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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
Don’t mistake the cheery vibes of this post to mislead you, Hemlock Island will have you jumping at every creak and bump in your house.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.
I'll preface this by saying that this is the first book I've read by this author. I say this because I'm not sure what her other work is like, and this novel threw me for a loop!
I'll start with the bad. I started this book thinking it was going to be one thing. But about halfway through, it turned into an entirely different thing. I struggle with this in media in general - I want to have a decent idea of what I'm walking into, and when something turns out to be anything but, I get annoyed. I was annoyed when this book turning into something that I wasn't planning on, and I wasn't sure if I liked it.
However.
Once I got used to the twist, I was kind of into it. Because it made everything at stake so much crazier. It was like the entire novel was dangling on a cliff, and one false move would send the entire thing tumbling into oblivion. As I let the twist settle in, suddenly I could not put this book down. I had no idea how it would end, and I loved that.
I also really appreciated that the ending wasn't neatly wrapped in a bow. It was messy. And for this kind of book? Messy is the exact ending that you want.
This book won't be for everyone. It almost wasn't for me. I sludged through the first part and wondered if maybe I should give up. But I didn't. And I was pleasantly surprised.
I'll preface this by saying that this is the first book I've read by this author. I say this because I'm not sure what her other work is like, and this novel threw me for a loop!
I'll start with the bad. I started this book thinking it was going to be one thing. But about halfway through, it turned into an entirely different thing. I struggle with this in media in general - I want to have a decent idea of what I'm walking into, and when something turns out to be anything but, I get annoyed. I was annoyed when this book turning into something that I wasn't planning on, and I wasn't sure if I liked it.
However.
Once I got used to the twist, I was kind of into it. Because it made everything at stake so much crazier. It was like the entire novel was dangling on a cliff, and one false move would send the entire thing tumbling into oblivion. As I let the twist settle in, suddenly I could not put this book down. I had no idea how it would end, and I loved that.
I also really appreciated that the ending wasn't neatly wrapped in a bow. It was messy. And for this kind of book? Messy is the exact ending that you want.
This book won't be for everyone. It almost wasn't for me. I sludged through the first part and wondered if maybe I should give up. But I didn't. And I was pleasantly surprised.
Honestly, this book was completely predictable! I really like this author, and I was just kind of disappointed that this is where she went with this.
I like that she went out of her normal genre, but I kinda wanted her to go back to what works in her other stories. Strong characters, relationships, and surprising twists.
Not even taking the paranormal aspect into consideration so much of this book was unbelievable, the way things played out, the way people were connected, and the choices characters made; it was so… outlandish.
There are triggers her so look them up, but I am lot a huge gore person and I could handle what was in this book. Perhaps I should have waited to read this in October, be for me it was a poor effort overall.
I like that she went out of her normal genre, but I kinda wanted her to go back to what works in her other stories. Strong characters, relationships, and surprising twists.
Not even taking the paranormal aspect into consideration so much of this book was unbelievable, the way things played out, the way people were connected, and the choices characters made; it was so… outlandish.
There are triggers her so look them up, but I am lot a huge gore person and I could handle what was in this book. Perhaps I should have waited to read this in October, be for me it was a poor effort overall.
Wow, what a book to get sucked into on a non-working day. Yes I started and finished on the same day. It was so good. I kept needing to turn the page to see what would come next. Didn't want to put it down for my dinner, but I did.
This will be a SPOILER-FREE review. Firstly, thank you NetGalley for letting me read the eGalley of this book. I give this book 4.5 stars in the horror genre because it DELIVERS. One part made me not want to read anymore horror books ever, but in a good way. It builds a sense of isolation, suspense and mystery throughout.
I recommend this book when it comes out SEPTEMBER 12, 2023!!!
I recommend this book when it comes out SEPTEMBER 12, 2023!!!
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(2.5/5) When a couple at Laney Kilpatrick's rental property calls screaming about bloodstains found in a closet, this was just the latest in a series of threatening incidents on Hemlock Island. Bloody bones, hex circles, destroyed property – someone, human or supernatural – wants her gone. As a storm settles in, Laney is trapped on the island with her ex-husband Kit, her teenage niece, former best friends Jayla and Sadie, and Sadie's cop brother Garrett.
This novel fell flat by trying to do too much. Every single remote cabin trope with no Internet, no cell service, and weather that prevents them from leaving. So much unnecessary and petty side drama between the characters. Three estranged childhood best friends, each one resenting the others for what they did or didn't do. Instead of building tension around the murders on the island, it felt like the novel was trying to artificially raise the stakes by introducing side problems. And god, a Maury Povich moment when they're trying to fight whatever wants them dead? Completely ridiculous.
That being said, I really enjoyed the ending and how it explored the concept of woman as mother and crone. The twist on the Faustian bargain and Persephone myth was incredibly bleak but similarly powerful, and the only ending that would have made sense here. Overall, this novel had a lot of potential and could have used a good editor to streamline the story and keep the plot focused.
This novel fell flat by trying to do too much. Every single remote cabin trope with no Internet, no cell service, and weather that prevents them from leaving. So much unnecessary and petty side drama between the characters. Three estranged childhood best friends, each one resenting the others for what they did or didn't do. Instead of building tension around the murders on the island, it felt like the novel was trying to artificially raise the stakes by introducing side problems. And god, a Maury Povich moment when they're trying to fight whatever wants them dead? Completely ridiculous.
That being said, I really enjoyed the ending and how it explored the concept of woman as mother and crone. The twist on the Faustian bargain and Persephone myth was incredibly bleak but similarly powerful, and the only ending that would have made sense here. Overall, this novel had a lot of potential and could have used a good editor to streamline the story and keep the plot focused.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Libby audio. A little scary at the end! Perfect for October. I think I wish the premise wasn’t so fantastical, though. 3.5 stars.