neilsb'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? It's complicated
3.0
nonbinaryalien's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
howlinglibraries's review
5.0
I love a good cult story, but I don't find many cult-based horror books that actually feel like horror. A lot of the ones I've read seemed to tread more along the thriller line — which is perfectly acceptable, don't get me wrong... but sometimes, I want more, and I can safely say that Children of Demeter delivered.
Children of Demeter follows a woman who's grieving her husband, though not in the way you might think: his death led to the reveal of his infidelity, and thus, Sarah is left grieving her marriage on multiple levels. Desperate to get away, she buys an old house without visiting it first, and finds out that it was the site of a bizarre, hippie-esque cult in the 70s. Things seem innocent at first, but Sarah quickly learns that this home has a way of getting inside her mind, and shit hits the fan pretty quickly after that.
First of all, I really enjoyed Sarah immensely as a protagonist. She's incredibly head-strong, constantly putting her nose where it doesn't belong and determined not to let anyone stop her from finding out the truth. Not only that, but the setting is so atmospheric and the reveals are perfectly paced to make this a quick, engaging read that never gets stale.
I enjoyed Children of Demeter very much and I finally experienced for myself how incredible E.V. Knight's writing talent is. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future!
Thank you so much to Erin Al-Mehairi & the publisher for providing me with this review copy in exchange for an honest review!
Children of Demeter follows a woman who's grieving her husband, though not in the way you might think: his death led to the reveal of his infidelity, and thus, Sarah is left grieving her marriage on multiple levels. Desperate to get away, she buys an old house without visiting it first, and finds out that it was the site of a bizarre, hippie-esque cult in the 70s. Things seem innocent at first, but Sarah quickly learns that this home has a way of getting inside her mind, and shit hits the fan pretty quickly after that.
First of all, I really enjoyed Sarah immensely as a protagonist. She's incredibly head-strong, constantly putting her nose where it doesn't belong and determined not to let anyone stop her from finding out the truth. Not only that, but the setting is so atmospheric and the reveals are perfectly paced to make this a quick, engaging read that never gets stale.
I enjoyed Children of Demeter very much and I finally experienced for myself how incredible E.V. Knight's writing talent is. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future!
Thank you so much to Erin Al-Mehairi & the publisher for providing me with this review copy in exchange for an honest review!
lauriereadslohf's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Children of Demeter is the third work I’ve read by author E.V. Knight. Dead Eyes was fast-paced and fun and full of eyeballs, The Fourth Whore was an epic and brutal rage-filled tale of Lillith, while Children of Demeter tackles cults, strange goings-on, and a house full of secrets. They’re all unflinching reads with strong female characters and if this is your idea of a good reading time (and how couldn’t it be?!) you’re going to love her writing.
Sarah’s running from her life which imploded when her wayward husband died in an auto accident leaving her reeling with both grief and betrayal. She’s taking a much-deserved sabbatical and buys a home sight unseen with the insurance money. A home rumored to have once housed a cult of women and children who mysteriously disappeared in the ’70s. They were once bountiful farmers with a lush and fruitful harvest but when they disappeared so did any signs of life on the property. The house is in sad shape because no one has been able to live there for very long without fleeing for the hills and the grounds are completely barren of all life because it’s supposedly been cursed by the cult but Sarah doesn’t care. She feels an instant kinship with the run-down house.
“She could only offer it co-misery as she was also bereft of life “
Yikes, that all sounds a little depressing, doesn’t it? But don’t you worry, before long it takes a turn over to creepy-strangeville and never looks back. There’s no time here for dwelling on the sad-making thoughts because there are secrets that need revealing.
Sarah’s planning on researching the cult and starts to poke around and the locals are not happy about it. A few lively side characters show up and before long it feels like everyone in this town is keeping secrets. And I LOVE me a secret-filled book so this was the book for me! I also love me a character who isn’t afraid to do some aggressive snooping like Sarah here. She is my kind of nosy as hell heroine. She doesn’t let strange circumstances, naysayers, party-poopers, and grumpy old men shut her down. Loved it. These secrets aren’t the milquetoast lame ones that fill so many books either so prepare thyself.
The Children of Demeter is unsettling, weird and mysterious and wild and all those great things that'll keep you reading and it’s just the right amount of disorientating. Do yourself a kindness and forget this messed up world for a few hours by spending some time with this book!
Thank you Erin Al-Mehairi & RDS Press for sharing this copy with me.
Sarah’s running from her life which imploded when her wayward husband died in an auto accident leaving her reeling with both grief and betrayal. She’s taking a much-deserved sabbatical and buys a home sight unseen with the insurance money. A home rumored to have once housed a cult of women and children who mysteriously disappeared in the ’70s. They were once bountiful farmers with a lush and fruitful harvest but when they disappeared so did any signs of life on the property. The house is in sad shape because no one has been able to live there for very long without fleeing for the hills and the grounds are completely barren of all life because it’s supposedly been cursed by the cult but Sarah doesn’t care. She feels an instant kinship with the run-down house.
“She could only offer it co-misery as she was also bereft of life “
Yikes, that all sounds a little depressing, doesn’t it? But don’t you worry, before long it takes a turn over to creepy-strangeville and never looks back. There’s no time here for dwelling on the sad-making thoughts because there are secrets that need revealing.
Sarah’s planning on researching the cult and starts to poke around and the locals are not happy about it. A few lively side characters show up and before long it feels like everyone in this town is keeping secrets. And I LOVE me a secret-filled book so this was the book for me! I also love me a character who isn’t afraid to do some aggressive snooping like Sarah here. She is my kind of nosy as hell heroine. She doesn’t let strange circumstances, naysayers, party-poopers, and grumpy old men shut her down. Loved it. These secrets aren’t the milquetoast lame ones that fill so many books either so prepare thyself.
The Children of Demeter is unsettling, weird and mysterious and wild and all those great things that'll keep you reading and it’s just the right amount of disorientating. Do yourself a kindness and forget this messed up world for a few hours by spending some time with this book!
Thank you Erin Al-Mehairi & RDS Press for sharing this copy with me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Grief, Car accident, and Death
More...