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lauraborkpower's review against another edition
1.0
I was going to give this book two stars, because, while I felt it was needlessly confusing, the writing is solid and the audiobook production was good. But then I read the ending (maybe the last 15 or so minutes of the audiobook) and got really pissed off.
Kurtagich writes a deus ex machina and explains away the entire story with a totally contrived, oh, by the way, you're dead and all of this was in your mind; and I'm dead, too, and so is Nori, and now we can be at peace. Are. You. Kidding. Me.
In addition to this frustrating cheat, Kurtagich inexplicably includes a third World War in this story. Why? It has zero impact on the plot and is this sort of vague danger out in the world. But the stakes of it are never high enough to make a difference -- Gowan fought in the war for years, but survived. So...who cares?
And, the hand-written diary passages supposedly written by Nori take place inside of Silla's head! How is that possible? What is going on?
Too many ideas and none of them clear or well executed. Kurtagich writes nice imagery and can create some creepy atmosphere, but she certainly can't tell a good story.
(Polly Lee, the narrator, can tell a good story, and she's the bright spot in this circuitous mess. But listen to other books she's read. Don't waste your time on this one.)
Kurtagich writes a deus ex machina and explains away the entire story with a totally contrived, oh, by the way, you're dead and all of this was in your mind; and I'm dead, too, and so is Nori, and now we can be at peace. Are. You. Kidding. Me.
In addition to this frustrating cheat, Kurtagich inexplicably includes a third World War in this story. Why? It has zero impact on the plot and is this sort of vague danger out in the world. But the stakes of it are never high enough to make a difference -- Gowan fought in the war for years, but survived. So...who cares?
And, the hand-written diary passages supposedly written by Nori take place inside of Silla's head! How is that possible? What is going on?
Too many ideas and none of them clear or well executed. Kurtagich writes nice imagery and can create some creepy atmosphere, but she certainly can't tell a good story.
(Polly Lee, the narrator, can tell a good story, and she's the bright spot in this circuitous mess. But listen to other books she's read. Don't waste your time on this one.)
the_sunken_library's review against another edition
5.0
An outstanding horror with an unexpected twist.
Firstly I must praise this book for it's interesting and playful use of typography. This visual stimulus adds TENSION - the visual manipulation of the text draws you into the weird and wonderful story being unfolded in front of you. While not as accomplished as authors such as Mark Z Danielewski, it is none-the-less a breath of fresh air to see them make the text's presentation part of the world they are building.
Onto the story itself.
This book sent shivers up my spine. DO NOT READ AT NIGHT.
Silla and Nori escape from an abusive father and indifferent mother in London to their Aunt's magical manor house in a mysterious wood. At first everything is warm, comforting and carefree but then the situation starts to decay. Aunt Cath starts acting a little mad and one day she goes up into the attic, never to return. Then there's a man with no eyes but a gaping mouth living in the forest. He desperately want's to come inside. Perhaps he already has? When the food starts to run out a young man called Gowan appears with an armful of apples. Sweet, crisp and oh so tempting. But who is? Who is he REALLY?
As I don't want to spoil this for anyone all I will say is I did not see the twist at the end. I had not predicted it at all. And I loved it.
Can't wait to read this author's other books.
Firstly I must praise this book for it's interesting and playful use of typography. This visual stimulus adds TENSION - the visual manipulation of the text draws you into the weird and wonderful story being unfolded in front of you. While not as accomplished as authors such as Mark Z Danielewski, it is none-the-less a breath of fresh air to see them make the text's presentation part of the world they are building.
Onto the story itself.
This book sent shivers up my spine. DO NOT READ AT NIGHT.
Silla and Nori escape from an abusive father and indifferent mother in London to their Aunt's magical manor house in a mysterious wood. At first everything is warm, comforting and carefree but then the situation starts to decay. Aunt Cath starts acting a little mad and one day she goes up into the attic, never to return. Then there's a man with no eyes but a gaping mouth living in the forest. He desperately want's to come inside. Perhaps he already has? When the food starts to run out a young man called Gowan appears with an armful of apples. Sweet, crisp and oh so tempting. But who is? Who is he REALLY?
As I don't want to spoil this for anyone all I will say is I did not see the twist at the end. I had not predicted it at all. And I loved it.
Can't wait to read this author's other books.
kmparsons's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn't put this book down. It was so frightening at some points and so so so heart wrenching at other. I definitely recommend this book.
itstoniy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
arlenren's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Child death, Abandonment, and Death
Minor: Animal death
silea's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Reasonably well-written, but the twist/conclusion did not work for me at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicide, Child death, Grief, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Terminal illness and Child abuse
Minor: Excrement, Eating disorder, Vomit, and War
alli_thebookgiraffe's review against another edition
5.0
I highly recommend this as an audiobook. It is so creepy. There are sound effects and whispering and all kinds of things that added to the story. Also, I loved the ending. I have seen an ending like that before but I still loved it!
fallonheartss's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
davidcottington's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this from the first word to the last.
It’s such a messy little book but messy in a way that adds to the story.
It’s such a messy little book but messy in a way that adds to the story.
villagrandres's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
Truly a creative book in many senses of the word. Love how the author plays with the syntax to create tension and horror. The twist was also quite surprising, and landed well for me and didn’t feel shoe horned or unbelievable.