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10iii_kat's review
4.0
MAIN GENRES: Mystery, Horror
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Profanity, Abuse, Violence, and Death
This novel has many good things - interesting chapters, a unique writing style, and a horror vibe. The beginning can be a little confusing but with each page, everything is getting clearer. The last couple of pages made my skin crawl. So violent, rough, and well-written.
It's not a book about finding the missing child, it's a book about dealing with a lot of pain and wanting to get some closure, even if it's brutal.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Profanity, Abuse, Violence, and Death
This novel has many good things - interesting chapters, a unique writing style, and a horror vibe. The beginning can be a little confusing but with each page, everything is getting clearer. The last couple of pages made my skin crawl. So violent, rough, and well-written.
It's not a book about finding the missing child, it's a book about dealing with a lot of pain and wanting to get some closure, even if it's brutal.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
bookishcatlady's review
4.0
Part mystery, part grief horror, the Screaming Child took hold of me and didn't let go.
The story is very engrossing and atmospheric, and to me it makes the reader feel as though they are going through it all. Definitely a great read recommended for fans of both the mystery and horror genres.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story is very engrossing and atmospheric, and to me it makes the reader feel as though they are going through it all. Definitely a great read recommended for fans of both the mystery and horror genres.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
scearceka's review
3.0
This book has a really intriguing premise, and the use of flashbacks from various points in the main character's life really helps keep the pacing going and keep the reader interested. The portrayal of a parent's grief is very well executed, and I think that's what drove me to continue reading, as I connected with Eleanor's emotions throughout the story, her desire to find out what really happened to her son, and her hope that the scream she keeps hearing from the timberlands is him, desperate to be rescued.
The issue I had with the book is that there's all this buildup for the first 2/3 or so, yet the ending falls flat, as we don't get any real answers to anything other than a faint glimpse of what's happening in the timberlands. The story just kind of ends with no resolution for the main questions raised by the book, and it almost seems like there's a missing section of the book. I'm not someone who needs an HEA for all things or who needs everything wrapped up in a tidy bow (even if it's not a happy one) by the time I get to "The End," but at least *some* answers would be appreciated.
On that note, I can only give this book 3 stars, as I enjoyed it for the most part, but it's fairly lackluster in the end, leaving more questions than answers and not really giving the reader any kind of payoff for their investment in the story.
**I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and comments included are my own.**
The issue I had with the book is that there's all this buildup for the first 2/3 or so, yet the ending falls flat, as we don't get any real answers to anything other than a faint glimpse of what's happening in the timberlands. The story just kind of ends with no resolution for the main questions raised by the book, and it almost seems like there's a missing section of the book. I'm not someone who needs an HEA for all things or who needs everything wrapped up in a tidy bow (even if it's not a happy one) by the time I get to "The End," but at least *some* answers would be appreciated.
On that note, I can only give this book 3 stars, as I enjoyed it for the most part, but it's fairly lackluster in the end, leaving more questions than answers and not really giving the reader any kind of payoff for their investment in the story.
**I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and comments included are my own.**
gloomybookworm2002's review
5.0
In the opening paragraph the themes of loss and sorrow are powerfully conveyed. The protagonist's strong and determined voice is coupled with internal and external conflicts which creates a relatable and emotionally charged narrative. Adlerberg highlights how individuals cope differently with their grief. The introduction of the mysterious “screaming child,” immediately adds psychological dimension to the narrative and the boundaries between reality and fantasy start to blur.
The sustained mention of Grahame’s disappearance helps the central tension and core mystery of the narrative at the forefront; the main protagonist’s introspection and confusion shows the ongoing impact of Grahame’s disappearance on her life.
The contrast between classic blood and guts horror is palpable in “The Screaming Child,”; the horror here is psychological and emotional; the horror of loss, not knowing. Elle’s psychological distress is visually portrayed through the depiction of her insomnia, hallucinations and haunting dreams about Grahame; we get the sense that these are derived by either guilt or longing.
Throughout, character relationships are nuanced and complex, both between Elle and Bill and Elle and Grahame.
5/5 for me :) I loved the unexpected twist at the end!
The sustained mention of Grahame’s disappearance helps the central tension and core mystery of the narrative at the forefront; the main protagonist’s introspection and confusion shows the ongoing impact of Grahame’s disappearance on her life.
The contrast between classic blood and guts horror is palpable in “The Screaming Child,”; the horror here is psychological and emotional; the horror of loss, not knowing. Elle’s psychological distress is visually portrayed through the depiction of her insomnia, hallucinations and haunting dreams about Grahame; we get the sense that these are derived by either guilt or longing.
Throughout, character relationships are nuanced and complex, both between Elle and Bill and Elle and Grahame.
5/5 for me :) I loved the unexpected twist at the end!
raforall's review
4.0
Reading for review in the April 2023 Issue of Library Journal.
Three Words That Describe This Book: haunting, portrait of grief, slice of life
This book surprised me-- in a good way-- it presents itself as a missing child thriller-- but as you read, it evolves into a study of grief, of coming to terms with real life horrors that may never have an answer, but you HAVE to figure out how to come to terms with them. It is aa complicated emotional issue but this book offered a hauntingly realistic portrayal of the process.
Some may not like the bait and switch, some may harp on the "timberland" and if it is real or imaged, but I for one thought it was well done. The story rose above the horror-thriller hybrid model that is so often done. And from the start, I knew it wouldn't be a "thriller" because the storytelling was not hitting that mark. Instead, it is the story from one grieving parent's mind. What she sees or experiences, whether it is real or imagined, is not the point. It is her experience and it felt raw, ones and real.
Draft Verdict: Some readers may get caught up in whether the horrors in the “timberland” are real or not; but that is clearly not the author’s focus. A great suggestion for readers who enjoy the atmospheric, Horror-adjacent novels of Simone St. James or Psychological Horror such as Petra’s Ghost by C. S. O'Cinneide
Three Words That Describe This Book: haunting, portrait of grief, slice of life
This book surprised me-- in a good way-- it presents itself as a missing child thriller-- but as you read, it evolves into a study of grief, of coming to terms with real life horrors that may never have an answer, but you HAVE to figure out how to come to terms with them. It is aa complicated emotional issue but this book offered a hauntingly realistic portrayal of the process.
Some may not like the bait and switch, some may harp on the "timberland" and if it is real or imaged, but I for one thought it was well done. The story rose above the horror-thriller hybrid model that is so often done. And from the start, I knew it wouldn't be a "thriller" because the storytelling was not hitting that mark. Instead, it is the story from one grieving parent's mind. What she sees or experiences, whether it is real or imagined, is not the point. It is her experience and it felt raw, ones and real.
Draft Verdict: Some readers may get caught up in whether the horrors in the “timberland” are real or not; but that is clearly not the author’s focus. A great suggestion for readers who enjoy the atmospheric, Horror-adjacent novels of Simone St. James or Psychological Horror such as Petra’s Ghost by C. S. O'Cinneide
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