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patbunz's review against another edition
Just couldn't get into it even though I wanted to.
skyewinegar's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like this was a really important story (even if it’s a horror/thriller, the real horror is the history that makes this story real and visceral), but I had such a hard time staying in the story because the writing style wasn’t really for me. Certain moments felt disjointed and rushed while other moments felt too drawn out. I didn’t always buy into where the plot was going (the danger Debby with in) because it was relying a bit too much on what I know to be true in life and not actual moments in the story to make us understand and believe the danger. Also, a bit of a spoiler but when her grandfather meets her and then suddenly decides to tell her that he helps cover up a murder?? Totally doesn’t make sense to me that he would share that instead of like threatening her or just not showing up at all.
I wanted it to be more, and I did like the lore and I love reading from her perspective, and I loved and cared for the main character.
I wanted it to be more, and I did like the lore and I love reading from her perspective, and I loved and cared for the main character.
onceandfuturereads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was wavering between two and three stars, but in the end, I liked this about as much as I liked “Dark Places,” which I gave three.
I really loved the female relationships in this story. Kari’s relationships with both her best friend and her cousin had enough ups and downs to keep them feeling realistic. Although I will say, the dialogue was grating at times and I found the male characters to be cartoonishly lacking complexity. Overall, the ending felt right, and while I don’t think this is a story I’ll think about forever, I could definitely see myself reading more from this author.
I really loved the female relationships in this story. Kari’s relationships with both her best friend and her cousin had enough ups and downs to keep them feeling realistic. Although I will say, the dialogue was grating at times and I found the male characters to be cartoonishly lacking complexity. Overall, the ending felt right, and while I don’t think this is a story I’ll think about forever, I could definitely see myself reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Pedophilia
rpweber15's review against another edition
3.75
Literary horror/dark fiction is really a cool genre and I very much enjoyed this novel. The writing is excellent, the characters are very believably human, and the horror components were pretty jarring. The big reveal seemed anti-climactic…all the other bits of the book were far more important and engaging. I think that’s why this wasn’t a 5-star read for me…not because the main plot is secondary to everything else but because the balance of those things seemed off. The whole ending of the book felt like a rushed afterthought and it deserved better.
nyarlathotep's review against another edition
3.0
Based on the description I thought I was going to really love this one. Sadly I only liked it. I mainly took issue with the characters being so one dimensional and some of the plot points making absolutely no sense to me. The first half is quite slow but the second half is considerably better as all the plot points fall into place. Not a terrible book, just a bit disappointing.
kimnerdybird's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
sighants's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tarainez's review against another edition
4.0
Solid 4 stars. More of a mystery/thriller than a horror, but the supernatural elements with the blend of Native history really did it for me. This book tackled A LOT of difficult topics, so some trigger warnings for sexual abuse, drug use, overdose, emotional manipulation/abuse. I also liked the portion of the book dedicated to The Shining, one of the best Stephen King books I’ve read. I also just couldn’t help but root for Kari; I see a lot of myself in her (metal head, horror fan).
danajacobs's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. Very interesting concept, pretty disappointing execution. The writing itself felt incredibly stilted and clunky, and just generally was confusing. There are frequent abrupt transitions between scenes that provide no context or details to orient the reader. The author does not seem to trust the reader to understand any nuance or context clues, and as a result much of the narrative is explicitly stated rather than shown.
I appreciated that the main character was fairly unlikeable for much of the book and experienced genuine growth from a deeply traumatic past. However, the emphasis on heavy metal and Stephen King felt incredibly forced. The random analyses of Megadeth and Dave Mustaine felt plucked out of a music blog rather than a natural piece of inner narration. Kari felt much more like a forced “I’m not like OTHER girls” character than a nuanced, gritty, developed heroine.
One of my biggest issues with this book is the lack of much horror. From the blurbs, I expected an atmospheric, creepy horror novel about grief and community, but found a supernatural-ish story with a scene or two of an unsettling figure. It seems to rely mostly on the Stephen King references rather than its actually content to situate itself as horror.
White Horse does a good job at highlighting the importance of community in the healing journey, and I deeply appreciated the perspective into an urban Native setting. There are moments of genuine tension and real heart that are unfortunately overshadowed by clunky prose and an unfocused plot.
I appreciated that the main character was fairly unlikeable for much of the book and experienced genuine growth from a deeply traumatic past. However, the emphasis on heavy metal and Stephen King felt incredibly forced. The random analyses of Megadeth and Dave Mustaine felt plucked out of a music blog rather than a natural piece of inner narration. Kari felt much more like a forced “I’m not like OTHER girls” character than a nuanced, gritty, developed heroine.
One of my biggest issues with this book is the lack of much horror. From the blurbs, I expected an atmospheric, creepy horror novel about grief and community, but found a supernatural-ish story with a scene or two of an unsettling figure. It seems to rely mostly on the Stephen King references rather than its actually content to situate itself as horror.
White Horse does a good job at highlighting the importance of community in the healing journey, and I deeply appreciated the perspective into an urban Native setting. There are moments of genuine tension and real heart that are unfortunately overshadowed by clunky prose and an unfocused plot.
deannachapman's review against another edition
5.0
Really loved this. I’m a sucker for some great King references.