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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
... it is easy to assume that I do not like Tidepool at all, but it is not so simple as “liking” or “disliking” it. I appreciate what the author is trying to do: take the tradition of gothic horror, mix it with the eldritch horror of Lovecraft, and tell a tale focused on women and the lengths they will go to to protect those they care about – even if it means destroying themselves, and the very thing they wish to protect. All these things are admirable. The problem is the overall execution: this novel does not hold up quite so well when compared to other stories I’ve read before. I can see what it wants to do, and I can see how it tries to get there, but it just doesn’t quite make it.
Full review here: https://wp.me/p21txV-LX
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Tidepool is a gothic horror debut from author Nicole Willson. It's reminiscent of a Lovecraftian tale with very dark atmosphere in a creepy seaside town. Wilson's writing is smooth and coherent, with a lot of promise for future reads. She clearly has an excellent imagination and she has a talent for creating a nice, creepy feel.
While the atmosphere won me over, the protagonist (Sorrow) was a problem for me. At times she seemed to have a good head on her shoulders, but then she would make the stupidest decisions. Dumb characters who behave like slasher film victims are not my fave. This made the plot run a bit circular, dragged down the pacing, and made the story less believable. (I realize that believable is an odd thing to mention when dealing with a speculative fiction read, but that's what we're going with.)
The storyline was fun and creepy, but admittedly fairly predictable. While I enjoyed this quick, gothic read, I just wanted something a bit more solid and shocking. The writing, however, shows great promise and with Willson's clever imagination I expect that she may have some good spooky stories to share in the future.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
While the atmosphere won me over, the protagonist (Sorrow) was a problem for me. At times she seemed to have a good head on her shoulders, but then she would make the stupidest decisions. Dumb characters who behave like slasher film victims are not my fave. This made the plot run a bit circular, dragged down the pacing, and made the story less believable. (I realize that believable is an odd thing to mention when dealing with a speculative fiction read, but that's what we're going with.)
The storyline was fun and creepy, but admittedly fairly predictable. While I enjoyed this quick, gothic read, I just wanted something a bit more solid and shocking. The writing, however, shows great promise and with Willson's clever imagination I expect that she may have some good spooky stories to share in the future.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tidepool is a gothic horror novel following Sorrow Hamilton, a wayward young woman who defies her father and travels to the seaside town of Tidepool after her brother, Henry, fails to return from a trip there. The instant she arrives in Tidepool, Sorrow feels uneasy, and the residents of the town are unusually cagey about answering any of her questions about Henry. Sorrow sets about uncovering the mystery of her brother's whereabouts, and ends up discovering much more than she bargained for.
I could not stop reading this book. I just had to know what would happen next. It was creepy, atmospheric, and delightfully dark. Tidepool is full of twists and scares and just when I thought I knew who was who and who was what, I was thrown all over again. I enjoyed Sorrow as a character, and found her to be a very realistic heroine. I also particularly loved the way the backstory and the legend of the Lords was woven into the novel. All in all I thoroughly recommend this read!
Tidepool is a gothic horror novel following Sorrow Hamilton, a wayward young woman who defies her father and travels to the seaside town of Tidepool after her brother, Henry, fails to return from a trip there. The instant she arrives in Tidepool, Sorrow feels uneasy, and the residents of the town are unusually cagey about answering any of her questions about Henry. Sorrow sets about uncovering the mystery of her brother's whereabouts, and ends up discovering much more than she bargained for.
I could not stop reading this book. I just had to know what would happen next. It was creepy, atmospheric, and delightfully dark. Tidepool is full of twists and scares and just when I thought I knew who was who and who was what, I was thrown all over again. I enjoyed Sorrow as a character, and found her to be a very realistic heroine. I also particularly loved the way the backstory and the legend of the Lords was woven into the novel. All in all I thoroughly recommend this read!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved this book which is a creepy, unsettling, Lovecraftian inspired horror story.
The setting of the small, seaside town of Tidepool is brought to life with such vivid imagery. It sent shivers down my spine with the dark, eerie suspense that was being created in the pages in front of me. Bodies in the sea, missing people, secretive townsfolk and a lot of graves for a small population . . . this would all make me want to get the hell out of Tidepool! The main character, Sorrow, however, is determined to discover what has happened to her missing brother and when she finds out what has happened to him, it is beyond her worst nightmares.
The mysterious and sinister Ada Oliver I found terrifying to read about! I certainly will not be forgetting about her for a while. . .
This is the perfect gothic read for the forthcoming spooky season with its vintage horror inspiration and American Horror Story type goriness oozing out of the pages. I certainly will be checking out more from this author in the future.
dark
mysterious
Main character, Sorrow, is 21! So New Adult for people like me who look for that!
The vibes of the town of Tidepool are Creepy AF.
I had no idea what to expect going into this story or how the ending was going to play out. I flew through it cause I wanted to learn everything. The primary perspective is that of Sorrow’s, but I appreciated the inclusion of chapters from other’s POVs. This meant that we actually saw things play out rather than have it all told to Sorrow. And man, Ada has a story!
Every character we came across I was like ‘they’re sus.’ You really didn’t know if a character was gonna help or hurt Sorrow and that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I already hate going in the water cause you never know what’s really in there. But now I’m worried about currently living so close to the ocean. What if something happens and the Lords rise?!
Sorrow being ready to fight anyone at any given moment was a mood and for being a woman in 1913 I was so proud of her. I loved all the women in this story. Each was different, but they had fought for what they have and who they love.
Thank You Parliament House Press for the review copy!