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bethanypaisley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
3.5
booksandlemonsquash's review
5.0
This book blew me away. Honestly, I should have expected it, because I love Mel's writing, but it still took me by surprise. It is so understatedly gorgeous. Every word feels purposeful.
Hold Back the Tide is set in a timeless remote highland town, and it is clear on every page. The sense of isolation, the sense of small-town mindset and the literal atmosphere of being on the loch is in every word. This is honestly so stunning, I can't accurately portray it.
While this is a fantasy / horror genre, it is not typical of either - in the best of ways. It's mostly just a great read that I would recommend to anyone regardless of what they normally read. It's fairly short too, so a quick read. I buddy read it with friends, and putting down at the end of each day was like agony. Every time we stopped, there was a reveal that made us all want to read on. Several times we were cursing Mel's good name (sorry! we love you really!) in the name of suspense.
And then there's the ending. I just LOVED it. It was exactly what I wanted and perfect for the tone of the book. It hurt me to read in just the best way. There's no way I can say any more without spoiling it, but if you have read the ending, please feel free to message me just to flail about it!!
Alva is an interesting lead - she's terrified of her father, outcast by the village (except by Ren and Galvan, who I both loved!), and just trying to escape. But slowly she gets drawn into what is happening to the loch, to the town, even as she continues to plan to leave. There's also some excellent commentary on small town life and power, in the characters of Giles (I have rarely hated a character as much as him OMG) and Maggie (who is fantastic but can't stand against the town).
This is genuinely a book I feel I will come back to again (not least because I want to reread it again soon, all at once this time!) and again. I can't recommend it more.
Hold Back the Tide is set in a timeless remote highland town, and it is clear on every page. The sense of isolation, the sense of small-town mindset and the literal atmosphere of being on the loch is in every word. This is honestly so stunning, I can't accurately portray it.
While this is a fantasy / horror genre, it is not typical of either - in the best of ways. It's mostly just a great read that I would recommend to anyone regardless of what they normally read. It's fairly short too, so a quick read. I buddy read it with friends, and putting down at the end of each day was like agony. Every time we stopped, there was a reveal that made us all want to read on. Several times we were cursing Mel's good name (sorry! we love you really!) in the name of suspense.
And then there's the ending. I just LOVED it. It was exactly what I wanted and perfect for the tone of the book. It hurt me to read in just the best way. There's no way I can say any more without spoiling it, but if you have read the ending, please feel free to message me just to flail about it!!
Alva is an interesting lead - she's terrified of her father, outcast by the village (except by Ren and Galvan, who I both loved!), and just trying to escape. But slowly she gets drawn into what is happening to the loch, to the town, even as she continues to plan to leave. There's also some excellent commentary on small town life and power, in the characters of Giles (I have rarely hated a character as much as him OMG) and Maggie (who is fantastic but can't stand against the town).
This is genuinely a book I feel I will come back to again (not least because I want to reread it again soon, all at once this time!) and again. I can't recommend it more.
mariethelibrarian's review
4.0
Oh this was dark and creepy and mysterious! I really enjoyed it! The ending flew by!
tsangkyl's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
brii_brii's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jenscott's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book wasn't what I was expecting, but I liked it. It was very atmospheric, and the setting the Scottish lore made a great backdrop for a horror story. It wasn't quite as scary as I was hoping, but the ending was excellent.
juju8j's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
writevicky's review
5.0
Gorgeous book. Devoured it in two sittings.
(But, like, it’s also an evil book. I’d like my heart back please because the ending cruelly ripped it out and ran off with it.)
(But, like, it’s also an evil book. I’d like my heart back please because the ending cruelly ripped it out and ran off with it.)