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_egg_wash's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Death, and Addiction
Minor: Confinement, Blood, Drug use, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Vomit, and Cursing
mercurialbooks's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was disappointing because it was sold as "spine-chilling".
It is a slightly haunting tale where the cold weather and Scottish pine woodland are atmospheric and beautiful. Unfortunately the characters do not live up to the same level of description and I didn't find myself warming to them. A father and daughter are the subjects of village gossip after the mother went missing ten years ago. The father has not thrived in that decade, he is struggling. The daughter it seems has mostly raised herself.
There is an exciting event written on the back of the book that a reader might anticipate happens quite quickly and make this book a thriller, as it was marketed. It doesn't actually occur till around the last 100 pages. I feel removing this from the blurb in any future additions might help the pace feel more natural.
It is a slightly haunting tale where the cold weather and Scottish pine woodland are atmospheric and beautiful. Unfortunately the characters do not live up to the same level of description and I didn't find myself warming to them. A father and daughter are the subjects of village gossip after the mother went missing ten years ago. The father has not thrived in that decade, he is struggling. The daughter it seems has mostly raised herself.
There is an exciting event written on the back of the book that a reader might anticipate happens quite quickly and make this book a thriller, as it was marketed. It doesn't actually occur till around the last 100 pages. I feel removing this from the blurb in any future additions might help the pace feel more natural.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Confinement
nakutski's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A well spooky story with a tender heart that slowly develops into a thriller. A 4/5 because the start was a bit slow and the story needed some time to get into the swing of things. Excellent audiobook narrator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Physical abuse, Murder, Kidnapping, Grief, Gore, Death of parent, Death, Confinement, Bullying, Blood, Animal death, and Alcoholism
sheryl_macca's review
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Pine is a modern ghost story which begins on Halloween night and is set in a rural, atmospheric village in Scotland.
I'm not sure that it is actually YA but since the protagonist is an 11 year old girl it reads that way.
The plot is suspenseful and tense. It slowly builds to the resolution of the mystery which we know is coming. The end wasn't shocking, it wasn't as emotional as expected and it was wrapped up a little too quickly but I did enjoy this book.
Something about Lauren and her father Niall really resonated with me. I felt protective of Lauren, I empathised with her. Niall is essentially a good man but he is lost and lonely and his daughter Lauren isn't the priority she should be. I couldn't dislike Niall for it though. The writing of his character was really wonderful.
Atmospheric is definitely the word for Pine. This book is a mood. It's not groundbreaking but read at the right time it's perfect.
I'm not sure that it is actually YA but since the protagonist is an 11 year old girl it reads that way.
The plot is suspenseful and tense. It slowly builds to the resolution of the mystery which we know is coming. The end wasn't shocking, it wasn't as emotional as expected and it was wrapped up a little too quickly but I did enjoy this book.
Something about Lauren and her father Niall really resonated with me. I felt protective of Lauren, I empathised with her. Niall is essentially a good man but he is lost and lonely and his daughter Lauren isn't the priority she should be. I couldn't dislike Niall for it though. The writing of his character was really wonderful.
Atmospheric is definitely the word for Pine. This book is a mood. It's not groundbreaking but read at the right time it's perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Confinement, Drug use, and Murder
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