Scan barcode
mfrisk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
White Horse is a book about family history, addiction, friendship, and growing up. It is not necessarily a horror/thriller book which will throw action at you from the very beginning but is more of a character study and slow build. I really enjoyed getting to learn about the characters and their motivations as I felt it was very important to the main characters journey to find her mom. To me it showed she needed the support of all those around her to face what occurred towards the end of the book.
While there were some aspects I didn’t love such as Debby accepting Jake back into her life and the dismissiveness of his bad behavior I think at least leading up to that there is commentary around their relationship which shows how toxic it is. Otherwise loved where this story takes us and it’s discussion of tougher topics.
While there were some aspects I didn’t love such as Debby accepting Jake back into her life and the dismissiveness of his bad behavior I think at least leading up to that there is commentary around their relationship which shows how toxic it is. Otherwise loved where this story takes us and it’s discussion of tougher topics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Death, Child death, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Gun violence, and Car accident
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Ableism and Forced institutionalization
sampetsdogs's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Urban Indian Kari James has had a hard life, and it gets even harder after her cousin Debby unearths an old family bracelet that belonged to Kari's mother. When Kari touches the heirloom, it unlocks something within her and she begins having visions of her mother's ghost and a monster from Chickasaw lore. To put her mother's spirit to rest and defeat the monster, Kari embarks on a journey to discover what happened to her mother all those years ago.
I have conflicted feelings about this book. I was hesitant to pick it up because it was advertised as horror, but after finishing it I would say it's more of a magical realism mystery. I did find the first half of the book to be mildly creepy with Cecilia's ghost and the Lofa monster. There was a creep factor in the second half of the book as well, but only because of the way that Debby's abusive husband and the appearance of a child molester are handled...this part really gave me the ick. Disclaimer -- these issues weren't technically handled improperly, but I just don't vibe with that whole "be the bigger person" and "the victim can't grow and move on without forgiving their abuser" tripe. Some people don't deserve second and third and fourth and millionth chances. Some people don't deserve forgiveness. Some people should have to live with the awful things they've done without being exonerated. But I'm getting personal, let's get back to the review.
I stuck with it because the mystery of Kari's mom was very compelling. While this storyline overall was satisfying, the resolution felt very rushed and tied together a little too neatly. I also really liked Kari herself, although she was mildly irritating at times. Without warning, she would have a flashback to her childhood and her best friend who died young, and it messed with the pacing of a story that, quite frankly, already has pacing issues.
Even with the issues, I enjoyed Wurth's writing and would be willing to try her next novel.
I have conflicted feelings about this book. I was hesitant to pick it up because it was advertised as horror, but after finishing it I would say it's more of a magical realism mystery. I did find the first half of the book to be mildly creepy with Cecilia's ghost and the Lofa monster. There was a creep factor in the second half of the book as well, but only because of the way that Debby's abusive husband and the appearance of a child molester are handled...this part really gave me the ick. Disclaimer -- these issues weren't technically handled improperly, but I just don't vibe with that whole "be the bigger person" and "the victim can't grow and move on without forgiving their abuser" tripe. Some people don't deserve second and third and fourth and millionth chances. Some people don't deserve forgiveness. Some people should have to live with the awful things they've done without being exonerated. But I'm getting personal, let's get back to the review.
I stuck with it because the mystery of Kari's mom was very compelling. While this storyline overall was satisfying, the resolution felt very rushed and tied together a little too neatly. I also really liked Kari herself, although she was mildly irritating at times. Without warning, she would have a flashback to her childhood and her best friend who died young, and it messed with the pacing of a story that, quite frankly, already has pacing issues.
Even with the issues, I enjoyed Wurth's writing and would be willing to try her next novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Incest, Murder, and Rape
More...