A review by evlchk
In The Tall Trees by Angel N. Van Atta

5.0

 

In The Tall Trees is the first book in Angel Van Atta's Little Voices series. This is my second book by Angel, and I must admit I am a fan. I love her writing style and her approach to horror. I am thankful that I am a part of a wonderful horror community on Facebook and have had the opportunity to speak to the author—she is simply one of the nicest people I’ve ever chatted with.

The book follows Mella and her small family, who live in a tiny house in the middle of nowhere surrounded by dense forest. Her only company is her mom and her baby brother, Pete. Sometimes, her daddy visits, but it isn’t always a happy visit. Sometimes, he brings the bad man with him—the bad man who yells in exclamation marks and hurts Mommy. Mella loves her Daddy, superheroes, and peanut butter cups! The story is told through her eyes, which wrenches my heart.

Having a story told through a little girl's eyes will gut-punch you. The way the abuse or intense emotion is described in colors is fantastic. While you witness what Alix (Mommy) has to go through to protect her children, having it described by a child - whew…my heart. The story is intense, heartbreaking, and a page-turner. I cannot wait to read book two. 

Thank you to Angel Van Atta for gifting me an eARC of In The Tall Trees. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.