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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
I originally had the e-arc and I think I must’ve deleted this off my Kindle whilst going through my arcs. Since it’s a 2022 arc (yes, I know, quite late but this is what we do), the e-arc was archived. Only the audiobook was available for me from the library. Unfortunately I think that might’ve added to my reason to dnf? I didn’t like the narrators.
Furthermore I didn’t feel like the characters were interesting, at all. I think I maybe was more interested in the past characters but only because I wanted to see what would happen to them, not their personalities. I didn’t really care much for the characters in the present. I think the writing wasn’t really capturing my attention so all of together just had me click the dnf button
Furthermore I didn’t feel like the characters were interesting, at all. I think I maybe was more interested in the past characters but only because I wanted to see what would happen to them, not their personalities. I didn’t really care much for the characters in the present. I think the writing wasn’t really capturing my attention so all of together just had me click the dnf button
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to NetGalley and Rebellion for the early read. I was so close to giving this five stars and then I got to the last chapter... I am, for the most part, very picky about what I request on NetGalley because between life and work it can take some time to finish a read, and a pile of unfinished requests stresses me out. When I chose The Dark Between The Trees I was very specifically looking for archeological horror, as that's what I was in the mood for and this looked like it might satisfy that craving. This isn't quite that, but it was still a very good horror story.
With chapters alternating between past and present, The Dark Between The Trees tells the story of two specific groups who venture into Moresby Wood and (kind of) what befalls (some of) them. The description on NetGalley reads, "An unforgettable, surrealist gothic folk-thriller for fans of [b:The Ritual|10239382|The Ritual|Adam Nevill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328356391l/10239382._SY75_.jpg|15139399] and The Descent," and while the that first comparison is very (very, very) on-the-mark, the second is not. I would personally compare it more closely to The Blair Witch Project and, honestly, [b:Annihilation|17934530|Annihilation|Jeff VanderMeer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403941587l/17934530._SX50_.jpg|24946895] - I don't want to spoil why Annihilation works as a comparison, but there are several similar story beats.
Fiona Barnett does a great job at setting the scene and building the atmosphere, occasionally going on almost stream-of-consciousness tangents in walls of text that really build on the wild, unknowing, confusing nature of what it happening to everyone in the liminal space of Moresby Wood. It goes and goes, rarely providing moments to breathe, and then out of the blue it just stops. Just ends. I think she was going for something mysterious, maybe Lovecraftian, but after reading the whole book the ending just felt more like a copout than anything. It was so abrupt after what is essentially a descent into madness. Honestly, a better ending would have been the second to last chapter.
Overall though a very enjoyable spooky woods read, perfect for the autumn season.
With chapters alternating between past and present, The Dark Between The Trees tells the story of two specific groups who venture into Moresby Wood and (kind of) what befalls (some of) them. The description on NetGalley reads, "An unforgettable, surrealist gothic folk-thriller for fans of [b:The Ritual|10239382|The Ritual|Adam Nevill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328356391l/10239382._SY75_.jpg|15139399] and The Descent," and while the that first comparison is very (very, very) on-the-mark, the second is not. I would personally compare it more closely to The Blair Witch Project and, honestly, [b:Annihilation|17934530|Annihilation|Jeff VanderMeer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403941587l/17934530._SX50_.jpg|24946895] - I don't want to spoil why Annihilation works as a comparison, but there are several similar story beats.
Fiona Barnett does a great job at setting the scene and building the atmosphere, occasionally going on almost stream-of-consciousness tangents in walls of text that really build on the wild, unknowing, confusing nature of what it happening to everyone in the liminal space of Moresby Wood. It goes and goes, rarely providing moments to breathe, and then out of the blue it just stops. Just ends. I think she was going for something mysterious, maybe Lovecraftian, but after reading the whole book the ending just felt more like a copout than anything. It was so abrupt after what is essentially a descent into madness. Honestly, a better ending would have been the second to last chapter.
Overall though a very enjoyable spooky woods read, perfect for the autumn season.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Listened on audio. Not sure whether this suffered from the narrators but it was very dull, totally lacking atmosphere and not at all scary.
"The Unnatural Wood" is a gripping and atmospheric gothic thriller that immerses readers in a haunting world of mystery and darkness. The diverse group of women embarking on an unsettling journey into the woods brings a dynamic and relatable dynamic to the story. As the boundaries of time and reality blur, the tension builds, keeping readers captivated until the very end. With its intriguing characters and eerie atmosphere, this book is a must-read for fans of surreal and thrilling tales.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated