A review by tessa_talks_books
Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I feel like Black River Orchard is the first truly horror book I’ve read by Chuck Wendig, and fortunately, it’s not the type of horror that scares me. On the flip side, though, I don’t care for this story style. But I do love Wendig’s writing style and his ability to tell a compelling and immersive story. I must admit, though, that I missed the more sci-fiish twists I’ve enjoyed in his other tales.

I loved the attention to detail and the descriptive language used. The atmosphere is just so pervasive because of it. The ominousness of the apples is never a question. The only question in my mind was how did they become that way. Was it a play on the biblical story of Eve and the apple from the Tree of Knowledge? Did it have something to do with Native Americans who originally lived on the land? Or was it some other nefarious reason?

The characters are all so vividly developed - full of layers and nuances - from the teens to the oldest members of this community on the Delaware River in Pennsylvania. They all feel authentic rather than like stereotypes of their prospective roles. And all have a moral grayness, making them endlessly fascinating and capable of falling prey to the evil lurking in their midst.

I found the backstory interesting, though the story may have gone a tad too far into the absurd. This is why this style of horror story doesn’t scare me. I have trouble suspending disbelief due to the twists and turns it takes. But if you enjoy Stephen King’s novels and similar ones, this is just the type of tale you will love, and it’s perfect for this time of year. You may even think twice before bobbing for apples.