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kimblefairy1989's review against another edition
3.0
Although this novel was good, I was after something that really scared me and this just didn't do the job. In fact, nothing much at all happened until the second half of the novel, with the vast majority of the action happening within the last 20 pages. If you are after a novel that is fairly well written but a bit airy fairy, this is for you. If you are after something scary and intense, don't try this one.
monsieurbearr's review against another edition
4.0
Before I review this book, i'd like to mention that I have read 1 other James Herbert book before this, 'The Secret of Crickley Hall.' I absolutely despised that book, it was 600 pages, and a slog to get through. It was listen-to-it-at-3x-speed bad.
This book started off like Crickley Hall, slow, way too describey for me. I was 50 pages in and I just couldn't get into it.
But, I decided to come back to it - and I am very glad.
As soon as I picked up the book again, the action started happening. The characters became likeable and by the end I cared for them and what would happen to them.
So, this book has certainly improved Herbert's reputation to me, and I am super glad that I returned to it.
A well deserved 4 stars.
This book started off like Crickley Hall, slow, way too describey for me. I was 50 pages in and I just couldn't get into it.
But, I decided to come back to it - and I am very glad.
As soon as I picked up the book again, the action started happening. The characters became likeable and by the end I cared for them and what would happen to them.
So, this book has certainly improved Herbert's reputation to me, and I am super glad that I returned to it.
A well deserved 4 stars.
antiopelle's review against another edition
4.0
A wave of nostalgia hit me when I saw a review of James Herbert passing by, and I decided to re-read The Magic Cottage for old times' sake. 1986, and as a teenager I started to discover Stephen King, Dean Koontz and James Herbert, a taste of the strange, bizarre and unexpected in popular literature.
I will start by saying that I have been reading this whilst staying in a remote cottage in the woods during an early Easter break, which certainly helped me getting the atmosphere right. It started slow, but I like that as it was primarily the atmosphere I wanted to revel in. A few things hit me that I wouldn't have noticed the first time around. The most prominent one is the slight feeling of unease that lingered all around due to the fact that both protagonists are portrayed as much younger than the early 30's they are supposed to be. They both often act and speak as children, certainly Midge, and she is often referred to as a child-like wife, a pixie that needs to be protected. I found this unsettling at times, but not to the point to stop reading.
The story wasn't as eerie as I remember, nothing goes bump in the night, not even when reading it at night in the middle of the woods. At its core, it is a story about good and evil and how they balance each-other out in the world. The character of Mycroft and its followers might have been about sects in the 80's, it is about denial of science in general - a theme that remains very actual today.
All in all, it was very entertaining to go back to an oldie, it brought back very good memories about reading horror books with my friends, exchanging the volumes at the library, searching for the very one that would keep us up at night (The Shining !!). Maybe I'll slot in a few more in the future as it is refreshing reading a book without the current technology. It certainly helped deconnecting from everyday life.
I will start by saying that I have been reading this whilst staying in a remote cottage in the woods during an early Easter break, which certainly helped me getting the atmosphere right. It started slow, but I like that as it was primarily the atmosphere I wanted to revel in. A few things hit me that I wouldn't have noticed the first time around. The most prominent one is the slight feeling of unease that lingered all around due to the fact that both protagonists are portrayed as much younger than the early 30's they are supposed to be. They both often act and speak as children, certainly Midge, and she is often referred to as a child-like wife, a pixie that needs to be protected. I found this unsettling at times, but not to the point to stop reading.
The story wasn't as eerie as I remember, nothing goes bump in the night, not even when reading it at night in the middle of the woods. At its core, it is a story about good and evil and how they balance each-other out in the world. The character of Mycroft and its followers might have been about sects in the 80's, it is about denial of science in general - a theme that remains very actual today.
All in all, it was very entertaining to go back to an oldie, it brought back very good memories about reading horror books with my friends, exchanging the volumes at the library, searching for the very one that would keep us up at night (The Shining !!). Maybe I'll slot in a few more in the future as it is refreshing reading a book without the current technology. It certainly helped deconnecting from everyday life.
jaimer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
pillywiggin's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of my favorite books ever. This is the fifth or sixth time I have read it.
holyheadharpie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
libraryofcalliope's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the story of this one. The story focuses on Mike and Midge as they move into a cottage in the New Forest. The cottage is more than it seems however and has an inherent power to it and the local cult is also interested in it. Can the two coexist as neighbours? The reason it doesn’t get a higher rating is because of some my personal opinions about the choices made. Mike and Midge were a little cliche, Mike is the Everyman but also a session musician and Midge is a children’s illustrator who looks like a pixie. Midge is quirky and has an immediately connection to the cottage but for some reason it turns out she is not the one that can channel the magic of the cottage like they thought, her entire purpose was to bring Mike there... which was a little bit of a meh twist personally. Instead of having her own motivation, it all turns out to be to support her boyfriend’s journey. Her tragic backstory is just there to make her vunerable to the cult so Mike can be the voice of reason. And then there’s Val. Or "Big Val" as she is nicknamed. Partly I have to give Herbert credit for demonstrating how straight men act around butch lesbians, showing the novel discomfort they have even if they’re "cool with them" but I’m not convinced this nuanced portrayal is what he meant to do. Mike can’t stop referring to her thick shoulders or "moustache" and the way she isn’t typically feminine. "Actually Val was okay, although a bit dykey of the bullish kind" is one of the lines introducing her. "Dykey" is used essentially as a but. It isn’t a compliment. I actually liked Val but the way the narrative framed her made me very uncomfortable. She isn’t allowed to just exist... her lack of femininity must be commented on at every chance. It was not horrendous it just rubbed me the wrong way. It could have been done a lot worse. However, if you want a story about the darker side of magic but also nature’s relationship to magic this is definitely an enjoyable read. I had fun with the story.
rockchickchickyrock's review against another edition
4.0
Good creapy book. Really enjoyed it as there was plenty about Magic one of my favourite topics. I would have prefered a different ending but you can't have everything