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caitys_pages's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content warnings: drug use, addiction, overdose, suicide, assault, rape (including a graphic flashback), graphic violence, homophobia, consensual sexual situations, grief, attempted murder.
What a wonderful Debut novel by Iona Wayland!
This novel is both beautiful and horrific all at once. The author’s perspective as a mental health professional showed in how compassionately they depicted such difficult experiences, and ways in which the trauma from such experiences can present. You could feel how artfully it was crafted.
The realities of serious traumas are mixed with dark fantasy in a way which enhances rather than detracts from these issues. The author does not hide behind puff pieces, this story is disturbed because trauma is not sunshine and rainbows. As someone who suffers from mental health I throughly enjoyed the fact that she wrote this is a dark and twisted manner. It was far more relatable and rather comforting.
The worldbuilding is breathtakingly beautiful, as is the way the writer mixes the main character’s present timeline with flashbacks and memories to gradually build the reader’s understanding of what has happened to what is happening, though at times the lines blurred from past to present it was overall very easy and clean to follow. I could close my eyes and easily imagine being in Hollow Forest, seeing, smelling, Fearing what was lurking under every leaf and around ever bend. I would love to read more on the worldbuilding as it was so beautiful, and I am not one who enjoys lots of worldbuilding in my reads as I find them boring but not here. I want more!
The character development was very fascinating as you were already dealing with grown adults so it was refreshing not to read about such childish behaviors and misunderstandings that occur in most novels even adult novels. The author showcased a variety of unique characters with varying levels of traits, and personalities. There where layers skillfully woven in each person making them relatable and real.
The overall storyline had me devouring each chapter in a matter of hours. I couldn't put it down though I was listening to the audible I went to bed listening to the story only to wake up to listen more. I was hooked and what was supposed to be my driving book became my all the time book. I was devastated when it was over and highly recommend others to get this book because it was amazing! Not to mention the twist at the end of the story will have your mind exploding!
10/10 Highly Recommend!
What a wonderful Debut novel by Iona Wayland!
This novel is both beautiful and horrific all at once. The author’s perspective as a mental health professional showed in how compassionately they depicted such difficult experiences, and ways in which the trauma from such experiences can present. You could feel how artfully it was crafted.
The realities of serious traumas are mixed with dark fantasy in a way which enhances rather than detracts from these issues. The author does not hide behind puff pieces, this story is disturbed because trauma is not sunshine and rainbows. As someone who suffers from mental health I throughly enjoyed the fact that she wrote this is a dark and twisted manner. It was far more relatable and rather comforting.
The worldbuilding is breathtakingly beautiful, as is the way the writer mixes the main character’s present timeline with flashbacks and memories to gradually build the reader’s understanding of what has happened to what is happening, though at times the lines blurred from past to present it was overall very easy and clean to follow. I could close my eyes and easily imagine being in Hollow Forest, seeing, smelling, Fearing what was lurking under every leaf and around ever bend. I would love to read more on the worldbuilding as it was so beautiful, and I am not one who enjoys lots of worldbuilding in my reads as I find them boring but not here. I want more!
The character development was very fascinating as you were already dealing with grown adults so it was refreshing not to read about such childish behaviors and misunderstandings that occur in most novels even adult novels. The author showcased a variety of unique characters with varying levels of traits, and personalities. There where layers skillfully woven in each person making them relatable and real.
The overall storyline had me devouring each chapter in a matter of hours. I couldn't put it down though I was listening to the audible I went to bed listening to the story only to wake up to listen more. I was hooked and what was supposed to be my driving book became my all the time book. I was devastated when it was over and highly recommend others to get this book because it was amazing! Not to mention the twist at the end of the story will have your mind exploding!
10/10 Highly Recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Drug abuse, Violence, Drug use, Sexual assault, and Suicide
storyphile's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Body horror, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Homophobia, Drug use, and Drug abuse
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