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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I went into this book with really high expectations, because Chuck Wendig's other horror novel, The Book of Accidents, was one of my favourite reads in 2023. This one fell really short of that for me.
I found the pace quite slow - the book seemed very long and followed too many character viewpoints. Some of the characters were really frustrating and unlikeable (with the exception of my boy John Compass, who was delightful), which made both the length and the jumping around a little much.
The references to one main character, Calla's, social media and desire to become a successful influencer felt really forced, and at times seemed to be completely forgotten about. Her chapters could have benefited from some editing or something to make it more consistent, since the first 1/3 of the book her every second word or thought was about her social media presence and how she could increase her following. In the later parts of the book it was not mentioned at all, except when posting videos online became a convenient plot device.
This also is maybe a personal preference, but I really could have lived without the wink wink lasciviousness (would have otherwise loved Joanie if I wasn’t cringing my way through her chapters). I know it’s often a staple of the horror genre, but it was not a value add and a lot of it just seemed to be there for shock value.
I found the pace quite slow - the book seemed very long and followed too many character viewpoints. Some of the characters were really frustrating and unlikeable (with the exception of my boy John Compass, who was delightful), which made both the length and the jumping around a little much.
The references to one main character, Calla's, social media and desire to become a successful influencer felt really forced, and at times seemed to be completely forgotten about. Her chapters could have benefited from some editing or something to make it more consistent, since the first 1/3 of the book her every second word or thought was about her social media presence and how she could increase her following. In the later parts of the book it was not mentioned at all, except when posting videos online became a convenient plot device.
This also is maybe a personal preference, but I really could have lived without the wink wink lasciviousness (would have otherwise loved Joanie if I wasn’t cringing my way through her chapters). I know it’s often a staple of the horror genre, but it was not a value add and a lot of it just seemed to be there for shock value.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.5 stars
I mostly enjoyed reading this, but it felt a tiny bit long in parts, and left me with a vague sense that the climax was slightly mistimed and muddled in the story.
I can’t really say more about that without spoilers, but generally, if you enjoy Wendig’s books you’ll probably enjoy this one. He tends to lean a bit on cliches, but his work has a pulpy and almost satirical feel that I always find entertaining.
I mostly enjoyed reading this, but it felt a tiny bit long in parts, and left me with a vague sense that the climax was slightly mistimed and muddled in the story.
I can’t really say more about that without spoilers, but generally, if you enjoy Wendig’s books you’ll probably enjoy this one. He tends to lean a bit on cliches, but his work has a pulpy and almost satirical feel that I always find entertaining.
A gnarly and twisted horror read that was perfect for Fall reading! Haven’t read a bad book from Wendig yet!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
While I found the plot to be quite original, akin to midnight mass at first, the tone kept changing chapter to chapter which for me at least, killed a lot of the suspense. I liked the subtle way the effects of the apples were revealed, you do get a sense of dread and loss with a few of the characters, your loved ones slipping away from you, that kind of thing. The reveal when it comes is not quite as shocking as it could've been with all the flashbacks and folksy exposition but still creepy to read. More RL Stine than Stephen King in its delivery, not that that is a bad thing but still.
Doing my best to avoid spoilers, but: some characters were unlikable even before what happened to them, and their actions thereafter were completely irredeemable to me, so it was hard to suspend my disbelief and accept what the author clearly wants to convey with said characters towards the end. Overall, 3.5 stars seems about right.
Doing my best to avoid spoilers, but: some characters were unlikable even before what happened to them, and their actions thereafter were completely irredeemable to me, so it was hard to suspend my disbelief and accept what the author clearly wants to convey with said characters towards the end. Overall, 3.5 stars seems about right.
I am going to share my thoughts on the audio narration and sound first. The audio is narrated by Xe Sands, Brittany Pressley, Sean Patrick Hopkins, Cindy Kay, Kalani Queypo, Gabra Zackman, and Victor Colomé. Overall, I enjoyed the narration and was thrilled that it was a full-cast. One narrator was disappointing, as I felt like he just read the story with little inflection. The sound quality on for one narrator was poor, and you clearly heard the difference. Aside from those pesky problems, I enjoyed listening.
Now to the story. Wendig imagination is twisted! How he came up with this story was quite the tale. I hope he keeps twistings these stories, but for goodness’ sake man, stay away from pizza.
We travel to the town of Harrow, a small farming town where land has been owned by the same families for generation. A down on his luck farmer, who lives with his teenage daughter, grafts apple branches from an ancient tree with his own trees. The apples it produces are sweet, juicy, and the skin is almost black. One bite and you’ll want another. Soon you will feel better, stronger, happier, but you’ll want more and soon things will turn dark.
The tale that unfolds was creeptastic and followed several characters from the farmer to his young daughter. Some will eat the apples, others choose not to. There are things in the soil, dark things from the town’s origins. Slowly, the town’s secrets are revealed and I could not stop listening. It was dark, disturbing, and held me spellbound.
Wendig offered diverse characters and touched on evil, racism, sexism, and prejudices long rooted. I loved the Native American mythology and blending of folklore. He took the time to develop the characters and capturing the town of Harrow and it’s secret society. Fans of Stephen King will appreciate his style of storytelling.
Perfect for listeners and readers alike, looking to sink their teeth into a fantastic horror story. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Now to the story. Wendig imagination is twisted! How he came up with this story was quite the tale. I hope he keeps twistings these stories, but for goodness’ sake man, stay away from pizza.
We travel to the town of Harrow, a small farming town where land has been owned by the same families for generation. A down on his luck farmer, who lives with his teenage daughter, grafts apple branches from an ancient tree with his own trees. The apples it produces are sweet, juicy, and the skin is almost black. One bite and you’ll want another. Soon you will feel better, stronger, happier, but you’ll want more and soon things will turn dark.
The tale that unfolds was creeptastic and followed several characters from the farmer to his young daughter. Some will eat the apples, others choose not to. There are things in the soil, dark things from the town’s origins. Slowly, the town’s secrets are revealed and I could not stop listening. It was dark, disturbing, and held me spellbound.
Wendig offered diverse characters and touched on evil, racism, sexism, and prejudices long rooted. I loved the Native American mythology and blending of folklore. He took the time to develop the characters and capturing the town of Harrow and it’s secret society. Fans of Stephen King will appreciate his style of storytelling.
Perfect for listeners and readers alike, looking to sink their teeth into a fantastic horror story. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
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:
No