Jayson Robert Ducharme

This one is a character driven, slow burn story with haunted house, cult, and cosmic horror elements woven in. I really liked all of the elements, however I was left wanting more.

The two main characters are great. Struggling young mother Lena is a pitiable, sympathetic, and earnest person and she pairs well with the elderly, trustworthy, kind landlord Ellis. I didn't realize so much of the story was going to focus on the relationship between the two of them, but luckily they have an engaging and dynamic rapport. However, all this focus on their lives ends up leaving less room for the horror to kick in.

When I say this is slow burn I mean it takes well into the book to get really creepy. There are a few mysterious elements scattered in, but not enough to make me feel the weight of dread I typically like in slow burn horror. Though I will say, when the horror parts do appear in the second half I really liked them!

The more I think about the elements of this book I enjoyed (the characters, the possible cult, the well in the woods, the unnerving "creatures," and so on), the more I'm a little frustrated it ends where it does. So much is left unexplained and unfinished. At that point I was 100% invested in the story/characters, so to have it end on a cliffhanger was maddening. I wouldn't mind as much if this were the first in a series or something (and it totally should be), but for now the plan is to keep it as a standalone book.

Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend people read it, but the issues mentioned above kept me from really loving it.

*Thank you to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!*

… (mais)