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camelia_martin's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Those little revelations really kept the intrigue, and the way the seemingly unlinked characters and their lives became interlinked was incredible.
I had a gut feeling about how Mabel was pregnant and despite turning out to be correct I was still shocked by the way it was revealed.
I feel like Wulfie’s storyline was a bit rushed at the end - I really wanted to feel more for his character. The hints
I will say I didn’t find it scary, though I don’t find horror/thriller or gothic horror books to be scary anyway, but I did find myself reading faster and faster as I hit the last 100 pages.
Mrs W’s situation was predictable
Overall though an enjoyable book that kept me wanting more!
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
louisegraveyard's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
brittsuek's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
abbie_eibba's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Rape, Violence, and Vomit
what_heather_loves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The truth is, I want to believe that I dreamed it all, I really do. It would be a hundred times easier than the alternative...A ghost, and unlike any ghost I've ever seen depicted in a film, or read of in a book.
Something unspeakably evil is stalkjng the grounds of Lichen Hall."
This historical and gothic thriller is set in two time-frames (1959 and 1965) in fictional Lichen Hall, in the Scottish borders. Protagonists Mabel and Pearl are pregnant and unmarried and have come to stay to give birth and have their babies adopted. There's an ancient woodland with spooky folkore, ever-encroaching fungus and creepy Mrs Whitlock to contend with, as the women's stays become a nightmare. Tackling themes of motherhood, patriarchy and slavery, it's beautifully written, making the characters feel real. I found it atmospheric and ominous, recommended in particular to fans of Laura Purcell and Stacey Halls.
Graphic: Slavery and Pregnancy
Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Rape, and Abortion
lulubeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, Dementia, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
northernbiblio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Miscarriage
thatpreciousplot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
'The lighthouse witches' was one of my favourite reads of last year so to say I was EXSTATIC when I was approached by the publishers to read C.J Cookes newest book 'The Ghost Woods' might be an understatement!
The story itself is set around the creepy, atmospheric grounds of Lichen Hall in Scotland, which stands as a home for unmarried pregnant mothers to go have their babies away from the prying and judging eyes of the public of the time, and arrange for these children to be given up for adoption. It is told from dual perspectives, Mabel in in the 1950s and Pearl in the 1960s, following both as they navigate the mysteries of Lichen Hall, it's inhabitants and uncover the mysteries within...
C J Cooke is masterful at creepy atmospheric writing and capturing the Scottish setting (I am biased being Scottish but I LOVE it!) there was really some truly horrifying imagery throughout the book as well as body horror which made for such a spooky read.
Overall, a very enjoyable read - I would give it a solid 4 stars (my only negative was it involved some content/triggers that I try my best to avoid reading about but I understand for the plot why it was there)
Thanks again to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for offering me the chance of reading the ARC!
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, and Infertility