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whatyoutolkienabout's review against another edition
4.0
ARC Review The Cherished by Patricia Ward
I was given an advanced reader copy by Harper360 @Harper360 My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #TheCherished #Haper360 #PatriciaWard #ARCBookReview #YAFantasy #YAHorror #BookReview #gifted
I have loved Horror and fantasy for a long time. I grew up in the 90s at the height of the Point Horror craze (which I still enjoy re-reading) and DragonLance or Forgotten Realms. So when I read that The Cherished was in the vein of Misommar I was excited to jump in. Despite a few hiccups, covered a bit later in this review. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
After inheriting a mysterious house from an estranged grandmother and a letter with sinister instructions Jo had no idea what could be waiting for her in the grounds. Upon arriving at the property more alarm bells seem to sound. The tenants at the house are more than a little odd and seem slightly off. On top of this Jo feels something dark seeming to emanate from the old shack behind the house, suddenly the strange delusions her father used to talk about might not be delusions at all, Jo begins to wonder if they were real all along. But the biggest fear Jo must face comes from the letter where her grandmother claimed she belonged at the property and she might have no choice but to stay.
I have to say when I started this novel I was instantly hit with a wave of nostalgia for those Point Horror books I mentioned before. Firstly the parents, or rather mother and step father, could have come right from one of those 90s novels. Seemingly disconnected from Jo’s worries, wants and desires. I know some reviews view this negatively with this being a modern book but I think, personally, it does fit the genre well despite the views and way the characters interact being rather dated, not to mention a few quips that are less than politically correct (PC) but after all not everyone is PC even in today’s society so I don’t think you can write the novel off for this. Basically what I am saying is some people are actually like the characters here so it’s not exactly ‘bad’. Jo was another call to the past but she does seem to evolve throughout the novel. She did start somewhat whiney and entitled (but given her parents personalities I honestly felt this seemed more genuine to what a character raised by such people would be like).
Another thing some people have mentioned is the writing itself. While I understand this is an ARC I can partly see that but to me, again a fan of 90s young adult horror and fantasy, I didn’t find it bothered me. It didn’t distract from the story and fitted, I felt well. I was able to follow the narrative and still get partly engrossed in the story particularly after the first part of the novel (getting to the inherited house).
What I really liked was the tenants and story surrounding the house itself. I feel that once you get through the first bit the novel begins to pick up and get to the more horror and fantasy elements making it engaging and fun. I think, again this is my opinion, a lot of people sometimes view fiction that it has to have a deep meaning or message and forget sometimes stories can just be fun. They don’t need a grand message or to reveal some deep truth and to me The Cherished is one of these stories. It has a few flaws here and there but it’s a fun and interesting horror fantasy story that was enjoyable to read and escape reality for a bit. We do see Jo mature and come into her inheritance and her parents become a bit more understanding and accepting that she is her own person. No, it isn’t a massive or profound message but it’s a fun and creepy story and one I did enjoy and would re-read. A definite four out of five for me partly for the story and partly for the nostalgia of the old school ya horror given a contemporary twist.
I was given an advanced reader copy by Harper360 @Harper360 My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #TheCherished #Haper360 #PatriciaWard #ARCBookReview #YAFantasy #YAHorror #BookReview #gifted
I have loved Horror and fantasy for a long time. I grew up in the 90s at the height of the Point Horror craze (which I still enjoy re-reading) and DragonLance or Forgotten Realms. So when I read that The Cherished was in the vein of Misommar I was excited to jump in. Despite a few hiccups, covered a bit later in this review. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
After inheriting a mysterious house from an estranged grandmother and a letter with sinister instructions Jo had no idea what could be waiting for her in the grounds. Upon arriving at the property more alarm bells seem to sound. The tenants at the house are more than a little odd and seem slightly off. On top of this Jo feels something dark seeming to emanate from the old shack behind the house, suddenly the strange delusions her father used to talk about might not be delusions at all, Jo begins to wonder if they were real all along. But the biggest fear Jo must face comes from the letter where her grandmother claimed she belonged at the property and she might have no choice but to stay.
I have to say when I started this novel I was instantly hit with a wave of nostalgia for those Point Horror books I mentioned before. Firstly the parents, or rather mother and step father, could have come right from one of those 90s novels. Seemingly disconnected from Jo’s worries, wants and desires. I know some reviews view this negatively with this being a modern book but I think, personally, it does fit the genre well despite the views and way the characters interact being rather dated, not to mention a few quips that are less than politically correct (PC) but after all not everyone is PC even in today’s society so I don’t think you can write the novel off for this. Basically what I am saying is some people are actually like the characters here so it’s not exactly ‘bad’. Jo was another call to the past but she does seem to evolve throughout the novel. She did start somewhat whiney and entitled (but given her parents personalities I honestly felt this seemed more genuine to what a character raised by such people would be like).
Another thing some people have mentioned is the writing itself. While I understand this is an ARC I can partly see that but to me, again a fan of 90s young adult horror and fantasy, I didn’t find it bothered me. It didn’t distract from the story and fitted, I felt well. I was able to follow the narrative and still get partly engrossed in the story particularly after the first part of the novel (getting to the inherited house).
What I really liked was the tenants and story surrounding the house itself. I feel that once you get through the first bit the novel begins to pick up and get to the more horror and fantasy elements making it engaging and fun. I think, again this is my opinion, a lot of people sometimes view fiction that it has to have a deep meaning or message and forget sometimes stories can just be fun. They don’t need a grand message or to reveal some deep truth and to me The Cherished is one of these stories. It has a few flaws here and there but it’s a fun and interesting horror fantasy story that was enjoyable to read and escape reality for a bit. We do see Jo mature and come into her inheritance and her parents become a bit more understanding and accepting that she is her own person. No, it isn’t a massive or profound message but it’s a fun and creepy story and one I did enjoy and would re-read. A definite four out of five for me partly for the story and partly for the nostalgia of the old school ya horror given a contemporary twist.
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately, me and this book didn't click as much as I hoped after seeing that cover.
The main reason this book didn't work for me were the writing. I can see why other people might love this book but it just wasn’t my thing.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The main reason this book didn't work for me were the writing. I can see why other people might love this book but it just wasn’t my thing.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
blonohorror's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
itputsthebookupontheshelf's review against another edition
2.0
First off, this cover is so good! It's what initially drew me to this book to begin with. Then, the description of a "visceral horror thriller in the vein of Midsommar". Um, yes, please!
Unfortunately, this story left a lot to be desired. The writing was... interesting. It is chalk full of really long run-on sentences. Lots of unnecessary descriptions and then at times blunt and not adding to the story at all.
The characters were just meh for me. I really didn't enjoy them
Unfortunately, this story left a lot to be desired. The writing was... interesting. It is chalk full of really long run-on sentences. Lots of unnecessary descriptions and then at times blunt and not adding to the story at all.
The characters were just meh for me. I really didn't enjoy them
book4grace's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
itsalljustsemantics's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
linoswalt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
2.0
gburkas's review against another edition
2.0
Two stars because there was enough interesting lore for me to want to finish it, although the lore was only half completed and in the end it wasn't worth it. By the last 100 pages I was rolling my eyes every 2 seconds because I was annoyed by all of the characters.