Reviews with content warning for Racism - The Twisted Ones

The Twisted Ones is a book that does a lot of things right. You'll find yourself propelled forward by the main character's wit into a curious mystery that becomes more and more strange the further in you go. The haunting refrain of her step grandfather's journal, from which the book takes it's name, will stick with you between readings. It is a hard book to put down, and even harder to stay away from.

Then, in the last handful of chapters, I felt the book fumbled the dismount. Too much was revealed too fast and too completely. Significant parts of the mystery wind up tossed to the curb in the fantastical reveals. The monsters wind up being too human, largely discarding the eldritch horror that fueled the book up to this point. The unknowable becomes known, at least in part, and that removes some of the terror.

Still, it's not a book to be left unread. It's creeping horror is a lovely, well-crafted thing that could easily have felt dated if not for the protagonist's thoroughly modern voice. Plus, there's a dog. And everyone needs more dogs in their lives. Even fictional ones.

Content Warnings

thekeytotheend's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Content Warnings

eleanormair's review

Go to review page

dark funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Content Warnings

ghostams's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Absolutely loved this book! It was an insanely amazing mix of folklore, family history, isolating energy, small town vibes, and childhood-level fear. Definitely a book I wish I could forget, just to read again, even though it was terrifying in the best way. Plus, the characters are so unique while being regular folk. Also, the dog doesn't die and is arguably the hero!

Content Warnings

_thelitlibrarian's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

4.25 stars
-
TW: Body Horror, Animal Death, Fire/Fire Injury, Death, Confinement, Toxic Relationship, Child Death, Infertility, Racism.
-
A modern folklore-horror take on a classic, this was a good retelling with loads of spooks, sprinkled with a dash of humour. I opted to listen to this via audio and let me tell you, I was constantly looking around to make sure I was alone! After the death of her grandmother Mouse is tasked with returning back to her home in hopes of cleaning and selling the home, at first it doesn't sound like a bad deal but we soon discover that grandma was a hoarder. As Mouse cleans she starts to uncover sinister secrets about the things in the woods. Mouse starts to realize her mistake in coming back - and wonders if sticking around is even worth it.

Although the plot is filled with impossibilities, the level of terror I felt was unreal. Just when I felt like I had things figured out something was thrown into the loop to throw us offguard. I really enjoyed the surrounding cast of characters including Foxy (a neighbour from the surrounding area), and her guard dog Bongo. The added presence of 'safe' characters was what Mouse needed, and also allowed the author to include humourous moments/dialogue in such a serious story. I will say that the 'horror' element (monster) was a tad far-fetched and out of this world, had it been something that could possibly happen in life I would have been a bit more scared! The book has a large buildup that left me a little let down at the end, I feel like the ending was a bit rushed and could have been more action-packed.

Overall this was a great horror read, that kept me captivated until the final moments.

Content Warnings

jerusha's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense 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

4.0

Content Warnings

keenanmaree's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

Content Warnings

More...