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laelyn's review against another edition
5.0
Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular - Gould's debut novel is all of these things. I could not put it down, was completely mesmerized from the very first page on. "The Dead and the Dark" is a YA horror mystery thriller, a mash up of different genres that left me completely breathless. It is incredibly well written in a captivating style that makes it an unputdownable pageturner.
The plot sounds, on the surface, like every other thriller there is out there: Kids keep disappearing and turning up dead in a small American town where everyone knows everyone, making the crime something deeply personal in itself. But "The Dead and the Dark" is so much more than that.
It truly is dark and twisted, playing with supernatural themes, exposing the darkness of humankind as well as the power of grief, hatred, desperation, loneliness - and also love. Love is one of the central themes of this novel, and it's not even the romantic kind of love (even though the romance between the two protagonists is absolutely wonderful despite all the darkness surrounding them), it's the love that parents have for their children and vice versa. This novel is creepy, creating an eerie atmosphere from the start, never letting the reader off the hook - but it's also deeply emotional on so many levels. It deals with heavy topics like grief, death, homophobia, but at the same time never lets us forget that there is good in the world, too.
The characters are just... ugh. I don't even know how to express my love for them, which is a very rare thing for me, to be honest. I rarely connect with characters from thriller/horror/mystery type books like I did with Logan, with Ashley, with Brandon, with Alejo. They are complex, utterly likeable and unique. Brandon especially really hit home with me, even though he is the most tragic character of them all. The whole "tv ghost hunter" angle was really fun, too, even though it didn't really add much to the plot in the end. Listen, I just really really love this family of two dads, their lesbian daughter and their 'redneck princess' daughter-in-law.
Does everything make sense in this story? No, probably not. There is one decision the "big bad" makes that made me wonder if they're maybe a giant idiot, because really, they should know better for various reasons. Does that have any negative influence on just how much I enjoyed this book? None whatsoever.
This novel is honestly so good, I'm going to read anything Courtney Gould will release in the future. Even if it's just her forking shopping list.
Maaaaaany many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the amazing arc!
The plot sounds, on the surface, like every other thriller there is out there: Kids keep disappearing and turning up dead in a small American town where everyone knows everyone, making the crime something deeply personal in itself. But "The Dead and the Dark" is so much more than that.
It truly is dark and twisted, playing with supernatural themes, exposing the darkness of humankind as well as the power of grief, hatred, desperation, loneliness - and also love. Love is one of the central themes of this novel, and it's not even the romantic kind of love (even though the romance between the two protagonists is absolutely wonderful despite all the darkness surrounding them), it's the love that parents have for their children and vice versa. This novel is creepy, creating an eerie atmosphere from the start, never letting the reader off the hook - but it's also deeply emotional on so many levels. It deals with heavy topics like grief, death, homophobia, but at the same time never lets us forget that there is good in the world, too.
The characters are just... ugh. I don't even know how to express my love for them, which is a very rare thing for me, to be honest. I rarely connect with characters from thriller/horror/mystery type books like I did with Logan, with Ashley, with Brandon, with Alejo. They are complex, utterly likeable and unique. Brandon especially really hit home with me, even though he is the most tragic character of them all. The whole "tv ghost hunter" angle was really fun, too, even though it didn't really add much to the plot in the end. Listen, I just really really love this family of two dads, their lesbian daughter and their 'redneck princess' daughter-in-law.
Does everything make sense in this story? No, probably not. There is one decision the "big bad" makes that made me wonder if they're maybe a giant idiot, because really, they should know better for various reasons. Does that have any negative influence on just how much I enjoyed this book? None whatsoever.
This novel is honestly so good, I'm going to read anything Courtney Gould will release in the future. Even if it's just her forking shopping list.
Maaaaaany many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the amazing arc!
abbyhrc's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
meganbharrison2's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
3.0
emilye3's review against another edition
3.0
Small town ghost story that was atmospheric and interesting. It was a little slow and not a lot happened but it was unique in its own way.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
2/5
I thought this story was alright. It wasn’t really a thriller to me but the plot was alright and kept me reading it til the end.
I thought this story was alright. It wasn’t really a thriller to me but the plot was alright and kept me reading it til the end.
veggiestrawenjoyer13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I really enjoyed this book. I did not expect any of the plot twists or reveals, and it was super exciting to find out the truth about everything! The characters felt raw and realistic, not overdone or underdeveloped. Their emotions felt authentic, I could really connect with them. The writing was great, especially with descriptions and things like that. Very intriguing vocabulary/writing style. The end was bittersweet in a way but it felt just right. One specific thing I noticed that I loved was that the modern media references and gay jokes did not feel forced. Usually in books that dialogue would make me cringe and give a lower rating. However, I found the humor to be very tasteful and Logan was relatable to me as a teen lesbian. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes horror, mystery, and exploring who you are in difficult times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Death and Child death
Minor: Homophobia
marieintheraw's review against another edition
5.0
This paranormal debut stole my heart. I have read it twice before reviewing it because I honestly forgot that I had also received an advanced audio copy as well. The setting and the characters are honestly my favorite parts of this...but that paranormal goodness, also amazing!
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
wretched10's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
This is not a genre that I usually read at all and I was absolutely surprised in a good way! It was very creepy and spooky in a fantastic way. The Logan character had a personality I absolutely love and the overall theme was very well executed. The only reason it wasn’t a perfect book in my opinion is the development between the two girls whom become a couple was a bit rushed. Otherwise I found it very enjoyable. I’m glad I picked it out randomly! Also side note the authors style of writing is very simple and easy to get into. Will be checking out other books by them.
annamickreads's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 and oh my goodness.
About 45 pages into this book I thought I had the mystery all figured out — until I didn't. Part of the reason this book is so great is because it blends metaphorical with the metaphysical. Without giving too much away, I really appreciated the lean into the almost gothic literature trope of evil manifesting not only from the supernatural, but from people's very real (and sometimes terrifyingly Dark...pun intended) emotions.
The plot twists and turns I truly didn't expect, and I loved many of the descriptions in this book that were as beautiful as they were chilling. Our main characters' quest for truth and the ability to be their authentic selves is lovely, sweet, and a gentle reminder that love can triumph over all even when everything seems lost.
About 45 pages into this book I thought I had the mystery all figured out — until I didn't. Part of the reason this book is so great is because it blends metaphorical with the metaphysical. Without giving too much away, I really appreciated the lean into the almost gothic literature trope of evil manifesting not only from the supernatural, but from people's very real (and sometimes terrifyingly Dark...pun intended) emotions.
The plot twists and turns I truly didn't expect, and I loved many of the descriptions in this book that were as beautiful as they were chilling. Our main characters' quest for truth and the ability to be their authentic selves is lovely, sweet, and a gentle reminder that love can triumph over all even when everything seems lost.