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A review by motherhorror
Remains by Andrew Cull
5.0
4.5 stars! (rounded up for Goodreads)
I get so excited about debut novels. Especially when I've previously read some short stories from the author and loved them. (This happens more times than you think!)
Such is the case with Andrew Cull. Last year, BONES was a surprise hit for horror readers. A dark horse! Cull came out of nowhere and dropped this book of collected horror novellas on us and BAM! BONES made everyone's "Best of the Year" roundup. (it's a must buy if you haven't yet)
REMAINS is Cull's debut novel with a scheduled release date of August 1st, 2019.
It's this reader's opinion that fans of emotional-wrecking-grief-horror, unreliable narrators/protagonists and paranormal visitations should plan on buying this book.
Let's dive in a little deeper! (no spoilers of course)
I'll often hesitate to use the words, "Slow burn" as it pertains to a book because it suggests a negative connotation but I think I can use it appropriately for this book. This story is a slow burn. There is a long period of inactivity during the initial story's set up, Part One titled, "Grief is a Black House". The reader is introduced to our protagonist, Lucy- a woman self-committed to an institution due to mentally crippling grief after the brutal murder of her son, Alex.
Even though the subject matter is emotionally intense, for some reason at this point in the story, I felt like an observer to the events as they were unfolding; I experienced a lack of real investment and engagement with the story. It took a fair amount of time before I settled in and could feel myself getting emotionally tied to the characters.
So I'll be honest and admit that I was struggling a little.
I can pinpoint exactly where it clicked for me. Page 91.
From page 91 until the end, this felt like a different story.
I almost physically felt Cull turning the heat up from a slow simmer to a rapid boil.
As soon as the reader meets the antagonist, this book makes a full transition; A dark tale of grief and loss to straight-up horror, full stop.
There are scenes that got under my skin and unsettled me to the point of turning lights on in the house and wondering if I should keep reading this in bed before sleep.
Scary stuff in these pages; and a painful, shocking conclusion.
It's funny-- in the matter of just a few pages, this book went from 3 stars to a solid 4.5
I don't feel like I can give it 5 stars just because there was that struggle in the beginning for almost 100 pages. I'm almost 100% sure that experience won't be everyone's experience--so please just know that I am just one reader with individual preferences and I'm sharing that with you now.
But honestly, the last half of the book is so gripping--I almost forgot the patience I practiced early on. I highly recommend this book. I think this is a solid debut novel from an up and coming horror author everyone should have on their radar. I'm anticipating big things from Andrew Cull in the future. He knows how to write original, unsettling horror. I'm here for it.
I get so excited about debut novels. Especially when I've previously read some short stories from the author and loved them. (This happens more times than you think!)
Such is the case with Andrew Cull. Last year, BONES was a surprise hit for horror readers. A dark horse! Cull came out of nowhere and dropped this book of collected horror novellas on us and BAM! BONES made everyone's "Best of the Year" roundup. (it's a must buy if you haven't yet)
REMAINS is Cull's debut novel with a scheduled release date of August 1st, 2019.
It's this reader's opinion that fans of emotional-wrecking-grief-horror, unreliable narrators/protagonists and paranormal visitations should plan on buying this book.
Let's dive in a little deeper! (no spoilers of course)
I'll often hesitate to use the words, "Slow burn" as it pertains to a book because it suggests a negative connotation but I think I can use it appropriately for this book. This story is a slow burn. There is a long period of inactivity during the initial story's set up, Part One titled, "Grief is a Black House". The reader is introduced to our protagonist, Lucy- a woman self-committed to an institution due to mentally crippling grief after the brutal murder of her son, Alex.
Even though the subject matter is emotionally intense, for some reason at this point in the story, I felt like an observer to the events as they were unfolding; I experienced a lack of real investment and engagement with the story. It took a fair amount of time before I settled in and could feel myself getting emotionally tied to the characters.
So I'll be honest and admit that I was struggling a little.
I can pinpoint exactly where it clicked for me. Page 91.
From page 91 until the end, this felt like a different story.
I almost physically felt Cull turning the heat up from a slow simmer to a rapid boil.
As soon as the reader meets the antagonist, this book makes a full transition; A dark tale of grief and loss to straight-up horror, full stop.
There are scenes that got under my skin and unsettled me to the point of turning lights on in the house and wondering if I should keep reading this in bed before sleep.
Scary stuff in these pages; and a painful, shocking conclusion.
It's funny-- in the matter of just a few pages, this book went from 3 stars to a solid 4.5
I don't feel like I can give it 5 stars just because there was that struggle in the beginning for almost 100 pages. I'm almost 100% sure that experience won't be everyone's experience--so please just know that I am just one reader with individual preferences and I'm sharing that with you now.
But honestly, the last half of the book is so gripping--I almost forgot the patience I practiced early on. I highly recommend this book. I think this is a solid debut novel from an up and coming horror author everyone should have on their radar. I'm anticipating big things from Andrew Cull in the future. He knows how to write original, unsettling horror. I'm here for it.