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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
you know how boring the miscommunication trope is? turns out super communication is even worse.
I was expecting a locked room mystery type. Or more of a whodunit. I was surprised by the gore. Totally didn’t mind it! This turned out to be more a horror book with supernatural elements that i didn’t realize.
I think the reveals weren’t too shocking and more mellow than i had hoped. The first twist was a shocker tho! I just felt like it didn’t all connect.
I think partly i was left disappointed because i had expected a different type of story.
It was creepy and shocking and gory and I’d say the perfect spooky season read. And a quick one. I finished it in 24 hours.
I think the reveals weren’t too shocking and more mellow than i had hoped. The first twist was a shocker tho! I just felt like it didn’t all connect.
I think partly i was left disappointed because i had expected a different type of story.
It was creepy and shocking and gory and I’d say the perfect spooky season read. And a quick one. I finished it in 24 hours.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Loved the mix of supernatural and real mystery in this. A great horror that is super quick to read is sure to give you the spooky vibes you're craving this spooky season!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Cancer, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
I have no clue why this doesn't have a higher rating but it's 5 stars from me. It had everything I enjoy in an audiobook: spooky and mysterious shenanigans, fast pacing, genuine suspense, twists I could not see coming, and all set on a beautiful woodsy island. I went into this one a bit blind as I chose it by the appealing cover and it was in my library's audiobook list but I was pleasantly sated by the end.
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Violence, Toxic friendship
I will start by saying that I always enjoy [a:Kelley Armstrong|7581|Kelley Armstrong|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1625010968p2/7581.jpg]'s stories. There are few better at writing mysteries or paranormal mysteries set in remote settings. The characters she writes are interesting and typically have unique and intriguing back stories and are written in a way that makes you want to know more about them.
[b:Hemlock Island|65214434|Hemlock Island|Kelley Armstrong|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1685356144l/65214434._SY75_.jpg|100097149] has all the elements I like about a Kelley Armstrong mystery. The setting is a remote island located 5 miles offshore in Lake Superior and the cast of characters is interesting and diverse. The setup is spooky with the group quickly stranded on the island by someone - or something - that does not want them to leave. There are lots of creepy elements from hex circles to a severed hand to wind chimes made out of bird bones.
However, parts of the story ended up feeling rushed. In other parts, it felt too drawn out so the pace felt inconsistent to me rather than the gradual building of tension that I would have expected. The secrets the characters were keeping weren't all that interesting and became obvious, long before the "big reveal". The story wasn't confusing but many times the characters seemed to be running around without purpose. Some of the choices they made were inconsistent with how their character was described. The end just left me feeling "meh".
This won't stop me from picking up the next story written by Kelley Armstrong however this one, for me, was just okay.
[b:Hemlock Island|65214434|Hemlock Island|Kelley Armstrong|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1685356144l/65214434._SY75_.jpg|100097149] has all the elements I like about a Kelley Armstrong mystery. The setting is a remote island located 5 miles offshore in Lake Superior and the cast of characters is interesting and diverse. The setup is spooky with the group quickly stranded on the island by someone - or something - that does not want them to leave. There are lots of creepy elements from hex circles to a severed hand to wind chimes made out of bird bones.
However, parts of the story ended up feeling rushed. In other parts, it felt too drawn out so the pace felt inconsistent to me rather than the gradual building of tension that I would have expected. The secrets the characters were keeping weren't all that interesting and became obvious, long before the "big reveal". The story wasn't confusing but many times the characters seemed to be running around without purpose. Some of the choices they made were inconsistent with how their character was described. The end just left me feeling "meh".
This won't stop me from picking up the next story written by Kelley Armstrong however this one, for me, was just okay.
A great book to get you in the mood for spooky season! I went into this one pretty blind and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed the storyline with the paranormal/horror elements. I liked the characters and that they made rational choices versus every horror movie mistake. This story is dark and creepy with Blair Witch vibes for sure. Overall this was a 4 star read for me and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a horror story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.