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A review by jeaniehealy
The Woods are Waiting by Katherine Greene
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
Set in the small town of Blue Cliff, nestled in the heart of the Appalachian mountains we are introduced to a community that have been rocked by child murders for decades. Known as "the town that gobbles up children" rumours of the Hickory Man are rife. Children are not allowed out to play unless they adhere to the old rhyme, carrying dirt in their shoes and silver coins. We meet Cheyenne Asbhy who had left town five years ago who has now been asked to come back by the local chief of police amid yet another child has going missing...
The story itself is very creepy and atmospheric, we all know stories about the Appalachians and the spooky phenomenon that is associated with them. While the first 60% of this book is incredibly gripping, it loses it's way for the final 40%.
The characters aren't all that engaging and I'm not sure what age Cheyenne and her friends are meant to be (I'm guessing mid-20's) but they often felt juvenile, like they were only 17 or 18. I feel like we don't get to know a lot of the characters as well as should have (Jasper, Eddie, Otis etc...) and I would have liked a longer book with a shorter ending so that we could come along on a journey with more of the characters.
The last 40% of the book as mentioned above really lost it's way I felt. The ending was incredibly rushed... the twist was guessable which was fine but as I reader I don't feel like there was much of a payout.
Overall, the ending let the book down but it was still an enjoyable read. It just felt like a draft instead of the final edit.
The story itself is very creepy and atmospheric, we all know stories about the Appalachians and the spooky phenomenon that is associated with them. While the first 60% of this book is incredibly gripping, it loses it's way for the final 40%.
The characters aren't all that engaging and I'm not sure what age Cheyenne and her friends are meant to be (I'm guessing mid-20's) but they often felt juvenile, like they were only 17 or 18. I feel like we don't get to know a lot of the characters as well as should have (Jasper, Eddie, Otis etc...) and I would have liked a longer book with a shorter ending so that we could come along on a journey with more of the characters.
The last 40% of the book as mentioned above really lost it's way I felt. The ending was incredibly rushed... the twist was guessable which was fine but as I reader I don't feel like there was much of a payout.
Overall, the ending let the book down but it was still an enjoyable read. It just felt like a draft instead of the final edit.