amandakathleen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
pages_and_ash's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up.
It took me a little while to get into this book. Like 120 ish pages before I finally got into the flow. The first portion of this book felt a bit repetitive to me.
Once the book picked up I was able to fly through the rest of it in a day. I did enjoy how everything was resolved. And I really enjoyed the Shining references and such.
It felt more thriller esq with supernatural elements mixed in.
White Horse was @creepitrealbookclub ‘s pick for April.
It took me a little while to get into this book. Like 120 ish pages before I finally got into the flow. The first portion of this book felt a bit repetitive to me.
Once the book picked up I was able to fly through the rest of it in a day. I did enjoy how everything was resolved. And I really enjoyed the Shining references and such.
It felt more thriller esq with supernatural elements mixed in.
White Horse was @creepitrealbookclub ‘s pick for April.
murdalannd's review
dark
mysterious
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
3.5
summer_reads1's review against another edition
4.0
The story centers around 35-year-old Kari James an indigenous woman who lives in Denver Colorado. Kari was raised alone by her now permanently disabled father after her mother left her just after she was born. Kari is very close to her cousin Debby who is almost like a sister to her.
Debby finds an old bracelet that once belonged to Kari’s mother and gives it to Kari. The bracelet summons up both her mother’s ghost and a monstrous entity that begins to haunt Kari both day and night and everywhere she goes. Kari must discover what happened to her mother all those years ago.
I instantly connected with Kari and I found myself having a lot in common with her. Not only is Kari an indigenous woman trying to navigate the urban Indian life but she is also a metalhead, particularly a huge fan of Megadeath’s Dave Mustaine(I was a huge Megadeath fan in high school). Another similarity I found with Kari was her love of Stephen King, especially her love of The Shinning since it’s also my all-time favorite King novel. Overall Kari is a badass who never shies from speaking her truth and standing up for those she loves. It’s rare for me to find the main character that I can find so much in common with so I was super impressed with Erika Wurth’s characterization.
White Horse is steeped in Native American lore and legends. I loved learning about the spiritual aspects surrounding this story. It was fascinating to follow Kari as she connected with her roots. The mystery that the story centers around genuinely had my interest piqued and I was thrown off guard when the who and why was revealed. White Horse is classified as a horror novel but I would categorize it more as a thriller/mystery with mild horror elements in the mix.
The only issue I had was, I felt there was too much focus on the fact that Kari and Debby’s husband Jack do not get along. Their constant arguing became a bit repetitious and even annoyed me at times. I feel like if all of that was taken out, the story would have been a solid five star read.
I highly recommend White Horse to readers of dark thrillers centered around a mystery. If you are looking for a unique and highly entertaining story by a BIPOC author with indigenous characters, then pick up a copy of White Horse! I look forward to reading more of Erika Wurth’s backlist as well as reading anything she publishes next!
Debby finds an old bracelet that once belonged to Kari’s mother and gives it to Kari. The bracelet summons up both her mother’s ghost and a monstrous entity that begins to haunt Kari both day and night and everywhere she goes. Kari must discover what happened to her mother all those years ago.
I instantly connected with Kari and I found myself having a lot in common with her. Not only is Kari an indigenous woman trying to navigate the urban Indian life but she is also a metalhead, particularly a huge fan of Megadeath’s Dave Mustaine(I was a huge Megadeath fan in high school). Another similarity I found with Kari was her love of Stephen King, especially her love of The Shinning since it’s also my all-time favorite King novel. Overall Kari is a badass who never shies from speaking her truth and standing up for those she loves. It’s rare for me to find the main character that I can find so much in common with so I was super impressed with Erika Wurth’s characterization.
White Horse is steeped in Native American lore and legends. I loved learning about the spiritual aspects surrounding this story. It was fascinating to follow Kari as she connected with her roots. The mystery that the story centers around genuinely had my interest piqued and I was thrown off guard when the who and why was revealed. White Horse is classified as a horror novel but I would categorize it more as a thriller/mystery with mild horror elements in the mix.
The only issue I had was, I felt there was too much focus on the fact that Kari and Debby’s husband Jack do not get along. Their constant arguing became a bit repetitious and even annoyed me at times. I feel like if all of that was taken out, the story would have been a solid five star read.
I highly recommend White Horse to readers of dark thrillers centered around a mystery. If you are looking for a unique and highly entertaining story by a BIPOC author with indigenous characters, then pick up a copy of White Horse! I look forward to reading more of Erika Wurth’s backlist as well as reading anything she publishes next!
dr_dr_olshakes's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I was going to give this three stars but the ending was just...so expected, and so trite, and just.....I don't know, too wrapped up in a neat bow and sappy. Idk. Also... I'm not sure the author knew Kari was an alcoholic. Drug use is heavily discussed, as is alcoholism, and critiqued, and recovery is talked about, and relapsing. But I'm genuinely unsure if the author knows Kari is an alcoholic. The author definitely doesn't know they wrote a lesbian.
Anyway, cool premise, glad I read it, wish I had better things to say.
Anyway, cool premise, glad I read it, wish I had better things to say.
samidonovan's review against another edition
4.0
certainly go into this book with the proper expectations. this is a mystery horror meaning it’s not fast pace, although it is a quick read, and not a lot happens nor surprising. check content warnings but know that no topic is graphic and mostly mentioned or implied. the writing is nice, straight forward with a few lines that punch you in the gut. also remember to set your expectations properly when you think horror, this won’t be considered horror to everyone but it is horrific for many people so please keep that in mind when reader or reviewing.
booklover1791's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-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
2.75
yorumiko's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0