bluwuberry's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death of parent, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, and War
Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, and Infidelity
lacysautekc's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Gun violence and Death
Moderate: Suicide attempt
brigettes's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Gore, Death, and War
Moderate: Gaslighting and Child death
Minor: Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, War, Mental illness, and Grief
foxgloveandcrow's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Suicide attempt, Death, and Suicide
Minor: War, Infidelity, and Vomit
bookishbutch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: War, Murder, Cursing, Blood, Grief, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Gore
Moderate: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, War, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Self harm and Suicide
enchantressreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Nina Treadway moved to the Isle of Lute seven years ago, and is soon going to experience her first “Day” on the island. The Day of the Tithe requires a sacrifice of seven souls in order to keep Lute happy, healthy, with good weather and good luck. With a war going on, it is imperative that they keep Lute and its residents safe.
There are many different parts of this story that I love and they combine to create a great folk horror. It’s a small town, where everyone knows each other. There’s somewhat of a cult, since there’s ancient pagan gods involved. There’s family secrets, because Hugh Treadway is exceptionally secretive about his past. There’s a strong female main character. Nina is a wonderful lead character, and she really grew into her role by the end of the book.
The story is told in time increments until the end of The Day. I think this really gave it another push towards being scary. It adds a layer of anxiety that really wasn’t there before. I always love a good countdown in a story. Add this to the generally creepy vibe of the book, and you have a perfect folk horror story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own. Lute releases on October 4th.
CW for death, fire, blood, infidelity, child death, suicide attempt, war, vomit, self-harm, emotional abuse, death of a parent, and animal death
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: War, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Child death, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death of parent and Animal death