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chrissireads's review against another edition
4.0
I had heard such amazing things about this book from my fellow blogging friends that I knew it was one that I needed to check out as soon as I could. I’m so pleased that I made time for it because it was utterly gripping yet so disturbing at the same time. What a thriller!
The Foster Child centres around Imogen who worked as a psychologist until an event made her change her job. She now works for the local authority and takes on Ellie’s case. Ellie is an orphan living in foster care after a fire killed her parents and her brother. In a strange turn of events (and perhaps making this book not for everyone?) terrible things start to happen when Ellie gets angry with someone. Very soon, the town wonders if there’s something more to Ellie than first meets the eye. Is it coincidence or are there some darker forces involved?
The story includes so much bullying and discrimination. There were some moments of bullying that really affected me. It was awful. I felt sorry for Ellie, but at the same time wondered if she was a character I should be sorry for. I’ll let you make up your own mind if you’ve read this book or aim to read it.
One thing that always makes me tear through a book at record speed is short, snappy chapters. The Foster Child definitely has this. It’s intense and often has twists along the way. I was eagerly trying to work out what the truth really was.
This book is definitely creepy and left me feeling very uncomfortable at many points in the story. I am definitely left wanting to read more from Jenny Blackhurst!
The Foster Child centres around Imogen who worked as a psychologist until an event made her change her job. She now works for the local authority and takes on Ellie’s case. Ellie is an orphan living in foster care after a fire killed her parents and her brother. In a strange turn of events (and perhaps making this book not for everyone?) terrible things start to happen when Ellie gets angry with someone. Very soon, the town wonders if there’s something more to Ellie than first meets the eye. Is it coincidence or are there some darker forces involved?
The story includes so much bullying and discrimination. There were some moments of bullying that really affected me. It was awful. I felt sorry for Ellie, but at the same time wondered if she was a character I should be sorry for. I’ll let you make up your own mind if you’ve read this book or aim to read it.
One thing that always makes me tear through a book at record speed is short, snappy chapters. The Foster Child definitely has this. It’s intense and often has twists along the way. I was eagerly trying to work out what the truth really was.
This book is definitely creepy and left me feeling very uncomfortable at many points in the story. I am definitely left wanting to read more from Jenny Blackhurst!
mrsruthiewebb's review against another edition
3.0
A good, if slightly uncomfortable read in places. I wondered if I’d inadvertently picked up a horror and if I could finish it. I’m glad I did. I quite liked the writing style going between the key characters and I’m a fan of the short punchy chapters to keep the pace.
Kinda got the plot half way through so enjoyed the latter parts where it confirmed my thoughts and helped me get a better feel for certain characters and how they were behaving.
Would have been a 4 star review had the last few paragraphs not made me sigh...
Kinda got the plot half way through so enjoyed the latter parts where it confirmed my thoughts and helped me get a better feel for certain characters and how they were behaving.
Would have been a 4 star review had the last few paragraphs not made me sigh...
beckiebookworm1974's review against another edition
4.0
🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2 STARS
The Foster Child By Jenny Blackhurst was one hell of a spooky book, having never read anything by this author before I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
I really didn't need to worry from the first page this story captured the reader building the atmosphere gradually and hooking its audience so subtly that before you knew it you were so emotionally invested in what was playing out before our rapt eyes.
So The Foster Child tells the story of Ellie Atkinson a foster child placed in the system after the death of her family in a house fire.
Along comes child psychologist Imogen Reid who upon returning to her childhood town after a big blip in her illustrious career inherits Ellie's case.
From day one on the job, it's apparent to Imogen that things in her old town are not right.
Everybody seems afraid of the quiet eerie eleven-year-old and Ellies only supporters are Her fifteen-year-old foster sister Mary and Imogen herself.
So, my god, this was creepy.
I actually found myself questioning everything I thought I believed.
You could feel the mass hysteria building as it was fueled by what people thought was real.
Taking on a life all of its own, like a snowball building its momentum.
Then BAM!!!!
everything came to a head and you were left feeling a trifle dim questioning yourself, did I really think that ?.
You as the reader have been swept along in the mass hysteria along with everyone else in this small community.
I loved this story, the characters were so real and interesting, this could be set in any small town around where I live.
The Foster Child was a fascinating insight into small-town dynamics and also a creepy atmospheric chiller.
Do you know what I liked best, it was how one young girl can start a rumour that actually takes on a life all of its own.
fuelling its own journey along the way.
Or did it!!! that twist at the end Man, didn't see that coming.
It left us the reader with a whole host of new questions to ask.
So I end this review in a bit of a quandary.
What do I actually take away from this as the truth, I think in this instance only Ellie is aware of the bigger picture she is the puppetmaster of this chilling tale.
That is the only reason I deducted 1/2 a star from this as I was left feeling slightly confused, wondering what to actually believe.
I would like to thank Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with a free ARC of The Foster Child this is my own free and honest opinion.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm.
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
leajim's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
secre's review against another edition
3.0
If it hadn't been for the very last couple of pages, this would have easily made four stars. The final twist however seems to actively work against everything the novel has built its way towards and it left me feeling rather disappointed in many ways. All throughout the novel, Blackhurst does a good job of building the tension and leaving you distinctly uncertain as to what is going on. It's subtle and twisting and weaving to the degree that you doubt yourself... except for the end. With the threads that had already been left untied, the enterprising reader would already have doubts. Blackhurst would have been better leaving them as unnerving and unsettling, rather than insulting the readers intelligence at the very last hurdle.
It's a shame because otherwise this is a tightly plotted novel with realistic characters and a well realised setting. The ease with which apparently rational characters suddenly flip can be somewhat trying, but I suppose it could be blamed on hormones in the main occasion at least. The depictions of both the Place2Be worker and the foster child just wanting to fit in are well done, and some of the scenes are actively touching at points. In terms of it's description as a 'sleep with the lights on thriller', I certainly wouldn't go that far. It's a tad unnerving but nothing to the level of Stephen King.
It's a shame because otherwise this is a tightly plotted novel with realistic characters and a well realised setting. The ease with which apparently rational characters suddenly flip can be somewhat trying, but I suppose it could be blamed on hormones in the main occasion at least. The depictions of both the Place2Be worker and the foster child just wanting to fit in are well done, and some of the scenes are actively touching at points. In terms of it's description as a 'sleep with the lights on thriller', I certainly wouldn't go that far. It's a tad unnerving but nothing to the level of Stephen King.
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
5.0
You can always tell a good book when the first thing you think about is when you are going to be able to pick it up again and carry on reading. If it wasn’t for the fact that I had to go to work and needed sleep, I would have easily finished this in one sitting.
As soon as I started it and read of little Ellie, I was well and truly hooked. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of her. She pulled me in but made me want to keep my distance also. The only nice relationship she has is with her foster sister Mary who keeps an eye out for her. Everyone else either doesn’t seem to like her or for some reason they seem scared of her. Either way Ellie is a very troubled and mixed up little girl who has an awful lot to deal with. There were some bullying scenes that nearly had me in tears as I wanted to give the other children what for, for being so cruel to Ellie when she is so desperate to make friends.
Imogen has a bit of a troubled past herself. She has returned to her childhood home which holds demons for her and she wants to get on with her life. It isn’t long before she very much gets caught up with what is happening in the small village and trying to help Ellie.
The book has been likened to Stephen Kings Carrie and having read it I totally understand why. Ellie is some one who will have your heart breaking whilst giving you goose bumps.
The Foster Child is a truly gripping read that I couldn’t read quick enough to see what the outcome would be and boy it didn’t disappoint! There is plenty within the pages to keep you hooked with a few twists and turns, which by the end, left me needing something warm and fuzzy as I felt like someone had walked over my grave. Brilliant!
My thanks to Headline and Bookbridgr for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
As soon as I started it and read of little Ellie, I was well and truly hooked. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of her. She pulled me in but made me want to keep my distance also. The only nice relationship she has is with her foster sister Mary who keeps an eye out for her. Everyone else either doesn’t seem to like her or for some reason they seem scared of her. Either way Ellie is a very troubled and mixed up little girl who has an awful lot to deal with. There were some bullying scenes that nearly had me in tears as I wanted to give the other children what for, for being so cruel to Ellie when she is so desperate to make friends.
Imogen has a bit of a troubled past herself. She has returned to her childhood home which holds demons for her and she wants to get on with her life. It isn’t long before she very much gets caught up with what is happening in the small village and trying to help Ellie.
The book has been likened to Stephen Kings Carrie and having read it I totally understand why. Ellie is some one who will have your heart breaking whilst giving you goose bumps.
The Foster Child is a truly gripping read that I couldn’t read quick enough to see what the outcome would be and boy it didn’t disappoint! There is plenty within the pages to keep you hooked with a few twists and turns, which by the end, left me needing something warm and fuzzy as I felt like someone had walked over my grave. Brilliant!
My thanks to Headline and Bookbridgr for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
jurektheturtle's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
aliciaparry's review against another edition
3.0
I really did read a lot of Jenny Blackhurst in 2019. I'm remembering that there was a fire in this book potentially but again I really don't remember much unfortunately. It was entertaining when I read it I guess. Not remarkable but alright I guess.
snazzybooks's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this atmospheric, entertaining read. With plenty of psychological suspense mixed in with a hint of the supernatural, you're never quite sure if things are quite what they seem. (Without spoiling any of the story, I should point out that I am not usually a fan of novels that lean too far towards the supernatural, but The Foster Child doesn't place too much emphasis on this, and it leaves enough room for doubt as to what really caused the 'occurances' in question...) As the reader finds out more about main character Imogen's life, as well as what's going inside Ellie's brain (and foster family) and insights into other characters' lives, it's easy to start to think you understand what's going on in the mysterious town of Gaunt... but do you really?
I think Jenny Blackhurst has done a great job of making you think you know more than you do, before throwing in a well-timed curveball to keep you guessing. There are several factors at play within this novel that reminded me of key historical events or settings, and many of these similarities help to create a truly eerie, threatening atmopshere within The Foster Child. I swung between feeling sorry for little Ellie, to thinking she's dangerous, to believing she's a victim of superstition and hysteria - much like a modern-day Salem Witch Trials.
It's hard to know whose side to be on, and there's the ongoing 'unexplained' parts of both Ellie and Imogen's history, which - as more and more is slowly revaled - help to create the strong sense of unease throughout this book. And that ending - fab! I'd definitely recommend this book; it's a fairly easy but addictive read which left me feeling thoroughly entertained!
I think Jenny Blackhurst has done a great job of making you think you know more than you do, before throwing in a well-timed curveball to keep you guessing. There are several factors at play within this novel that reminded me of key historical events or settings, and many of these similarities help to create a truly eerie, threatening atmopshere within The Foster Child. I swung between feeling sorry for little Ellie, to thinking she's dangerous, to believing she's a victim of superstition and hysteria - much like a modern-day Salem Witch Trials.
It's hard to know whose side to be on, and there's the ongoing 'unexplained' parts of both Ellie and Imogen's history, which - as more and more is slowly revaled - help to create the strong sense of unease throughout this book. And that ending - fab! I'd definitely recommend this book; it's a fairly easy but addictive read which left me feeling thoroughly entertained!