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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The characters were superficially diverse but fell a little flat in their overall development. I would have liked some more background on Edward Naberius. I’m not sure about the epilogue. I think I might have enjoyed the story more without out.
This book is fantastic. Wonderful horror story with real heart. And for those of us who read Chuck’s blog and follow him on social media, there is so much of him in this book. Apples! Pennsylvania! Even a tiny Snoobug appearance! Highly recommend, get a copy for all your friends for Christmas.
challenging
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
I would not survive the Ruby Slipper apple. The entire time I read this book, I found myself salivating over apples. I would fall prey to the orchard and not even look back.
Dan Paxton has regained his father's apple orchard back after a long and unfair trial. Hoping to support his daughter's dream to go to Princeton and show the local men that attempted to steal his family orchard that he's worth something, he's able to graft 7 apple trees that produced a new breed of apples. These apples appear to be strange, beautiful, and skin so red, it's nearly black. With a slow start at the local market, Dan's daughter suggest some free samples which cause the apples' popularity to explode. However, the reaction to these apples begin to grow into something that doesn't seem quite natural.
This was my first Chuck Wendig novel and I really enjoyed the writing style. Each character had their own personality and felt genuine in nature. Suspense was built thoughtfully and created a true sense of thrill. Wendig slowly and subtly introduced horrific scenes and descriptions as the novel progressed and I appreciated the build up and anticipation, but it wasn't so slow I would consider this a "slow burn." Very well written and the plot was well rounded. I'm not sure how I was able to read over 600 pages about an evil apple, but Wendig kept me captivated the entire time.
I usually try to suggest a book similar to this one so you can understand what the vibes are, but I'm having a hard time relating to this one as it was unique from other novels. The closest I can think of is "The Reddening" by Adam Neville or "Hex" by Thomas Olde Heuvelt. However, both of those books were far too slow for me to enjoy and didn't seem to pay off as much as Black River Orchard did. But, they did have an overall encompassing terror that lingered in the air over a small town that is being enveloped slowly be evil. And it's very similar in that fashion.
If you enjoy small town stories, a great cast of characters, occultism, body horror, and a paranormal evil, then you'll enjoy Black River Orchard.
Dan Paxton has regained his father's apple orchard back after a long and unfair trial. Hoping to support his daughter's dream to go to Princeton and show the local men that attempted to steal his family orchard that he's worth something, he's able to graft 7 apple trees that produced a new breed of apples. These apples appear to be strange, beautiful, and skin so red, it's nearly black. With a slow start at the local market, Dan's daughter suggest some free samples which cause the apples' popularity to explode. However, the reaction to these apples begin to grow into something that doesn't seem quite natural.
This was my first Chuck Wendig novel and I really enjoyed the writing style. Each character had their own personality and felt genuine in nature. Suspense was built thoughtfully and created a true sense of thrill. Wendig slowly and subtly introduced horrific scenes and descriptions as the novel progressed and I appreciated the build up and anticipation, but it wasn't so slow I would consider this a "slow burn." Very well written and the plot was well rounded. I'm not sure how I was able to read over 600 pages about an evil apple, but Wendig kept me captivated the entire time.
I usually try to suggest a book similar to this one so you can understand what the vibes are, but I'm having a hard time relating to this one as it was unique from other novels. The closest I can think of is "The Reddening" by Adam Neville or "Hex" by Thomas Olde Heuvelt. However, both of those books were far too slow for me to enjoy and didn't seem to pay off as much as Black River Orchard did. But, they did have an overall encompassing terror that lingered in the air over a small town that is being enveloped slowly be evil. And it's very similar in that fashion.
If you enjoy small town stories, a great cast of characters, occultism, body horror, and a paranormal evil, then you'll enjoy Black River Orchard.
Good book about “lost” apples (varieties that don’t really exist), what hat happens when one is found by the wrong person. Creepy and magical.
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
medium-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:
No
dark
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
I don’t always want to compare this author to Stephen King, because I don’t really feel like it’s fair, but Wendig’s books remind me of King in the best possible ways. Sweeping epics, characters that stand out, and books that leave you feeling like how the hell does an author come up with that idea? That encompasses this book. Who knew apples could be so scary?
Felt a little long winded to me but still like it for the most part. Was disappointed Meg made it out