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audioaxolotl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Physical abuse, and Murder
fkshg8465's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
Horror was a genre I’d started away from for a very long time, but a couple years ago, I challenged myself to read books I’d normally avoid. So fantasy and horror were now officially on the list of books. I find I’m still picky about fantasy, but I’m a fan of well written horror now, and this one feels very well organized and plotted.
The story was, admittedly, a little hard to get into at first. I reread the first chapter several times, but once I got past it, I was hooked. I also had to wonder if it was a satire about MAGA, but the author’s note at the end said nothing about it, so I’ll try to skip assumptions. But if you’ve read it, you may see some parallels there as I did.
I really liked what my friend would refer to as the unlikely friendships that were written. It was they who saved the works, after all! I liked the epilogue and the seed of doubt planted (yes, I meant that internally and unironically). And in between, I liked that a range of LGBTQ relationships were normalized while still acknowledging transphobia just a bit, although I was sorry that sex shaming was still ever present (pretty sure that’s a leftover disease of Puritan influence, and that was appropriate too, given the discussion of settlers, John’s commitment to the Quakers, and the purity of faith our heroes had in the value of humanity).
I will be seeking out more of this writer’s works.
The story was, admittedly, a little hard to get into at first. I reread the first chapter several times, but once I got past it, I was hooked. I also had to wonder if it was a satire about MAGA, but the author’s note at the end said nothing about it, so I’ll try to skip assumptions. But if you’ve read it, you may see some parallels there as I did.
I really liked what my friend would refer to as the unlikely friendships that were written. It was they who saved the works, after all! I liked the epilogue and the seed of doubt planted (yes, I meant that internally and unironically). And in between, I liked that a range of LGBTQ relationships were normalized while still acknowledging transphobia just a bit, although I was sorry that sex shaming was still ever present (pretty sure that’s a leftover disease of Puritan influence, and that was appropriate too, given the discussion of settlers, John’s commitment to the Quakers, and the purity of faith our heroes had in the value of humanity).
I will be seeking out more of this writer’s works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
wyabook234's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.75
Black River Orchard is a saga with a storyline that extends through multiple seasons. As the Storyline unfolds; what effects the apples have when consumed are more grim than anyone realizes.
While perhaps it’s a very slow burn and some interval chapters about the Orchard’s history can detach me from focusing on the main plot; which deserves my concern because I cared about the characters. Calla can be the typical teenage archetype that isn’t any different from all the other girls. However, I enjoyed the dynamic that grows between the Emily and John in their search for the truth and then their desire to get justice done for the town. John was interesting due to how restraint he might be as a Quaker while carrying the skills of a formidable veteran and ally. Joanie was both amusing and likeable in the early chapters. Later in the story, she becomes dedicated to fighting back against the apple cult’s control over lives.
The intoxicating effect of apples well influenced the town, as evidenced by the growing obsession of their eaters over several. It was then revealed that apples could either make these people into the worst of themselves or bring out who they are, such as Dan Paxton; who becomes more vile once his Apple Orchard becomes more popular. Despite his backstory bringing out some of his humanity, that is based on selfishness and revenger. Those unveilings of their selves become more apparent as the townsfolk get aroused by the Ruby Slipper taste and their dripping juices, which can be seen as their obsession developing through the course of their story.
The references to the main plot to the current decade and highlighting of social could detract in how they could make the story feel dated. However, you’ll be enjoying the body horror and tension once the situation becomes bad enough and the people change; mentally and physically. There’s also a spirit in a white suit who stalks people into haunting them or doing terrible deeds that suddenly disappear near the end of the book; which lessens his impact.
Black River Orchard’s most disturbing moments involve transforming Prentiss and Marco into willing servants, with their teeth turning into apple seeds and their bodies mangled like roots. This is especially with how Marco was gaslighted and started into becoming of these grotesque creatures for Dan’s ego; to where is he calling him the title of “father”.
While perhaps it’s a very slow burn and some interval chapters about the Orchard’s history can detach me from focusing on the main plot; which deserves my concern because I cared about the characters. Calla can be the typical teenage archetype that isn’t any different from all the other girls. However, I enjoyed the dynamic that grows between the Emily and John in their search for the truth and then their desire to get justice done for the town. John was interesting due to how restraint he might be as a Quaker while carrying the skills of a formidable veteran and ally. Joanie was both amusing and likeable in the early chapters. Later in the story, she becomes dedicated to fighting back against the apple cult’s control over lives.
The intoxicating effect of apples well influenced the town, as evidenced by the growing obsession of their eaters over several. It was then revealed that apples could either make these people into the worst of themselves or bring out who they are, such as Dan Paxton; who becomes more vile once his Apple Orchard becomes more popular. Despite his backstory bringing out some of his humanity, that is based on selfishness and revenger. Those unveilings of their selves become more apparent as the townsfolk get aroused by the Ruby Slipper taste and their dripping juices, which can be seen as their obsession developing through the course of their story.
The references to the main plot to the current decade and highlighting of social could detract in how they could make the story feel dated. However, you’ll be enjoying the body horror and tension once the situation becomes bad enough and the people change; mentally and physically. There’s also a spirit in a white suit who stalks people into haunting them or doing terrible deeds that suddenly disappear near the end of the book; which lessens his impact.
Black River Orchard’s most disturbing moments involve transforming Prentiss and Marco into willing servants, with their teeth turning into apple seeds and their bodies mangled like roots. This is especially with how Marco was gaslighted and started into becoming of these grotesque creatures for Dan’s ego; to where is he calling him the title of “father”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism, Police brutality, Cannibalism, and War
whatzoreads's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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
5.0
Set in small town America, Black River Orchard, is a legacy gone rotten story, as twisted and gnarly as the ancient apple trees that transform the townsfolk with their dark magic.
Chuck Wendig uses the sinister slow burn playbook to perfection in this terrifying tale about a parasitic Apple cult.
With a beautifully layered ensemble cast that decomposes before your very eyes, at its rancid core is the creepiest and perhaps most insidious of monsters.
Black River Orchard is like the Ruby Slipper Apple it produces… it quickly becomes your home, your everything, you find yourself slipping between the dust jacket with a sense of relief and contentment. Just one more bite…
… and at 640 pages it’s a horror masterpiece. I rated this five stars, and it’s fair to say I will never eat another apple again.
Chuck Wendig uses the sinister slow burn playbook to perfection in this terrifying tale about a parasitic Apple cult.
With a beautifully layered ensemble cast that decomposes before your very eyes, at its rancid core is the creepiest and perhaps most insidious of monsters.
Black River Orchard is like the Ruby Slipper Apple it produces… it quickly becomes your home, your everything, you find yourself slipping between the dust jacket with a sense of relief and contentment. Just one more bite…
… and at 640 pages it’s a horror masterpiece. I rated this five stars, and it’s fair to say I will never eat another apple again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Gaslighting
hanyaya's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The beginning creepiness is much better than the payoff, but the creepiness is very good. Some moments where it was painfully clear these women were written by a man, but all in all I liked most of it.
Huge trigger warning for cults!
Huge trigger warning for cults!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
paracosim's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
My only complaint about this book is that it is going to read as very dated, very soon. The Gen Z lingo and references to tiktok will age Black River Orchard beyond comparison within just a few years lol. The last line was also very lackluster, which brought the score down solely because it made me roll my eyes at what was otherwise a flawless book. I already want to reread it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Police brutality and Kidnapping
Minor: Racism
rachelpoteet's review
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Suicide
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
YES. An author’s hyperfixation novel that makes me scared of fruit?? I’m sooooo here for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Grief
zag95's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Sexual harassment
araebird's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It's been a long time since I read a horror, and I'm glad I got back into it with this one. While it's chunky (at 600+ pages), like a lot of Wendig's books, he spends time building up the characters and the setting before any of the actual plot takes place. There is a sense of unease throughout the book, and really amps up after half way. Most of the characters are absolutely detestable, but that makes the story all the more believable when things go wrong.
Honestly I would never have thought that a book about an evil apple orchard would be this compelling, but I couldn't put it down. Check trigger warnings (especially for body gore, there's a lot of it).
Honestly I would never have thought that a book about an evil apple orchard would be this compelling, but I couldn't put it down. Check trigger warnings (especially for body gore, there's a lot of it).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Gun violence, Torture, Cannibalism, and Murder
Moderate: Biphobia, Mental illness, Suicide, and Police brutality