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adselg 's review for:
Stolen Tongues
by Felix Blackwell
dark
tense
fast-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
So this was a tough book to review. This had elements of a 5/5 book but then had a few glaring issues that I felt brought it down.
The pros
First off, the reason this book could have been 5/5 -
The use of night terrors, dreams and sleepwalking are brilliant and I think what made me enjoy/ scared of this book, is I have personal experience knowing people with night terrors and suffering similar myself. It’s portrayed in the book extremely accurate and truthfully, that’s why it’s so scary and unnerving to read.
On this note, this is the first horror novel I’ve genuinely felt uneasy and shivered at for many, many years (and I’m no horror fan slouch!) so times the best horror is the ones we’ve experienced.
Other pros include the pacing (for 90% of it). The book gets tense and spooky very quick and holds that momentum well.
Forgive my ignorance and perhaps I shall read more into the native tribes and cultures more, outside of novels but the characters of Nathan and Tiwe were so interesting and I found that to be the stronger parts of the book. The native lore on how and why spirits or things exist is a beautiful and fascinating insight to the world.
The cons
The Main Characters are not lovable. I found the couple to be insufferable in their moments of “cuteness” and there was a hint of whinge character keeps whinging but is held up by a strong support cast. Felix has moments of being a good finance and we get Faye’s resolve at the end but I was kinda hoping for a dark ending.
The ending felt extremely rushed and the fast pace that was a positive became a downfall.
The art of show don’t tell is so applicable in this book. I was more tense and spooked when the author was using paranoia, night terrors and the atmosphere of the night and forest. But when the creature was on display it felt like another standard monster novel.
On the whole due to the book giving me goosebumps and feeling uneasy, which a horror book has not done to me for a long time, it earns some points. It’s worth a read and brings up some interesting points but I won’t be reading it again. Also for an initial Reddit page story, I have to give it respect there.
Wish me luck sleeping tonight folks.
The pros
First off, the reason this book could have been 5/5 -
The use of night terrors, dreams and sleepwalking are brilliant and I think what made me enjoy/ scared of this book, is I have personal experience knowing people with night terrors and suffering similar myself. It’s portrayed in the book extremely accurate and truthfully, that’s why it’s so scary and unnerving to read.
On this note, this is the first horror novel I’ve genuinely felt uneasy and shivered at for many, many years (and I’m no horror fan slouch!) so times the best horror is the ones we’ve experienced.
Other pros include the pacing (for 90% of it). The book gets tense and spooky very quick and holds that momentum well.
Forgive my ignorance and perhaps I shall read more into the native tribes and cultures more, outside of novels but the characters of Nathan and Tiwe were so interesting and I found that to be the stronger parts of the book. The native lore on how and why spirits or things exist is a beautiful and fascinating insight to the world.
The cons
The Main Characters are not lovable. I found the couple to be insufferable in their moments of “cuteness” and there was a hint of whinge character keeps whinging but is held up by a strong support cast. Felix has moments of being a good finance and we get Faye’s resolve at the end but I was kinda hoping for a dark ending.
The ending felt extremely rushed and the fast pace that was a positive became a downfall.
The art of show don’t tell is so applicable in this book. I was more tense and spooked when the author was using paranoia, night terrors and the atmosphere of the night and forest. But when the creature was on display it felt like another standard monster novel.
On the whole due to the book giving me goosebumps and feeling uneasy, which a horror book has not done to me for a long time, it earns some points. It’s worth a read and brings up some interesting points but I won’t be reading it again. Also for an initial Reddit page story, I have to give it respect there.
Wish me luck sleeping tonight folks.