A review by blewballoon
The Wild Hunt by Emma Seckel

dark mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I was really excited for this book. I loved the idea of the setting and something a little spooky going on with some crows and maybe a murder mystery. It wasn't what I expected, the tone is pretty bleak and grim throughout and the mysteries stay mysteries without much concrete resolution. I do think the ending is okay and that helps, but overall my time reading the book was unpleasant. The characters have suffered a lot in the past and aren't doing so hot in the current timeline either, and that's just the way it goes really. A lot of reflection on "the war", but without much detail. A lot of reflection on loss, grief, and guilt from multiple characters. The things that happen during the course of the story are confusing and painful most of the time, up until the end. I almost DNF'd towards the beginning of the book because
There is an awful scene of animal death where a character graphically beats one of the crow creatures (presumed to be supernatural, but that didn't help) to death with a rock. Shortly after this, one of the male characters tries to sexually assault the main female character. Things don't really pick up from there.
I'm not sure it was worth continuing, honestly. If you like depressing books and the idea of a small island town with lots of sad people and some weird crows thrown in that may or may not be a metaphor for grief and suffering, you will probably like this?
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