Reviews

Der Knochenwald by Christina Henry

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squidshroom's review against another edition

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? Yes

3.5

I think this book had a lot of potential that was not fully realized due to its split focus between the main relationship and the secondary storyline (Trying to avoid spoilers). Its strength lies in the relationship between "Martha" and William but the addition of the creature just seems like unnecessary tension that refuses to let the book stay grounded (Where the narrative shines the most). Overall a little above average but I think it had a lot of unrealized potential.

Content Warnings

bahar's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No

3.0

celsa's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5

The first half is thrilling and the pace perfect. I was intrigued from the first pages.

However, the second half of the book was more difficult to read. The main characters and especially Mattie keep repeating the obvious, leaving us without any room for interpretation. The fact of explaining everything and telling us how to think puts the reader in an infantile position and slows the story’s action.
Also, C.P. one of the characters seemed unrealistic to me.

It is all in all an entertaining read with some minor flaws.

jenhurst's review against another edition

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4.0

I’ve read a decent amount of horror novels since October this year, many of which were on the goodreads choice awards. I did enjoy “things have gotten worse since we last spoke” and “all the blackened teeth” which have gotten awful reviews on good reads, but every other one I read I thought were bad-okay. Maybe i just have a different taste of horror, I’m not sure. I really enjoyed this one though. I liked how it was in the winter and it was atmospheric with the cold. It gave me similar vibes to one of my favourite video games Until Dawn, so if you like that game I recommend picking this up. I loved how fast paced it was. I’m excited to read more by Christina Henry. The ghost tree and the red riding hood retelling in particular.

luminous's review against another edition

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3.0

Workmanlike prose. MC seems psychic with how she always knows where the monster is. I'm sure the parallel is that she has a lot of experience keeping track of the whereabouts and emotional state of big angry monsters, but still it was almost too much. Liked the dynamic with and between the college students. Unlike other reviewers I do buy William being so flatly and thoroughly evil, becasue it's established that he's incorporated a twisted religiosity into his shitty worldview. However, I do not buy that a vehicle could have been running within a 30 minute or so walking distance and not be heard from the cabin. Especially in winter. I also will reluctantly accept, but strongly disbelieve, the moneymaking occupation William had.

I guess I didn't feel any additional deepness to the story. The monster wasn't scary at all until about 20 minutes from the end. And like No Exit, I refuse to believe people notice and are affected by cold and snow as little as they are in the book. Though this is nowhere as bad as that book's treatment of snow!