bao_bao's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
weathersreadsgarbage's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I think a lot of folk horror is more about vibes than scares and this is a pretty good example of it: There’s something deeply fucked in these woods and there’s a sense of inevitability to it all. The gore is pretty good too, the author does a great job of giving you just enough details to ruin your dinner.
While I do wish there had been more suspense to it I understand that we’d working with essentially a short story. Still, this was a great taste of the author’s work and I’ll be checking out more of his folk horror.
While I do wish there had been more suspense to it I understand that we’d working with essentially a short story. Still, this was a great taste of the author’s work and I’ll be checking out more of his folk horror.
monakabbani's review against another edition
4.0
Jay Alexander’s new folk short, Elken, is an excellent read for those who want a quick mythos scare. The characters are well shaped, the scenery is eerie, and the monsters are… well, grotesque. Like, VERY grotesque and creepy. One of those, what’s in this dark forest with me vibes. Per Alexander’s recent announcements, I’m excited to see that he will be diving into more folk horror. I’m even more interested in seeing if he will extend this story in particular… perhaps an origin of sorts?
harrieteverend's review against another edition
4.0
Wanna get a good scare from something deep in the woods? This story is the one for you. To sum it up, a cartographer is working on a project deep in the woods and finds a bunch of antlers that aren't what they seem...
Tie that in with creepy creatures stalking in the woods and an awfully suspicious hotel staff...and you're in for a delectable, scary short. Jay has amazing attention to detail and knows how to reel a reader in with his beautiful descriptions and getting you right into the atmosphere. Well done Jay!
Tie that in with creepy creatures stalking in the woods and an awfully suspicious hotel staff...and you're in for a delectable, scary short. Jay has amazing attention to detail and knows how to reel a reader in with his beautiful descriptions and getting you right into the atmosphere. Well done Jay!
xxreadwithcharliexx's review against another edition
4.5
Like nothing I've ever read before. Never read any folk-horror before, this was a sensational read. Beautifully chilling settings and definitely didn't see that ending coming. Wonderful.
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