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screamdogreads's review against another edition
3.0
Blackwood is a gritty, unflinching Southern Gothic novel that paints a bleak picture of a small, dying town that's overrun with despair. Sadness just drips off the pages of this novel, and while this story is rather short, it still manages to deliver a devastating emotional punch.
Farris Smith writes with a harshly realistic tone as he portrays the grim reality of inaction, by the town and its inhabitants. This story is one of a past that refuses to be buried, it's a story of regrets that haunt lives. It's a story that comes full circle, and ends just as bleakly as it starts.
There are no feel good moments here, there's no light at the end of the tunnel. All there is, is anguish and despair.
Farris Smith writes with a harshly realistic tone as he portrays the grim reality of inaction, by the town and its inhabitants. This story is one of a past that refuses to be buried, it's a story of regrets that haunt lives. It's a story that comes full circle, and ends just as bleakly as it starts.
There are no feel good moments here, there's no light at the end of the tunnel. All there is, is anguish and despair.
frogggirl2's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is the darkest, bleakest, most world-weary book I have ever read. Nothing good happens here. This is a good book, but I can't honestly say I enjoyed the experience.
stephen_coulon's review against another edition
2.0
Bleak to point of being blighted, the occluded atmosphere satisfies feelings for fatalistic tragedy, but ultimately the tropey characterizations and plot just plod on and the story plays out like a second rate Netflix noir. Smith is capable of crafting evocative imagery, but it's mostly wasted here.
jen567's review against another edition
4.0
Writing reminds me of Woodrell - one of my favourite writers - raw and compelling
sillytothejoe's review against another edition
3.0
Well crafted and bleak. Much to like but not much to love.
meghanboyer's review against another edition
3.0
This book has so many layers to work through, all equally heartbreaking and interesting. Well written and imagined.
krisha's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, and Suicide
blueherron's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
A gripping, dark and gritty story, a great gothic novel that kept me hooked till the end.
It's atmospheric and its disturbing and creepy atmosphere kept me on the edge till the end.
The characters, the setting and the plot are great and the author is a talented storyteller.
An excellent read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It's atmospheric and its disturbing and creepy atmosphere kept me on the edge till the end.
The characters, the setting and the plot are great and the author is a talented storyteller.
An excellent read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.