before I go to sleep so can do without the scary stuff being in my head as I am dozing off. Secondly, the last time I read a creepy book at night, I almost throat-punched my own child when he ninja'd up to my side of the bed! I screamed, which made the peacefully sleeping dog next to me jump, who then kicked my also sleeping husband square in the balls! Nobody got much sleep that night, everyone was in a mood for days, it wasn't fun. So you can see why I was slightly apprehensive! But, I have followed Rob on the socials for a while now, seen him on some virtual book events and am a regular listener to podcasts he is on, and he comes across as a genuine, chatty bloke with a cheeky, infectious laugh. How bad could it be?!
The first half of this book kind of pootles along setting the scene, introducing all the characters, while a general creepy undertone settles around the estate that the new residents are all moving to. It is testament to the writing that despite the unsettled atmosphere and every warning sign going, you feel compelled to read on. There are some very believable, relatable characters here and you will no doubt identify any and all the residents as similar to those in your own neighbourhood. I am declaring it now though, best character for me was Dewey!
From about halfway though, the creepiness dials up to full-on terrifying and shit gets well and truly real! But by that point the author has drawn you in, got you invested in the story and concerned about the characters, so buckle up, you are in it for the long haul! For two nights running, I had to put this book down when I got to certain parts (baby monitor and kitchen island - if you know, you know!) and carry on the following day, in daylight, with some very loud Biffy Clyro playing, as there was no way I would have slept if I had carried on with it!
I won't say any more about the plot because I think the less you know going in the better, but honestly, from a non-horror reader, this book is worth the disturbance for the excellent storytelling and brilliant characters.
screamdogreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Something is very, very wrong at Blackstoke. A once dormant force awakens to bring bloodshed and evil to this tiny community...
Things start out innocently enough. A few strange things happen, sure. But that's life right? Sometimes, things just happen. As the story progresses, however, you realize that something far more sinister is lurking just around the corner. This book is exactly my kind of horror. Absurd weirdness and a haunting atmosphere joining forces will always be a win for me.
This being my first book by Rob Parker, I went in not knowing what to expect. The first thing to jump out at me is the sheer brilliance that he creates characters with. Every single character felt like a real person, they were fleshed out, raw, flawed people. Some I loved, some I hated with a fiery passion, but I couldn't help but feel massively impacted by each of their stories.
The less you know going in, the better, let this be an experience. Visit Blackstoke, and enjoy seeing what horrors await you.
Things start out innocently enough. A few strange things happen, sure. But that's life right? Sometimes, things just happen. As the story progresses, however, you realize that something far more sinister is lurking just around the corner. This book is exactly my kind of horror. Absurd weirdness and a haunting atmosphere joining forces will always be a win for me.
This being my first book by Rob Parker, I went in not knowing what to expect. The first thing to jump out at me is the sheer brilliance that he creates characters with. Every single character felt like a real person, they were fleshed out, raw, flawed people. Some I loved, some I hated with a fiery passion, but I couldn't help but feel massively impacted by each of their stories.
The less you know going in, the better, let this be an experience. Visit Blackstoke, and enjoy seeing what horrors await you.
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