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The Ravening
From the subversive mind behind The Hollows comes a new, page turning horror thriller, perfect for fans of The Only Good Indian by Stephen Graham Jones
Jenna's life has always been a fight. From the traumatic and mysterious loss of her mother on a dark woodland road when she was fifteen, to the abusive and controlling boyfriend she's recently escaped, she has learned that trust hurts you in the end.
Now Jenna's found what she hopes is happiness with her new girlfriend, Holly. But the world is full of darkness - some of it ancient, some of it closer to home... Evil, and those who serve it, will not let Jenna go.
The Ravening is a gripping, claustrophobic horror novel that sets a timeless nightmare against one woman and her belief in herself, and the possibility that somewhere, somehow, there is love in the world.
Jenna's life has always been a fight. From the traumatic and mysterious loss of her mother on a dark woodland road when she was fifteen, to the abusive and controlling boyfriend she's recently escaped, she has learned that trust hurts you in the end.
Now Jenna's found what she hopes is happiness with her new girlfriend, Holly. But the world is full of darkness - some of it ancient, some of it closer to home... Evil, and those who serve it, will not let Jenna go.
The Ravening is a gripping, claustrophobic horror novel that sets a timeless nightmare against one woman and her belief in herself, and the possibility that somewhere, somehow, there is love in the world.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 24, 2024
About the author
Daniel Church
4 books12 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 17, 2024
ARC for review. To be published September 24, 2024.
Based on the marketing done for and around this book I don’t think the author and publisher want the reader to have too much information going in. This horror/fantasy features Jenna who lost her mother in a very mysterious way when she was a teen. She is just recently shed of a controlling boyfriend and now she has a new love in her life, Holly. But there is also evil, lots of evil in her world and it does not want to let her go.
When I was actually reading this book I liked it fairly well, with its reminder that there is generally a price to pay for what one receives; I did not li e the ending, though. However, now that only a week or so has gone by I find that I don’t even remember much about it, so it didn’t make a big impression. Three stars, to be fair.
Based on the marketing done for and around this book I don’t think the author and publisher want the reader to have too much information going in. This horror/fantasy features Jenna who lost her mother in a very mysterious way when she was a teen. She is just recently shed of a controlling boyfriend and now she has a new love in her life, Holly. But there is also evil, lots of evil in her world and it does not want to let her go.
When I was actually reading this book I liked it fairly well, with its reminder that there is generally a price to pay for what one receives; I did not li e the ending, though. However, now that only a week or so has gone by I find that I don’t even remember much about it, so it didn’t make a big impression. Three stars, to be fair.
Want to read
July 16, 2024ARC received! Thank you so much, Angry Robot!
This cover has captured my attention and the synopsis definitely sounds like something that will work for me. I'm excited to get to it!!
This cover has captured my attention and the synopsis definitely sounds like something that will work for me. I'm excited to get to it!!
August 22, 2024
Rating: ★★★☆☆
A thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
”But when the car broke down at night, deep in the woods and far from anywhere, you remembered magic could be black as well as white.”
The Ravening tells the story of Jenna, a woman haunted by the traumatic and mysterious disappearance of her mom on a dark woodland. Fifteen years later she’s being visited by the same entity that stole her mother on that dark night.
⟡•—— ・ ₊˚👹♱‧₊˚. ・ ——•⟡
The Ravening is a gripping blend of both horror and suspense where the author created an eerie backdrop with the help of the woodlands. The reader is plunged into a chaotic and dreadful world where, personally, i felt quite claustrophobic when imagining what it would feel like to be in Jenna’s place.
In the first 50% of the book i had my kindle gripped in my hands - i wanted to keep on reading even if it was already 4am just for the sake of finding out what happened to the main characters mom. However, it soon turned a little boring. The second half of the book��s pace is a little too dragging and i found myself skipping a few lines just to get it over with.
On another note, one of the novel’s strengths are the rich characters. Although not a lot of them, everyone had a background, a motive as to why they did the things they did; it helped Jenna’s horrors feel personal.
The main character also suffered a great development - due to her traumatic past she was extremely closed off in the beginning and her personality felt very icky at times. However, with the help of her partner, Holly, we see her blossoming into someone who can trust and love.
I’d love to read more of Daniel Church in the future - his writing style was very thrilling and captivating.
If you’re a fan of horror and mystery-thriller novels with suspenseful and atmospheric storytelling, you should give The Ravening a try.
A thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
”But when the car broke down at night, deep in the woods and far from anywhere, you remembered magic could be black as well as white.”
The Ravening tells the story of Jenna, a woman haunted by the traumatic and mysterious disappearance of her mom on a dark woodland. Fifteen years later she’s being visited by the same entity that stole her mother on that dark night.
⟡•—— ・ ₊˚👹♱‧₊˚. ・ ——•⟡
The Ravening is a gripping blend of both horror and suspense where the author created an eerie backdrop with the help of the woodlands. The reader is plunged into a chaotic and dreadful world where, personally, i felt quite claustrophobic when imagining what it would feel like to be in Jenna’s place.
In the first 50% of the book i had my kindle gripped in my hands - i wanted to keep on reading even if it was already 4am just for the sake of finding out what happened to the main characters mom. However, it soon turned a little boring. The second half of the book��s pace is a little too dragging and i found myself skipping a few lines just to get it over with.
On another note, one of the novel’s strengths are the rich characters. Although not a lot of them, everyone had a background, a motive as to why they did the things they did; it helped Jenna’s horrors feel personal.
The main character also suffered a great development - due to her traumatic past she was extremely closed off in the beginning and her personality felt very icky at times. However, with the help of her partner, Holly, we see her blossoming into someone who can trust and love.
I’d love to read more of Daniel Church in the future - his writing style was very thrilling and captivating.
If you’re a fan of horror and mystery-thriller novels with suspenseful and atmospheric storytelling, you should give The Ravening a try.
August 12, 2024
The Ravening is a book that was different from what I originally expected. I believe this would benefit from a longer/more descriptive synopsis as I'm not sure I would have picked it up had it been explained better. We'll come back to this - but for now, let's talk about the book itself.
The story starts off with a very strong and very creepy prologue. 15 year old Jenna is traveling with her mother along a dark, empty road surrounded by thick woods. When they hit something with their car and the vehicle refuses to start again, Jenna's mother gets out to see if she can figure out what the issue is. Alone in the car, Jenna begins to get a sense that they are not alone out here - shortly after, her mother lets out a blood curdling scream - and is never seen again. There is no blood, hair, clothing, or any trace of her mother left.
Jump to 15 year later: Jenna is 30 years old and struggling. Her childhood has left a lasting imprint and Jenna has a hard time trusting people. Riddled with trauma and abandonment issues, Jenna finds it difficult to stay fulfilled in a long term relationship. However, with her current girlfriend Holly, she seems to be in a good place and experiencing feelings she hasn't had with partners in the past.
Now, this begins to bring us to the part in the book where I went *cue meme* What happened to the Original plot of the movie?! Jenna is shocked to find out she is pregnant with her ex boyfriend's baby. When she makes an appointment for an abortion - she is KIDNAPPED by this man and held captive within a house in the woods. His goal is to force her to carry out this pregnancy and deliver the child, and then he will forcibly impregnate her a few more times to pump out a few more babies. Huh!?! This is what I mean when I say this book could do with a revised synopsis. This is a HUGE part of the plot that is not mentioned or really even hinted at in the book's description and it really threw me off. I decided to stick with it but I can see people in the future DNFing after the story takes this unexpected turn.
Now, there are certain reasons why this is happening which does connect it back to the original plot but there was a good portion of this book - I would say between the 35% and 60% mark where it wasn't holding my full attention. I felt myself zoning out and had to reread a few parts. After that, it does begin to pick up and the intrigue came back for me as this book brings in some unique horror elements and we get to learn more about the creature that lurks in the woods..
It is important to note that this story mainly focuses on Jenna more than anything else. We get to know her really well and at its core, the story is about her trauma - who she was in the past and who she is becoming in the now. We study her actions, feelings, motivations, and journey of self exploration and self acceptance throughout the book - with the clear theme being 'love will prevail.'
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy: a creature feature, ancient evil, fantasy horror, bargaining, history of the occult, human greed, immortality, queer love, strong female characters, conversation about bodily autonomy, and character focused horror novels.
Overall, not a bad read but generally quite not for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot Books for providing me with an electronic ARC of this book to review.
The story starts off with a very strong and very creepy prologue. 15 year old Jenna is traveling with her mother along a dark, empty road surrounded by thick woods. When they hit something with their car and the vehicle refuses to start again, Jenna's mother gets out to see if she can figure out what the issue is. Alone in the car, Jenna begins to get a sense that they are not alone out here - shortly after, her mother lets out a blood curdling scream - and is never seen again. There is no blood, hair, clothing, or any trace of her mother left.
Jump to 15 year later: Jenna is 30 years old and struggling. Her childhood has left a lasting imprint and Jenna has a hard time trusting people. Riddled with trauma and abandonment issues, Jenna finds it difficult to stay fulfilled in a long term relationship. However, with her current girlfriend Holly, she seems to be in a good place and experiencing feelings she hasn't had with partners in the past.
Now, this begins to bring us to the part in the book where I went *cue meme* What happened to the Original plot of the movie?! Jenna is shocked to find out she is pregnant with her ex boyfriend's baby. When she makes an appointment for an abortion - she is KIDNAPPED by this man and held captive within a house in the woods. His goal is to force her to carry out this pregnancy and deliver the child, and then he will forcibly impregnate her a few more times to pump out a few more babies. Huh!?! This is what I mean when I say this book could do with a revised synopsis. This is a HUGE part of the plot that is not mentioned or really even hinted at in the book's description and it really threw me off. I decided to stick with it but I can see people in the future DNFing after the story takes this unexpected turn.
Now, there are certain reasons why this is happening which does connect it back to the original plot but there was a good portion of this book - I would say between the 35% and 60% mark where it wasn't holding my full attention. I felt myself zoning out and had to reread a few parts. After that, it does begin to pick up and the intrigue came back for me as this book brings in some unique horror elements and we get to learn more about the creature that lurks in the woods..
It is important to note that this story mainly focuses on Jenna more than anything else. We get to know her really well and at its core, the story is about her trauma - who she was in the past and who she is becoming in the now. We study her actions, feelings, motivations, and journey of self exploration and self acceptance throughout the book - with the clear theme being 'love will prevail.'
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy: a creature feature, ancient evil, fantasy horror, bargaining, history of the occult, human greed, immortality, queer love, strong female characters, conversation about bodily autonomy, and character focused horror novels.
Overall, not a bad read but generally quite not for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot Books for providing me with an electronic ARC of this book to review.
August 10, 2024
The Ravening starts off strong with a traumatic back story for the FMC and the plot switches to a brief cozy romance before everything is turned upside down. I won’t say too much as this may spoil things but I certainly was not expecting a lot of what happened to happen, which is always a positive. You definitely don’t know who to trust and the atmosphere is great. The scenes in the woods are especially atmospheric and dark. I felt the FMC internal dialogue was well presented and her personal struggles well portrayed.
I read this book quickly as I wanted to find out what happens next.
I loved the cover of this book and although there are antlers in the story I felt they should have had more coverage. I feel the cover doesn’t quite fit what I read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
I read this book quickly as I wanted to find out what happens next.
I loved the cover of this book and although there are antlers in the story I felt they should have had more coverage. I feel the cover doesn’t quite fit what I read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
July 23, 2024
This was an easy to read book with fairly short chapters. The first part of the book is so creepy and eerie, you almost feel like you could be in the woods with Jenna and her mum. Then when we get to present day Jenna and she starts hearing/feeling similar vibes and you just know it's about to go off. The suspense doesn't really let up which is what you want in a horror book. I just didn't enjoy the plot and I didn't particularly like Jenna but that's personal preference. Despite it not being my cup of tea, I did appreciate the atmospheric vibes and the writing.
Thank you Angry Robot for the arc!
Thank you Angry Robot for the arc!
July 18, 2024
Jenna's has experienced a traumatic past with her mother seemingly disappearing into thin air which was only the beginning of the downward spiral she encounters into her adulthood. She is met with abusive relationships or relationships that she cannot keep for long until she meets Holly and decides a camping trip would be great for the both of them. She is then thrusted into this world of darkness, bringing back her abuser and some other dark entities into her life.
The only thing intriguing about this book is the cover. The characters are insufferable, and this is a perfect stereotype of "men not being able to write female characters". Jenna is obnoxious, annoying and overly dramatic. Holly is the worst partner someone could ask for. James is a slime-ball for obvious reasons, but there was no empathy garnered for any of the characters. Even Jenna's mother is obnoxious.
The story starts in the past, but then makes the jump to present day without a smooth transition. There is a scattering of medieval folklore spread throughout the novel breaking it up, but it does not seem to have any ties to the story. Was it show that evil has always lingered throughout time? Who knows. All I know is that this book took A LOT for me not to DNF.
There was an overuse of the words bitch, lovey and babe which of course were all done by the female characters which tie back into my initial statement of why some men should not be writing female characters.
Would I recommend this book? No. Would I reread or attempt to read other books from this author? Nope.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The only thing intriguing about this book is the cover. The characters are insufferable, and this is a perfect stereotype of "men not being able to write female characters". Jenna is obnoxious, annoying and overly dramatic. Holly is the worst partner someone could ask for. James is a slime-ball for obvious reasons, but there was no empathy garnered for any of the characters. Even Jenna's mother is obnoxious.
The story starts in the past, but then makes the jump to present day without a smooth transition. There is a scattering of medieval folklore spread throughout the novel breaking it up, but it does not seem to have any ties to the story. Was it show that evil has always lingered throughout time? Who knows. All I know is that this book took A LOT for me not to DNF.
There was an overuse of the words bitch, lovey and babe which of course were all done by the female characters which tie back into my initial statement of why some men should not be writing female characters.
Would I recommend this book? No. Would I reread or attempt to read other books from this author? Nope.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2024
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Sept. 24, 2024
As a teenager, Jenna’s mom is killed by a monster that only Jenna has seen. Soon after, her now-alcoholic father dies and Jenna’s life unravels even more. Now, on her own, Jenna fights against love and letting anyone in. But she soon finds out, that the monster who killed her mother is very, very real and he wants Jenna for himself. It is up to Jenna to rely on the one thing she has sworn off forever, real love, to save her from the monsters, supernatural and human alike.
Daniel Church’s new novel, “The Ravening” is a horror novel, with an LGBTQ romance flair. It starts with a terrifying monster in the woods, that leads to Jenna’s captivity and her right to choose (how/when/if she wishes to be a mother) and then wraps up with Jenna’s ability to let her lover in and start a life together. Church’s novel is complex, with many emotionally fraught themes, but Church manages to combine all of the plot lines into something dark and sinister, and thoroughly enjoyable.
The novel is told from Jenna’s perspective, on the day her mother is killed in front of her. The mysterious monster exists only in shadow and speculation, so even Jenna doubts its’ existence, until she can’t anymore. Church’s descriptions of the “Bonewalker” (Jenna’s term for the terrifying creature) are chilling and downright frightening. The backstory of who or what the Bonewalker is is creative and mythical, and this was, by far, the most engaging part of the novel itself.
“The Ravening” is non-stop action, right from the first page. Jenna is a relatable character and I immediately built a rapport with the tough-as-nails, independent protagonist. The chapters are short, making the story easy to read, and I was desperate to find out how it ended.
Church delivers a satisfying ending that provided comfort after pages of spine-tingling, edge-of-your-seat horror, and I loved it.
“The RaveningThe Ravening” is not a feminist novel, but it has strong female themes focusing on a woman’s right to choose, but, even with the controversial theme, it is not preachy and there is no pedestal that Church preaches from. It is also mythical and theological, in relation to the monster itself, but again, Church has written the novel so it is not divisive and can be enjoyed by anyone looking for a new horror story to explore.
I was unsure of what to expect, as Church is new to me, and the reviews on this novel are mixed. But I found “The Ravening” to be creative and spooky, and I definitely will be looking forward to more horror novels from Church.
Expected publication date: Sept. 24, 2024
As a teenager, Jenna’s mom is killed by a monster that only Jenna has seen. Soon after, her now-alcoholic father dies and Jenna’s life unravels even more. Now, on her own, Jenna fights against love and letting anyone in. But she soon finds out, that the monster who killed her mother is very, very real and he wants Jenna for himself. It is up to Jenna to rely on the one thing she has sworn off forever, real love, to save her from the monsters, supernatural and human alike.
Daniel Church’s new novel, “The Ravening” is a horror novel, with an LGBTQ romance flair. It starts with a terrifying monster in the woods, that leads to Jenna’s captivity and her right to choose (how/when/if she wishes to be a mother) and then wraps up with Jenna’s ability to let her lover in and start a life together. Church’s novel is complex, with many emotionally fraught themes, but Church manages to combine all of the plot lines into something dark and sinister, and thoroughly enjoyable.
The novel is told from Jenna’s perspective, on the day her mother is killed in front of her. The mysterious monster exists only in shadow and speculation, so even Jenna doubts its’ existence, until she can’t anymore. Church’s descriptions of the “Bonewalker” (Jenna’s term for the terrifying creature) are chilling and downright frightening. The backstory of who or what the Bonewalker is is creative and mythical, and this was, by far, the most engaging part of the novel itself.
“The Ravening” is non-stop action, right from the first page. Jenna is a relatable character and I immediately built a rapport with the tough-as-nails, independent protagonist. The chapters are short, making the story easy to read, and I was desperate to find out how it ended.
Church delivers a satisfying ending that provided comfort after pages of spine-tingling, edge-of-your-seat horror, and I loved it.
“The RaveningThe Ravening” is not a feminist novel, but it has strong female themes focusing on a woman’s right to choose, but, even with the controversial theme, it is not preachy and there is no pedestal that Church preaches from. It is also mythical and theological, in relation to the monster itself, but again, Church has written the novel so it is not divisive and can be enjoyed by anyone looking for a new horror story to explore.
I was unsure of what to expect, as Church is new to me, and the reviews on this novel are mixed. But I found “The Ravening” to be creative and spooky, and I definitely will be looking forward to more horror novels from Church.
July 1, 2024
Daniel Church is masterful in creating nuanced characters and convincing dialogue in stories supported by an elaborate mythology. Unfortunately, The Ravening takes a more circuitous route to its destination than its predecessor, The Hollows. Set in modern day, Church's latest story is contextualized by short descriptions of medieval history and associated legends that will presumably have some bearing on the events of the story. Church goes on to describe a traumatic night in the protagonist's childhood before jumping ahead to her current reality as an adult. The transition consists mostly of describing the main character's tumultuous romantic relationships, from past disasters to the current tension on a camping trip, which generates little empathy. Then, the plot takes another major turn that makes the expository parts seem irrelevant. Adam Nevill handled a similar story structure better in The Ritual. That being said, mileage may vary and fans of The Hollows should definitely give it a try.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Angry Robot for the ARC.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Angry Robot for the ARC.
August 13, 2024
A gripping, fast paced, grotesque, and horrifying read I couldn’t put down!
From the creator of The Hollows comes, a chilling horror thriller that will captivate fans of Stephen Graham Jones's The Only Good Indian. Jenna's life has been marked by hardship, from the mysterious disappearance of her mother to escaping an abusive relationship. Now seeking solace with her new girlfriend, Holly, Jenna finds herself haunted by a malevolent darkness that refuses to let her go. It’s a suspenseful novel that pits Jenna against both ancient evils and personal demons, exploring themes of trust, self-belief, and the faint glimmer of love in a world shrouded in terror.
This book is a masterclass in the art of psychological and visceral horror, expertly blending the grotesque with profound emotional depth. Its pace is blistering, pulling readers into a maelstrom of fear and dread. As Jenna encounters a series of horrifying events, the descriptions of gore and terror span all five senses —every drip of blood and scream of fear, is rendered in striking clarity. This immersive approach ensures that readers experience the horror alongside Jenna, feeling her terror in real-time as she narrowly escapes one horrific encounter only to be thrust into another.
The Ravening is more than just a relentless horror story. It dives deep into real-life demons that shadow us daily—PTSD, grief, bullying, and self-worth. The narrative eloquently illustrates that the monsters lurking in the dark are not always the most terrifying. Often, the real monsters are the struggles and emotional battles we face in our everyday lives. Through Jenna’s experiences, the book underscores the importance of clinging to the small, cherished details that help us persevere amidst adversity. There’s even a spicy sense to ease the tension.
The historical references woven into the story enrich the plot, grounding the ancient demon at the heart of the tale in a context that feels both plausible and daunting. These elements not only enhance the believability of the demon’s existence but also serve as a testament to the long-standing struggle humanity has faced against this dark force.
Overall, The Ravening is a compelling blend of fast-paced horror and meaningful commentary on personal struggles. Its chilling atmosphere, combined with its exploration of both supernatural and real-world demons, makes it a standout in the genre. If you’re a fan of horror that goes beyond the surface and digs deep into the human psyche, this book is a must-read.
From the creator of The Hollows comes, a chilling horror thriller that will captivate fans of Stephen Graham Jones's The Only Good Indian. Jenna's life has been marked by hardship, from the mysterious disappearance of her mother to escaping an abusive relationship. Now seeking solace with her new girlfriend, Holly, Jenna finds herself haunted by a malevolent darkness that refuses to let her go. It’s a suspenseful novel that pits Jenna against both ancient evils and personal demons, exploring themes of trust, self-belief, and the faint glimmer of love in a world shrouded in terror.
This book is a masterclass in the art of psychological and visceral horror, expertly blending the grotesque with profound emotional depth. Its pace is blistering, pulling readers into a maelstrom of fear and dread. As Jenna encounters a series of horrifying events, the descriptions of gore and terror span all five senses —every drip of blood and scream of fear, is rendered in striking clarity. This immersive approach ensures that readers experience the horror alongside Jenna, feeling her terror in real-time as she narrowly escapes one horrific encounter only to be thrust into another.
The Ravening is more than just a relentless horror story. It dives deep into real-life demons that shadow us daily—PTSD, grief, bullying, and self-worth. The narrative eloquently illustrates that the monsters lurking in the dark are not always the most terrifying. Often, the real monsters are the struggles and emotional battles we face in our everyday lives. Through Jenna’s experiences, the book underscores the importance of clinging to the small, cherished details that help us persevere amidst adversity. There’s even a spicy sense to ease the tension.
The historical references woven into the story enrich the plot, grounding the ancient demon at the heart of the tale in a context that feels both plausible and daunting. These elements not only enhance the believability of the demon’s existence but also serve as a testament to the long-standing struggle humanity has faced against this dark force.
Overall, The Ravening is a compelling blend of fast-paced horror and meaningful commentary on personal struggles. Its chilling atmosphere, combined with its exploration of both supernatural and real-world demons, makes it a standout in the genre. If you’re a fan of horror that goes beyond the surface and digs deep into the human psyche, this book is a must-read.
August 21, 2024
“The Ravening” follows Jenna, a 30 year old who is struggling with abandonment issues from her childhood trauma. 15 years prior she got into a car accident in the woods, her mother was driving and when she got out to inspect the damage she suddenly vanished leaving no trace, never to be seen again.
Back in the present day Jenna finds herself kidnapped and held hostage in the woods. Everything ties back to the woods and the nature setting is atmospheric and sets a creepy isolated outdoorsy scene for the majority of our plot.
Read if you enjoy:
- self exploration, character growth and acceptance
- creatures of the woods
- ancient evil / occult
- strong female lead
Triggers:
- body autonomy
- abortion themes
Thank you to @angryrobotbooks and Daniel Church for the
ARC.
Publish date: September 24th 2024
August 8, 2024
DNF @ 100 pages
This is a forced pregnancy/kidnapping/confinement story. This isn't a spoiler as it happens within the first 50 pages. I don't know why it isn't mentioned in the blurb. If I'd known the real premise of this book, I wouldn't have chosen to read it.
This is a forced pregnancy/kidnapping/confinement story. This isn't a spoiler as it happens within the first 50 pages. I don't know why it isn't mentioned in the blurb. If I'd known the real premise of this book, I wouldn't have chosen to read it.
July 15, 2024
Started out strong with an autumnal atmosphere and a frightening hook; but, after the trip to Wales, the story swerved into territory I wasn’t expecting and kinda spiralled from there:
● I really wish there’d been content warnings so I’m adding some of the bottom of this review. Some might be a bit spoilery, so FYI. There was one thread in particular that deeply distressed me that I’d wished I’d known about beforehand:
● This author has a preoccupation with overly dramatic gun shootout scenes that just don’t fit the setting or the vibe he’s going for with UK folk horror.
● The first was intense and stressful but the 3? 4? more we had just felt like we were being punished for something.
● At first, I loved the idea of the Bonewalker but once we entered the whole concept lost me.
● Overuse of the word “babe”, which I never want to hear again after this
● Jenna was really difficult to root for: she was obnoxious, facetious, and uncommunicative.
● Why do people want to live forever? That just sounds exhausting.
Despite all of that, for this reader, The Ravening was an improvement over The Hollows and scaled back a lot of what I felt ruined that book. I’d very cautiously give Church’s next novel a read as he’s clearly developing as a writer; but, tbh I don’t think I’d seek out another one of his books in a hurry.
⚠️ Additional Content Warnings ⚠️
Death of parent, gore, violent assault and injury, forced confinement, kidnapping, imprisonment, rape, forced birth, gun violence, murder, violation of consent, attempted suicide, homophobia, bullying, violence, excessive swearing
I was privileged to have my request to read this book accepted through NetGalley. Thanks for letting me give it a go, Angry Robot! 🤖
● I really wish there’d been content warnings so I’m adding some of the bottom of this review. Some might be a bit spoilery, so FYI. There was one thread in particular that deeply distressed me that I’d wished I’d known about beforehand:
● This author has a preoccupation with overly dramatic gun shootout scenes that just don’t fit the setting or the vibe he’s going for with UK folk horror.
● The first was intense and stressful but the 3? 4? more we had just felt like we were being punished for something.
● At first, I loved the idea of the Bonewalker but once we entered the whole concept lost me.
● Overuse of the word “babe”, which I never want to hear again after this
● Jenna was really difficult to root for: she was obnoxious, facetious, and uncommunicative.
● Why do people want to live forever? That just sounds exhausting.
Despite all of that, for this reader, The Ravening was an improvement over The Hollows and scaled back a lot of what I felt ruined that book. I’d very cautiously give Church’s next novel a read as he’s clearly developing as a writer; but, tbh I don’t think I’d seek out another one of his books in a hurry.
⚠️ Additional Content Warnings ⚠️
Death of parent, gore, violent assault and injury, forced confinement, kidnapping, imprisonment, rape, forced birth, gun violence, murder, violation of consent, attempted suicide, homophobia, bullying, violence, excessive swearing
I was privileged to have my request to read this book accepted through NetGalley. Thanks for letting me give it a go, Angry Robot! 🤖
July 17, 2024
This is not my usual genre, and I really liked it. There is intrigue, fast pace, villains and heroes, and female love. Very interesting and keeps moving right up until the end.
July 29, 2024
Thanks to Angry Robot for this ARC, always appreciated.
Spoilers ahead
I went into this book fairly blind, as there are no trigger warnings and the blurb is vague. I don’t have any triggers per se, but I do not enjoy reading about pregnancy in any capacity. If I had known this going in, I wouldn’t have requested the book.
I did enjoy the beginning bit, and the dialogue was interesting. Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. I would give this author another go, as long as it didn’t involve pregnancy.
Spoilers ahead
I went into this book fairly blind, as there are no trigger warnings and the blurb is vague. I don’t have any triggers per se, but I do not enjoy reading about pregnancy in any capacity. If I had known this going in, I wouldn’t have requested the book.
I did enjoy the beginning bit, and the dialogue was interesting. Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. I would give this author another go, as long as it didn’t involve pregnancy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2024
🐦⬛ THE RAVENING by Daniel Church 🐦⬛
🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
Rounded up to 3 for Goodreads.
Thank you to NetGalley, Angry Robot and the Author for providing me with an ARC to review.
This was… fine. I don’t know I don’t think this was for me. The cover and premise sounded intriguing but unfortunately I don’t think the execution was there. This was set up as a great British folk horror inspired thriller, but what I got was not what the start had me enthralled by.
To clarify, the beginning of this book (first 6 chapters or so) was insanely good. I really liked the suspense, I liked the set up scene with Jenna as a teenager and I adored the mystery surrounding the “Bonewalker” (which is also a really cool name). It fell apart when she is kidnapped.
I really wanted this to be the classic, creature from childhood terrorises woman on a trip to the woods decades later, but what I got was a kidnapping thriller about a megalomaniac that isn’t really set up prior with the help of said creature. I can appreciate, and even applaud, the attempt to subvert the aforementioned trope, but it just wasn’t executed in a way that enthralled me.
I’m a character driven man, I love my characters to be hateable, loveable, relatable or any combination of the three. What I can’t get behind is characters that annoy me because of any of the three, and unfortunately Jenna falls into that category. At least I’m glad she’s self aware of it.
The prose was standard, easy to read, thriller-core and the dialogue was a step below that.
I can’t help but WISH for the life of me that the atmosphere from the beginning of the book was held onto because the interspersion of real world history and the supernatural/divine here would have absolutely KILLED it. I would’ve loved this if it was just the tropey nonsense that I adore.
This is not a negative review due to the quality of the book, this is a good quality book. This was just a good quality book that wasn’t for me.
🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
Rounded up to 3 for Goodreads.
Thank you to NetGalley, Angry Robot and the Author for providing me with an ARC to review.
This was… fine. I don’t know I don’t think this was for me. The cover and premise sounded intriguing but unfortunately I don’t think the execution was there. This was set up as a great British folk horror inspired thriller, but what I got was not what the start had me enthralled by.
To clarify, the beginning of this book (first 6 chapters or so) was insanely good. I really liked the suspense, I liked the set up scene with Jenna as a teenager and I adored the mystery surrounding the “Bonewalker” (which is also a really cool name). It fell apart when she is kidnapped.
I really wanted this to be the classic, creature from childhood terrorises woman on a trip to the woods decades later, but what I got was a kidnapping thriller about a megalomaniac that isn’t really set up prior with the help of said creature. I can appreciate, and even applaud, the attempt to subvert the aforementioned trope, but it just wasn’t executed in a way that enthralled me.
I’m a character driven man, I love my characters to be hateable, loveable, relatable or any combination of the three. What I can’t get behind is characters that annoy me because of any of the three, and unfortunately Jenna falls into that category. At least I’m glad she’s self aware of it.
The prose was standard, easy to read, thriller-core and the dialogue was a step below that.
I can’t help but WISH for the life of me that the atmosphere from the beginning of the book was held onto because the interspersion of real world history and the supernatural/divine here would have absolutely KILLED it. I would’ve loved this if it was just the tropey nonsense that I adore.
This is not a negative review due to the quality of the book, this is a good quality book. This was just a good quality book that wasn’t for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2024
The Ravening is a veritable chunky and visceral feast of a book for fans of horror.
Our carefully crafted companion, Jenna, is haughty, naughty and flawed; unsurprisingly after the terrifying way she loses her mum when still a teen in the early chapter where the tone is set with hints of ancient horrors to yet be unleashed upon us.
Fast forward several years, multiple deliveries of bad luck and a trauma laden 6 pound chip on her shoulder – we meet back up with Jenna and things seem to be taking a turn for the better in a relationship that is blooming despite her fear of commitment and lack of trust in everyone.
And that luck of trust proves portentious, as this is where the vortex of bad luck and injustice continues to sweep her up again and again to the extent that I had to keep putting the book down to take a breather from what she had to endure. But I was never far from picking it up again as it haunted me when I wasn’t in its pages.
There’s ancient bloodlines. Savage immortal creatures. Dark woodlands. Evil posh people and cold hearted doctors. Retibution and celebration into commiseration and frustration. Other worlds (how I loved that) and even some history around the Knights Templar.
Savagery and claustrophobia that won’t put you down all interlaced with a sardonic black humour from our protagonist – who is so well constructed that I feel I know her and in being so, feel every injustice personally. I almost read from behind a cushion.
Fast paced, brutal but always with a glint in its eye delivering little reprieves to the constant onslaught of WTF moments. The Ravening is an absolute joy to read and completely exhausting in all the ways I so desperately crave from books.
Daniel Church, bigup your badass (and very talented) self and kudos to Angry Robot for allow me the privilege of reading this advance copy.
Our carefully crafted companion, Jenna, is haughty, naughty and flawed; unsurprisingly after the terrifying way she loses her mum when still a teen in the early chapter where the tone is set with hints of ancient horrors to yet be unleashed upon us.
Fast forward several years, multiple deliveries of bad luck and a trauma laden 6 pound chip on her shoulder – we meet back up with Jenna and things seem to be taking a turn for the better in a relationship that is blooming despite her fear of commitment and lack of trust in everyone.
And that luck of trust proves portentious, as this is where the vortex of bad luck and injustice continues to sweep her up again and again to the extent that I had to keep putting the book down to take a breather from what she had to endure. But I was never far from picking it up again as it haunted me when I wasn’t in its pages.
There’s ancient bloodlines. Savage immortal creatures. Dark woodlands. Evil posh people and cold hearted doctors. Retibution and celebration into commiseration and frustration. Other worlds (how I loved that) and even some history around the Knights Templar.
Savagery and claustrophobia that won’t put you down all interlaced with a sardonic black humour from our protagonist – who is so well constructed that I feel I know her and in being so, feel every injustice personally. I almost read from behind a cushion.
Fast paced, brutal but always with a glint in its eye delivering little reprieves to the constant onslaught of WTF moments. The Ravening is an absolute joy to read and completely exhausting in all the ways I so desperately crave from books.
Daniel Church, bigup your badass (and very talented) self and kudos to Angry Robot for allow me the privilege of reading this advance copy.
August 30, 2024
*The Ravening* is a compelling fusion of horror and suspense, skillfully crafted by Daniel Church, who uses the eerie setting of the woodlands to create a tense and foreboding atmosphere. From the outset, the reader is thrust into a world of chaos and dread, with the vivid descriptions making it easy to empathize with Jenna’s increasingly claustrophobic experience.
During the first half of the novel, I found myself completely absorbed, eagerly turning pages late into the night to uncover the fate of the main character’s mother. The story's initial pace and the unraveling mysteries keep you hooked, evoking a sense of urgency that is difficult to resist. However, as the narrative progresses, the momentum begins to wane. The latter half of the book drags somewhat, with the pacing becoming slower and less engaging, leading me to skim through certain sections in an effort to reach the conclusion.
One of the standout aspects of *The Ravening* is its well-developed characters. While the cast is not extensive, each character is given a distinct background and motivation, adding depth to their actions and making Jenna’s personal struggles all the more poignant. Jenna herself undergoes significant growth throughout the story. Initially portrayed as closed-off and, at times, difficult to connect with due to her traumatic past, she gradually evolves into a more open and trusting individual, thanks in part to her relationship with her partner, Holly.
Daniel Church's writing style is both thrilling and engaging, making *The Ravening* a memorable read despite its slower sections. His ability to build suspense and create an immersive atmosphere suggests that his future works will be well worth exploring.
For fans of horror and mystery-thriller novels who appreciate suspenseful and atmospheric storytelling, *The Ravening* is certainly a novel to consider.
July 5, 2024
It is almost impossible to write this review without spoiling the story, you have been warned, however what I will say before you read any further is that when the blurb says 'claustrophobic horror' it doesn't even begin to scrap the surface of what the book unravels.
The beginning of this story begins so long before the beginning of this book but you only realise that you fall down that rabbit when it's too late. When a pregnant Jenna is desperately trying to escape a psycho ex who is trying to get his hands on the baby she doesn't want she comes face to face with her past and the literal monster that took her mother from her.
The thing about this addictive horror is that once Jenna escapes the first time you convince yourself that the worst is over, she wakes up baby free, her ex is dead and she is now fully aware of what killed her mother. HOWEVER she finds herself in a simple situation the only difference is that her captor is a Dr who is willing to fill in all the blank spots for her and explain to her what in the heck is going on.
With the help of her beloved Holly she manages to get out, face the monster, find her strength and seemingly defeat the evil that haunts her.
If you thought 'yay happy ending' you'd be wrong because Daniel was not done yet! You get my point, hecking brilliant read, the story was so captivating and I definitely felt highly claustrophobic and desperate to find a way out of this mystical horror.
If you got this far then i HIGHLY RECOMMEND you read this book!
The beginning of this story begins so long before the beginning of this book but you only realise that you fall down that rabbit when it's too late. When a pregnant Jenna is desperately trying to escape a psycho ex who is trying to get his hands on the baby she doesn't want she comes face to face with her past and the literal monster that took her mother from her.
The thing about this addictive horror is that once Jenna escapes the first time you convince yourself that the worst is over, she wakes up baby free, her ex is dead and she is now fully aware of what killed her mother. HOWEVER she finds herself in a simple situation the only difference is that her captor is a Dr who is willing to fill in all the blank spots for her and explain to her what in the heck is going on.
With the help of her beloved Holly she manages to get out, face the monster, find her strength and seemingly defeat the evil that haunts her.
If you thought 'yay happy ending' you'd be wrong because Daniel was not done yet! You get my point, hecking brilliant read, the story was so captivating and I definitely felt highly claustrophobic and desperate to find a way out of this mystical horror.
If you got this far then i HIGHLY RECOMMEND you read this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2024
There are certain books which almost defy explanation. This is one of those books. By trying to explain the plot you'll simply give too much away or not do it justice.
So I'll just say that this novel has a monster, a great protagonist who's being kidnapped just to make babies, and it involves a dream world and history of the Knights Templer.
And this author makes all of it work in a terrifying and full speed ahead manner which makes this novel absolutely fun to read.
The monster is, indeed, loathsome and evil while the protagonist is a loner. She's also very outspoken and sarcastic as well as a bit of a badass!
Some of the scenes in this book are the stuff of action films. They're exciting, thrilling, and you never know what the outcome will be. But the meat of the story is the protagonist herself. From a traumatic experience when she was fifteen to her now lonely lifestyle, putting up so many walls that even a tank couldn't break through, to her new relationship which she believes is going to go belly up because "everybody leaves eventually".
Her life is really an out of control wreck already. Then comes the monster and the kidnappers. It just makes for a fantastic and horrifying read.
I highly recommend this book. You've never read anything quite like it.
I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
So I'll just say that this novel has a monster, a great protagonist who's being kidnapped just to make babies, and it involves a dream world and history of the Knights Templer.
And this author makes all of it work in a terrifying and full speed ahead manner which makes this novel absolutely fun to read.
The monster is, indeed, loathsome and evil while the protagonist is a loner. She's also very outspoken and sarcastic as well as a bit of a badass!
Some of the scenes in this book are the stuff of action films. They're exciting, thrilling, and you never know what the outcome will be. But the meat of the story is the protagonist herself. From a traumatic experience when she was fifteen to her now lonely lifestyle, putting up so many walls that even a tank couldn't break through, to her new relationship which she believes is going to go belly up because "everybody leaves eventually".
Her life is really an out of control wreck already. Then comes the monster and the kidnappers. It just makes for a fantastic and horrifying read.
I highly recommend this book. You've never read anything quite like it.
I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
August 10, 2024
I loved the Hollows so very much, so I was super excited to hear that Daniel Church had written a new book. The opening scene/setting pulled me right in and I figured I was in for another tension filled horror read. Rather quickly the story moved on around 10 years and the pace and atmosphere changed dramatically. This was also short lived as the book then moved on to what felt more like a crime/mystery/horror rather than the supernatural horror I was looking forward to. Not that there was anything wrong with this part of the novel - it was much like what I was used to when I read other genres. By this stage I was still hovering around 4 stars. But I was thrown off kilter once more by the introduction of dream-like scenes (I hate dream scenes) which promptly caused me to lose interest, start skim reading and to throw one star out the window, whilst barely holding on to the next star in my hand.
I got nothing out of the historical interludes, I was driven mad by the use of the word "babe" and really didn't need the graphic sex scene.
A two star read leveled up to three simply because it's Daniel Church.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I got nothing out of the historical interludes, I was driven mad by the use of the word "babe" and really didn't need the graphic sex scene.
A two star read leveled up to three simply because it's Daniel Church.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 30, 2024
Ad/PR - I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The first half of this book had me GRIPPED - I couldn’t stop reading and was desperate to find out what would happen next.
About halfway through, the pacing begin to drag and I skim-read quite a lot of it. It wasn’t so bad as to be DNF-worthy (I still wanted to see how it ended), but I struggled to stay focussed on the plot and the characters.
The main character, Jenna, had a fantastic journey and development. Somehow, Daniel Church made her both unreliable and loveable. I was rooting for her the entire time (although maybe that’s because everything that happened to her was entirely abhorrent).
Jenn’s girlfriend Holly was a little one-dimensional to me. I was constantly wondering if we were going to get a deeper backstory or something to make her more interesting, but it never happened.
Overall I did enjoy this story, but I would have loved for the pacing to be continuous and for a bit more of that uneasy horror-story feeling that I got in the first half.
Thank you to Angry Robot for the proof copy!!! 🫶
The first half of this book had me GRIPPED - I couldn’t stop reading and was desperate to find out what would happen next.
About halfway through, the pacing begin to drag and I skim-read quite a lot of it. It wasn’t so bad as to be DNF-worthy (I still wanted to see how it ended), but I struggled to stay focussed on the plot and the characters.
The main character, Jenna, had a fantastic journey and development. Somehow, Daniel Church made her both unreliable and loveable. I was rooting for her the entire time (although maybe that’s because everything that happened to her was entirely abhorrent).
Jenn’s girlfriend Holly was a little one-dimensional to me. I was constantly wondering if we were going to get a deeper backstory or something to make her more interesting, but it never happened.
Overall I did enjoy this story, but I would have loved for the pacing to be continuous and for a bit more of that uneasy horror-story feeling that I got in the first half.
Thank you to Angry Robot for the proof copy!!! 🫶
July 18, 2024
Thanks to Angry Robot and NetGalley for this ARC for an honest review.
I wanted to love this book. It started out so promising, with what seemed like a clear direction of what to expect. Then, the plot shifted into a new direction. When the two directions were brought together, it felt forced. Everything just seemed to go off the rails after that. I wanted to DNF many times, but as this was an RTR book, I felt I owed it to the author to follow through.
It's difficult to write about points of the book without spoiling the plot. Plots? The characters aren't very likeable, I hope to never read the word 'babe' again, and some of the action scenes felt like they were there just because the author wanted to write them rather than because they made sense with the plot. I believe that with more time, the author has potential. He has ideas and writes well. While this is not a book I would recommend, I would be interested in reading future works by the author to see how they have progressed.
I wanted to love this book. It started out so promising, with what seemed like a clear direction of what to expect. Then, the plot shifted into a new direction. When the two directions were brought together, it felt forced. Everything just seemed to go off the rails after that. I wanted to DNF many times, but as this was an RTR book, I felt I owed it to the author to follow through.
It's difficult to write about points of the book without spoiling the plot. Plots? The characters aren't very likeable, I hope to never read the word 'babe' again, and some of the action scenes felt like they were there just because the author wanted to write them rather than because they made sense with the plot. I believe that with more time, the author has potential. He has ideas and writes well. While this is not a book I would recommend, I would be interested in reading future works by the author to see how they have progressed.
Read
August 4, 2024𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡
A claustrophobic horror that sets a timeless nightmare against one women and her belief in herself, and the possibility that somewhere, somehow, there is love in the world. From the traumatic and mysterious loss of her mother on a dark woodland road when she was young and the abusive and controlling partner she’s recently escaped shows this character’s life has always been a fight for survival.
She knows the world is full of darkness, some of it ancient and some of it closer to home but even so she hopes to believe that love can triumph over all. But evil is not so easy to look way from and neither is it willing to let her go. This was an incredibly claustrophobic horror novel that could not be read at any time other than in the light of the day. There was something frightening and dreadful with every turn of the page and this book still keeps me awake at night.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡
A claustrophobic horror that sets a timeless nightmare against one women and her belief in herself, and the possibility that somewhere, somehow, there is love in the world. From the traumatic and mysterious loss of her mother on a dark woodland road when she was young and the abusive and controlling partner she’s recently escaped shows this character’s life has always been a fight for survival.
She knows the world is full of darkness, some of it ancient and some of it closer to home but even so she hopes to believe that love can triumph over all. But evil is not so easy to look way from and neither is it willing to let her go. This was an incredibly claustrophobic horror novel that could not be read at any time other than in the light of the day. There was something frightening and dreadful with every turn of the page and this book still keeps me awake at night.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡
August 13, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC!
DNF at 20%. Our very first introduction to Elaine, whose disappearance ostensibly drives the protagonist and the rest of the story, is her saying we should bring back hitting children, which threw off any negative emotions I would have felt about her murder/disappearance/kidnapping/whatever. The way Jenna was written made me feel like the author disliked her, which was also off-putting. I love an unlikeable character, but when the author themselves doesn't like their own creation, it's just hard to read. I was also totally thrown off by the disconnect between the story itself and the marketing -- for anyone reading this, the bulk of the story up until the point where I decided to stop was about forced pregnancy and kidnapping, which was hardly the folk horror setup the blurbs promised.
DNF at 20%. Our very first introduction to Elaine, whose disappearance ostensibly drives the protagonist and the rest of the story, is her saying we should bring back hitting children, which threw off any negative emotions I would have felt about her murder/disappearance/kidnapping/whatever. The way Jenna was written made me feel like the author disliked her, which was also off-putting. I love an unlikeable character, but when the author themselves doesn't like their own creation, it's just hard to read. I was also totally thrown off by the disconnect between the story itself and the marketing -- for anyone reading this, the bulk of the story up until the point where I decided to stop was about forced pregnancy and kidnapping, which was hardly the folk horror setup the blurbs promised.
August 26, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for granting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While there is potential for this book, it is in desperate need of quality control. There's just too much faff. The sheer amount of highly specific references, overwriting, ungainly hyperbolic characterization, and drama that is far too intense in the weirdest moments, made this sound distinctly Wattpadesque. The author was clearly having fun while writing, but that fun was transferred to me the same way I imagine it would be if I were watching a kid take a fat dump in a sandbox from across the park. Feels like someone should be monitoring and correcting this behavior, especially since it's a public spectacle, but the poor thing has been left unattended.
While there is potential for this book, it is in desperate need of quality control. There's just too much faff. The sheer amount of highly specific references, overwriting, ungainly hyperbolic characterization, and drama that is far too intense in the weirdest moments, made this sound distinctly Wattpadesque. The author was clearly having fun while writing, but that fun was transferred to me the same way I imagine it would be if I were watching a kid take a fat dump in a sandbox from across the park. Feels like someone should be monitoring and correcting this behavior, especially since it's a public spectacle, but the poor thing has been left unattended.
August 8, 2024
In The Ravening we follow our main character Jenna, who tragically lost her mother in a dark woodland when she was a teenager. She's recently escaped an abusive relationship and had found a new love in Holly.
But Jenna's world is full of Evil and darkness. Can Jenna survive? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So what we have here is an atmospheric, foreboding horror novel, full of emotion and feeling that'll have you daring yourself to turn the next page.
It's haunting, it's eerie, it's creepy. Everything you want from a horror.
The characters were well developed and had decent depth, and the storyline flowed well.
I read this in two sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 "s from me.
But Jenna's world is full of Evil and darkness. Can Jenna survive? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So what we have here is an atmospheric, foreboding horror novel, full of emotion and feeling that'll have you daring yourself to turn the next page.
It's haunting, it's eerie, it's creepy. Everything you want from a horror.
The characters were well developed and had decent depth, and the storyline flowed well.
I read this in two sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 "s from me.
August 2, 2024
Wow this was a gripping read. I could barely put it down! The otherworldly horror vibes and also the vibes of forced conception. I was screaming for Jenna at every turn. I don't know what scared me more, the monster in the woods or the humans trying to breed Jenna like a broodmare. The lore of the Templar knights thrown in there was a great way to include some background and context when we discover who the monster is. Loved this!
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2024
This was not for me I afraid.
It was nearly a DNF early on due to how annoying I found the main character, but I carried on, intrigued by what could be happening.
It's fair to say a lot is happening, some of it pretty wild.
If that's your cup of tea, you will love this.
I just didn't.
I never need to hear the word "babe" again after this.
It was nearly a DNF early on due to how annoying I found the main character, but I carried on, intrigued by what could be happening.
It's fair to say a lot is happening, some of it pretty wild.
If that's your cup of tea, you will love this.
I just didn't.
I never need to hear the word "babe" again after this.
August 16, 2024
So, this book was okay. I picked it up because it was compared to Stephen Graham Jones, and I love his work. However, it kinda just felt like more female trauma written by a male author for male gratification. Which is not what the author probably wanted to do. IDK, it just wasn't the vibe.
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