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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
This was probably one of my biggest surprises of the year. I didn't have high expectations for this one and came out of it pleasantly surprised. The comps were for the Mare of Eastown (Show) and The Outsider (Book, Stephen King). I haven't seen/read either of them, but after reading this one, and having just purchased a good used copy of The Outsider at a recent library sale, I am excited to check them out.
I thought this was going to land more in the Thriller genre, but I think it is much more of a horror read. While it is not in your face scary it is more than a little unsettling and that feeling of dread and unease grows throughout the fast paced book. This one is compelling enough to keep you turning pages and once the action starts, it doesn't stop until the last page. This is the definition of a "bingeable" book. I read it in less than 24 hours and was eager to keep picking it back up.
I will say that I had an issue with some of the characters, and that goes for pretty much all of them. The characters are a bit exaggerated at the beginning and throughout the novel their actions, motivations, and decisions don't feel consistent. The main cast are pretty much all unlikable or annoying and while that works for some, I didn't necessarily have anyone to cheer on. That remained true for nearly the entire book until the very end. At that point I was relying on my compassion as a parent to illicit some connection and emotional response to the characters. There were many moments in this, as a parent, that were hard to handle. Definitely trigger warnings for the loss of a child in this one. While I don't get triggered by this particular element, it doesn't make it any easier to read.
The horror in this is somewhere in the cosmic realm and I was reminded of books like The Watchers by A.M. Shine and Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chobosky. It is Appalachian folkloric horror and those elements were certainly the best part of this book. It was downright haunting at times and would be the perfect book to take into the woods on a camping trip this summer. Bonus points if you are in the Appalachian area.
I would say that while I was not blown away by Gunn's writing I still enjoyed it enough and think she penned a great, creepy horror novel here. I will look for future works from this Debut Author. If you like any of the comps mentioned above or are looking for a chilling folkloric horror novel, this is definitely a contender for one of the best horror I have read this year.
I thought this was going to land more in the Thriller genre, but I think it is much more of a horror read. While it is not in your face scary it is more than a little unsettling and that feeling of dread and unease grows throughout the fast paced book. This one is compelling enough to keep you turning pages and once the action starts, it doesn't stop until the last page. This is the definition of a "bingeable" book. I read it in less than 24 hours and was eager to keep picking it back up.
I will say that I had an issue with some of the characters, and that goes for pretty much all of them. The characters are a bit exaggerated at the beginning and throughout the novel their actions, motivations, and decisions don't feel consistent. The main cast are pretty much all unlikable or annoying and while that works for some, I didn't necessarily have anyone to cheer on. That remained true for nearly the entire book until the very end. At that point I was relying on my compassion as a parent to illicit some connection and emotional response to the characters. There were many moments in this, as a parent, that were hard to handle. Definitely trigger warnings for the loss of a child in this one. While I don't get triggered by this particular element, it doesn't make it any easier to read.
The horror in this is somewhere in the cosmic realm and I was reminded of books like The Watchers by A.M. Shine and Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chobosky. It is Appalachian folkloric horror and those elements were certainly the best part of this book. It was downright haunting at times and would be the perfect book to take into the woods on a camping trip this summer. Bonus points if you are in the Appalachian area.
I would say that while I was not blown away by Gunn's writing I still enjoyed it enough and think she penned a great, creepy horror novel here. I will look for future works from this Debut Author. If you like any of the comps mentioned above or are looking for a chilling folkloric horror novel, this is definitely a contender for one of the best horror I have read this year.
Published on Peeking Between the Pages (https://peekingbetweenthepages.com/2025/04/nowhere-by-allison-gunn-audiobook.html)
This is the debut novel of Allison Gunn about a series of disappearances in a small Virginia town. What a great debut! It had me hooked from beginning to end with the creepy atmosphere and dark story.
This is the debut novel of Allison Gunn about a series of disappearances in a small Virginia town. What a great debut! It had me hooked from beginning to end with the creepy atmosphere and dark story.
Rachel Kennan is the police chief in a small town. She focuses on her career to help her handle the grief she feels over tragically losing her son. Her husband Finn’s alcoholism is what caused their whole family to fall apart. They are staying together at this point for their two girls who have issues of their own.
When the small town experiences its first horrific crime Rachel ends up having to delve into the lives of people best left alone. When the forest around them begins to call the children of the town things really take a scary turn. Both Rachel and Finn have no choice but to work together to save their girls and family.
I listened to the audiobook and its was so good. Leanne Woodward reads the story and she does an awesome job. She leaves you feeling unsettled and you feel as though you’re living right in the creepiness of the story. She really added to my enjoyment of the story.
Nowhere draws from Appalachian folklore and I found it fascinating. If you like horror and novels that scare you some then grab a copy of Nowhere. I really enjoyed it and look forward to more from Allison Gunn in the future.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The premise was great and I enjoyed how it unfolded… I wish she leaned more into the Appalachian lore. Unfortunately the main characters are insufferable and they made it really hard to a. root for them and b. fully enjoy the story.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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:
Yes
The few things that bothered me about this book are so heavily outweighed by the sheer terror the author manages to cultivate. The woods, song, character Things... you won't catch me hiking near Roanoke for a while
lighthearted
tense
dark
medium-paced
Very creepy vibes in this Appalachian horror. I wish some parts (the religious cult aspects) had been more well developed and that the action had been more condensed and faster paced, but I liked the idea and it had a great ending. I will definitely try this author again.
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book started out pretty decent, then dragged, then the last 15% really ramped up again.
I could not stand Rachel or Finn. Their kids deserved so much better. Rachel’s stubbornness and hardheaded behavior just got tedious. To the point where I almost just DNF’d the book. Especially towards the 75% mark where Jeremy is explaining what this all seems to be and she just stubbornly refuses to listen at all.
I don’t mind an unlikable or flawed protagonist, but she was too much for me.
I think if the pacing in the middle had been a little better, this could have been a higher rated read for me. The creepy black eyed children, the forest, it has all the makings of an amazing horror story, but this one just wasn’t really for me.
I could not stand Rachel or Finn. Their kids deserved so much better. Rachel’s stubbornness and hardheaded behavior just got tedious. To the point where I almost just DNF’d the book. Especially towards the 75% mark where Jeremy is explaining what this all seems to be and she just stubbornly refuses to listen at all.
I don’t mind an unlikable or flawed protagonist, but she was too much for me.
I think if the pacing in the middle had been a little better, this could have been a higher rated read for me. The creepy black eyed children, the forest, it has all the makings of an amazing horror story, but this one just wasn’t really for me.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
Yes