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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I don't remember enough about this book except to say I was able to read it pretty quickly and don't have any lingering anger about how it might have been a waste of my time, so that means I must have liked it enough. I like Catriona Wards style of writing and setting the scene generally and think this book is about on par with her others, although clearly not my favorite still worth the time.
I had the feeling I didn't make any progress in this book. I used also a book tacking app and it took me 40 minutes to read 20 pages. Wich isn't normal for me. It just wasn't my kind of book I think
Ahoy there me mateys! This book won the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel (2018) and the British Fantasy Award for Best Horror Novel (2019). It is being republished by Tor Nightfire. I have to admit that I enjoyed this book at lot more than the last house on needless street.
The focus of this book is a small cult on the island of Altnaharra in Scotland. The story begins with the discovery of the cult's demise with only one survivor and slowly works its way towards the hows and whys and whos. The majority of the events take place from 1917 to 1921. Though I guessed the twist early on, I was engrossed in finding out how it all went down.
I found Eve to be fascinating character. She desperately wants Uncle, the cult leader's, attention. She is both creepy and sympathetic. The slow unfolding of the history of the cult and its practices were the highlight for me. I actually enjoyed learning and reading about all the characters in this one. The inspector ended up being a surprising favorite. Ward's writing is evocative and compelling. The non-linear timeline was fantastic in maintaining suspense and curiosity. Highly recommended. Arrr!
The focus of this book is a small cult on the island of Altnaharra in Scotland. The story begins with the discovery of the cult's demise with only one survivor and slowly works its way towards the hows and whys and whos. The majority of the events take place from 1917 to 1921. Though I guessed the twist early on, I was engrossed in finding out how it all went down.
I found Eve to be fascinating character. She desperately wants Uncle, the cult leader's, attention. She is both creepy and sympathetic. The slow unfolding of the history of the cult and its practices were the highlight for me. I actually enjoyed learning and reading about all the characters in this one. The inspector ended up being a surprising favorite. Ward's writing is evocative and compelling. The non-linear timeline was fantastic in maintaining suspense and curiosity. Highly recommended. Arrr!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
This one had my brain doing flips. I didn't like certain parts of the story, but I enjoyed the back and forth it made me do. It took me awhile to nail down what I thought was happening, only to find out it was something else entirely. I liked this and would recommend it.
This book had a slow start, and the various twists and turns were a bit off putting at the beginning for me--but once the book got rolling around the first quarter, it got rolling. Was mildly disappointed that it wasn't more supernatural, but once I got over that, it was an enjoyable, unsettling thriller, and a great horror story.
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A story about people trying to leave a cult and the way the world works through the eyes of children.
This one was pretty good. It was about a cult, but from a child's eye. I guessed the twist pretty early on, but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of it any.
This one was pretty good. It was about a cult, but from a child's eye. I guessed the twist pretty early on, but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of it any.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
On a remote Scottish isle in 1920, an entire family is discovered ritualistically murdered in their secluded castle. Only one survivor remains. She whispers "Little Eve did it". We jump back in time to learn about Little Eve's childhood, growing up in a family that is more like a cult than a loving family as we see the chain of events that lead to this tragic ending.
There's something about this story. While I can't say that I loved it or am leaping to recommend it to others I can say it grabbed and held my attention for the whole book. I was enraptured by it. The gothic vibes were just right. Catriona Ward is a huge talent and this gave me Shirley Jackson vibes for sure, particularly reminding me of "We Have Always Lived in the Castle". Even though this book was character driven, I would've liked even more exploration of character. I really wanted it to go deeper than it did but I still really appreciated the characterization I did get. Sometimes the plot meandered in ways that didn't always serve the story, and there were some confusing elements that could have been clarified, but ultimately this was very good.
There's something about this story. While I can't say that I loved it or am leaping to recommend it to others I can say it grabbed and held my attention for the whole book. I was enraptured by it. The gothic vibes were just right. Catriona Ward is a huge talent and this gave me Shirley Jackson vibes for sure, particularly reminding me of "We Have Always Lived in the Castle". Even though this book was character driven, I would've liked even more exploration of character. I really wanted it to go deeper than it did but I still really appreciated the characterization I did get. Sometimes the plot meandered in ways that didn't always serve the story, and there were some confusing elements that could have been clarified, but ultimately this was very good.