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littlespookysmut's review
4.0
This was SO GOOD. Very quick but super scary! If you like folk horror, for sure read this one! I'm giving it four stars cause I would have loved more backstory of the grandpa and grandma.
adamsfall's review
4.0
I really loved the episode the author directed for Cabinet of Curiosities and was intrigued by this. Really fun. Review to come
ivyinthepages's review
3.0
Rating: 2.75 leaves out of 5
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 2.5/5
Story: 3/5
Writing: 2.75/5
Horror: 3/5
Genre: Horror/Mythology/Fantasy
Type: Ebook
Worth?: Yes
Hated|Disliked|Meh|It Was Okay|Liked|Loved
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
When I started this book I didn't think I would really like it. The writing wasn't it and the characters weren't giving to me what I wanted but as I kept reading I found myself wanting to read more. I stayed up late last night to read and if I hadn't had a headache I would have finished it.
I didn't like Pa and I took a huge problem with the mom taking him over there so much that he knew him well. But they explained some thing on what happened after the beginning. There were times when I was a bit confused but it all smoothed out as I read more.
For horror? I am rating it a bit high because I was scared to go to bed a bit. That is a win in my book!
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 2.5/5
Story: 3/5
Writing: 2.75/5
Horror: 3/5
Genre: Horror/Mythology/Fantasy
Type: Ebook
Worth?: Yes
Hated|Disliked|Meh|It Was Okay|Liked|Loved
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
When I started this book I didn't think I would really like it. The writing wasn't it and the characters weren't giving to me what I wanted but as I kept reading I found myself wanting to read more. I stayed up late last night to read and if I hadn't had a headache I would have finished it.
I didn't like Pa and I took a huge problem with the mom taking him over there so much that he knew him well. But they explained some thing on what happened after the beginning. There were times when I was a bit confused but it all smoothed out as I read more.
For horror? I am rating it a bit high because I was scared to go to bed a bit. That is a win in my book!
crochanqueen13's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
Short book but it packs a creepy punch!
daniellestarredpages's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Unfortunately I was really disappointed with this book.
My biggest issue was the writing style. There were a lot of info dumps from the very beginning to the end of the book, the author would insert random information into sentences and they information was never brought up or useful after that.
I struggled to understand why Beth, would move far away from her abusive father and then have a child and bring him around her father so much that the son felt more comfortable in that house than most other places. Another thing was that Asher had a complete 180 in terms of personality, especially in regards to his behaviour towards his mother, and it was very sudden and I felt there was no substantial build up to it.
The horror element was the redeeming quality as I feel it was done quite well and definitely involved a creepy atmosphere.
The ending also felt very rushed and didn't do a good job wrapping up the story in my opinion
My biggest issue was the writing style. There were a lot of info dumps from the very beginning to the end of the book, the author would insert random information into sentences and they information was never brought up or useful after that.
I struggled to understand why Beth, would move far away from her abusive father and then have a child and bring him around her father so much that the son felt more comfortable in that house than most other places. Another thing was that Asher had a complete 180 in terms of personality, especially in regards to his behaviour towards his mother, and it was very sudden and I felt there was no substantial build up to it.
The horror element was the redeeming quality as I feel it was done quite well and definitely involved a creepy atmosphere.
The ending also felt very rushed and didn't do a good job wrapping up the story in my opinion
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Alcoholism, Gore, Body horror, and Blood
littlespookycute's review
4.0
This was SO GOOD. Very quick but super scary! If you like folk horror, for sure read this one! I'm giving it four stars cause I would have loved more backstory of the grandpa and grandma.
beearedee's review
adventurous
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
kowalski2aa's review
4.0
Thank you NetGalley for allowing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The first thing that interested me in reading this book has definitely got to be the cover. I mean just look at it! (Serious creepy vibes right there, along with the title in general. Just what exactly is a "Dunnie"?) This book was interesting from beginning to end, fast-paced, exciting and the definition of horror. I could also the genre fitting as psychological thriller as well based on the emotional abuse, dementia and all of the emotions the characters feel.
This book fits perfect as a novella, it wasn't too short nor too long, but got its message across clear during the length of the book. I don't think it would have benefitted being longer because it would have had useless dialogue and take away from the story overall. The characters were a bit flat, other than Asher and Pa of course, but there was much time explaining in depth what the Dunnie looks like, what it likes to eat and how it came to be.
Now this book is definitely something I could see being turned into a movie someday. It had the right amount of scare factor, buildup and creepy characters. You never know what could be lurking in the shadows (and in this case, vents) and how you may be afraid of the dark and falling asleep for the rest of your life. Shape shifters creep me out and I would never want to be in the same room as a Dunnie, no thanks!
I will definitely be reading more by Keith Thomas in the future.
The first thing that interested me in reading this book has definitely got to be the cover. I mean just look at it! (Serious creepy vibes right there, along with the title in general. Just what exactly is a "Dunnie"?) This book was interesting from beginning to end, fast-paced, exciting and the definition of horror. I could also the genre fitting as psychological thriller as well based on the emotional abuse, dementia and all of the emotions the characters feel.
This book fits perfect as a novella, it wasn't too short nor too long, but got its message across clear during the length of the book. I don't think it would have benefitted being longer because it would have had useless dialogue and take away from the story overall. The characters were a bit flat, other than Asher and Pa of course, but there was much time explaining in depth what the Dunnie looks like, what it likes to eat and how it came to be.
Now this book is definitely something I could see being turned into a movie someday. It had the right amount of scare factor, buildup and creepy characters. You never know what could be lurking in the shadows (and in this case, vents) and how you may be afraid of the dark and falling asleep for the rest of your life. Shape shifters creep me out and I would never want to be in the same room as a Dunnie, no thanks!
I will definitely be reading more by Keith Thomas in the future.
d2dragon's review
4.0
This was an interesting story. I really like how the author describes Dunnie. I had never heard of such a character. I like the main character of the story, the grandson. This was a good horror book.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
airxsouls's review
3.0
Received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It fills the void for existential folk-lore horror that has you absolutely sure this is a real thing that can get you in the corner of your room while you're reading. It's an interesting take on the English-Scottish tales and gives them an entirely new meaning of creepy.
Our author essentially explores what all horror usually does, and how abuse and trauma can affect our minds, body, and soul. Letting in the wicked and grotesque to scare us into being a new person once it's over. It was a good fast-paced read with intense descriptions of what was happening around our main character.
I'm sure our monster's description could scare quite a few people if they didn't know what they were getting into! I gave it 3 stars but I would actually say more like 3.5 if I was able to rate it that here. I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it. A lot of the characters are hard to feel for and sometimes it felt a bit pointless with what they're doing. I think that's why I didn't do the full 4.
It fills the void for existential folk-lore horror that has you absolutely sure this is a real thing that can get you in the corner of your room while you're reading. It's an interesting take on the English-Scottish tales and gives them an entirely new meaning of creepy.
Our author essentially explores what all horror usually does, and how abuse and trauma can affect our minds, body, and soul. Letting in the wicked and grotesque to scare us into being a new person once it's over. It was a good fast-paced read with intense descriptions of what was happening around our main character.
I'm sure our monster's description could scare quite a few people if they didn't know what they were getting into! I gave it 3 stars but I would actually say more like 3.5 if I was able to rate it that here. I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it. A lot of the characters are hard to feel for and sometimes it felt a bit pointless with what they're doing. I think that's why I didn't do the full 4.