Reviews

In the Night Wood by Dale Bailey

hcm221's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

tomwbrass's review against another edition

2.0

2.5 - this was a very readable book that's length seemed appropriate to the story it tells, but I feel that there are really two stories in this novel that don't really mesh together very well. One is about a family in the aftermath of grief, and the other is about dark dealings done with fae by that family's ancestors. The two could blend together well, but I don't think this book achieved that blending. As well, it is consistently hampered by trying to be clever in its references and knowing use of gothic/horror motifs and conventions. These were often repetitive and I found myself going "I get it already" when they recurred.

jcho's review

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

ghiblireads's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-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

3.0

kellysmaust's review

5.0

The issues people take with this book are definitely present - it can be a bit repetitive at times, there's not a lot of action, and the protagonist is an unredeemable jerk - but I absolutely loved reading this gorgeous Gothic masterpiece. Anything about ancient forests, old English (possibly haunted) houses, folklore like Herne the Hunter showing up in the modern world - that's my jam!

mferrante83's review

4.0

A wonderful read that falls somewhere on the dark fantasy/horror spectrum. Bailey conjures up an oppressive atmosphere with both the environment of the story and the weight of memory placed upon his characters shoulders. Highly recommended.

zezee's review

dark emotional medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

karmachamillionaire's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

3.0

A good little gothic story, though I found it to be unnecessarily repetitive, the same information and ideas rehashed over and over again while the core mystery, supernatural bits and climax felt like a side note. 

embax92's review

2.0

It took me forever to finish this book and it was a short book. The plot twist was obvious, and the main character was fairly unlikable in my opinion. I think the goal was a redemption arc for the main character but really it just ended abruptly with a “and off they went into the distance”.

lizbutcher's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0