Reviews

Sisters of the Crimson Vine by P.L. McMillan

jjentes37's review

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.5

justwren's review

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.25

magenta_menace's review

4.0

a folksy terror oozing with gothic imagery, this novella has bite. the climax was shocking and while the plot was a bit formulaic, i had so much fun with this one. 

jmoore43's review

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

greyreads's review

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

margot_meanders's review

3.0

A guy gets into an accident and is saved by unorthodox nuns. As he recovers and gets to know them, he starts suspecting there's something fishy going on.

I can detect notes of Shirley Jackson in it , with a twist ending but in
general find it cheesy and a bit contrived. Sexy nuns worshipping deity, and separate from mainstream Church, hateful patriarchal Catholic priests (very shallowly treated) and a guy in the middle of it Lacks depth and tension isn't really all that strong, even though I can't deny it is there to get you going.
It's all in all an easy read, though leaves a so-so aftertaste with little to sink my teeth into .There is a certain visual thinking behind it but it just doesn't quite reach the depth I would have liked. And I could smell where this was going a mile early. So was expecting it to do something unexpected with what I was expecting. But it failed me.

I do like the theme, though. It's about church. Even though I consider myself a religious person, I like my worldview to be challenged and I can't deny that church has brought a lot of trouble, and there is a hint of criticism here that, if deepened,could have made a shattering tale. think it could have been a bit more , and explore more the idea of women as witches/ possessed by Satan from a deeper angle. As such, it failed to shatter me.

I recommend "Mother, Joan of the Angels" for a deeper treatment of a similar theme. Still, it can be a fun read for Halloween. But it just doesn't cut it for me.

karlakayjenniges's review

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

“Old wounds heal and the scars remain to remind us,” she said. “It’s important to remember and appreciate each and every day.”

John Ainsworth is an auditor traveling to a convent. On the way there, he has a car accident and becomes debilitated. The sisters are welcoming and take care of him but there are many occurrences that have him confused and questioning. There are seemingly many secrets and an underlying strangeness that surrounds the sisters and the convent. As the secrets are revealed, Mr. Ainsworth must make a difficult decision that will affect a life and all the lives of the sisters. 

In the vein of cosmic horror and folklore, this is an atmospheric novella where the unknown is dark and menacing. The sisters are the heart of the story as they are shown to be strong in their convictions and powerful in their commitments to each other, the convent, and the preservation of the land. They hold strong in their yearly sacrifice that is paramount to their survival. They follow the ways of the old and timeless. They are the "Sisters of the Crimson Vine."

Grim and foreboding. Isolating and unnerving. The dread is queitly built that leads to some shocking and horrifying details. It's ominous, uncanny, and has an evocative quality within the storytelling. 

“Year after year, the grapes are nourished in the soil that our sisters died on. Their blood fed the earth and, in turn, the earth feeds us,” Agatha said.

booknallnight's review

fast-paced

4.0

Another fun horror novella. I really enjoy stories that have old buildings and small towns in the setting. Sisters of the Crimson Vine has  an old time creepy feel that really made the story for me. Atmosphere is a huge part of horror, at least for me, and this definitely fit the bill.

For those who enjoy horror but want something that won't necessarily keep them up at night, this is perfect. Grab this one and add it those Spooktober lists.

I sincerely appreciate the publisher and Coffee and Thorn for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

dijana_1's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

calebstephensauthor's review

4.0

Sisters of the Crimson Vine is a fresh slice of slow-burn folk horror steeped in copious amounts of red wine. This novella is heavy on atmosphere with a creeping dread that steadily ratchets higher as the pages slide by. And slide by they do, quite easily. McMillan pens this story with an elevated prose that swallowed me whole and spit me out the other side with a vague sense of unease, and the hope that I'm never forced to convalesce with the Sisters.

A wonderful read that I recommend wholeheartedly for both folk and cosmic horror fans alike.