Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Wow! A great, pulse-pounding short horror novel featuring one of my favorite cryptids and a lovable, sympathetic protagonist.
This story really captured the essence of Mothman while adding to its lore. The capturing of its essence and what Mothman is really made the book a 5-star read for me, in addition to the GREAT AND SPOOKY WRITING! I loved it!
This story really captured the essence of Mothman while adding to its lore. The capturing of its essence and what Mothman is really made the book a 5-star read for me, in addition to the GREAT AND SPOOKY WRITING! I loved it!
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Who wanted to stay with the same old devil, if a new one might be waiting somewhere in the dark?"
3.5 Stars
Pros:
40+ year old woman narrator who 1. loves horror 2. makes logical decisions 3. is learning to rely on herself again.
Hightower is great at writing horror, gore, and general creepiness.
Following Addy's mental monologue for the majority of the story worked well! I was never bored with her, and no less-than-interesting side character was employed! (well notreally)
The monsters weren't invincible!
It made me laugh!
The CT radio
Cons:
I didn't love having to suspend my disbelief for don't get me wrong, I love following a surreal storyline, but one that says Why this or that happens. If a character drinks blood because he's a vampire, that's cool, but if he just does it then wtf Greg, what are you doing?
The ending! One part empowering, one part Addy no! Stop!
Idk How to Feels:
Not enough moth! But moth was intriguing!
Overall: I enjoyed this quick read, but I think that was part of its problem... There are so many ideas here that I understand were supposed to be a bit mysterious at least; but they ventured too far into that territory, leaving me with more questions unanswered than not. I would like to see these expanded on perhaps with lore or interactions after the main story? Addy is a horror buff, maybe she could have just said which genre "things" certain supernatural "things" reminded her of? I think the main derailing factor was The world of the main story is very small, consisting of Addy's mind and immediate surroundings, but those things were jarringly open-worlded, making it feel like they would be developed later, but they were not.
3.5 Stars
Pros:
40+ year old woman narrator who 1. loves horror 2. makes logical decisions 3. is learning to rely on herself again.
Hightower is great at writing horror, gore, and general creepiness.
Following Addy's mental monologue for the majority of the story worked well! I was never bored with her, and no less-than-interesting side character was employed! (well notreally)
The monsters weren't invincible!
Spoiler
Love that Addy was just able to destroy one of the fleshy boys with her bare hands!It made me laugh!
Spoiler
When Addy was so mad at the fleshy boy in the truck that she just started smacking it with her flashlightThe CT radio
Spoiler
twist! Such a convincing conversation, seemed realistic and totally tricked me! I gasped when Addy realized Mads had been dead for a while.Cons:
I didn't love having to suspend my disbelief for
Spoiler
the grinning man randomly appearing anywhere he likes, I got the vibe that he was a man-in-black-based character but that doesn't really account for his omipresenceSpoiler
the stars vanishing for the entirety of the ordeal? Why did this happen? I thought the moon was blocked by Mothman, but?Spoiler
why did the fake version of her ex try to drown her and then randomly let go right before it was successful?The ending! One part empowering, one part Addy no! Stop!
Spoiler
Call a car from the police station, don't just wander into the dark!Idk How to Feels:
Not enough moth! But moth was intriguing!
Overall: I enjoyed this quick read, but I think that was part of its problem... There are so many ideas here that I understand were supposed to be a bit mysterious at least; but they ventured too far into that territory, leaving me with more questions unanswered than not. I would like to see these expanded on perhaps with lore or interactions after the main story? Addy is a horror buff, maybe she could have just said which genre "things" certain supernatural "things" reminded her of? I think the main derailing factor was
Spoiler
the grinning man and Mads' organization. Are they in on it together? Naked dead people for what motive? Are there any real consequences for Addy talking to the police?
I would like to nominate Addy Treadway for the "characters that went through some shit" award.
This was a short book so I'll attempt a short review. This was simple creature feature that took place over an in-fiction 24-hour period, give or take. Definitely had that SyFy Original Movie vibe. It did exactly what it set out to do, but I wish it had taken the "less is more" approach when it came to showing its hand; things that I wanted explained weren't and things that I didn't were. It was a fun premise and a strong opening, but I lost interest when I saw where things were heading. Still, I've seen this kind of story done worse though, so it holds up in comparison to other cryptid-based novellas I've tried.
Also, I know you have to make things interesting for the reader when the protagonist is going to be spending large portions of a book isolated and alone, but forcing them to have dialogue with their own hallucinations (that they know are hallucinations) isn't my preferred way of handling it.
This was a short book so I'll attempt a short review. This was simple creature feature that took place over an in-fiction 24-hour period, give or take. Definitely had that SyFy Original Movie vibe. It did exactly what it set out to do, but I wish it had taken the "less is more" approach when it came to showing its hand; things that I wanted explained weren't and things that I didn't were. It was a fun premise and a strong opening, but I lost interest when I saw where things were heading. Still, I've seen this kind of story done worse though, so it holds up in comparison to other cryptid-based novellas I've tried.
Also, I know you have to make things interesting for the reader when the protagonist is going to be spending large portions of a book isolated and alone, but forcing them to have dialogue with their own hallucinations (that they know are hallucinations) isn't my preferred way of handling it.
fast-paced
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A