cassiea22's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
cancocom's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
charm_city_sinner's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hailey218's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
amunent's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
chrstnareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mjsbooktopia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mexicanwine's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alexanderh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I first heard of Chuck Wendig’s Black River Orchard from the podcast, Reading Glasses. During “Ep 327 - Kill-dren and Stressed Out Parent Horror with Clay McLeod Chapman,” Chapman says that Wendig’s book made him never want to eat an apple again. I don’t think there’s a better endorsement for this novel.
I am not one you could call squeamish regarding fictional body horror. However, this novel often had me putting down whatever I was munching on. Without spoiling anything, the grotesque images that are prevalent throughout the story churned my stomach.
Wendig does an excellent job of portraying how addiction affects a community. Once the Ruby Slipper apple is introduced to the town, people who’ve had their first taste cannot wait for the next fix. The more the apple is consumed, the more the people begin to change until they are nearly unrecognizable. Their personalities change drastically as they become willing to do whatever it takes for one more taste.
While it didn’t necessarily ruin apples for me, Black River Orchard has forever changed how it feels to step into an early autumnal orchard.
kerasalwaysreading's review against another edition
5.0
Well, I doubt I will look at apples the same way ever again.
This was a slow building, while simultaneously riveting story with some serious roots. It’s a unique and dark look at the lengths people will go for power and how that power can ultimately corrupt.
We have this interesting group of people all connected by circumstance, in the town of Harrow, where Dan Paxson thinks he has cracked the code for the most perfect apple on his family’s orchard. His daughter Calla has named it the Ruby Slipper and it is going to change everything.
Just one bite and you’re hooked, with this apple somehow making people better, stronger, smarter, HUNGRIER… I wasn’t expecting the cult-esque nature to really take hold in this book, but it becomes deadly. There is a force at play here, with deep roots, seeking blood and more. And, while most of the town is hooked on these apples, changing dramatically, there is a small group who have refrained from tasting them, which proves a major problem to those who have.
This book is wild. The characters are all so different and have so much to say. This is a weird story and it was SERIOUSLY good!
This was a slow building, while simultaneously riveting story with some serious roots. It’s a unique and dark look at the lengths people will go for power and how that power can ultimately corrupt.
We have this interesting group of people all connected by circumstance, in the town of Harrow, where Dan Paxson thinks he has cracked the code for the most perfect apple on his family’s orchard. His daughter Calla has named it the Ruby Slipper and it is going to change everything.
Just one bite and you’re hooked, with this apple somehow making people better, stronger, smarter, HUNGRIER… I wasn’t expecting the cult-esque nature to really take hold in this book, but it becomes deadly. There is a force at play here, with deep roots, seeking blood and more. And, while most of the town is hooked on these apples, changing dramatically, there is a small group who have refrained from tasting them, which proves a major problem to those who have.
This book is wild. The characters are all so different and have so much to say. This is a weird story and it was SERIOUSLY good!