loogenhausen's review
4.0
Do you like stories about isolation? How about paranoia? What about creature features?
Maybe all three? Well you're in luck. It's like Insomnia and The Thing had a wild night out together and made a book baby. A wonderfully creepy, sad, and propulsive book baby.
Rowan Hill outdoes herself and it's only her first book! How is that even possible? If you read it, you'll know exactly what I mean. Confident, assured prose and a measured, meticulous pacing that makes you feel you're in the hands of an old pro. Future works from Hill are eagerly anticipated here in this dojo.
Former attorney Sarah moved to Alaska about three years ago with her husband Ted. The summers up there are brutal in that the sun never sets. Ever. Up is down and down is up when you can't get a proper sleep cycle going. Wine and Ambien cocktails sometimes do the trick. It also doesn't help that Sarah and Ted are taking a break from their marriage because of, well... reasons. Cue Sarah's handsome new neighbor. The only neighbor for miles and miles. What's he up to out here, alone? Oh yeah, and a faceless corporation is drilling for oil in the valley below, disturbing all kinds of stuff. And things. The dense forest below her house is the only source of darkness in the area. A great place for disturbed things to hide.
Or is it? What's really going on? How sane can you stay when time has no meaning anymore?
You'll want to read this whole story in one sitting, which is not hard to do, but that's the treat about good novellas. They feel like movies unfolding in the proper, precise amount of time necessary. If you grew up on isolation horror and creature features like I did (and still do) you'll eat this one up lickety-split. Writer Rowan Hill knows what she's doing and the mind reels at future stories that will spring forth from her creativity.
Maybe all three? Well you're in luck. It's like Insomnia and The Thing had a wild night out together and made a book baby. A wonderfully creepy, sad, and propulsive book baby.
Rowan Hill outdoes herself and it's only her first book! How is that even possible? If you read it, you'll know exactly what I mean. Confident, assured prose and a measured, meticulous pacing that makes you feel you're in the hands of an old pro. Future works from Hill are eagerly anticipated here in this dojo.
Former attorney Sarah moved to Alaska about three years ago with her husband Ted. The summers up there are brutal in that the sun never sets. Ever. Up is down and down is up when you can't get a proper sleep cycle going. Wine and Ambien cocktails sometimes do the trick. It also doesn't help that Sarah and Ted are taking a break from their marriage because of, well... reasons. Cue Sarah's handsome new neighbor. The only neighbor for miles and miles. What's he up to out here, alone? Oh yeah, and a faceless corporation is drilling for oil in the valley below, disturbing all kinds of stuff. And things. The dense forest below her house is the only source of darkness in the area. A great place for disturbed things to hide.
Or is it? What's really going on? How sane can you stay when time has no meaning anymore?
You'll want to read this whole story in one sitting, which is not hard to do, but that's the treat about good novellas. They feel like movies unfolding in the proper, precise amount of time necessary. If you grew up on isolation horror and creature features like I did (and still do) you'll eat this one up lickety-split. Writer Rowan Hill knows what she's doing and the mind reels at future stories that will spring forth from her creativity.
davemusson85's review
4.0
“Light only had meaning with dark to punctuate it.”
I first came across Rowan Hill’s writing in DarkLit’s Beach Bodies anthology, where her entry was my favourite of the entire collection. I didn’t waste any time jumping into this novella to spend more time with her writing and I was not disappointed. This story is really well-crafted; right from the start, there is a sense of unease. The story’s background of permanent daylight (hey, we’re in Alaska in the summer, right?) and the throb of heavy machinery offers a looming threat that you just can’t quite shake, as you sit with Sarah and try to work out what on earth is going. And then, just as you become lulled by the slow-burn, the final quarter goes WILD in the best kind of way. Great characters, great story, some nice twists and a truckload of potential for even better to come - this is impressive!
I first came across Rowan Hill’s writing in DarkLit’s Beach Bodies anthology, where her entry was my favourite of the entire collection. I didn’t waste any time jumping into this novella to spend more time with her writing and I was not disappointed. This story is really well-crafted; right from the start, there is a sense of unease. The story’s background of permanent daylight (hey, we’re in Alaska in the summer, right?) and the throb of heavy machinery offers a looming threat that you just can’t quite shake, as you sit with Sarah and try to work out what on earth is going. And then, just as you become lulled by the slow-burn, the final quarter goes WILD in the best kind of way. Great characters, great story, some nice twists and a truckload of potential for even better to come - this is impressive!
indiebookaddict's review
4.0
After some marital issues Sarah finds herself alone while her and Ted take a few weeks apart. During this time Sarah begins to hear and see things. A local trooper mentions her mental health when she calls him for help. In the meantime, things continue to spiral out of control.
This book was intense! Things start off a bit slow (not in a bad way) it really pulls you into the story. We get to know Sarah pretty well or so we think… then BAM you will be questioning everything. Is this real? Are these hallucinations? Hill does an excellent job playing with your emotions throughout the book. Very suspenseful read that will leave you wanting more and questioning everything.
This book was intense! Things start off a bit slow (not in a bad way) it really pulls you into the story. We get to know Sarah pretty well or so we think… then BAM you will be questioning everything. Is this real? Are these hallucinations? Hill does an excellent job playing with your emotions throughout the book. Very suspenseful read that will leave you wanting more and questioning everything.
karlakayjenniges's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
"Light only had meaning with dark to punctuate it."
Set deep in the remote Alaskan wilderness, during the days of uninterrupted daylight where sleep doesn't come easy and the sounds from the silence play with the deep recesses of the mind. We are introduced to our protagonist, Sarah. Recently separated, she is living alone when she begins to hear and see things and comes to believe an ancient creature is living deep in the darkness of her basement. Sadly no one believes her and her sanity is questioned as her world spirals into fear and confusion.
The deep remoteness can be felt along with the anxiety and the build up of suspense. My mind was questioning the protagonists mental capacity as the decisions she was making became more and more unsettling. Although the sun was shining the creature exudes this consuming darkness and casts a dark shadow spreading out towards a foreboding doom.
The ending was perfection and had my mind reeling with thoughts long after finishing.
Great debut!
Set deep in the remote Alaskan wilderness, during the days of uninterrupted daylight where sleep doesn't come easy and the sounds from the silence play with the deep recesses of the mind. We are introduced to our protagonist, Sarah. Recently separated, she is living alone when she begins to hear and see things and comes to believe an ancient creature is living deep in the darkness of her basement. Sadly no one believes her and her sanity is questioned as her world spirals into fear and confusion.
The deep remoteness can be felt along with the anxiety and the build up of suspense. My mind was questioning the protagonists mental capacity as the decisions she was making became more and more unsettling. Although the sun was shining the creature exudes this consuming darkness and casts a dark shadow spreading out towards a foreboding doom.
The ending was perfection and had my mind reeling with thoughts long after finishing.
Great debut!
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