gothgirlsreadingnook's review against another edition
3.0
New rule no matter what don’t go into a mine.
I loved the eerie aspect and the finding of the journal that gave the towns history.
I didn’t like how it was two girls in a cave the whole book. It would have been cool to see the girls explore the housing and hear the bells while sleeping and give it more of that creepy aspect.
To where they have to run into the mines to “stay safe” and then the rest has happened.
I loved the book for the friendship of the girls and how they wanted a better life. The book was a decent read and I did enjoy but I wish I had gotten more out of it.
I loved the eerie aspect and the finding of the journal that gave the towns history.
I didn’t like how it was two girls in a cave the whole book. It would have been cool to see the girls explore the housing and hear the bells while sleeping and give it more of that creepy aspect.
To where they have to run into the mines to “stay safe” and then the rest has happened.
I loved the book for the friendship of the girls and how they wanted a better life. The book was a decent read and I did enjoy but I wish I had gotten more out of it.
gothgirlsreadingnook's review
3.0
New rule no matter what don’t go into a mine.
I loved the eerie aspect and the finding of the journal that gave the towns history.
I didn’t like how it was two girls in a cave the whole book. It would have been cool to see the girls explore the housing and hear the bells while sleeping and give it more of that creepy aspect.
To where they have to run into the mines to “stay safe” and then the rest has happened.
I loved the book for the friendship of the girls and how they wanted a better life. The book was a decent read and I did enjoy but I wish I had gotten more out of it.
I loved the eerie aspect and the finding of the journal that gave the towns history.
I didn’t like how it was two girls in a cave the whole book. It would have been cool to see the girls explore the housing and hear the bells while sleeping and give it more of that creepy aspect.
To where they have to run into the mines to “stay safe” and then the rest has happened.
I loved the book for the friendship of the girls and how they wanted a better life. The book was a decent read and I did enjoy but I wish I had gotten more out of it.
apriltwilights's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This started out really solid. And then it just got really weird. It wasn't for me.
shereadstales's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
theaceofpages's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The books starts with two women tying to escape the wasteland that large parts of the USA have become because of climate change. This is actually what first drew me to the book as this kind of future is already starting to develop. They crawl into an abandoned mine in search of shade to hide from the hot sun above and hear a bell, which they follow. After Mads falls and injures her leg, her and Waynoka are forced to stay in the mine, where they find what seems to have been someone's home at some point in the past. They find a journal belonging to Lavinia, a pioneer woman from the 1800s who lived in the mining town. We switch between the lives of Mads and Waynoka and the mysterious happenings of the past, where we learn that the mine they are trapped in is believed to be haunted and have unleashed monsters on the town in the past.
I enjoyed the stories and though that the narrators did a fantastic job bringing it to life. I loved that there were two narrators - one for each time period. I wish that more books with duel timelines/ points of view would do this. It definitely helps provide an even more distinct voice to the different characters. But that being said, some of the Lavinia chapters were very long. As in over an hour very long. There is nothing wrong with this per say, but I do think they could maybe have been divided into parts? Even if this means two Lavinia chapters in a row. (But this could also just be a me not liking stopping in the middle of a chapter thing more than anything).
The stories were intriguing and I was definitely interested in the mysterious events and mounters. But that being said, it wasn't exactly scary? At least to me. I would describe it more as a paranormal story than a horror. But this is a good thing for those who don't like their horror being to disturbing, I didn't mind this, but I do think that those going in specifically looking for a horror might be a little disappointed, even if they end up enjoying the story.
Most of the plot goes by pretty slowly, especially in the mine where they are essentially just trying to survive. But there was enough mystery to keep things interesting and I wanted the answers as to what was happening. And what will happen. Up until the last chapter where a lot happens. This chapter very much pulls the whole book together and I think it added an extra half a star to my rating. It is also the chapter where the most horror happened. I am not quite sure how to feel about the ending though... It was definitely different and an interesting way to end the story, but the lead up felt a bit... I don't know.
If you are interested in the concept of a historical paranormal novel with haunted mines, I think you will enjoy this book. It definitely explores a lot of interesting themes and I'm glad I read it. I received a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. As always, all views are my own.
I enjoyed the stories and though that the narrators did a fantastic job bringing it to life. I loved that there were two narrators - one for each time period. I wish that more books with duel timelines/ points of view would do this. It definitely helps provide an even more distinct voice to the different characters. But that being said, some of the Lavinia chapters were very long. As in over an hour very long. There is nothing wrong with this per say, but I do think they could maybe have been divided into parts? Even if this means two Lavinia chapters in a row. (But this could also just be a me not liking stopping in the middle of a chapter thing more than anything).
The stories were intriguing and I was definitely interested in the mysterious events and mounters. But that being said, it wasn't exactly scary? At least to me. I would describe it more as a paranormal story than a horror. But this is a good thing for those who don't like their horror being to disturbing, I didn't mind this, but I do think that those going in specifically looking for a horror might be a little disappointed, even if they end up enjoying the story.
Most of the plot goes by pretty slowly, especially in the mine where they are essentially just trying to survive. But there was enough mystery to keep things interesting and I wanted the answers as to what was happening. And what will happen. Up until the last chapter where a lot happens. This chapter very much pulls the whole book together and I think it added an extra half a star to my rating. It is also the chapter where the most horror happened. I am not quite sure how to feel about the ending though... It was definitely different and an interesting way to end the story, but the lead up felt a bit... I don't know.
If you are interested in the concept of a historical paranormal novel with haunted mines, I think you will enjoy this book. It definitely explores a lot of interesting themes and I'm glad I read it. I received a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. As always, all views are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Death, Grief, and Body horror
Minor: Animal death, Misogyny, Blood, and Miscarriage
Animal death is off page - people keep finding dead batscyanide_latte's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I'm not sure what I was expecting when I went into this, but it surpassed all my expectations and I absolutely loved it! I'm not going to say more, because I really think it's best to go into this book completely blind and just see where it takes you.
readwithbells's review against another edition
3.5
So I LOVE It Will Just Be Us by Jo Kaplan, it’s my favourite horror. I was expecting something similarly nuanced and interesting here and while that is the case, I thought this book examines the exact same themes that the first one did: I also have an aversion to Western atmospheres, though I stayed engaged for most of this one despite that. I actually enjoyed the stuff in the journal way more than the main story, which usually doesn’t happen with me. I think it’s a good book and a fun ride, really I would pick between the two books which vibe is your favourite—Western coal mine vs haunted house—and you’ll probably have a good time. Her stories are weird and frightening and have a particular bone-chilling quality that makes my spine tingle, this one just wasn’t my favourite.
Spoiler
What would we do for our family? Where It Will looks at sisters, this one looks at daughters, and in the end, everyone becomes the monster.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Alcoholism
tentenlibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0