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biblio_gabriella's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
OMG this book is fantastic! I loved the mystery and the (likable) characters. This one kept me guessing all the way through, and I adored the ending!
So, this book started out pretty slow for me. Except for the occasional ominous note left by the Tell Tale, it didn’t seem like much was happening. It was hard keeping track of all the characters, and the town’s men (who we, unfortunately, spend a lot of time with) are absolutely repugnant. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. But at around the 30% mark, I found myself getting invested in the main characters as things started to pick up the pace. From then on, I was hooked!
The Tell Tale has four POVs in total. Beth Griffiths, one of the two main POVS, is reluctantly back in Foel with her daughter to take care of her ailing mother. She has terrible memories of Foel and I felt her dread at the prospect of watching her daughter going through the same things. The other main POV is Lady Sophie Melling, the reclusive heir to Foel’s manor who can’t escape the townspeople trying to tell her what to do. This book features a large cast of characters (wonderful and reprehensible alike) who are all acquainted with one another, giving a feeling reminiscent of a dark, twisted soap opera.
As I mentioned, the pacing is rather slow at first, but for most of the book, it was hard to put it down. Secrets are dropped and small truths are revealed, and my main question while reading was “What the hell is going ON in this town?” Sometimes there’s info-concealing, but I didn’t mind that because I liked how it adds to the mystery and increasing tension.
There are some love stories in this book, all of which I adored! I won’t spoil anything about who or what, but I loved the different types of relationships featured. I also loved the different queer identities represented, especially the character who is asexual. I loved the way this character describes their love, and I cheered them on for loving themself as they are.
The only other book I’ve read by Ashton so far is Poppy Jenkins, a sweet romance, so this is completely different genre-wise. What the two books have in common, though, are lush descriptions of Wales scenery, lovely queer characters to root for, and relationships with lots of depth and history. This just shows Ashton’s incredible range of writing: I truly think she could write any genre and retain her particular flair.
My one real complaint is that a few of the lines of inquiry didn’t wrap up completely. They’re not major plot points at all though, and the answers can be inferred so that they make sense.
In short, this novel completely absorbed me and I can’t wait to read the rest of Ashton’s back catalog!
other content warnings: disowning, gunshots, homelessness, hunting/animal death, loss of a loved one, pills, trespassing, trauma, victim blaming
I received an ARC from Clare Ashton and am voluntarily leaving a review.
So, this book started out pretty slow for me. Except for the occasional ominous note left by the Tell Tale, it didn’t seem like much was happening. It was hard keeping track of all the characters, and the town’s men (who we, unfortunately, spend a lot of time with) are absolutely repugnant. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. But at around the 30% mark, I found myself getting invested in the main characters as things started to pick up the pace. From then on, I was hooked!
The Tell Tale has four POVs in total. Beth Griffiths, one of the two main POVS, is reluctantly back in Foel with her daughter to take care of her ailing mother. She has terrible memories of Foel and I felt her dread at the prospect of watching her daughter going through the same things. The other main POV is Lady Sophie Melling, the reclusive heir to Foel’s manor who can’t escape the townspeople trying to tell her what to do. This book features a large cast of characters (wonderful and reprehensible alike) who are all acquainted with one another, giving a feeling reminiscent of a dark, twisted soap opera.
As I mentioned, the pacing is rather slow at first, but for most of the book, it was hard to put it down. Secrets are dropped and small truths are revealed, and my main question while reading was “What the hell is going ON in this town?” Sometimes there’s info-concealing, but I didn’t mind that because I liked how it adds to the mystery and increasing tension.
There are some love stories in this book, all of which I adored! I won’t spoil anything about who or what, but I loved the different types of relationships featured. I also loved the different queer identities represented, especially the character who is asexual. I loved the way this character describes their love, and I cheered them on for loving themself as they are.
The only other book I’ve read by Ashton so far is Poppy Jenkins, a sweet romance, so this is completely different genre-wise. What the two books have in common, though, are lush descriptions of Wales scenery, lovely queer characters to root for, and relationships with lots of depth and history. This just shows Ashton’s incredible range of writing: I truly think she could write any genre and retain her particular flair.
My one real complaint is that a few of the lines of inquiry didn’t wrap up completely. They’re not major plot points at all though, and the answers can be inferred so that they make sense.
In short, this novel completely absorbed me and I can’t wait to read the rest of Ashton’s back catalog!
other content warnings: disowning, gunshots, homelessness, hunting/animal death, loss of a loved one, pills, trespassing, trauma, victim blaming
I received an ARC from Clare Ashton and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Racism
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