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snazzy10101's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jesus christ
i have things to say about this book but i will need to think on it first
i have things to say about this book but i will need to think on it first
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Violence, Animal cruelty, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Dementia
hannaween's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
2.75
The first half of the book was incredibly slow, and the most interesting parts were glossed over in just a few pages. The concept was good, but the execution was poor, and it finished very abruptly and unsatisfyingly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Animal cruelty and Gore
anastasia_liest's review
dark
mysterious
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This style of horror is certainly not for everyone. It is a slow burn and cerebral, with the main character’s POV not necessarily reliable as the story progresses. Parts of it are ambiguous or intentionally vague, so that the reader must draw their own conclusions and fill in the blanks in the story. I love that, but I know it’s not everyone’s thing.
I liked this even more than Andrew Michael Hurley’s other novels, which are all excellent. It is a simple English folk-horror type tale with beautiful prose and moved at a quicker pace than The Loney or Devil’s Day. I read it in one sitting because I could not put it down! Can’t wait to see the upcoming film adaptation with Matt Smith.
I liked this even more than Andrew Michael Hurley’s other novels, which are all excellent. It is a simple English folk-horror type tale with beautiful prose and moved at a quicker pace than The Loney or Devil’s Day. I read it in one sitting because I could not put it down! Can’t wait to see the upcoming film adaptation with Matt Smith.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Child death and Animal cruelty
shropgirl's review
4.0
Richard and Juliette Willowby and their young son, Ewan, have moved to Richard's old home in the country by the moors - Starve Acre. At the age of five Ewan suddenly dies.
The story is told almost in two time lines, life without Ewan and life with him. At first we Richard and Juliette different ways of coping with their grief. Richard spends time digging in the field opposite the house as he seeks the roots of an ancient oak tree. Juliette shuts herself away, spending most of her time in Ewan's room, not eating, not communicating and not sleeping.
Juliette believes that Ewan is still in the house and seeks the help of a croup of occultists, the Beacons. Richard is sceptic. Richard finds the skeleton of a hare in the field and slowly arranges the bones in a cardboard box.
We learn that there have been several incidents in the past where Ewan had inflicted pain on a child and a horse. Ewan became withdrawn and his mother is concerned that there is something seriously wrong psychologically with Ewan. Richard was not so sure.
This is a tale of the supernatural, a gothic horror manifesting with the hare at the centre. It is well written and moves at pace, the tension increasing until the very disturbing ending.
This book received much publicity and I can see why. Would I read something this author again - possibly but I am not sure that I would actively seek him out. This is not a genre that I normally read. Did I enjoy it - this is not the right word I think but I am definitely glad that I have read it after seeing all the hype.
The story is told almost in two time lines, life without Ewan and life with him. At first we Richard and Juliette different ways of coping with their grief. Richard spends time digging in the field opposite the house as he seeks the roots of an ancient oak tree. Juliette shuts herself away, spending most of her time in Ewan's room, not eating, not communicating and not sleeping.
Juliette believes that Ewan is still in the house and seeks the help of a croup of occultists, the Beacons. Richard is sceptic. Richard finds the skeleton of a hare in the field and slowly arranges the bones in a cardboard box.
We learn that there have been several incidents in the past where Ewan had inflicted pain on a child and a horse. Ewan became withdrawn and his mother is concerned that there is something seriously wrong psychologically with Ewan. Richard was not so sure.
This is a tale of the supernatural, a gothic horror manifesting with the hare at the centre. It is well written and moves at pace, the tension increasing until the very disturbing ending.
This book received much publicity and I can see why. Would I read something this author again - possibly but I am not sure that I would actively seek him out. This is not a genre that I normally read. Did I enjoy it - this is not the right word I think but I am definitely glad that I have read it after seeing all the hype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Animal cruelty
angcar's review against another edition
dark
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A solid gothic horror-y story. I wished the ending was more explanatory, I think that would've driven home the horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Animal cruelty
_rowan_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Animal death, Grief, Death, Violence, Blood, Gore, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Medical content, and Animal cruelty
laurenrocks1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very strange book. The ending left me more confused than anything else but the actual storyline itself was great with interesting integrated flashbacks throughout.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Animal cruelty
h_sloan's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
morgiebunney's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Animal cruelty, Grief, Child death, Animal death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Death
zenzi2read's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Child death