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A review by versmonesprit
It Waits in the Woods by Josh Malerman
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
I honestly don’t know what to say, and how to say it because after two weeks, it’s already forgettable.
There are so many missed opportunities to build atmosphere and tension — if only Malerman had leaned into showing more than telling all the time. (I read this while listening to Nox Arcana, and that was the only thing that carried and created any tense atmosphere.) All the unnecessary allusions to movies take away so significantly from the story too, so when it’s a happy ending and every little promising idea thus fizzles out, you’re not left with much anything.
This was my first Malerman, and unless Goblin becomes available on Everand, it will be my last. I’m not necessarily begrudging the authors these stories as they all seem to be a flop for some sad reason, but I can’t get over the mass market writing style with the extremely broken up sentences. Just form a complete, proper sentence — it’s not that hard!
There are so many missed opportunities to build atmosphere and tension — if only Malerman had leaned into showing more than telling all the time. (I read this while listening to Nox Arcana, and that was the only thing that carried and created any tense atmosphere.) All the unnecessary allusions to movies take away so significantly from the story too, so when it’s a happy ending and every little promising idea thus fizzles out, you’re not left with much anything.
This was my first Malerman, and unless Goblin becomes available on Everand, it will be my last. I’m not necessarily begrudging the authors these stories as they all seem to be a flop for some sad reason, but I can’t get over the mass market writing style with the extremely broken up sentences. Just form a complete, proper sentence — it’s not that hard!