Audiobook Review: Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham
Posted on January 20, 2024 5 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Macmillan Audio (January 16, 2024)
Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
Author Information: Website
Narrator: Karissa Vacker
Admittedly not my favorite of the three Stacy Willingham books I’ve read so far, but Only If You’re Lucky was still a wild trip, a compulsive thriller that explores obsession and the intricate complexities of female friendships.
Growing up, Margot had it all—wealthy parents, a secured future, and her best friend Eliza, with whom she could share anything. Even though they were complete opposites, the girls were inseparable, with shy and reserved Margot basking in the warm glow of Eliza’s bubbly personality. Together, they planned at the end of their high school career to attend Rutledge, a small liberal arts college in South Carolina. It was something they’d both looked forward to for a long time.
But then, Eliza dies, just weeks after graduation. In shock and left adrift, Margot goes on to Rutledge alone, grieving for her lost friend. At the end of her first year, however, she has a chance meeting with Lucy Sharpe, a bold and enigmatic student. Drawn to her, Margot is stunned but also secretly thrilled when Lucy invites her to live with her and her two friends, Sloane and Nicole, in a house off-campus. Tired of being lonely and sad, Margot is also hoping this will be her chance to finally come out of her shell and start a new life.
At first, this new arrangement seems to be everything Margot ever wanted. She becomes more social, meeting new people and going to more parties, most of them hosted by the fraternity boys in the house next door. Lucy and Margot become the closest of friends, leading our protagonist to hope that maybe, finally, she can let go of her painful memories of Eliza. But pretty soon, Margot realizes that her new bestie might not be who she says she is. Lucy is fiercely guarded about her past, and secrets and rumors seem to surround her like a cloud. When one of the frat boys is found dead, and Lucy disappears without a trace, Margot, Sloane, and Nicole must find out the truth about their friend as detectives close in on the mysterious circumstances.
Diving into Only If You’re Lucky was like stepping into a mixed bag. As a fan of the author’s earlier novels, I was excited to read her latest, but while there were plenty of elements to love, there were also a few surprises. First, the good stuff—Willingham’s writing is as immersive as ever, drawing readers in the story with her descriptive prose. Because this is a story centered around college students, the book has a distinct “new adult” vibe but manages to capture the atmosphere of the academic and party life very well. For those feeling nostalgic for a trip down memory lane to those “good old college days”, this might just hit the spot.
That said, be prepared for the sheer amount of drama that comes with the territory. I had a difficult time getting into Margot’s headspace, as by nature she is a tough character to relate to. After all, her entire persona is based on the fact that she really doesn’t have one. Prior to college, her entire life was defined by Eliza’s friendship, and now that she is in Rutledge, she has latched onto a new obsession, Lucy. As a result, Margot lacks an authentic identity beyond these intense connections and makes her voice come across as lackluster and somewhat banal.
Then there’s the story, which unfolds in a duo timeline format alternating between past and present. It’s a structure commonly seen in thrillers, but it was harder to follow here as it occasionally disrupted the pacing, not to mention confusing the narrative by making it challenging for readers to connect the dots between the two time periods. Fortunately, however, the ending brings forth a number of unexpected revelations, injecting some much-needed excitement at a point where it was really needed.
In the end, while it might not reach the highs of Stacy Willingham’s previous books, Only If You’re Lucky offers a different taste of a unique character study meets slow-burn suspense. Margot’s fixation with Eliza and later with Lucy can at times feel a bit too much, but the balance between character themes and the darker side of academia does add a layer of unpredictability. As always, the author keeps readers on their toes, and I’ll still eagerly wait to see what she’ll bring to the table next.
Waiting on Wednesday 01/17/24
Posted on January 17, 2024 6 Comments
Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
Between Dragons and Their Wrath by Devin Madson (July 1, 2024 by Orbit)
“Conquest long ago split the old kingdom of Paicha into city states, but there are those who seek to reunite the shattered realm—by force if necessary. Amidst the turmoil, three will find their destinies inextricably tangled.
Tesha, a glassblower’s apprentice, becomes a false tribute bride as part of a desperate political plot. In the enemy’s court, she’s perfectly placed to sabotage them, but her heart has other plans.
Naili is laundress to an eccentric alchemist, a job that has left her with strange new powers and a price on her head. When she joins the city’s underworld, she’ll have to choose between keeping her magic secret and changing the world.
And in the desolate Shield Mountains, sharp-shooting dragon rider Ashadi protects the cities from the monsters of the Iipao Sands beyond, but when an impossible shot pierces his dragon’s glass scales, he becomes the hunted one.
As war sweeps across the land, Tesha, Naili, and Ashadi must survive political enemies, long-buried secrets, and monsters both within and without.”
Book Review: The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper
Posted on January 16, 2024 7 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: Book 3 of The Wolf Den Trilogy
Publisher: Union Square Co. (November 14, 2023)
Length: 352 pages
Author Information: Website
At long last, I have completed the highly anticipated and brilliant final installment of the Wolf Den Trilogy which follows the life of Amara, a young Greek woman who was once a doctor’s daughter sold into sexual slavery after her father passed away and her family fell into financial ruin. Before proceeding, please be aware that the rest of this review may contain possible spoilers for the first two books if you are not yet caught up! At the end of The Wolf’s Den, we saw Amara free herself from a life of prostitution at one of Pompeii’s most notorious brothels by using all her wits. In The House of the Golden Door, she realizes that despite her new life of luxury, she is still not her own woman, and a forbidden love affair puts her newfound status in jeopardy.
And now in The Temple of Fortuna, it is 79 AD, and we all know what catastrophic event will occur which will alter the course of history for Pompeii forever. For the time being though, Amara and her fellow Pompeiians are still blissfully unaware of the fire and ash which will soon rain down and bury their bustling, vibrant city. Our protagonist is now a freedwoman, with an opportunity to travel to Rome where she will rub elbows with those who used to be far above her station. That said, she will always treasure her ties to some of the women with whom she bonded with back when they were prostitutes back at the Wolf Den. She now also has a daughter, whose real paternity must remain a secret, and to protect her lover and their child, she has accepted that they must live their separate lives as her path leads her to the capital.
But for readers who have come this far, the main event is and has ever been the long-waited eruption of mighty Mount Vesuvius. When faced with the sheer magnitude of destruction, all of Amara ambitions and plays for power go by the wayside as her only thoughts are for her friends and loved ones who have remained in Pompeii.
In this explosive series conclusion, dramatic true events and some of the best storytelling I’ve seen are woven together seamlessly to bring a satisfying end to Amara’s saga. Author Elodie Harper has written a truly phenomenal character study of her protagonist, transitioning her from humble beginnings to her high status in Rome. And yet the plot never loses sight of the tragic circumstances in her life, focusing on how these hardships have made her stronger, smarter, and more determined. Each book has also introduced at least one major conflict that tests her emotional and physical boundaries to the extreme, leading to interesting storylines and further growth in Amara.
As well, I love how the themes have remained steadfast on love, found families, sisterhood, and the enduring power of friendships. The people in Amara’s lives, even her enemies and betrayers, have added a richness to her character and to the series as a whole. The author’s ability to balance the historical details and character development also goes a long way in elevating the overall reading experience, especially the final sections of the book as Amara and her family navigate the immediate aftermath of Vesuvius’s eruption. No joke, chills were running down my spine as I felt like I was transported right into the middle of the fear and chaos. Harper clearly anticipated that her readers would have high expectations of the event and she did not disappoint. The characters’ subsequent fight for survival was perhaps one of the most intense sequences I have ever read.
All in all, I can safely say the Wolf Den Trilogy now ranks among my favorite historical fiction series of all time, and The Temple of Fortuna is truly a worthy ending. I had expected a lot from this final book, and Elodie Harper certainly did not let me down with her flawlessly paced storytelling and gorgeous writing. I highly recommend the author and these books.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of The Wolf Den (Book 1)
Review of The House with the Golden Door (Book 2)
Audiobook Review: The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
Posted on January 13, 2024 13 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Thriller, Suspense
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Macmillan Audio (January 9, 2024)
Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
Author Information: Website
Narrators: Dan Bittner, Eliza Foss, John Pirhalla, Patti Murin
Oh wow! So many layers, so many secrets, so many twists! The Heiress is my third book by Rachel Hawkins but it may already be my favorite. This novel is so complex and clever, and the audiobook completely absorbed me with its brilliant narrators and excellent pacing.
The story follows a young couple, Camden and Jules, who live an average, modest life near the mountains of Colorado. He is a teacher, and she a reenactor in a historical theme park, but the truth is, Camden is actually the adopted son of a wealthy heiress named Ruby McTavish—and when it comes to old money, her family is the oldest there is, having practically built the North Carolina town where the famous Ashby House stands. After Ruby died, her entire estate went to Camden, but for some reason, he wanted nothing to do with the money. Meanwhile, the surviving McTavishes including Ruby’s sister and her descendants seethed at this turn of events, seeing Camden as the outsider who simply chanced upon his inheritance. But while they were allowed to remain in Ashby House, as stated in Ruby’s will, Camden himself decided to move out and never look back, wanting nothing to do with the family ever again.
Then one day, Camden receives word from his cousin Ben, reaching out to him about the death of his Uncle Howell and the sorry state of Ashby House which requires extensive repairs. After much deliberating, and with some words of support from his wife, Camden finally decides to make the trip back to North Carolina to take care of business, as loathe as he is to return to his childhood home. In contrast though, Jules is excited to finally learn more about her husband’s past, which he has always been tight-lipped about, and also can’t wait to finally see Ashby House, the site of so much tragedy and scandal involving Camden’s adoptive mother.
At just three years old, a young Ruby made headlines in the early 1940s when she became lost in the nearby woods. Everyone believed the girl to have perished, but her family never gave up looking, and after nearly a year, they received the miracle they’d been hoping for—their daughter found alive and well, living with a family who had taken her and kept her all this time. And yet this was far from the end of the drama surrounding Ruby McTavish. As an adult, she became the subject of many news reports and rumors after a string of marriages ended with all her husbands meeting untimely ends. Might she just be the world’s unluckiest woman in love? Or was there more to the story of how her four husbands died?
The Heiress is a story told through multiple viewpoints, with one main narrative that takes place in the present, while a secondary plotline is revealed in the form of correspondence written by Ruby McTavish to an unnamed recipient in the days before she was found dead. So, while the novel may feature themes of family drama like so many other mysteries and thrillers, in fact it is in no way typical; the way the story is structured means readers get to enjoy this slowly unraveling web of secrets as, layer by layer, answers are revealed in an experience that goes beyond the usual conventions of the genre.
Here, the characters are also the main event. When the book opens, Ruby McTavish has already been dead for around a decade, but her presence is felt both in the boldness of her voice in the letters she leaves behind (which her narrator portrayed perfectly) as well as the weight of her legacy in the current timeline. Getting the details about her tumultuous relationships from Ruby herself, readers get to find out what really happened to her husbands and learn if there is any truth behind her nickname, “Mrs. Kill-More.” And in the alternating chapters featuring Cam and Jules, contrasting motives are presented for dealing with Ashby House and the nine-figure inheritance Ruby left behind. Both characters are sitting on bombshell secrets, leading to a number of shocking reveals in the end. The rest of the cast is filled out by the other McTavishes—from Ruby’s resentful sister Nelle to Cam’s cousins Ben and Libby, they are all rather horrible people.
Ultimately though, all the elements came together for a killer climax and the stunning revelations that follow. These final twists are evidence of Hawkin’s talent in storytelling and building intrigue, and she’s only getting better and better. Recommended highly for mystery readers and thriller fans who appreciate suspenseful, satisfying tales, The Heiress is a stellar achievement and her best work yet.
Waiting on Wednesday 01/10/24
Posted on January 10, 2024 3 Comments
Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman (June 25, 2024 by Del Rey)
“A chilling horror novel about a haunting told from the perspective of a young girl whose troubled family is targeted by an entity she calls “Other Mommy,” from the New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box
To eight-year-old Bela, her family is her world. There’s Mommy, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth. But there is also Other Mommy, a malevolent entity who asks her every “Can I go inside your heart?”
When horrifying incidents around the house signal that Other Mommy is growing tired of asking Bela the same question, over and over . . . Bela understands that unless she says yes, soon her family must pay.
Other Mommy is getting restless, stronger, bolder. Only the bonds of family can keep Bela safe but other incidents show cracks in her parents’ marriage. The safety Bela relies on is on the brink of unraveling.
But Other Mommy needs an answer.
Incidents Around the House is a chilling, wholly unique tale of true horror told by the child Bela. A story about a family as haunted as their home.”
Book Review: Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
Posted on January 8, 2024 7 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of Emily Wilde
Publisher: Del Rey (January 16, 2024)
Length: 342 pages
Author Information: Website
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries was one of my favorite books the year it came out, and my expectations were extremely high for Heather Fawcett to kill it again with the sequel. Happily, she succeeded with flying colors! While I still think the first book was just slightly better—after all, matching the enchanting novelty of a series opener is no easy feat—but Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands proved to be equally whimsical and adventurous.
The story picks up once more with our resident expert on faerie lore, the eponymous protagonist who has just completed the world’s first comprehensive encyclopaedia of faeries. This accomplishment has earned Emily Wilde much fame but also more than a few detractors at Cambridge where she works with her colleague and former academic rival, Wendell Bambleby. The truth is though, Wendell is more than just a brilliant scholar and the sometimes object of our main character’s affections. He’s also faerie royalty, albeit one who is on the run from his evil stepmother who had stolen his realm from him.
But while Emily may not have accepted Wendell’s proposal of marriage because she knows better than to involve herself in faerie matters, she has been dedicating herself to helping him regain his rightful place in his kingdom by finding another way in. Their quest takes them to an isolated village where she can start on a new project to map the faerie realms, as well as to avoid the assassins that Wendell’s stepmother has sent on their tail. Accompanying them is Emily’s niece Ariadne as well as the curmudgeonly head of the Dryadology Department who has insisted on tagging along. However, danger has a way of following the group wherever they go, and soon they will all face the consequences of meddling with the mysterious forces of the Fae.
This sequel jumps right in, assuming the reader is already familiar with the setting and its characters, thus allowing those that loved the first book to immediately and seamlessly reacquaint themselves with Emily’s world. Our wonderful protagonist has also effortlessly recaptured my heart with her quirky ways, reminding all of us that she is first and foremost a scholar, though of course it’s also nice to see that prolonged time spending with Wendell has thawed her attitude towards him considerably. The chemistry between them continues to be one of my favorite aspects of this series, seeing how their unique dynamic is evolving over time.
Which brings me to their romance! Admittedly, I was nervous to see how this element would be dealt with initially, as many a sequel have been ruined by overeager authors mishandling the delicate balance by pushing things too eagerly, too quickly. Fortunately, Fawcett handled it perfectly. The growing attachment forming between Emily and Wendell felt natural and authentic, avoiding the common pitfalls used solely to create drama. Quite honestly, while this gradual deepening of their emotional connection may be a more subtle approach, over time I feel its results would be more effective, rewarding, and impactful.
It is also interesting to note the shift in style from the first novel, as Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands moves away from the character’s more serious tone that she uses for her encyclopedia entries and instead adopts a more traditional, user-friendly narrative even though it still follows a journal format. The change allowed for more insight into Emily’s personality as well as an avenue to introduce a whole new side of the Faerie realms, meaning even more creatures, places, and magic for readers to discover. I simply can’t get enough of this gorgeous world-building.
In short, Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands retains all the wonder, charm, and heart of its predecessor, offering another cozy fantasy with loveable and memorable characters. Those who enjoyed the first book will find this continuation of the series a great read as well, and I can’t wait for more Emily and Wendell!
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries (Book 1)
Bookshelf Roundup 01/06/23: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Posted on January 7, 2024 12 Comments
Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.
Received for Review
Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett (Del Rey): Early 2024 finished copies are coming in, and I received the gorgeous hardcover of the second book of the Emily Wilde series, which I recently finished. I hope to get a review up in the coming days.
The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler (Tordotcom): Very soon I’ll also be starting this novella about mammoths being brought by from extinction and the strange challenges about keeping a resurrected species alive. Releases in the first couple weeks of January are pretty light, but the arrival of this finished copy is a reminder that my TBR will be packed again before long.
Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne (Bramble): Who can resist a title like that? This one sounds super cozy, and the new Tor SFF romance imprint Bramble is releasing it later this spring.
Unbound by Christy Healy (Blackstone Publishing): A Celtic inspired, gender-flipped retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Why a I always such a sucker for these things?
The Glass Box by J. Michael Straczynski (Blackstone Publishing): I remember reading JMS’s comics a lot as a kid, but he’s also been a filmmaker and television writer and done lots of other stuff. When I saw his name attached to his novel, a project that only came to my attention recently, I just had to check it out.
Reviews
This week was about rounding up some of my final reviews for 2023 reads. Even though I’ve got a couple more I still have to write, pretty soon the 2024 book reviews will begin in earnest.
- 4 of 5 stars to The Pale House Devil by Richard Kadrey
- 3.5 of 5 stars to Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig
Recent Reads
This week was a weird one. While everyone went back to school or work, it felt like my time off had just begun. I think I worked more during the Christmas break! And yet it seemed like there was always something going on, and I constantly fell behind on things I was supposed to do. Maybe it was the post-holiday blues because motivation was low too, so I was only able to finish one review book, The Heiress (but it was really good). On the bright side, I also got to read Gwendy’s Button Box which was a “just because” mood read, and I did make a resolution to do more of that this year.
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read!
Novella Review: The Pale House Devil by Richard Kadrey
Posted on January 6, 2024 10 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Pale House Devil by Richard Kadrey
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Titan Books (October 10, 2023)
Length: 123 pages
Author Information: Website
I’m always a little leery of novellas, but Richard Kadrey has pulled off something rare, treating readers to a supernatural rollercoaster which combines dark fantasy with elements of mystery, action, and humor. It’s been a while since I read the author’s Sandman Slim series, but The Pale House Devil definitely evokes a throwback feel to that tone and style.
In this story, we follow protagonists Ford and Neuland, a paranormal mercenary duo with an unconventional skill set—the former is alive and the latter is undead, and Ford can only kill the undead while Neuland can only kill the living. Their differences aside though, they have a longstanding partnership that’s based on a rough, trusted camaraderie. After their latest job goes south in Manhattan, the two of them decide on a quick change of scenery, hastily departing for the sun, surf, and sandy beaches of California.
They have barely arrived, however, when they are approached by a young woman named Tilda Rosenbloom who comes to them with an intriguing proposition. Her great-grandfather, whom she refers to as Mr. Shepherd Mansfield, has heard of Ford and Neuland’s services and is willing to pay the pair of them big bucks to solve his problem. The old man claims that an evil entity has set up shop in his mansion and wants the two killers-for-hire to come up to his estate and dispatch the interloper, who he believes is the devil himself.
The Pale House Devil is the best kind of novella—one that is short but doesn’t feel short. There was just enough to make the world, the characters, the plot feel robust and coherent. Kadrey’s storytelling packs every page with interest and plenty of quirky moments with our memorable protagonists. Individually, both Ford and Neuland are given room to develop and grow on readers, making it a pleasure to tag along with them on their adventure. The story was also well-paced, even when the setting abruptly changes from New York to Los Angeles.
This was also accomplished without sacrificing the depth of the world-building. The Pale House Devil feels firmly rooted in horror, with just the slightest touch of cosmic horror, done in a way that is rich and immersive. However, the overall tone is also light-hearted enough to feel like a buddy comedy, complete with the easy ribbing and back-and-forth banter between our memorable protagonists, which even non-horror fans might find appealing. Best of all, when stepping back to look at the full picture, what shines through is a captivating and well-balanced narrative that is at once suspenseful, mysterious, and entertaining.
Since this was a short book, I’ll be keeping this review short as well. Ultimately, Kadrey leaves his readers engaged and satisfied while working within the confines of the novella format. I’ve found that few writers can manage such a feat, and I highly recommend this for readers looking for a quick romp into the realm of paranormal and horror.
Book Review: Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig
Posted on January 4, 2024 9 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Del Rey (September 26, 2023)
Length: 640 pages
Author Information: Website
I read Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig as part of my catch-up challenge for the month of December, and this chonker of a book proved to be a perfect one to settle in with during the holiday break. That said, I won’t deny the novel’s length ended up trying my patience at times, making me wish for a swifter resolution towards the end.
The story begins with an introduction to Dan Paxton, a man with ambition and a desire to revive the legacy of his family’s orchard. An apple farmer, he has come by the branches of an exotic and exceedingly rare variety of the fruit by mysterious means, grafting them onto his own trees in the hopes of creating a delicious and lucrative new breed. Taking his daughter’s suggestion and naming it the Ruby Slipper, the new apple takes off years later when Dan sells his first harvest at the farmer’s market, and soon the whole town of Harrow is clamoring for more of his product.
However, what no one knows is that the Ruby Slipper has a bloody past, and the apples have a powerful and sinister effect on those who eat them. At first, the results are euphoric. Those who consume a Ruby Slipper experience enhanced strength, feeling happier and healthier. But then comes the more insidious consequences, as the apples also awaken the worst impulses and darkest desires in a person. They are also addictive, so that you can’t stop with just one taste. Strangely though, Dan’s own teenage daughter Calla has not succumbed to the temptation of the apples, and that was even before she saw how they changed her father and her boyfriend for the worse. Dan is becoming meaner by the day, relishing the hold he has over the town as he alone controls the supply of Ruby Slippers.
Meanwhile, Emily is a newcomer to town, having just moved here to reconcile with her wife following trouble in their marriage. After taking a tumble into the river, she unwittingly discovers a dead body, thus making the acquaintance of John Compass, a Quaker and war veteran who identifies the dead man as his friend Walt. The two men had been apple hunters together, and with Emily’s help, John sets out on a quest to find out how the search for an elusive variety of apple had gotten Walt killed.
Black River Orchard is a fast-paced and suspenseful read, at least initially. The setup of the novel contains plenty of twists and turns, as Wendig builds upon the eerie and claustrophobic atmosphere by layering the plot with multiple points-of-view and interludes, also weaving in facts and history. The amount of research that must have gone into this book is astounding, as you will learn more about apples than you’ll ever want to know. As for the story elements, the book is full of vivid descriptions and imagery (and for readers like me who may have a sensitivity for anything to do with teeth—it can and WILL get uncomfortable at times, fair warning).
In terms of criticisms though, Wendig does have a habit of letting his left-leaning views color his writing and characterization. As a rule, I don’t give a crap what an author’s political beliefs are; I may agree or disagree but generally do not let it affect my experience with their work unless it leads to poor writing. Unfortunately, this is not the first time I’ve felt that Wendig includes diversity for the sake of diversity which negatively impacts authentic or meaningful characterization, and this very shallow view of the world is reflected in his stories.
It’s also true that Black River Orchard is quite a tome, sitting at nearly 650 pages. While the early momentum carried me through the first three quarters of the book, towards the end I did feel it start to wear out its welcome. It happens sometimes, when a story starts to lose its grip due to excessive length, and I think we missed the sweet spot in finding the balance between depth and brevity, thus my enjoyment took a bit of a hit.
Overall, I can’t say I’ve ever read a book like Black River Orchard, and I won’t lie, reading about evil apples was kind of fun. But ultimately, it’s probably not one of my favorites by Chuck Wendig. While the unique concept added an interesting twist, it seems the execution did not resonate as strongly with me as I would have liked, though I appreciated the author’s approach to unconventional ideas.
Waiting on Wednesday 01/03/24
Posted on January 3, 2024 5 Comments
Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi (June 4, 2024 by Titan Books)
“Five childhood friends are forced to confront their own dark past as well as the curse placed upon them in this horror masterpiece from the bestselling author of Come with Me.
Maybe this is a ghost story…
Andrew Larimer thought he left the past behind. But when he receives a late-night phone call from an old friend, he finds he has no choice but to return home, and to confront the memories—and the horror—of a night, years ago, that changed everything.
For Andrew and his friends, the past is not dead, and the curse that has befallen them now threatens to destroy all that they’ve become.
One dark secret…
One small-town horror…”
The BiblioSanctum 