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adamsw216's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Eamon and his friends are big fans of the famous children's book Winterset Hollow. They decide to visit the island that was said to have inspired the author to write the book. They meet an intrepid group of fellow Winterset Hollow fans also making the pilgrimage and together they charter a ferry over to the sprawling isle. When they arrive, they find that the world of the story book they all share a love for is far more real than they could have possibly imagined. However, the reality isn't much like the story book at all.
I enjoyed the concept of this book. I can't help but feel like I've heard of books with similar concepts, but I can no longer recall what they were. I thought the set up was good. The world was well established, and the characters felt at least somewhat fleshed out. The Hollow characters were the most interesting and vividly drawn, in my opinion. However, there was a notable turning point in the book early on, and from there the sense of mystery sort of dissipates. It becomes a fairy straight forward story from there on out. Sure, there are unanswered questions that draw us (and the characters) inexorably towards the conclusion, but that thread of curious wonderment is abruptly cut off and replaced for a more urgent and deep seated need-to-know.
The author, Durham, can clearly write well. However, I felt like the prose was overly flowery, and in some places it was practically purple. I also found the switching of perspectives to be a bit jarring and unnatural. I don't think it really adds anything to the story, and I might even go so far as to say that it is a contributing factor towards the loss of that thread of curious wonderment I referred to earlier in my review. That being said, the descriptions of the setting are well done and the island and manor are exquisitely painted for the reader.
The story had a clear colonization angle, but I feel like the message sort of peters out a bit at the end with how things are resolved. I suppose the conclusion seems natural in the flow of the story, but is the original message important or is it not? I'm left a little unclear as to what the author intended, exactly.
(Small, pedantic complaint, but the author has characters feeding a fire using pages torn from a paperback book. This would keep a fire going for like five seconds and wouldn't keep it nearly hot enough to keep people warm. Also, a blanket is wrapped around a stick and lit on fire as a torch. Without being soaked in something like tar or oil, that torch would not burn for nearly as long as they used it for. Also, I noticed the author really likes the word "sip" as in "so-and-so took a sip of air". He maybe used it just two or three times too many.)
All in all, it was an interesting premise with a decently executed story and a vividly painted setting. Not a bad read, and a pretty good debut novel for an author. I'd be interested to see what he writes in the future.
I enjoyed the concept of this book. I can't help but feel like I've heard of books with similar concepts, but I can no longer recall what they were. I thought the set up was good. The world was well established, and the characters felt at least somewhat fleshed out. The Hollow characters were the most interesting and vividly drawn, in my opinion. However, there was a notable turning point in the book early on, and from there the sense of mystery sort of dissipates. It becomes a fairy straight forward story from there on out. Sure, there are unanswered questions that draw us (and the characters) inexorably towards the conclusion, but that thread of curious wonderment is abruptly cut off and replaced for a more urgent and deep seated need-to-know.
The author, Durham, can clearly write well. However, I felt like the prose was overly flowery, and in some places it was practically purple. I also found the switching of perspectives to be a bit jarring and unnatural. I don't think it really adds anything to the story, and I might even go so far as to say that it is a contributing factor towards the loss of that thread of curious wonderment I referred to earlier in my review. That being said, the descriptions of the setting are well done and the island and manor are exquisitely painted for the reader.
The story had a clear colonization angle, but I feel like the message sort of peters out a bit at the end with how things are resolved. I suppose the conclusion seems natural in the flow of the story, but is the original message important or is it not? I'm left a little unclear as to what the author intended, exactly.
(Small, pedantic complaint, but the author has characters feeding a fire using pages torn from a paperback book. This would keep a fire going for like five seconds and wouldn't keep it nearly hot enough to keep people warm. Also, a blanket is wrapped around a stick and lit on fire as a torch. Without being soaked in something like tar or oil, that torch would not burn for nearly as long as they used it for. Also, I noticed the author really likes the word "sip" as in "so-and-so took a sip of air". He maybe used it just two or three times too many.)
All in all, it was an interesting premise with a decently executed story and a vividly painted setting. Not a bad read, and a pretty good debut novel for an author. I'd be interested to see what he writes in the future.
the_reader_mommy's review against another edition
4.0
How many times have you wondered if you could go to Hogwarts? How many times have you daydreamed about the place in your favourite book and wished you were there?
Three friends travel to Addington Island eager to visit Winterset Hollow, a beloved place created by their most favourite author. What starts as a normal visit turns into a fantastical one when they encounter the animals in the book. In the flesh and larger than life.
When the group thinks they have seen everything, they realize that everything is not as it seems.
With heart-thumping action and terrifying twists and turns, this book was a superb read. The beginning was a bit slow but once the action started, there was not a single boring moment. I found the language a bit too explanatory in the beginning but I eased into the writing as the pages turned.
If you are looking for some good horror books with a fantastical element, this is the book you must be reading!
4 stars!
Three friends travel to Addington Island eager to visit Winterset Hollow, a beloved place created by their most favourite author. What starts as a normal visit turns into a fantastical one when they encounter the animals in the book. In the flesh and larger than life.
When the group thinks they have seen everything, they realize that everything is not as it seems.
With heart-thumping action and terrifying twists and turns, this book was a superb read. The beginning was a bit slow but once the action started, there was not a single boring moment. I found the language a bit too explanatory in the beginning but I eased into the writing as the pages turned.
If you are looking for some good horror books with a fantastical element, this is the book you must be reading!
4 stars!
abbyhess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
onetrooluff's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Wow. This is a dark tale and it's definitely gruesome, but it was within what I can handle (which is not much). The last half was very tense and the plot was really intriguing. I liked how everything tied together and made a weird kind of sense by the end.
hgossett's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
So few pages and yet so many words. It was an interesting concept and executed well
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Self harm
tome_of_alexandria's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I've read Winterset Hollow several times before and love it more each time. I enjoy the writing style and absolutely adore the characters. It's complicated and sad in such a beautiful way that it's hard not to enjoy.
chelclou's review against another edition
3.0
The premise of this book was a very interesting one, and the characters were all very unique as well. How it tied together in the end was pretty great and I just have to applaud the author on his imagination.
Now with that all being said, I personally would not recommend this book to a friend. It was said to be spooky, and while certain aspects of it were, I did not find it spooky at all.
It was way too wordy. While I understand the descriptions of the house were important to the story, I still felt like it was far too much and unnecessary.
This book was so hard to get into and I found myself thinking about putting it down and never looking back multiple times. If it weren’t for the fact that I buddy read it with two people I definitely would have. (One person told me consistently I was going to hate it, and the other person told me consistently how much she was not enjoying it)
I loved Runny and the Frog and did cry a little at the end for them. Mark & Caroline were pretty enjoyable characters. Unfortunately, Eamon, the main character was pretty unlikable in my opinion. I don’t know, overall it just wasn’t my cup of tea, sorry.
Now with that all being said, I personally would not recommend this book to a friend. It was said to be spooky, and while certain aspects of it were, I did not find it spooky at all.
It was way too wordy. While I understand the descriptions of the house were important to the story, I still felt like it was far too much and unnecessary.
This book was so hard to get into and I found myself thinking about putting it down and never looking back multiple times. If it weren’t for the fact that I buddy read it with two people I definitely would have. (One person told me consistently I was going to hate it, and the other person told me consistently how much she was not enjoying it)
I loved Runny and the Frog and did cry a little at the end for them. Mark & Caroline were pretty enjoyable characters. Unfortunately, Eamon, the main character was pretty unlikable in my opinion. I don’t know, overall it just wasn’t my cup of tea, sorry.
anythya's review against another edition
5.0
I've held off reviewing this book, mainly because I really wanted to sit with it for a bit.
Like coming out of a reading coma and having to deal with real life again, knowing the book is over, done, no more, and where to go from here.
I had read other reviews, with others saying the ending was satisfying yo them, but I disagree.
I had such sadness in my heart for the ending, and wanted so much more peace for Finn and Bing, but it is Runny and Flackwell that I feel the most heartache for.
This is one of those stories that you can't help but feel deeply, emotionally, understanding of each character and how the lines between what is right and wrong, good and bad, is blurred by such atrocities that define the very nature of each individual.
I could only pity them, each broken and doing what they thought they needed to find inner peace.
Such strongly hurt individuals on both sides.
This was heartbreaking, absolutely terrifying at times, and somehow beautiful in the most melancholic way to me.
It's one that I'll sit with for a while, feeling that deep sadness every time I think about it.
I so hope Jonathan writes another book, I adored this one as much as his Facebook ramblings, it spoke to my soul.
Like coming out of a reading coma and having to deal with real life again, knowing the book is over, done, no more, and where to go from here.
I had read other reviews, with others saying the ending was satisfying yo them, but I disagree.
I had such sadness in my heart for the ending, and wanted so much more peace for Finn and Bing, but it is Runny and Flackwell that I feel the most heartache for.
This is one of those stories that you can't help but feel deeply, emotionally, understanding of each character and how the lines between what is right and wrong, good and bad, is blurred by such atrocities that define the very nature of each individual.
I could only pity them, each broken and doing what they thought they needed to find inner peace.
Such strongly hurt individuals on both sides.
This was heartbreaking, absolutely terrifying at times, and somehow beautiful in the most melancholic way to me.
It's one that I'll sit with for a while, feeling that deep sadness every time I think about it.
I so hope Jonathan writes another book, I adored this one as much as his Facebook ramblings, it spoke to my soul.