inarasarah 's review for:

Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward Durham

5.0

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Sometimes, not knowing even the genre of the book you're reading is A MISTAKE. This one started out delightfully - three friends, with a childhood story that is meaningful to them (think the Velveteen Rabbit or Winnie the Pooh), decide to visit the island where the book was written as a homage. When they unexpectedly find their way to the author's abandoned mansion, and see a light on inside, they are stunned to realize the characters on their beloved childhood tale are real. I was enchanted to meet Runny, and then the fussy frog chef. I did not expect this to become a horror story. Unfortunately, things quickly took a turn and the story got very dark, and extremely tragic. The whole tale was devestatingly sad, and the ending absolutely wrenching. My heart broke for those characters and their real-life story. This was a brilliant tale, beautifully imagined and written, and despite the deep tragic storyline I think it's a great book. I will remember this one for a long time.