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beth_zovko's review
2.0
I've read better, but I've read a lot worse, too. Paver paints a vivid portrait of a stark but beautiful Arctic Norway. The story centers around a group of amateur explorers who encounter misfortune after misfortune on their expedition until only one, Jack Miller, remains. He has been seeing a silent, dark figure prowling around the group's cabin and gradually becomes aware that is it neither human, nor friendly.
Once alone, Jack's sense of isolation from other humans, his tedious battle to keep warm and dry, and his fear of the inevitable return of his unwanted visitor grow until the reader feels just as trapped and anxious as Jack. Paver's storytelling here was excellent: the oppressive closeness of the cabin was just as strong as the feeling of dread every time Jack steps outside to check his equipment.
I've gave it only 2 stars because the story got so self-referential at points that I felt like I was reading Cliff's Notes ("I was offered three chances to leave this place," or "Algie's indifference to the seal's agony was indicative of nature's indifference to us.") Also, the end felt rushed and anti-climactic. There were also several highly detailed instances of animals being hurt, beaten, or killed. These were meant to heighten the tension of the story, but they left a 'bad taste' in my head.
Once alone, Jack's sense of isolation from other humans, his tedious battle to keep warm and dry, and his fear of the inevitable return of his unwanted visitor grow until the reader feels just as trapped and anxious as Jack. Paver's storytelling here was excellent: the oppressive closeness of the cabin was just as strong as the feeling of dread every time Jack steps outside to check his equipment.
I've gave it only 2 stars because the story got so self-referential at points that I felt like I was reading Cliff's Notes ("I was offered three chances to leave this place," or "Algie's indifference to the seal's agony was indicative of nature's indifference to us.") Also, the end felt rushed and anti-climactic. There were also several highly detailed instances of animals being hurt, beaten, or killed. These were meant to heighten the tension of the story, but they left a 'bad taste' in my head.
bookyanna's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
3.0
A creepy ghost story. A group of twenty-something men attempt an arctic expedition, only to realise there's something unsettling lurking in the 24/7 darkness. Claustrophic and well-paced, definitely worth a read for lovers of paranormal horror.
goldenpumpkin's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chocodile28's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
stuffhanreads's review
3.0
Rating: 3 Stars
”But young as I was, I suspected that a God who allows such cruelty wouldn’t have cared about bringing it to an end.”
Written by the author of children’s historical fiction series ‘Chronicles of Ancient Darkness’, ‘Dark Matter’ follows Jack Miller, a lower class man from 1930s London. Risking it all for a better life, Jack agrees to travel to the Arctic for a year-long expedition with 4 Oxford-taught high class men. After a string of bad luck, the expedition team goes from 5 to 3 before they reach their final destination of Gruhuken. Despite warnings and rumours surrounding Gruhuken, Jack and the others continue with their plans. But when 3 becomes 1 can Jack survive alone until Spring?
Part horror and part ghost story, ‘Dark Matter’ is filled with a dark and tense atmosphere making you feel as if you’re not alone when reading. I enjoyed the style it was written in, diary entry style is one of my favourite ways of reading books, that and found footage. Some of my favourite books are set in isolated locations which made me feel hopeful for this book. ‘Dark Matter’ however didn’t live up to my expectations, sure I enjoyed it, I won’t say I didn’t, I felt the ending wasn’t rounded off well and there wasn’t enough exploration into the ‘trapper of Gruhuken’, the presence felt by all three of the expedition members and the huskies.
I will admit, I loved Isaak and Jack’s relationship, seeing him change from hating dogs to loving them and forming a bond was one of the more light-hearted moments in the book. But like I said earlier the ending just wasn’t for me, Gus felt like a needless death, Algie maybe would’ve made more sense in developing Jack’s character but Gus? Even then I didn’t feel like anyone needed to die, I didn’t even notice he had died until later, it wasn’t done well.
The book is still worth reading regardless of my opinion, you could enjoy it more than I do which is fair enough. We all have our own opinions. Overall, I rate this book 3 stars, a middle of the pile book if anything.
”But young as I was, I suspected that a God who allows such cruelty wouldn’t have cared about bringing it to an end.”
Written by the author of children’s historical fiction series ‘Chronicles of Ancient Darkness’, ‘Dark Matter’ follows Jack Miller, a lower class man from 1930s London. Risking it all for a better life, Jack agrees to travel to the Arctic for a year-long expedition with 4 Oxford-taught high class men. After a string of bad luck, the expedition team goes from 5 to 3 before they reach their final destination of Gruhuken. Despite warnings and rumours surrounding Gruhuken, Jack and the others continue with their plans. But when 3 becomes 1 can Jack survive alone until Spring?
Part horror and part ghost story, ‘Dark Matter’ is filled with a dark and tense atmosphere making you feel as if you’re not alone when reading. I enjoyed the style it was written in, diary entry style is one of my favourite ways of reading books, that and found footage. Some of my favourite books are set in isolated locations which made me feel hopeful for this book. ‘Dark Matter’ however didn’t live up to my expectations, sure I enjoyed it, I won’t say I didn’t, I felt the ending wasn’t rounded off well and there wasn’t enough exploration into the ‘trapper of Gruhuken’, the presence felt by all three of the expedition members and the huskies.
I will admit, I loved Isaak and Jack’s relationship, seeing him change from hating dogs to loving them and forming a bond was one of the more light-hearted moments in the book. But like I said earlier the ending just wasn’t for me, Gus felt like a needless death, Algie maybe would’ve made more sense in developing Jack’s character but Gus? Even then I didn’t feel like anyone needed to die, I didn’t even notice he had died until later, it wasn’t done well.
The book is still worth reading regardless of my opinion, you could enjoy it more than I do which is fair enough. We all have our own opinions. Overall, I rate this book 3 stars, a middle of the pile book if anything.
mmaja's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Jack's giving the girl in horror who is very 'brave' and then in the end gets killed (this is not a spoiler). I went into this book kinda blindly and then I realised that horror is not for me (I mean already knew that about the movies but I was like: maybe I’ll like books better). Considering that, I still liked it & thought it was interesting.
thescienceofcurls's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
brims's review
4.0
I enjoyed this for the most part. Properly spooky and gave me the creeps reading at night. I just didn’t buy Jack’s justifications for staying on the island after it became clear something was very wrong. The expedition never seemed that important, and nobody would have blamed him for leaving.