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hauntedtesty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
pameana's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
readbydusk's review
5.0
4.5 rounded up! A fascinating folk horror with some great characters! I loved the first half of the book showing the deserter coming to terms with the Farrow and their rituals. It’s hedonistic and gory. Animals are sacrificed, and there’s cannibalism too. The writing is unflinching and expressive. I thought Everett is a magnetic main character. It took some time for me to realise that he might not be the hero of the story.
The second half focuses on Dennie and her suspicions. Who knew allotments could cause so much drama! I liked Dennie, she’s dismissed as a “loopy old dear” but she has steel in her bones. She has a Great Dane called Viggo and he's awesome! I did find the second half loses some intensity as it shifts focus to other characters. But I enjoyed the premise of a sinister cult shaking up a quiet rural community. It’s interesting to see ancient beliefs clashing with modernity. One of the best surprises of the year for me!
CW: animal deaths, cannibalism, domestic abuse
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
The second half focuses on Dennie and her suspicions. Who knew allotments could cause so much drama! I liked Dennie, she’s dismissed as a “loopy old dear” but she has steel in her bones. She has a Great Dane called Viggo and he's awesome! I did find the second half loses some intensity as it shifts focus to other characters. But I enjoyed the premise of a sinister cult shaking up a quiet rural community. It’s interesting to see ancient beliefs clashing with modernity. One of the best surprises of the year for me!
CW: animal deaths, cannibalism, domestic abuse
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
annarella's review
4.0
It's a powerful, gripping and entertaining story, well written and well plotted.
It starts slowly, with a lot of word building and the introduction of parts of the characters. Even if there's plenty to consider them the "vilain" of the story you cannot help liking them with all their faults and sins.
The second part alternates descriptions of the life in an english village with building the suspense and an underlying sense of darkness.
The "good guys" are nice and you cannot help rooting for them.
I can say that somehow the first part is stronger than the second but I liked them both nonetheless.
I appreciated the style of writing, the pace that is never too fast and builds the tension.
It was a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It starts slowly, with a lot of word building and the introduction of parts of the characters. Even if there's plenty to consider them the "vilain" of the story you cannot help liking them with all their faults and sins.
The second part alternates descriptions of the life in an english village with building the suspense and an underlying sense of darkness.
The "good guys" are nice and you cannot help rooting for them.
I can say that somehow the first part is stronger than the second but I liked them both nonetheless.
I appreciated the style of writing, the pace that is never too fast and builds the tension.
It was a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
wellwortharead's review
4.0
This book sat in my kindle for a bit, and when I got around to starting it, I first thought I must have the wrong book. I read a little, then put it down and read the synopsis again. I wondered what in the world orgies with dead bodies, cannibalism and deserters from the war could possibly have to do with a woman suffering early onset dementia all on her own with her husband and children gone....so I left this book alone for a while. Eventually I picked it back up even though it did not seem to be my type. At last I made it to Dennie and her allotment. The three strangers who show up to take on the neighboring allotment are from a religious cult, and they are here to resurrect their ancient god, leaving a path of death and destruction in their wake. Everyone seems easily swayed by these charismatic newcomers, all except for Dennie and her dog who are the first to suspect all is not as it appears to be. Before long it seems that Dennie will have to be the one to save the day, for even as the dementia begins to claim her, she still has the ability to see what others can't. By this time I was deeply invested in the story and it's characters, and was glad I did not give up on the story during it's unexpected beginning. There is lots of gore and bloodshed in this supernatural horror but also a lot of heart as one character grapples with what he may be willing to sacrifice to save his child.
I received a complimentary copy for review.
I received a complimentary copy for review.
laurencarter's review
4.0
*3.5*
this was very confusing as there were many storylines and characters to follow but for the most part, I enjoyed it
this was very confusing as there were many storylines and characters to follow but for the most part, I enjoyed it