amandaglowgetter's reviews
484 reviews

 

I finished this book almost a month ago and have been struggling to put together my thoughts on it. I think that part of what is stumping me a bit is that this book kind of defies genres. If you’re expecting a straight-up horror novel, you’re going to be disappointed. It is certainly a gothic novel – the sense of ominous mystery and dread that permeates your typical gothic novel is definitely present – though not necessarily gothic horror specifically. The best I’ve got to describe it is a gothic eco-horror domestic thriller. 

 

Thematically, there’s lots of family secrets, enmeshment, as well as family expectations and tradition. When the Haddsley siblings bury their dying patriarch in the bog, the bog reneges on its ancient compact and does not produce a bog wife. In this one event, it seems that the rule book gets thrown away, and we see each of the siblings cope with that in their own way. 

 

My favourite of the siblings is Wenna, I think because I strongly relate to the black sheep of the family who tries to strike out on her own but sometimes finds herself falling into old patterns. I really enjoyed learning about each character’s personality, past, and place in the family. 

 

I also think I wish that there were more explanation and resolution in the ending? The situation with THAT family member’s return, why they were gone in the first place, how any of this was possible… I’m not sure. It all just ventured into a bit of ambiguous, surreal, almost cosmic vibes at the end there. 

 

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy for review.