Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
***These are my random thoughts after finishing the book. Some of the thoughts are an overall review of the book, or any questions/feelings that nagged at me throughout. There will almost definitely be spoilers. Read at your own risk.*** ‐----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.5 stars down
Started out good but dragged in the middle, once the power of the apples were established
Definitely felt too long
I get that Calla is just a teenager but she was pretty annoying sometimes
Parts of it were good and creepy
Good reading for October/fall
Made me want an
3.5 stars down
Started out good but dragged in the middle, once the power of the apples were established
Definitely felt too long
I get that Calla is just a teenager but she was pretty annoying sometimes
Parts of it were good and creepy
Good reading for October/fall
Made me want an
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I wanted to like this book but the first thing that irritated me was that it was trying to be overly inclusive. As if the author was ticking every box for all inclusive tropes possible. Back to back of that from the start. I kept pushing on and realized the book was also a slow burn that honestly had a good payout by the end. The book could have been shortened quite a bit in my opinion.
The last thing that irritated me was the obvious rant from the author about political views. It felt so out of place and weren't woven into the story well enough to justify them.
The book isn't bad but it wasn't all that good either.
The last thing that irritated me was the obvious rant from the author about political views. It felt so out of place and weren't woven into the story well enough to justify them.
The book isn't bad but it wasn't all that good either.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book could do with some major trimming down; when it was about the horror, it was fantastic, and I enjoyed the characters. But then it would meander for such a long chunk of the story, and I would lose interest. I like several of this author's other books, which were also on the chunky side, so I think the issue was only with this particular story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
dark
tense
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
While horror isn't really my genre, I love Chuck Wendig's writing and this was no disappointment. Gripping story with great characters that builds to an unputdownable climax. All about evil apples (and people).
Absolutely compelling, this was so creepy and disturbing. A perfect autumnal read, with some wonderfully descriptive writing. I could almost feel myself biting into an apple, although thankfully I don’t like them much, I’m not sure I could eat one again. The lyrical writing style made for a beautifully insidious horror story, I really think that this is Wendig at his best.
I really enjoyed learning about apples too, the history element was fascinating, who knew that there were so many varieties of apple. Also the idea of the apple being the fruit that bore sin in the garden of Eden, yet also being the staple fruit of most homes. Some interesting ideas, brilliantly and horrifically executed.
I really enjoyed learning about apples too, the history element was fascinating, who knew that there were so many varieties of apple. Also the idea of the apple being the fruit that bore sin in the garden of Eden, yet also being the staple fruit of most homes. Some interesting ideas, brilliantly and horrifically executed.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was fantastic. Will definitely haunt me for a while. So good. Thank you, Mr Wendig. I also loved the afterword.