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emmaklieve's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.0
I will not tolerate the mushroom slander. 🍄
livvi29's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25
I really enjoyed The Ghost Woods. I don't usually read horror since I'm a bit of a wimp, but this book was more subtly creepy than full-on scary, which worked perfectly for me. I appreciated that alongside the supernatural horror, there was also real-world horror woven into the story, especially due to the men in some of the women's lives.
Lichen Hall was the perfect setting with its eerie atmosphere—a nice mix of beauty and horror. Is there a term for 'body horror' but with a building? Building Horror? Because there's something unsettling about an inhabited house slowly being overtaken by mold and mushrooms.
The characters were well-rounded, and I especially loved Pearl. I was really rooting for her to figure everything out. The female friendships in the book were another highlight. I feel like adult friendships aren't featured enough in stories, but seeing all the women come together to support each other was just perfect.
My main letdown was the ending. It felt a bit predictable and anticlimactic, and I think some loose ends weren't fully tied up—like the connection between Nicnevin and the mushrooms (or maybe I missed something there).
janey's review against another edition
3.0
Reading the author's note, in which she describes her purpose in writing this book, I see that there was a purpose in all of her choices and I applaud her for realizing her goal. With that said, although I could see what she was doing, I didn't define it in so many words and I don't know, maybe I feel like the setting is overworked at this point, and the elements of fantasy were not helpful to the purpose. Or maybe I just didn't like the writing. I don't know.
korareads's review
3.0
- might contain spoilers -
tw: pregnancy, childbirth, rape, abuse, child loss, body horror, parasites, child neglect, arson, bury your gays(?), murder, homophobia, cheating, disownment, absent parents
tw: pregnancy, childbirth, rape, abuse, child loss, body horror, parasites, child neglect, arson, bury your gays(?), murder, homophobia, cheating, disownment, absent parents
terriandree's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
kiillingboys's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
beehoule2's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.5
coldnuit's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
krystal_lacelle's review against another edition
4.0
The Ghost Woods was a chilling read written with atmospheric beauty. You could vividly see the beauty and horrors of Lichen Hall and the woods surrounding it. A place where pregnant, unwed mothers were sent to have their babies and send them off to their adoptive families. The Whitlocks were the family who owned the gothic manor. A place offered to women in need, but in the end it wasn’t as it appeared.
The characters were well developed and interesting in a heartbreaking way. A story told in two time lines that eventually meet up. A little boy with a gift that must be saved. This terrifying and troubling tale is intelligently told with complex emotions.
The authors note really pulled it all together. Reading the authors inspiration for this book really made me appreciate it more. Cooke mentioned a photo by Igor Siwanowicz of an Alice in wonderland book with mushrooms growing out of it as part of her inspiration. I love that, and it adds such a level of understanding. I kind of wish the authors note was at the beginning of the novel.
This gothic novel was inspired by the weirdness, and almost otherworldly characteristics of fungi, history of female repression and control, social restrictions, history of policing women’s bodies and their sexuality, rise of equality around gay rights.
Trigger warnings: r@pe, infant loss, child abuse.
I couldn’t give this book a full 5 stars because I felt it dragged on a bit. I found myself getting bored in the middle and just wanted to get on with it. I think reading the authors note first would have made me appreciate it sooner.
The characters were well developed and interesting in a heartbreaking way. A story told in two time lines that eventually meet up. A little boy with a gift that must be saved. This terrifying and troubling tale is intelligently told with complex emotions.
The authors note really pulled it all together. Reading the authors inspiration for this book really made me appreciate it more. Cooke mentioned a photo by Igor Siwanowicz of an Alice in wonderland book with mushrooms growing out of it as part of her inspiration. I love that, and it adds such a level of understanding. I kind of wish the authors note was at the beginning of the novel.
This gothic novel was inspired by the weirdness, and almost otherworldly characteristics of fungi, history of female repression and control, social restrictions, history of policing women’s bodies and their sexuality, rise of equality around gay rights.
Trigger warnings: r@pe, infant loss, child abuse.
I couldn’t give this book a full 5 stars because I felt it dragged on a bit. I found myself getting bored in the middle and just wanted to get on with it. I think reading the authors note first would have made me appreciate it sooner.