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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a moreish story that was really easy to fall into and devour large chunks at a time and it helped that the characters were memorable (for better or worse). In fact, I didn't realize it was possible to care so much for a character that wasn't even an active character on page, but I loved Nate!
In tone, for a large portion of Hemlock Island it reminded me of Scooby Doo mysteries; it felt light hearted but like there was something always lurking just on the edge of the page. When the darkness emerged it got really intense and occult. I liked both aspects of the novels' delivery.
There was a fair bit of lines overused, such as Laney always being the one spot something and then getting into a dangerous situation just to answer her question. It was irritating from a character growth perspective, but from a reading point of view, it led to scenes feeling repetitive and stale on occasions. She also just felt like a savior trope that was perfect and selfless in every way, and to read that perspective was a little annoying.
It was also annoying that it ran circles hinting at events that happened without saying it until a dramatic moment when it was revealed. It was effective, don't get me wrong, but the suspense was dragged out so much that I felt myself losing interest in the upcoming reveal.
There were definitely some components that I think could have been edited, as outlined above, but for the most part, this was an enjoyable, spooky story giving off haunted house, old entity type horror archetypes that I typically love.
As my first Kelley Armstrong novel I have to say that I’m disappointed. Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” is one of my very favourite mysteries, but even I’m tired of this ~trapped on a secluded island~ trope. Unfortunately this novel was a chaotic mess with “twists” just to have more twists and it wasn’t even that twisty. Just branches leading to nothing.
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I guessed the ending halfway through but there were still enough twists to keep it interesting.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Summer cabin slasher vibes that also grapples with tough topics
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Biphobia, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gore, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while, the description drew me in and the story was damn good! Some parts threw me off a tad, it felt like the twists and turns were slightly forced but the ending brought it back for me. There were some deliciously creepy bits that gave me goosebumps! Definitely a fun summer read.
dark
tense
medium-paced