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A review by minimicropup
The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ambivalent, worrisome, humble
Narration π: Croaky in parts, especially with male voices, but not too distracting
An adult (late 20s ish) is coming to terms with past trauma and is further triggered by a social media video showing someone die in a similar way to their best friend.
We are following our MC in their contemporary era, spun out on self-medicating chemies unbeknownst to their partner and family. We also see their POV through flash backs from their senior year of high school and shortly thereafter ~ 7 years ago.
Set in Berkshire (I think?) Massachusetts, USA and surrounding regions.
Narration π: Croaky in parts, especially with male voices, but not too distracting
An adult (late 20s ish) is coming to terms with past trauma and is further triggered by a social media video showing someone die in a similar way to their best friend.
We are following our MC in their contemporary era, spun out on self-medicating chemies unbeknownst to their partner and family. We also see their POV through flash backs from their senior year of high school and shortly thereafter ~ 7 years ago.
Set in Berkshire (I think?) Massachusetts, USA and surrounding regions.
Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags πΊπ:
-The transition between past and present wasn't necessarily jarring except for how it occurred so abruptly (even on audio). Based on the characters involved I figured out which era we were in, but maybe chapter/headings for those transitions would be helpful. It was probably easier with audio than text/digitial
-The ending just kinda happens. It's fast, all the Tea is spilled rapidly and feeling rushed, although I can also imagine complaints about this book being too long if it kept the pace (IOW maybe we could have cut down all the withdrawal/family drama bits since they're pretty much the same over time in the present day).
-The transition between past and present wasn't necessarily jarring except for how it occurred so abruptly (even on audio). Based on the characters involved I figured out which era we were in, but maybe chapter/headings for those transitions would be helpful. It was probably easier with audio than text/digitial
-The ending just kinda happens. It's fast, all the Tea is spilled rapidly and feeling rushed, although I can also imagine complaints about this book being too long if it kept the pace (IOW maybe we could have cut down all the withdrawal/family drama bits since they're pretty much the same over time in the present day).
Cred Rating π: Suspended disbelief with plausible moments. Just read it going with the flow and don't overthink. Some of the obvious questions are answered in a way that relies on magical realism to keep up, but it isn't OTT magical. Hard to say more w/o spoiling it all.
Mood Reading Match Up:
-Dark psychological mystery
-Guatemalan family history and experiencing culture from afar
-Unreliable narrator trope with contemporary fiction and mental illness elements
-Coming of age friendship drama
-Dark psychological mystery
-Guatemalan family history and experiencing culture from afar
-Unreliable narrator trope with contemporary fiction and mental illness elements
-Coming of age friendship drama
Content Heads-Up: Adult/minor relationship. Self-medicating with alcohol and pills.
Format: Library Audio via Libby
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Drug abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol
Minor: Mental illness