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nerdyreferencelibrarian89 's review for:
Hekla's Children
by James Brogden
To start off, this really wasn't a horror novel. It starts off sort of like one, but after the first 150 pages veers into the fantasy genre.
I really enjoyed the first half of this book, I thought the concepts were interesting and the characters compelling. Then there is a weird moment where the tone and style of the book entirely switch, and becomes more of a fantasy adventure...
This was jarring and didn't quite work for me. I did enjoy some of the exploration it led to, but sort of felt like I was switching books in the middle.
I also wasn't certain how I felt about some of the central concepts/ideas of the book. Un this mystical other world switches depending on many circumstances, and seems to meld and morph depending on the person viewing it. But then when the characters are exploring it, it is largely locked into one form, which didn't make sense.
The ending I also found to be a bit of a let down. There was one twist, which I didn't see coming and enjoyed involving Nathan (I won't spoil it). But his relationship after this twist to the rest of the narrative felt well sort of forced. I also didn't fully understand the choices Scattie makes at the end of the book, it never really explains what she is "protecting".
This books tries to be a lot of things, but really ends up giving lukewarm delivery of all those things. If you are looking for a truly scary horror novel, look elsewhere. If you want a fantasy adventure/ modern myth again other books do it better. If you want a weird Frankenstein mash up... this is the book for you. Also, at no point is the title explained, no idea who Hekla is or who her children are...
I really enjoyed the first half of this book, I thought the concepts were interesting and the characters compelling. Then there is a weird moment where the tone and style of the book entirely switch, and becomes more of a fantasy adventure...
This was jarring and didn't quite work for me. I did enjoy some of the exploration it led to, but sort of felt like I was switching books in the middle.
I also wasn't certain how I felt about some of the central concepts/ideas of the book. Un this mystical other world switches depending on many circumstances, and seems to meld and morph depending on the person viewing it. But then when the characters are exploring it, it is largely locked into one form, which didn't make sense.
The ending I also found to be a bit of a let down. There was one twist, which I didn't see coming and enjoyed involving Nathan (I won't spoil it). But his relationship after this twist to the rest of the narrative felt well sort of forced. I also didn't fully understand the choices Scattie makes at the end of the book, it never really explains what she is "protecting".
This books tries to be a lot of things, but really ends up giving lukewarm delivery of all those things. If you are looking for a truly scary horror novel, look elsewhere. If you want a fantasy adventure/ modern myth again other books do it better. If you want a weird Frankenstein mash up... this is the book for you. Also, at no point is the title explained, no idea who Hekla is or who her children are...