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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I started out having my doubts about this book based on the narrative style. That annoying narrative continues throughout, it’s like an awkward episode of Friends where the cast each has a grudge against all the others and can’t stop talking about it or thinking about it in the case of the narrator. The drama between the characters gets very tiring very quickly. Fortunately the mystery aspect of the story takes off relatively quickly and, despite the juvenile friend drama, makes it a surprising page turner. Even when I was rolling my eyes about yet another sinister implication about Garrett or more pining for Kit, I couldn’t stop reading because the mystery is crafted quite well. The supernatural twist takes it from a mystery/thriller and plants it pretty squarely in the horror genre and I will admit the twist is very original and I enjoyed it. It’s a quick read but in the end I had a lot more fun reading it than I expected based on the first couple chapters. There are plenty of trigger warnings: sexual assault, gore, violence. And references to the Pandemic and LGBTQ themes make it comfortably contemporary.
Anti airbnb owner plot what more can you ask for
I would have liked this with a better, more satisfying ending and way more flushing out of the story. This was so weirdly rushed...I just legitimately don't understand. This needed another 100 pages added to it.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley...This was really good. It was one of those books that manages to be super creepy without being all in your face. Sure there were moments of gore/shock, but it was often the other elements that made it really eerie (and made me leave an extra light on at least once!). Loved the characters - Laney, Madison, Kit, Jayla. Loved that I had no idea what was going to be the outcome for the entire book (really was not expecting the ending). I did figure out the secret pretty early into the book though - almost from the first time it's brought up I had an inkling. I guess it was important for some of those characters to be on the island, but it didn't feel essential to the story for me. I had been about to give this five stars throughout the whole book, but the ending was kind of disappointing. It was SO unexpected (and sort of cool) but the way it all wrapped up, it left me unsatisfied, and I'm not entirely sure why. Didn't love it at all. Would absolutely recommend this book though and am looking forward to reading more from this author!
This was a great story! The characters are well developed and it moves at a quick pace. Its unique and well written. The suspense build up is well done. I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Kelley Armstrong, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars
Laney has been leasing out her vacation home on Hemlock Island. However, she has recently discovered some unsettling items appearing at her house. These items include bones, hex circles, and even bloody scratches. Worried about her business and the safety of her guests, Laney is now racing back to Hemlock Island to investigate the truth behind these strange occurrences before it's too late.
Although the book had some suspenseful and scary moments that I enjoyed, I couldn't help but feel disconnected from the characters. Maybe they needed more depth and development. Nevertheless, it was still an entertaining read. Would recommend it to those who enjoy paranormal horror.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, Kelley Armstrong, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Laney has been leasing out her vacation home on Hemlock Island. However, she has recently discovered some unsettling items appearing at her house. These items include bones, hex circles, and even bloody scratches. Worried about her business and the safety of her guests, Laney is now racing back to Hemlock Island to investigate the truth behind these strange occurrences before it's too late.
Although the book had some suspenseful and scary moments that I enjoyed, I couldn't help but feel disconnected from the characters. Maybe they needed more depth and development. Nevertheless, it was still an entertaining read. Would recommend it to those who enjoy paranormal horror.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, Kelley Armstrong, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Ahoy there mateys! This one was an adult thriller with paranormal underpinnings. Laney Kilpatrick owns the only house on Hemlock Island in Lake Superior. However, due to a divorce, she can only afford to keep the property as a vacation rental. Problems arise when guests start finding hexes and other unusual things on the island. After the most recent panic, Laney goes to investigate and takes her niece. Laney’s ex-husband and ex-sister-in-law show up to help. As does Sadie and her brother, other ex-friends. Lots of unwanted folks show up to help right? And, of course, once they get there the fighting begins. Then a chopped-off hand is discovered, the only way of the island goes missing, and a horrible storm is coming in. Quite the mess huh? I was able to suspend disbelief for about 3/5 of the novel and really enjoy things. But as the characters continue to do dumb things and the horror turns into the paranormal, I got a little restless. It was just too much and too silly. I also didn’t like the niece subplot, the sabotage, or the ending. I wish it would have stayed as a more straight horror/thriller. Oh and money solves almost everything. It was a fast read and good for the fall season but I would not read this again. Arrr!
Ehhh this started off really strong but went in a typical direction. They should have made the narrator the killer, not using lame-o monsters for the explanation.