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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
My main issue with this book was that the main character makes many choices that are incongruant with common sense and basic survival especially considering the events of the book. The characters also follow a lot of cliche horror tropes like all splitting up constantly although they believe they are in danger. These decisions may further the plot but at the expense of actual character development.
This is my ARC review for NetGalley.
I've been a long-time fan of Kelley Armstrong (having enjoyed *most* of her Rockton/Haven's Rock and A Rip Through Time books) and was eager to read a stand-alone new release. From the description and title, I expected a thriller/suspense a la Ruth Ware that I usually enjoy.
However, the horror and paranormal aspects were unexpected and I usually don't seek these out in my novel reading. While I don't mind tense or suspenseful reads, many parts of this book had me rolling my eyes (ie., characters going outside at night to "check things out" when they know there is something out there). There was an odd mix of characters who came together in a way that seemed a bit forced and I didn't really get invested in them.
Armstrong's main character-building and pacing were strong, If you are looking for a spooky and gory read, this will be up your alley.
I've been a long-time fan of Kelley Armstrong (having enjoyed *most* of her Rockton/Haven's Rock and A Rip Through Time books) and was eager to read a stand-alone new release. From the description and title, I expected a thriller/suspense a la Ruth Ware that I usually enjoy.
However, the horror and paranormal aspects were unexpected and I usually don't seek these out in my novel reading. While I don't mind tense or suspenseful reads, many parts of this book had me rolling my eyes (ie., characters going outside at night to "check things out" when they know there is something out there). There was an odd mix of characters who came together in a way that seemed a bit forced and I didn't really get invested in them.
Armstrong's main character-building and pacing were strong, If you are looking for a spooky and gory read, this will be up your alley.
A horror book I only read because I love the author. I actually really liked this, I was completely engrossed and captivated. It lost a star due to communication issues between main characters. Even if it's important for the plot, when you don't know why your husband left you I get really annoyed. ASK HIM.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
The first 3 chapters weren't "grabbing" me. So, I read some reviews and they indicated that this story isn't for me. A big disappointment since she is my favorite author.
“Hemlock Island” is a thriller where you’re never sure if what’s happening is an elaborate hoax, the work of a human killer, or the influence of supernatural forces.
It’s full of some of the dumbest characters I’ve ever seen written. A plot that starts out decently and turns stupider and stupider. That’s it, that’s all I’m going to say. Don’t waste your time on this one.
It’s full of some of the dumbest characters I’ve ever seen written. A plot that starts out decently and turns stupider and stupider. That’s it, that’s all I’m going to say. Don’t waste your time on this one.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
For me, about half way through it just went off the rails.
Wow, it's been a while since I read a one-star book, and it sucks because it started off being a 3. But then we get about half-way through the book and things start going off the rails.
And the funny thing is, I thought this was all the doing of the island but then thought better of it. But nope, I was right!! And I don't know, I was kind of done with it at this point. Not even the big reveal about Maddie and the less big reveal about Garrett couldn't kind of assuage me at that point.
Honestly, this book feels like she's trying to copy Mike Flanagan, because the ending feels a lot like the ending of Bly Manor, but that was much more fleshed out, in terms of both plot and character.
Spoiler
It started out really interesting, feeling like a decent trapped house murder mystery, but then when we start getting the zombies, I was like what? There was really nothing set up to this point that anything supernatural would take place, and then BOOM!! Zombies.And the funny thing is, I thought this was all the doing of the island but then thought better of it. But nope, I was right!! And I don't know, I was kind of done with it at this point. Not even the big reveal about Maddie and the less big reveal about Garrett couldn't kind of assuage me at that point.
Honestly, this book feels like she's trying to copy Mike Flanagan, because the ending feels a lot like the ending of Bly Manor, but that was much more fleshed out, in terms of both plot and character.
Laney has loved Hemlock Island since the moment she first arrived. When her ex-husband gave her the property during their divorce, she was thrilled...except for the fact she could not afford the payments. Now, she gets by renting it out to vacationers. When she gets reports of odd occurrences and her renters flee in the night, she must travel out herself to discover what's going on. Oddly, her ex-husband and his sister also heard about the problems and are there to investigate. To top it off, another old high school 'friend' and her irritating brother, who's now a copy, show up as well.
While I've always liked Kelley Armstrong's novels, this one was the most confusing that I've ever read. Typically, she has contemporary novels and paranormal novels and it is very clear which type you are picking up from the very beginning. I was expecting, from the title and dust jacket, for this to be a contemporary novel. So when things started to swing down towards there being an 'other' explanation that was not just pranks, etc. I was totally thrown. Not to say that it still isn't a really great book. For me it was just the startling nature of the true problem that came out of nowhere since I was expecting it to be something totally different.
I received this novel as an ARC from Edelweiss+
While I've always liked Kelley Armstrong's novels, this one was the most confusing that I've ever read. Typically, she has contemporary novels and paranormal novels and it is very clear which type you are picking up from the very beginning. I was expecting, from the title and dust jacket, for this to be a contemporary novel. So when things started to swing down towards there being an 'other' explanation that was not just pranks, etc. I was totally thrown. Not to say that it still isn't a really great book. For me it was just the startling nature of the true problem that came out of nowhere since I was expecting it to be something totally different.
I received this novel as an ARC from Edelweiss+