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postapocalypticplayground (27 KP) rated The Wicked Deep in Books
May 1, 2018
Everything a contemporary fantasy should be
I got a copy of The Wicked Deep in a book sub box, I had seen it around but didn't know much about it which is perfect because sometimes knowing can turn me away, as i'm often a creature of habit. I'm not really a fan of fantasy in a contemporary setting but this book changed my mind completely! I think that this is because the small town of Sparrow doesn't feel contemporary. Forgotten for most of the year, it's a crumbling town being slowly reclaimed by the sea. With no chain stores or high street names it's kind of trapped in time, which all ends up adding to the authenticity of Swan Season - A short time each year where it's said that the drowned witch Swan sisters return to the shore to claim the lives of men in the town. Despite there actually being annual deaths, tourists still flock to Sparrow every year. The story is also nicely interposed with chapters about the history of the town and the Swan sisters time there, which also gives it a less contemporary feel.
Before I go any further I want to cut to one thing, this book has been published by Simon and Schuster's Children's Division - so set your sights here. Yes this is a tale of darkness, murder and revenge, but don't expect it to be graphic or horrifying - I mention this as I have seen some people complain that it isn't enough of those things. YA covers a large age range and sometimes it's going to be towards the lower end and to be honest, the story telling is so fantastic that it doesn't need to be graphic or over the top. I think Shea Ernshaw does an amazing job of conveying dread without resorting to shock. That's also evident that despite the subject matter this is a really easy and captivating read, I couldn't put it down and read it in a day!
There isn't a character I disliked. The sisters were portrayed brilliantly, all reacting differently to the 200 years of vengeance and I found it a really interesting take on how they can become either weary or sharpened by this. The children of the town as well were thoughtfully considered with how they have come to accept the fate of the town they were born into, and almost embrace it like a birthright, despite knowing what the fates could have in store. I want to be careful of saying too much about the characters as there is some brilliant misdirection and a twist to this tale, which kept me on my toes.
The story feels very ethereal, from the mists of the sisters song to the decrepit lighthouse island and the run down township. Even the antics of the children at the start of Swan Season seems as if they are already under a spell rather than the elaborate dares they look to be playing - perhaps that is a spell over the whole town, in that they float along knowing what is coming yet seem in no hurry to change or move to do anything about it.
I loved this book for so many reasons and it's beautifully not afraid to be a stand alone which is so refreshing at the moment. The cover is gorgeous too! I have no hesitation in giving this book 5*
Before I go any further I want to cut to one thing, this book has been published by Simon and Schuster's Children's Division - so set your sights here. Yes this is a tale of darkness, murder and revenge, but don't expect it to be graphic or horrifying - I mention this as I have seen some people complain that it isn't enough of those things. YA covers a large age range and sometimes it's going to be towards the lower end and to be honest, the story telling is so fantastic that it doesn't need to be graphic or over the top. I think Shea Ernshaw does an amazing job of conveying dread without resorting to shock. That's also evident that despite the subject matter this is a really easy and captivating read, I couldn't put it down and read it in a day!
There isn't a character I disliked. The sisters were portrayed brilliantly, all reacting differently to the 200 years of vengeance and I found it a really interesting take on how they can become either weary or sharpened by this. The children of the town as well were thoughtfully considered with how they have come to accept the fate of the town they were born into, and almost embrace it like a birthright, despite knowing what the fates could have in store. I want to be careful of saying too much about the characters as there is some brilliant misdirection and a twist to this tale, which kept me on my toes.
The story feels very ethereal, from the mists of the sisters song to the decrepit lighthouse island and the run down township. Even the antics of the children at the start of Swan Season seems as if they are already under a spell rather than the elaborate dares they look to be playing - perhaps that is a spell over the whole town, in that they float along knowing what is coming yet seem in no hurry to change or move to do anything about it.
I loved this book for so many reasons and it's beautifully not afraid to be a stand alone which is so refreshing at the moment. The cover is gorgeous too! I have no hesitation in giving this book 5*
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Dark in TV
Dec 4, 2017 (Updated Dec 4, 2017)
Dark, gritty, utterly mind-bending
This German series has been compared to @Stranger Things , and in some ways there are similarities in terms of the sci-fi, supernatural element, but it is far darker.
Set around the premise of a missing boy, who seems to have vanished from thin air, there are multiple narratives surrounding the characters of this town called Wisden. The main protagonist is young teenager Jonas, whose father has committed suicide, all the while his friend's younger brother has gone missing in the midst of a spate of murders. The series will require some concentration because you'll quickly realise that it is far more complicated than you'll first perceive.
It really starts to get interesting by the third episode after skipping through the usual drama of a small town ie. Lies, affairs and secrets. Without revealing too much, you'll see by this point how it compares to Stranger Things. The biggest difference is that apart from Jonas, there are very few likable roles in this show - each are tormented in their own way.
The American dubbing can be a bit off-putting as it doesnt seem particularly suited to some characters - but it can be helpful if you just want to focus on the plot. Very good indeed, hoping a new season is in the pipeline.
Set around the premise of a missing boy, who seems to have vanished from thin air, there are multiple narratives surrounding the characters of this town called Wisden. The main protagonist is young teenager Jonas, whose father has committed suicide, all the while his friend's younger brother has gone missing in the midst of a spate of murders. The series will require some concentration because you'll quickly realise that it is far more complicated than you'll first perceive.
It really starts to get interesting by the third episode after skipping through the usual drama of a small town ie. Lies, affairs and secrets. Without revealing too much, you'll see by this point how it compares to Stranger Things. The biggest difference is that apart from Jonas, there are very few likable roles in this show - each are tormented in their own way.
The American dubbing can be a bit off-putting as it doesnt seem particularly suited to some characters - but it can be helpful if you just want to focus on the plot. Very good indeed, hoping a new season is in the pipeline.
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated Some Like it Haute in Books
Nov 11, 2020
Haute Time in a Small Town
Samantha Kidd has landed yet another temporary job in her home town of Ribbon, Pennsylvania. This time, she’s helping her ex-boyfriend’s maybe ex-girlfriend prepare a fashion show. Amanda is going to turn heads with this collection – assuming nothing goes wrong before then. Samantha thinks everything is going well, so she is surprised when she is fired the night before the big event. Then she is attacked on her way out to her car as she leaves. But when disaster strikes the show, Samantha begins to suspect that something larger is at work. Can she figure out what is going on?
The plot of this book started from page one and never let up. Samantha is facing quite a few challenges over the course of the story, and they always kept me engaged. While I don’t know much about fashion, it was used as a backdrop to the mystery, and I never felt left out. Having said that, Samantha’s fashion knowledge does provide her with a couple of clues that help her solve the mystery. Samantha is the strongest character in the book. The rest are interesting and hold our attention, but Samantha is the one who really shines. She’s also the one who gets the most growth, and I enjoyed watching that happen. I’m now anxious to see what happens to Samantha next.
The plot of this book started from page one and never let up. Samantha is facing quite a few challenges over the course of the story, and they always kept me engaged. While I don’t know much about fashion, it was used as a backdrop to the mystery, and I never felt left out. Having said that, Samantha’s fashion knowledge does provide her with a couple of clues that help her solve the mystery. Samantha is the strongest character in the book. The rest are interesting and hold our attention, but Samantha is the one who really shines. She’s also the one who gets the most growth, and I enjoyed watching that happen. I’m now anxious to see what happens to Samantha next.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Guest Book in Books
May 30, 2021
This is the first time reading this author and likely won't be the last as this was an enjoyable and easy read.
Grace and Charles are on their way to St Ives to start their honeymoon when disaster strikes and they are stranded in the small seaside town of Saltwater; with there being few available rooms left, they have to book in to the run-down bed and breakfast, The Anchorage, and which is where the creepiness starts.
This is a story that is full of atmosphere which is excellently captured from start to finish. You can feel the weird vibe jumping out of the pages from not only the strange owners of The Anchorage but from the town itself and its inhabitants. You know something's not quite right but you struggle to put your finger on it and this builds the tension however, and it's a big however, it didn't really end as good as it started; it just seemed to fizzle out unfortunately and I didn't get that sense of satisfaction or pleasure when the "twist" was revealed.
Despite the disappointing conclusion, I did enjoy reading it and will seek out more of C.L. Pattison's work in the future.
Many thanks to Random House UK, Vintage and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Grace and Charles are on their way to St Ives to start their honeymoon when disaster strikes and they are stranded in the small seaside town of Saltwater; with there being few available rooms left, they have to book in to the run-down bed and breakfast, The Anchorage, and which is where the creepiness starts.
This is a story that is full of atmosphere which is excellently captured from start to finish. You can feel the weird vibe jumping out of the pages from not only the strange owners of The Anchorage but from the town itself and its inhabitants. You know something's not quite right but you struggle to put your finger on it and this builds the tension however, and it's a big however, it didn't really end as good as it started; it just seemed to fizzle out unfortunately and I didn't get that sense of satisfaction or pleasure when the "twist" was revealed.
Despite the disappointing conclusion, I did enjoy reading it and will seek out more of C.L. Pattison's work in the future.
Many thanks to Random House UK, Vintage and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
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