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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was indeed a spooky read. I was wondering where this would go; at times I almost expected a more dramatic ending, but this one also matches the vibe of the woods. The secret about the woods and the people in it is also super interesting as well. Very eerie!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Animal death, War
If you are looking for a creepy eco horror monster flick, this is the one for you. Decently scary, with lots of room for the imagination to make the monster scarier than anything the Fiona Barnett could have described. The prose was beautifully done, making me feel like I was meandering through a deep, dark forest with little to no direction. I think the blend of past and present added to this atmosphere.
This is a character driven story filled with tension, dread, and hopelessness. This involves two groups of people in different timelines who experience the terrors in an "off limits" forest in the English countryside.
I absolutely loved the group of women who make up the "present " day group as they seek to discover the truth surrounding the legends of these woods and what has happened to the soldiers from the "past" that wandered in after an ambush.
Pas I stated, this is a character driven novel and this book isn't about the destination but the journey. Because the ending is ambiguous and things don't get resolved into a nicely wrapped bow, it may be off-putting to some. But I didn't mind at all. It leaves room for my imagination to wonder what has actually happened and what it means.
There is a terrifying creature in these woods as well. It can strike at any time, unseen and unheard, leaving it's bloody mark upon both parties involved. But I find the helplessness of being lost in this forest and having no way out to be the most frightening aspect of this book. I enjoyed it thoroughly and highly recommend it.
I absolutely loved the group of women who make up the "present " day group as they seek to discover the truth surrounding the legends of these woods and what has happened to the soldiers from the "past" that wandered in after an ambush.
Pas I stated, this is a character driven novel and this book isn't about the destination but the journey. Because the ending is ambiguous and things don't get resolved into a nicely wrapped bow, it may be off-putting to some. But I didn't mind at all. It leaves room for my imagination to wonder what has actually happened and what it means.
There is a terrifying creature in these woods as well. It can strike at any time, unseen and unheard, leaving it's bloody mark upon both parties involved. But I find the helplessness of being lost in this forest and having no way out to be the most frightening aspect of this book. I enjoyed it thoroughly and highly recommend it.
Deeply slowburn, environmental, and almost melancholy. I liked it quite a bit, there were times that I wish it had done a bit more, but I ployed through in just three days and am looking forward to more from the author. Reminded me a bit of The VVitch.
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
Based on the blurb on the back cover, this book promised an intriguing blend of historical mystery and supernatural horror, but unfortunately for me, it fell short of expectations. The book unfolds in two parallel timelines, one set in 1643 and the other in the present day, both centered around the enigmatic Moresby Wood.
The present-day narrative follows a group of five women, led by Dr. Alice Christopher, determined to uncover the secrets of Moresby Wood. However, I found that the characters lacked depth and distinctiveness, I could not connect with their individual stories. And the relationships among the women just wasn’t doing it for me, it was messy and there was no connection.
I was hoping the historical timeline, set in 1643, to be a more engaging perspective, but it was burdened by too many characters with little differentiation. It was a slow climb to any suspense, and even then, I struggled to maintain my interest.
I felt there was a huge lack of suspense and tension for a horror novel. The supernatural elements felt underutilized and imo should have been more front and center. As the novel progressed, the promise of a gripping horror tale gave way to a sense of predictability, leading to an unsatisfying ending.
This book definitely had the potential for a captivating narrative, but it struggled to make it to fruition. The dual timelines, while initially intriguing, failed to hold my interest, and the characters remained largely forgettable.
I struggle with writing an unsavory review at times, especially when the premise of the book is so great. But here we are.
The present-day narrative follows a group of five women, led by Dr. Alice Christopher, determined to uncover the secrets of Moresby Wood. However, I found that the characters lacked depth and distinctiveness, I could not connect with their individual stories. And the relationships among the women just wasn’t doing it for me, it was messy and there was no connection.
I was hoping the historical timeline, set in 1643, to be a more engaging perspective, but it was burdened by too many characters with little differentiation. It was a slow climb to any suspense, and even then, I struggled to maintain my interest.
I felt there was a huge lack of suspense and tension for a horror novel. The supernatural elements felt underutilized and imo should have been more front and center. As the novel progressed, the promise of a gripping horror tale gave way to a sense of predictability, leading to an unsatisfying ending.
This book definitely had the potential for a captivating narrative, but it struggled to make it to fruition. The dual timelines, while initially intriguing, failed to hold my interest, and the characters remained largely forgettable.
I struggle with writing an unsavory review at times, especially when the premise of the book is so great. But here we are.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
A slow start but once I got beyond that it was compelling to read. Reminded me of The Ritual.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I am speechless….. I loved the story so much. It keeps you on the edge off your seat. But the ending… I HATE it. It would have been a 4,25 star if the ending was better. There is no closure. One person finds their way out but is still not away from the woods. We don’t know what happened to Kim and Sue and we don’t know what happened to captain davies, the others from his company or to fricking Alice. I HATE IT