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Withered
A queer paranormal psychological horror novel, in the style of showrunner Mike Flannagan, showing the complex real-life terror inherent in grief and mental illness After the tragic death of their father and surviving a life-threatening eating disorder, 18-year-old Ellis moves with their mother to the small town of Black Stone, seeking a simpler life and some space to recover. But Black Stone feels off; it’s a disquieting place, one that’s surrounded by towns with some of the highest death rates in the country. It doesn’t help that everyone says Ellis’s new house is haunted. And Ellis has started to believe they see pulsing veins in the walls of their bedroom and specters in dark corners of the cellar. They soon discover Black Stone, and their house in particular, is the battleground in a decades-long spectral war, one that will claim their family ― and the town ― if it’s allowed to continue. Withered is queer psychological horror, a compelling tale that tackles important issues of mental health in the way that only horror by delving deep into them, cracking them open, and exposing their gruesome entrails.
344 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2024
About the author
A.G.A. Wilmot
12 books37 followersAGA Wilmot (BFA, MPub) is a writer, editor, and artist based out of Toronto, Ontario. They have won awards for fiction, short fiction, and screenwriting, including the Friends of Merril Short Story Contest and ECW Press's Best New Speculative Novel Contest. For seven years they served as co-publisher and co-EIC of the Ignyte- and British Fantasy Award-nominated Anathema: Spec from the Margins. Their credits include myriad online and in-print publications and anthologies. They are also on the editorial advisory board for Poplar Press, the speculative fiction imprint of Wolsak & Wynn. Books of AGA's include The Death Scene Artist (Buckrider Books, 2018) and Withered (ECW Press, 2024). They are represented by Kelvin Kong of K2 Literary.
Author also writes under Andrew Wilmot
Author also writes under Andrew Wilmot
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
March 20, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Horror
Withered is a queer paranormal horror novel that follows a small family of mother and daughter who move to the small town of Black Stone after the death of the father. However, there is a catch with the cheap price they paid to buy the house in that town. All the locals claim that the house is haunted. The family will then have to decide how to deal with all this, whether it is true or just rumors.
A haunted house is one of my favorite horror tropes in the genre, so this was the main thing that attracted me to the story. The nice thing about this horror tale is that it tackles several important themes, like mental illness and all its complexities, grief, and trauma. I appreciate the LGBTQ representation in this book, but I must say that using the pronoun “they” for Ellis (one of the main narrators) was a bit confusing, and it took time for me to get used to it.
The atmospheric setting of the town and its eerie backdrop are the main highlights of Withered. I think the author did a fantastic job in that area. The pacing, though, was slow for my taste compared to other books in the same genre. The multiple POVs were another aspect that I was not a fan of here. I’m not sure if all the POVs were necessary to the plot.
In conclusion, Withered attempted to incorporate heavy themes and LGBTQ elements into the horror and mystery genres. The result is satisfactory, but it leaves a lot to be desired.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
Genre: Horror
Withered is a queer paranormal horror novel that follows a small family of mother and daughter who move to the small town of Black Stone after the death of the father. However, there is a catch with the cheap price they paid to buy the house in that town. All the locals claim that the house is haunted. The family will then have to decide how to deal with all this, whether it is true or just rumors.
A haunted house is one of my favorite horror tropes in the genre, so this was the main thing that attracted me to the story. The nice thing about this horror tale is that it tackles several important themes, like mental illness and all its complexities, grief, and trauma. I appreciate the LGBTQ representation in this book, but I must say that using the pronoun “they” for Ellis (one of the main narrators) was a bit confusing, and it took time for me to get used to it.
The atmospheric setting of the town and its eerie backdrop are the main highlights of Withered. I think the author did a fantastic job in that area. The pacing, though, was slow for my taste compared to other books in the same genre. The multiple POVs were another aspect that I was not a fan of here. I’m not sure if all the POVs were necessary to the plot.
In conclusion, Withered attempted to incorporate heavy themes and LGBTQ elements into the horror and mystery genres. The result is satisfactory, but it leaves a lot to be desired.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
April 19, 2024
I don’t even know where to start with this book because it was just so damn good! If there’s one thing I love it’s queer horror and this book does it RIGHT. It’s deliciously creepy and dark and I highly recommend it!
April 11, 2024
The house on Cherry Lane has a reputation for being an evil house; cursing those who dare to live there. Because of this, twenty-five years ago, Tara Sweet tried to kill the house before it brought further damage to her family and town. Since then, she has been a resident at a long-term mental health facility.
The house on Cherry Lane also has a reputation for being occupied by something that cannot be explained; something more benevolent. Something that has kept the death rate of Black Stone abnormally low, while the surrounding towns have unnaturally high death rates (“It’s our protection, not our condemnation”). How can one house garner two such divergent opinions?
Ellis is a teen who moves into the house on Cherry Lane with their mother, Robyn, after the death of their father. Robyn grew up in Black Stone, and is familiar with the history of the house and its relationship with the townsfolk. However, this doesn’t stop her from moving there without telling Ellis about her own history with the house. This is an odd decision considering the fragility of Ellis’ mental health. They are still grieving the death of their father, suffers from anorexia, and is coming to terms with their sexual identity. Robyn’s job keeps her away from the house which puts pressure on Ellis to deal with finding their way in a new town where everyone has an opinion on their house and, consequently, Ellis. With the help of a few Black Stonians, Ellis confronts the house and their own mental health.
The haunted house trope works well when mental health is one of the horror themes. A home is thought to be a domestic ideal where one can feel safe, happy, and at peace. However, when the space becomes sinister, there is no safety, happiness, or peace. The haunted house trope—usually a feminist theme—works well with LGBQT+ themes. Trauma is manifested in the house, and often, when the issues of the protagonist are brought out into the open, the house becomes less sinister (maybe even a kindred spirit).
Ellis becomes obsessed with finding answers to who the house really is: evil or benevolent. Can they resolve this puzzle and find safety, happiness, and peace?
The lack of maternal care (Robyn comes across as a friendly acquaintance, not a mother)--considering the upheaval to Ellis’s life—seemed to me to be a way for the writer to keep her out of the story. She is there to make a connection to the town. To drive the disconnect between the two, Ellis calls her Robyn, not mom. Also, the use of the them/their pronouns was overused and—at times—confusing; especially at times when Ellis is involved with another character. The writing style often made it hard to discern if the they/them was for Ellis or both of them. This could have been easily avoided if Ellis was identified just as Ellis.
I enjoyed this book, and found Ellis to be a very believable and sympathetic character. The explanation about the house and its paranormal development was novel to me, fitting into the themes of mental heath and grief perfectly.
I would like to thank ECW Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The house on Cherry Lane also has a reputation for being occupied by something that cannot be explained; something more benevolent. Something that has kept the death rate of Black Stone abnormally low, while the surrounding towns have unnaturally high death rates (“It’s our protection, not our condemnation”). How can one house garner two such divergent opinions?
Ellis is a teen who moves into the house on Cherry Lane with their mother, Robyn, after the death of their father. Robyn grew up in Black Stone, and is familiar with the history of the house and its relationship with the townsfolk. However, this doesn’t stop her from moving there without telling Ellis about her own history with the house. This is an odd decision considering the fragility of Ellis’ mental health. They are still grieving the death of their father, suffers from anorexia, and is coming to terms with their sexual identity. Robyn’s job keeps her away from the house which puts pressure on Ellis to deal with finding their way in a new town where everyone has an opinion on their house and, consequently, Ellis. With the help of a few Black Stonians, Ellis confronts the house and their own mental health.
The haunted house trope works well when mental health is one of the horror themes. A home is thought to be a domestic ideal where one can feel safe, happy, and at peace. However, when the space becomes sinister, there is no safety, happiness, or peace. The haunted house trope—usually a feminist theme—works well with LGBQT+ themes. Trauma is manifested in the house, and often, when the issues of the protagonist are brought out into the open, the house becomes less sinister (maybe even a kindred spirit).
Ellis becomes obsessed with finding answers to who the house really is: evil or benevolent. Can they resolve this puzzle and find safety, happiness, and peace?
The lack of maternal care (Robyn comes across as a friendly acquaintance, not a mother)--considering the upheaval to Ellis’s life—seemed to me to be a way for the writer to keep her out of the story. She is there to make a connection to the town. To drive the disconnect between the two, Ellis calls her Robyn, not mom. Also, the use of the them/their pronouns was overused and—at times—confusing; especially at times when Ellis is involved with another character. The writing style often made it hard to discern if the they/them was for Ellis or both of them. This could have been easily avoided if Ellis was identified just as Ellis.
I enjoyed this book, and found Ellis to be a very believable and sympathetic character. The explanation about the house and its paranormal development was novel to me, fitting into the themes of mental heath and grief perfectly.
I would like to thank ECW Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 28, 2024
AGA Wilmot puts an interesting spin on the haunted house genre in their forthcoming novel Withered. Be prepared, this one might pull on your... (ahem) ... heart strings!
Eighteen year old Ellis and their mother Robyn are moving back to her old hometown on the tail of their father's untimely passing. The house came cheap and the local teens waste no time explaining to Ellis that it's because the place is haunted. Their mother doesn't believe it, chalking it up to small town chatter. But as Ellis grows closer to Quinn, a pretty girl they quickly develop feelings for, who has also recently lost a family member, they discover there might be more to the rumors than just... rumours.
Neighbors begin to show up, begging Robyn to let their sick and elderly rest on the lawn, claiming "she" will care for them. Others claim to see their dead loved ones hanging around the property. And Ellis begins to notice odd bumps behind the wallpaper that, when pressed, appear to give off heat and throb beneath their fingers. And what of the strange voice they hear claiming "I am not what I seem"...
Withered does a nice job layering in topics of grief, eating disorders, fat shaming, queerness, and mental health, which do not necessarily tie directly into the creepy, haunted housey stuff but does help us invest more deeply into the characters and root for them more loudly as the battle between the living and the dead is brought, literally, to their front porch.
This one is best for readers who are in the mood for something with less scares and more heart.
Eighteen year old Ellis and their mother Robyn are moving back to her old hometown on the tail of their father's untimely passing. The house came cheap and the local teens waste no time explaining to Ellis that it's because the place is haunted. Their mother doesn't believe it, chalking it up to small town chatter. But as Ellis grows closer to Quinn, a pretty girl they quickly develop feelings for, who has also recently lost a family member, they discover there might be more to the rumors than just... rumours.
Neighbors begin to show up, begging Robyn to let their sick and elderly rest on the lawn, claiming "she" will care for them. Others claim to see their dead loved ones hanging around the property. And Ellis begins to notice odd bumps behind the wallpaper that, when pressed, appear to give off heat and throb beneath their fingers. And what of the strange voice they hear claiming "I am not what I seem"...
Withered does a nice job layering in topics of grief, eating disorders, fat shaming, queerness, and mental health, which do not necessarily tie directly into the creepy, haunted housey stuff but does help us invest more deeply into the characters and root for them more loudly as the battle between the living and the dead is brought, literally, to their front porch.
This one is best for readers who are in the mood for something with less scares and more heart.
January 2, 2024
A book about a haunted house with queer and trans representation? Absolutely.
The characters of Withered felt so genuine and real to me from the very first page. Their struggles and their own stories were written so well and I feel that they added such a fantastic element to the story.
I loved that it touched on subjects such as grief and eating disorders and touched on it in ways that I, as a person who struggles with both, felt was authentic.
This was a great read.
Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The characters of Withered felt so genuine and real to me from the very first page. Their struggles and their own stories were written so well and I feel that they added such a fantastic element to the story.
I loved that it touched on subjects such as grief and eating disorders and touched on it in ways that I, as a person who struggles with both, felt was authentic.
This was a great read.
Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 26, 2024
FREAKY FRIDAY • REVIEW
Thank you #partner @ecwpress for my #gifted copy.
Withered
A.G.A. Wilmot (they/them)
📖 This trans-authored, queer psychological horror novel explores the haunting reality of grief and mental illness. After their father's tragic death, and surviving a life-threatening eating disorder, 18-year-old Ellis and their mother relocate to the seemingly tranquil town of Black Stone for a fresh start. However, Black Stone harbors a sinister secret, with high death rates in surrounding areas and rumors of their new home being haunted. As Ellis begins experiencing eerie phenomena, they soon uncover a long-standing spectral conflict that puts their family — and the entire town — at stake.
💭 Brimming with dark, foreboding atmosphere, intelligent prose, and the kind of 'creepy'' that'll have readers sleeping with the lights on, Withered explores the depths of mental illness through a chilling narrative, exposing their raw and unsettling truths. As an amateur horror connoisseur, I really appreciate that this felt accessible to me. And while often disturbing, nothing about this was too OTT or gruesome (for me). Withered definitely kept me up late turning pages until the satisfying conclusion!
Fans of supernatural / psychological horror should definitely pick this one up!
📌 Available now!
Thank you #partner @ecwpress for my #gifted copy.
Withered
A.G.A. Wilmot (they/them)
📖 This trans-authored, queer psychological horror novel explores the haunting reality of grief and mental illness. After their father's tragic death, and surviving a life-threatening eating disorder, 18-year-old Ellis and their mother relocate to the seemingly tranquil town of Black Stone for a fresh start. However, Black Stone harbors a sinister secret, with high death rates in surrounding areas and rumors of their new home being haunted. As Ellis begins experiencing eerie phenomena, they soon uncover a long-standing spectral conflict that puts their family — and the entire town — at stake.
💭 Brimming with dark, foreboding atmosphere, intelligent prose, and the kind of 'creepy'' that'll have readers sleeping with the lights on, Withered explores the depths of mental illness through a chilling narrative, exposing their raw and unsettling truths. As an amateur horror connoisseur, I really appreciate that this felt accessible to me. And while often disturbing, nothing about this was too OTT or gruesome (for me). Withered definitely kept me up late turning pages until the satisfying conclusion!
Fans of supernatural / psychological horror should definitely pick this one up!
📌 Available now!
Read
April 16, 2024Happy Publication Day— Withered by A.G.A Wilmot
- A queer paranormal horror novel in the style of show-runner Mike Flanagan, showing the complex real life terror inherent in grief and mental illness. ☠️
If creepy is right up your alley with the haunted house trope, check it out! Thanks so much to ECW Press, NetGalley and A.G.A Wilmot for the opportunity.
#witherd #agawilmot #bookstagram #netgalley #horrorbooks #bookaddict #ecwpress
No rating as I have not finished. Too many April releases that my head is spinning!
- A queer paranormal horror novel in the style of show-runner Mike Flanagan, showing the complex real life terror inherent in grief and mental illness. ☠️
If creepy is right up your alley with the haunted house trope, check it out! Thanks so much to ECW Press, NetGalley and A.G.A Wilmot for the opportunity.
#witherd #agawilmot #bookstagram #netgalley #horrorbooks #bookaddict #ecwpress
No rating as I have not finished. Too many April releases that my head is spinning!
April 23, 2024
I am convincing you to read this book with one of my favorite quotes:
"Over years, as a mattress takes on weight from dead skin and oils, so does a house grow dense with memories of all who've dwelled within. Their experiences seep into the walls, the plumbing, even the foundation; their fingerprints along surfaces and banisters are musical notes, scattered and unstaffed."
This story was heavy emotionally, yet cozy, with a great take on Death and a haunted house. I think the author had the right balance of it all. It follows an 18 year old non-binary, asexual Ellis, who is struggling with ED and dealing with grief from the loss of their father. I thought sexuality, mental illness, and identity, amongst others, were all done really well and respectfully. I loved the uniqueness of the haunting itself. How it came to be, how it developed and grew, and became what it was..but I'm not going to go into detail about it. No spoilers here!!!
For me personally, it did feel slightly too long in some parts and the dialogue between characters did feel a little on the YA side (however I do read YA from time to time so I'm not mad about it)
Thank you to @ecwpress for sending me a copy to read, as always, opinions are my own 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻
"Over years, as a mattress takes on weight from dead skin and oils, so does a house grow dense with memories of all who've dwelled within. Their experiences seep into the walls, the plumbing, even the foundation; their fingerprints along surfaces and banisters are musical notes, scattered and unstaffed."
This story was heavy emotionally, yet cozy, with a great take on Death and a haunted house. I think the author had the right balance of it all. It follows an 18 year old non-binary, asexual Ellis, who is struggling with ED and dealing with grief from the loss of their father. I thought sexuality, mental illness, and identity, amongst others, were all done really well and respectfully. I loved the uniqueness of the haunting itself. How it came to be, how it developed and grew, and became what it was..but I'm not going to go into detail about it. No spoilers here!!!
For me personally, it did feel slightly too long in some parts and the dialogue between characters did feel a little on the YA side (however I do read YA from time to time so I'm not mad about it)
Thank you to @ecwpress for sending me a copy to read, as always, opinions are my own 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻
April 25, 2024
A heartfelt and surprising slice of Canadian horror that understands it's the characters that make a haunted house truly frightening. Gleefully twisting the oft-employed conceit inside-out, Wilmot's graceful tale is at once a dark ode to past literary haunted houses and an expert updating of their many tropes. Through vivid characters and unpredictable side-trips, Wilmot achieves a remarkably affecting and suitably scary coming-of-age story that itself twists the expected norms into wonderful new shapes.
An excellent novel, eminently suitable for both adult and YA audiences.
Thanks to 49th Shelf for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy.
An excellent novel, eminently suitable for both adult and YA audiences.
Thanks to 49th Shelf for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy.
April 12, 2024
Honestly just such a great subversion of the haunted house trope, filled with delightful queers. I loved the lyrical story at it's heart especially. This would make a great Mike Flanagan adaptation.
April 1, 2024
‘Withered’ follows 18-year-old Ellis and their mum as they move into a house in a small town. Throughout the book, Ellis gets to know those around them, including…the house itself..?
The representation in this book feels incredibly safe; I'm not sure any other word can quite explain what I mean. The non-binary representation felt authentic and not at all forced, and the same goes for the fat representation. The relationship between the main character and their therapist was spot on, illustrating an incredible example of true acceptance and solid rapport. Not to mention the safe and understanding parental relationship(s).
Despite being a horror book, I felt comfortable and safe while reading it, and I truly hope that others can have the same experience. Thank you to the author for creating this sense of safety in such an intentional way.
I will say at this stage that our main character is in the process of recovery from an eating disorder, which they do reflect upon often. Be gentle with yourself if this could be a trigger for you. As always, be sure to check all content warnings.
Another thing I loved about this book was the authentic dialogue, which genuinely felt like listening to a real conversation.
This book truly played the movie in my head. The suspense, the depth of the story, and the truly horrifying moments had my eyes glued to the page, all leading to a perfectly beautiful and appropriate ending.
If this book sounds like your vibe, I highly recommend giving it a go. I'd particularly recommend it to lovers of queer horror and anyone interested in a non-traditional haunted house story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.
The representation in this book feels incredibly safe; I'm not sure any other word can quite explain what I mean. The non-binary representation felt authentic and not at all forced, and the same goes for the fat representation. The relationship between the main character and their therapist was spot on, illustrating an incredible example of true acceptance and solid rapport. Not to mention the safe and understanding parental relationship(s).
Despite being a horror book, I felt comfortable and safe while reading it, and I truly hope that others can have the same experience. Thank you to the author for creating this sense of safety in such an intentional way.
I will say at this stage that our main character is in the process of recovery from an eating disorder, which they do reflect upon often. Be gentle with yourself if this could be a trigger for you. As always, be sure to check all content warnings.
Another thing I loved about this book was the authentic dialogue, which genuinely felt like listening to a real conversation.
This book truly played the movie in my head. The suspense, the depth of the story, and the truly horrifying moments had my eyes glued to the page, all leading to a perfectly beautiful and appropriate ending.
If this book sounds like your vibe, I highly recommend giving it a go. I'd particularly recommend it to lovers of queer horror and anyone interested in a non-traditional haunted house story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.
December 10, 2023
As a reader who appreciates books that delve into tough issues like grief and queerness, "Withered" by A.G.A. Wilmot was a promising read from the start. The novel skillfully navigates the complexities of these themes within the framework of a haunted house story, adding an intriguing layer to the narrative.
The author, A.G.A. Wilmot, deserves praise for tackling subjects that are often overlooked in mainstream literature. The exploration of grief is poignant and resonant, capturing the raw emotions that accompany loss. The queerness woven into the storyline is handled with sensitivity, providing representation and visibility in a genre that may not always prioritize diverse perspectives.
The haunted house aspect of "Withered" follows a familiar trajectory, but Wilmot introduces interesting twists that kept me engaged. The atmosphere is appropriately eerie, and the tension builds effectively throughout the narrative. The author's prose is evocative, creating a vivid sense of place that adds to the overall immersive experience.
However, despite these positive aspects, I found myself struggling to fully connect with the characters and their choices. While the exploration of grief and queerness added depth to the story, some character decisions felt forced or inconsistent, making it challenging for me to fully invest in their journeys. The typical haunted house elements, though well-executed, didn't manage to set "Withered" apart from other stories in the genre.
In the realm of haunted house tales, "Withered" competently checks the necessary boxes, offering an engaging reading experience with a thoughtful exploration of challenging themes. Yet, it falls short of standing out in a crowded genre. Readers who appreciate nuanced examinations of grief and queerness may find moments of resonance, but those seeking a truly distinctive haunted house narrative may be left wanting more. Overall, "Withered" is a commendable effort that could have benefited from a more distinctive voice and character development.
The author, A.G.A. Wilmot, deserves praise for tackling subjects that are often overlooked in mainstream literature. The exploration of grief is poignant and resonant, capturing the raw emotions that accompany loss. The queerness woven into the storyline is handled with sensitivity, providing representation and visibility in a genre that may not always prioritize diverse perspectives.
The haunted house aspect of "Withered" follows a familiar trajectory, but Wilmot introduces interesting twists that kept me engaged. The atmosphere is appropriately eerie, and the tension builds effectively throughout the narrative. The author's prose is evocative, creating a vivid sense of place that adds to the overall immersive experience.
However, despite these positive aspects, I found myself struggling to fully connect with the characters and their choices. While the exploration of grief and queerness added depth to the story, some character decisions felt forced or inconsistent, making it challenging for me to fully invest in their journeys. The typical haunted house elements, though well-executed, didn't manage to set "Withered" apart from other stories in the genre.
In the realm of haunted house tales, "Withered" competently checks the necessary boxes, offering an engaging reading experience with a thoughtful exploration of challenging themes. Yet, it falls short of standing out in a crowded genre. Readers who appreciate nuanced examinations of grief and queerness may find moments of resonance, but those seeking a truly distinctive haunted house narrative may be left wanting more. Overall, "Withered" is a commendable effort that could have benefited from a more distinctive voice and character development.
April 16, 2024
I just finished Withered by A.G.A. Wilmot. This was a very good haunted house story but with a twist. The core of this story is actually very emotional. There are so many elements that make this a great story. It has all the horror elements with some mystery and some romance thrown in there. If you like haunting stories you will like this one!
Read
May 28, 2024A really wonderful slow burn haunted house story about grief, Wilmot creates a wonderfully nuanced story here. I loved the town of Black Stone, and the story is atmospheric and eerie. The characters were beautifully realized, and I loved how layered and genuine they felt. Lots of heavy topics in here, included eating disorders, but Wilmot handles them thoughtfully and sensitively. I think it reads a bit New Adult since the protagonist is so young, but that's not necessarily a bad thing; it feels accessible and a nice entry point for readers who are perhaps new to the horror genre. Really enjoyed this one!
April 14, 2024
When I saw the Mike Flannagan comparisons, I had to pick up this horror.
I did really love the queer paranormal vibe of this book; our MC Ellis was very interesting to follow and their mental health history really made their voice interesting and complex. The idea of a house feeding off a community was also compelling and creepy.
Unfortunately, I found a lot of the narrative to be quite young, especially for an 18-year-old main character. This book is listed as horror/fiction, but reads a lot more YA. On top of that, I struggled to really experience the horror. I didn’t feel gripped by the story and felt I was reading quite passively.
2.5 rounded up.
⭐⭐⭐
Available April 16, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and ECW Press for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I did really love the queer paranormal vibe of this book; our MC Ellis was very interesting to follow and their mental health history really made their voice interesting and complex. The idea of a house feeding off a community was also compelling and creepy.
Unfortunately, I found a lot of the narrative to be quite young, especially for an 18-year-old main character. This book is listed as horror/fiction, but reads a lot more YA. On top of that, I struggled to really experience the horror. I didn’t feel gripped by the story and felt I was reading quite passively.
2.5 rounded up.
⭐⭐⭐
Available April 16, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and ECW Press for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 20, 2024
A huge thank you to the publisher for the ARC!
Withered is a horror novel that covers a variety of issues through a unique lens of a peculiar haunted house. We follow Ellis and their mother as they move back her hometown following the death of their father.
Immediately, the kids around town tell Ellis their house is haunted which feels like normal new-comer hazing.
However, Ellis experiences strange things in the house that suggests there is some truth to the warnings.
One of the best things Withered accomplishes is its greater commentary on eating disorders and conflicts within one's self. Ellis is a multifaceted character who is actively working on themselves to resolve internal conflict which manifests in the form of anorexia. While this seems like a surface level fact, the events of the novel provide a greater examination of what it means to not feel at home in your own skin. Ellis manages to grow as a person and work towards making peace with feelings of being out of control, all in the landscape of a rather unsettling haunted house.
Withered provides a very creative, nuanced view on haunted houses and feeling of being haunted in general. The characters are memorable and experience an impressive amount of growth within the span of these pages despite threats of harm and death. If you're looking for a horror read featuring coming-of-age themes, exploration of mental health, and unique haunted houses, you'll want to pick up Withered!
Withered is a horror novel that covers a variety of issues through a unique lens of a peculiar haunted house. We follow Ellis and their mother as they move back her hometown following the death of their father.
Immediately, the kids around town tell Ellis their house is haunted which feels like normal new-comer hazing.
However, Ellis experiences strange things in the house that suggests there is some truth to the warnings.
One of the best things Withered accomplishes is its greater commentary on eating disorders and conflicts within one's self. Ellis is a multifaceted character who is actively working on themselves to resolve internal conflict which manifests in the form of anorexia. While this seems like a surface level fact, the events of the novel provide a greater examination of what it means to not feel at home in your own skin. Ellis manages to grow as a person and work towards making peace with feelings of being out of control, all in the landscape of a rather unsettling haunted house.
Withered provides a very creative, nuanced view on haunted houses and feeling of being haunted in general. The characters are memorable and experience an impressive amount of growth within the span of these pages despite threats of harm and death. If you're looking for a horror read featuring coming-of-age themes, exploration of mental health, and unique haunted houses, you'll want to pick up Withered!
December 24, 2023
Withered is an absolutely fresh take on a haunted house story. The queer & trans representation here felt so natural and authentic. I found myself rooting for all the main characters; the author crafted them so clearly that they feel real to me. Though it didn’t necessarily drive the haunted storyline, the dialog around anorexia and disordered eating was critical to my investment in the book. You can tell the author poured their being into the characters to bring them to life.
And the haunting itself? SO UNIQUE. I don’t want to give anything away but you can tell this vision came from a true creative/artist.
The only criticism I had was that at times the characters personalities seemed out of character. To me, I felt like the main character may have been based off the author themselves and they were projecting all the things they wished were in their own personality rather than what is realistic. Also, some of the culture references were so obscure to me.
Overall, I loved this story and look forward to seeing more in the future.
And the haunting itself? SO UNIQUE. I don’t want to give anything away but you can tell this vision came from a true creative/artist.
The only criticism I had was that at times the characters personalities seemed out of character. To me, I felt like the main character may have been based off the author themselves and they were projecting all the things they wished were in their own personality rather than what is realistic. Also, some of the culture references were so obscure to me.
Overall, I loved this story and look forward to seeing more in the future.
January 14, 2024
“Death isn’t always the scariest part of dying. Sometimes it’s knowing the pain felt by those left behind. Knowing how much you still hurt.”
A.G.A Wilmot in this paranormal psychological horror story, describes the life story of Ellis who with their mother moves to the town of Black Stone. After the tragic death of their father and battling a life threatening disease, Ellis thinks Black Stone would be a fresh start but something feels off about this town. Why doesn’t help is every person they encounter tells them their house is haunted. Soon Ellis comes to realise their home is the centre of a war decades old. With the help of locals they try and figure out the true history behind their home and Black Stone.
This was a compelling psychological horror that had me relating to the difficulties Ellis was experiencing. A large part of this characters story begins with their own health issues and the loss they experienced of their father. Grief and mental illness become the key elements of this story. Add in the supernatural horror from the hauntings happening at Ellis’s home, it soon becomes a race against time to uncover the truth behind this town and it’s deep routed connection to Ellis’s home.
The imagery was quite unnerving, especially when it came to describing the haunting. It intertwined the despair and grief amongst the horror in such a unique way. There are parts of the story I still remember vividly as the emotions are described in such a visceral manner.
Many thanks to @Netgalley for a copy of this book.
A.G.A Wilmot in this paranormal psychological horror story, describes the life story of Ellis who with their mother moves to the town of Black Stone. After the tragic death of their father and battling a life threatening disease, Ellis thinks Black Stone would be a fresh start but something feels off about this town. Why doesn’t help is every person they encounter tells them their house is haunted. Soon Ellis comes to realise their home is the centre of a war decades old. With the help of locals they try and figure out the true history behind their home and Black Stone.
This was a compelling psychological horror that had me relating to the difficulties Ellis was experiencing. A large part of this characters story begins with their own health issues and the loss they experienced of their father. Grief and mental illness become the key elements of this story. Add in the supernatural horror from the hauntings happening at Ellis’s home, it soon becomes a race against time to uncover the truth behind this town and it’s deep routed connection to Ellis’s home.
The imagery was quite unnerving, especially when it came to describing the haunting. It intertwined the despair and grief amongst the horror in such a unique way. There are parts of the story I still remember vividly as the emotions are described in such a visceral manner.
Many thanks to @Netgalley for a copy of this book.
April 15, 2024
4.5 stars.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved to see the queer rep in this, especially non-binary character rep! I felt that Ellis's character was done very well with their identity. Trigger warning for eating disorder/anorexia references in the book, which was dealt with in a respectful way as well to me personally and I didn't find myself triggered however it's up to the individual if you think it may trigger you in any way!
I enjoyed the plot but I did feel that it took quite a bit for it to get going, the first half of the book was heavily on the lead up and took longer than I'd like to get into the swing of things, but it was still enjoyable for me.
Thank you NetGalley and A.G.A Wilmot for the e-arc of this book.
I really enjoyed this story. I loved to see the queer rep in this, especially non-binary character rep! I felt that Ellis's character was done very well with their identity. Trigger warning for eating disorder/anorexia references in the book, which was dealt with in a respectful way as well to me personally and I didn't find myself triggered however it's up to the individual if you think it may trigger you in any way!
I enjoyed the plot but I did feel that it took quite a bit for it to get going, the first half of the book was heavily on the lead up and took longer than I'd like to get into the swing of things, but it was still enjoyable for me.
Thank you NetGalley and A.G.A Wilmot for the e-arc of this book.
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December 14, 2023My blurb for WITHERED! A big thank you to the author and ECW for an early copy of the book!
WITHERED is a slow burn psychological horror that will consume its readers through its exploration of the toxicity and timelessness of grief and the way it chokes all those it touches. The time-paused town of Black Stone reveals to readers what it means to conquer death and what it means to be alive. Wilmot elegantly illuminates the power of art and its impact on identity and memory, while painting a vivid definition of a ghost town with their prose.
WITHERED is a slow burn psychological horror that will consume its readers through its exploration of the toxicity and timelessness of grief and the way it chokes all those it touches. The time-paused town of Black Stone reveals to readers what it means to conquer death and what it means to be alive. Wilmot elegantly illuminates the power of art and its impact on identity and memory, while painting a vivid definition of a ghost town with their prose.
April 3, 2024
I received this book from both NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for a fair review.
A haunted house story with an interesting twist, Withered is a rather heart-moving horror.
The best thing about this novel is the interesting take on the haunted house concept. While I’ve seen and read all variations of hauntings, this one is quite different, and the mystery behind it was compelling; I think it would make a really cool movie. If you like horror that is less about scares and more about the mystery, you will likely enjoy this one.
Though I was reading it at night in the dark, I wasn’t scared of the book. There are some eerie parts, but for the most part it’s more creepy than scary. For people who like horror but don’t like to be that scared, I think this is a good one. For those who want intense horror, it might not reach that level, but I enjoyed it.
The book has a really great concept, and the setting is fully realized and easy to picture. The exciting scenes were well-described. The book also contained one of my favourite tropes . I thought that aspect, tied to the haunting element, was an interesting take and made the motivations behind the haunting make perfect sense, as well as pulling on your heartstrings (that was a joke that you’ll only get if you’ve read the book).
Unfortunately for me, I found the pacing and jumping between points of view took away from the story. While I appreciated the queer elements and Ellis’ journey with their recovery from anorexia, there was too much focus on their relationship with Quinn, so there was less space for horror. While I definitely think it’s important to have characters in horror that are detailed and realistic, I could have done with less dating/interpersonal stuff (I also prefer a romance that builds and culminates in the climax vs characters starting to date right away), and more haunting, as it didn’t feel like Ellis was ever scared in their house, and a lot of the discover of the haunting’s elements came from a third party telling Ellis the backstory.
There were also a few sections where we got the POV of other characters. While I normally love multi-POV, this also affected the scare value, as rather than seeing the haunting through Ellis’ eyes and experiencing it vicariously, we’re seeing it from a few steps back. These multi-POV scenes could have been reduced to maybe one or two (or left them to the end), simply to broaden out the house’s mystery more, which would have left more space for Ellis’ fear or at least curiosity of the house to grow. I suppose I just found a lot of the elements competed rather than complemented one another.
Still, though, it’s a very enjoyable, fun, sometimes emotional, slightly different take on a haunting. If you’re looking for horror with LGBTQ elements at the forefront, this would be a great one.
A haunted house story with an interesting twist, Withered is a rather heart-moving horror.
The best thing about this novel is the interesting take on the haunted house concept. While I’ve seen and read all variations of hauntings, this one is quite different, and the mystery behind it was compelling; I think it would make a really cool movie. If you like horror that is less about scares and more about the mystery, you will likely enjoy this one.
Though I was reading it at night in the dark, I wasn’t scared of the book. There are some eerie parts, but for the most part it’s more creepy than scary. For people who like horror but don’t like to be that scared, I think this is a good one. For those who want intense horror, it might not reach that level, but I enjoyed it.
The book has a really great concept, and the setting is fully realized and easy to picture. The exciting scenes were well-described. The book also contained one of my favourite tropes . I thought that aspect, tied to the haunting element, was an interesting take and made the motivations behind the haunting make perfect sense, as well as pulling on your heartstrings (that was a joke that you’ll only get if you’ve read the book).
Unfortunately for me, I found the pacing and jumping between points of view took away from the story. While I appreciated the queer elements and Ellis’ journey with their recovery from anorexia, there was too much focus on their relationship with Quinn, so there was less space for horror. While I definitely think it’s important to have characters in horror that are detailed and realistic, I could have done with less dating/interpersonal stuff (I also prefer a romance that builds and culminates in the climax vs characters starting to date right away), and more haunting, as it didn’t feel like Ellis was ever scared in their house, and a lot of the discover of the haunting’s elements came from a third party telling Ellis the backstory.
There were also a few sections where we got the POV of other characters. While I normally love multi-POV, this also affected the scare value, as rather than seeing the haunting through Ellis’ eyes and experiencing it vicariously, we’re seeing it from a few steps back. These multi-POV scenes could have been reduced to maybe one or two (or left them to the end), simply to broaden out the house’s mystery more, which would have left more space for Ellis’ fear or at least curiosity of the house to grow. I suppose I just found a lot of the elements competed rather than complemented one another.
Still, though, it’s a very enjoyable, fun, sometimes emotional, slightly different take on a haunting. If you’re looking for horror with LGBTQ elements at the forefront, this would be a great one.
March 26, 2024
Withered took my withered heart and made it race!
AGA Wilmot's writing is just fantastic and the flowing prose will keep readers of any genre enamored. Haunted house stories are a classic within the horror genre, Withered takes that to the next level. Withered follows Ellis and their mother as they move to a new town. A town known for the sheer amount of death that happens within it, but seemingly in the middle of that lies their new home. A house that many swear is haunted. Mix in some fantastic queer elements and a beautiful reimagining of the haunted house, and I was hooked!
Withered is truly next-level horror. It gutted me. It ripped me apart, but thankfully it gave me closure by the end of it. The queer representation in this story was one of the biggest draws initially (and it is done so well), and the storyline and the interwoven perspectives drive this story to a blistering climax. You absolutely need to check this story out, not only did it surprise me by the end, but I never saw the ending coming!
AGA Wilmot's writing is just fantastic and the flowing prose will keep readers of any genre enamored. Haunted house stories are a classic within the horror genre, Withered takes that to the next level. Withered follows Ellis and their mother as they move to a new town. A town known for the sheer amount of death that happens within it, but seemingly in the middle of that lies their new home. A house that many swear is haunted. Mix in some fantastic queer elements and a beautiful reimagining of the haunted house, and I was hooked!
Withered is truly next-level horror. It gutted me. It ripped me apart, but thankfully it gave me closure by the end of it. The queer representation in this story was one of the biggest draws initially (and it is done so well), and the storyline and the interwoven perspectives drive this story to a blistering climax. You absolutely need to check this story out, not only did it surprise me by the end, but I never saw the ending coming!
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April 29, 2024Brief synopsis: Eighteen-year-old Ellis moves to a small town with their mom and quickly finds out that their new house is not normal, and the whole town knows it.
This is the most original haunted house novel I've read in a while! There are so many reveals and surprises; I really don't want to say too much and give anything away. The cast is diverse, the story is fast paced but still prioritizes character development, there are some romance elements. The POV changes are a bit jarring and confusing, but everything comes together perfectly at the end.
Withered is a highly original haunted house story about love, grief, loneliness, ghosts, facing demons, and how to live with the body you're born in. The synopsis says it's perfect for fans of Mike Flannagan, and I have to agree!
Thank you so much to ECW Press for sending me a copy of Withered in exchange for an honest review.
Major TW for eating disorders.
This is the most original haunted house novel I've read in a while! There are so many reveals and surprises; I really don't want to say too much and give anything away. The cast is diverse, the story is fast paced but still prioritizes character development, there are some romance elements. The POV changes are a bit jarring and confusing, but everything comes together perfectly at the end.
Withered is a highly original haunted house story about love, grief, loneliness, ghosts, facing demons, and how to live with the body you're born in. The synopsis says it's perfect for fans of Mike Flannagan, and I have to agree!
Thank you so much to ECW Press for sending me a copy of Withered in exchange for an honest review.
Major TW for eating disorders.
January 11, 2024
I was granted the ARC for Withered by AGA Wilmot from Netgalley. It is a raw format, not yet sent through editing.
This book is so very good. A haunted house is not always a bad thing. Ellis and their mother, Robyn, move back to Robyn's hometown after tragedy has hit their family. Ellis first trek into the town center gets them verbally accosted by some of the townsfolk regarding their 'haunted' house.
Along the way, Ellis meets Quinn. Together they help solve the history of the house and the true story behind what is going on in the town.
What seems to be a fight against good vs evil is maybe just the way things are supposed to be, neither way being good or evil.
My only recommendation is clarification during some of the larger dialog portions of the book. I'm guessing that will be addressed before release.
👻👻👻👻👻. This book releases 4/16, make sure you go get it!
This book is so very good. A haunted house is not always a bad thing. Ellis and their mother, Robyn, move back to Robyn's hometown after tragedy has hit their family. Ellis first trek into the town center gets them verbally accosted by some of the townsfolk regarding their 'haunted' house.
Along the way, Ellis meets Quinn. Together they help solve the history of the house and the true story behind what is going on in the town.
What seems to be a fight against good vs evil is maybe just the way things are supposed to be, neither way being good or evil.
My only recommendation is clarification during some of the larger dialog portions of the book. I'm guessing that will be addressed before release.
👻👻👻👻👻. This book releases 4/16, make sure you go get it!
April 1, 2024
An occupied house like no other. I really enjoyed the paranormal aspect of this novel, the way death and grief are explored within this is very clever. The small town setting really suited the story and the sweet romance certainly fit into the small town romance genre. This at times took away from the paranormal aspects and there was more of a psychological undercurrent of weirdness, which I did appreciate.
The main character has an interesting background mental health wise and this gave them a distinct voice. I would say though that on reading I felt it was more YA and the decisions for me did not suit those of an 18 year old.
I think the book is original and would be great on screen. I certainly would recommend trying this for those who like psychological horror.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
The main character has an interesting background mental health wise and this gave them a distinct voice. I would say though that on reading I felt it was more YA and the decisions for me did not suit those of an 18 year old.
I think the book is original and would be great on screen. I certainly would recommend trying this for those who like psychological horror.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
June 11, 2024
DNF at 29%. Just really hated the writing style and found the conversations and witticisms super cringey and inauthentic - do people really speak like this??? Really enjoyed the concept but just couldn’t get into it at all. Way more YA romance than actual horror novel that is a bit too on the nose with its metaphors
January 11, 2024
YA evil house horror that trusts that its audience hasn't seen that many evil house films (which is probably true), whilst possibly overdoing its own mythology. There is a decent character at the heart of it, after the death of their father, and recovery from anorexia, queer 18 year old Ellis moves back to their mother's old home town. The two move into a deserted and mildly dilapidated house which everyone refers to as haunted (literally everyone's opening gambit is "are you living in the haunted house"), though Ellis doesn't see many ghosts to start off with. Once the kids around them start expounding on theories, there is a suggestion that something about the house is lowering the local death rate, and also making quite persistent ghosts of people who do die. And their Mum should know, her best friend used to live in the house and died near there too.
There is a wonderful stubbornness in the family at the heart of this who refuse to move out even when it is clear the house is both haunted and the centre of a battle between an age-old ghost and Death itself. The house has a mysterious locked basement, veins with blood running through the walls, but the taps never run with blood so there are worse evil houses out there. It has a swiftness to it, and as mentioned doesn't really bother with harbouring mysteries. I've probably experienced too many of these stories, and found the lack of mystery a little disconcerting - the whole town has been putting up with it forever - but it fulfills its brief.
There is a wonderful stubbornness in the family at the heart of this who refuse to move out even when it is clear the house is both haunted and the centre of a battle between an age-old ghost and Death itself. The house has a mysterious locked basement, veins with blood running through the walls, but the taps never run with blood so there are worse evil houses out there. It has a swiftness to it, and as mentioned doesn't really bother with harbouring mysteries. I've probably experienced too many of these stories, and found the lack of mystery a little disconcerting - the whole town has been putting up with it forever - but it fulfills its brief.
February 12, 2024
This story delivers on its title, for better or for worse. At face value, this story is an engaging read: I found myself flipping through pages toward the end because I wanted to know how it ended.
But this story is much like its title, like the heartstrings of the house: it is simply spread too thin. The cast of characters is a little larger, and they're introduced at times when you're not entirely sure how prominent or relevant they'll be to the story as a whole. It made keeping track of everyone difficult at times. Flashbacks are dropped intermittently throughout the story, and while they're effective, they're not paced well in the first half of the book (better in the second half, though). Multiple POVs are usually fun for me, and I do think Wimot uses them well here to help build out the characters and history (in the first half) and a sense of anticipation toward the climax. I don't think all of them were necessary, largely because we don't get to spend enough time with a lot of the characters to make those POVs feel lived in enough. (And Wilmot occasionally had a habit of randomly switching POV halfway through a scene or even a paragraph, and I personally find that incredibly irritating.)
I think most of my issue with this book is just that I didn't really connect with the characters. On paper, they're diverse and interesting, and the plethora of issues they deal with (both mental and physical illness, death, grieving, control, body dysphoria, eating disorders, etc) is generally handled with care and thoughtfulness. But everyone just... fell a little flat for me. No one jumped off of the page at me, and not connecting made it hard to be invested in *their* stories, rather than just unraveling the mystery/plot.
And the climax itself just kind of... withered. I found myself wanting the characters to reach a certain point of acceptance, but there was so much resistance that was being touted as the "right" thing to do that by the time they *did* get to that point of acceptance, any sense of satisfaction didn't feel terribly earned. The wind had gone out of the sails, and I didn't feel a sense of catharsis.
All in all, this is a decent book and an interesting read! I didn't connect with the characters, but that doesn't mean someone else won't.
[NetGalley was kind enough to provide me with an ARC for this title.]
But this story is much like its title, like the heartstrings of the house: it is simply spread too thin. The cast of characters is a little larger, and they're introduced at times when you're not entirely sure how prominent or relevant they'll be to the story as a whole. It made keeping track of everyone difficult at times. Flashbacks are dropped intermittently throughout the story, and while they're effective, they're not paced well in the first half of the book (better in the second half, though). Multiple POVs are usually fun for me, and I do think Wimot uses them well here to help build out the characters and history (in the first half) and a sense of anticipation toward the climax. I don't think all of them were necessary, largely because we don't get to spend enough time with a lot of the characters to make those POVs feel lived in enough. (And Wilmot occasionally had a habit of randomly switching POV halfway through a scene or even a paragraph, and I personally find that incredibly irritating.)
I think most of my issue with this book is just that I didn't really connect with the characters. On paper, they're diverse and interesting, and the plethora of issues they deal with (both mental and physical illness, death, grieving, control, body dysphoria, eating disorders, etc) is generally handled with care and thoughtfulness. But everyone just... fell a little flat for me. No one jumped off of the page at me, and not connecting made it hard to be invested in *their* stories, rather than just unraveling the mystery/plot.
And the climax itself just kind of... withered. I found myself wanting the characters to reach a certain point of acceptance, but there was so much resistance that was being touted as the "right" thing to do that by the time they *did* get to that point of acceptance, any sense of satisfaction didn't feel terribly earned. The wind had gone out of the sails, and I didn't feel a sense of catharsis.
All in all, this is a decent book and an interesting read! I didn't connect with the characters, but that doesn't mean someone else won't.
[NetGalley was kind enough to provide me with an ARC for this title.]
December 6, 2023
Withered is a fascinating story about a haunted house, but the plot goes beyond the houses horrors and syncs up with some deeper themes such as death, grief, consequences and more personal to one of the MC’s, queerness, isolation and eating disorders.
The house itself is well known to the town. Opinions are divided, some will swear the house is haunted, others refuse to believe this. But the fact remains that the house has a deep impact on the town itself.
Although we get a lot of shocking revelations and answers, the author does a great job of leaving the truth open to the interpretation of the characters and the reader alike. This book would be perfect for a reading club leaving certain questions open to debate.
The characters are likeable which leaves the reader invested in their story with a heavy dose of empathy and understanding.
This one is a mix of the supernatural, mystery, paranormal and horror. This read is great for both YA and adults.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
The house itself is well known to the town. Opinions are divided, some will swear the house is haunted, others refuse to believe this. But the fact remains that the house has a deep impact on the town itself.
Although we get a lot of shocking revelations and answers, the author does a great job of leaving the truth open to the interpretation of the characters and the reader alike. This book would be perfect for a reading club leaving certain questions open to debate.
The characters are likeable which leaves the reader invested in their story with a heavy dose of empathy and understanding.
This one is a mix of the supernatural, mystery, paranormal and horror. This read is great for both YA and adults.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
January 11, 2024
Gorgeous (although wacky at times) ya horror which was much anticipated and enjoyed by me. Thanks for the arc and this was a fantastic queer take on haunted houses. 4.5
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