anchovysaurus's reviews
246 reviews

Slewfoot is a forest deity with amnesia and an existential crisis. While this book was marketed as a horror novel, I didn't feel the sense of dread or anticipation that horrors generally evoke. It also doesn't make sense that Slewfoot would strike up the relationship he has with Abitha, who is part of the coloniser community destroying the land, instead of an indigenous woman who would probably recognise his contribution to the natural world. 

Maggie's Grave is full of non-stop action and hideously gory [and well-deserved] death scenes. 

Unfortunately, the main characters are teenagers with relationship problems who make so many consecutive poor decisions. It features a hitchhiking, horny American tourist who demands to see the titular grave - an uninspired choice, in my opinion. 

The book starts in 1657 with Maggie awaiting her death, but that scene took the mystery and intrigue out of the townspeople's actions in later chapters and reduced the suspense. I wonder if the story structure would be improved if we got the 1657 and 2019 timelines playing out in each alternate chapter.

Also,  I wish Maggie could've found her actual baby! Perhaps that could've given her some semblance of peace.

Wakenhyrst is a modern Gothic horror novel that hits the essential points: the family manor, the wild fen, and the slow creeping of insanity. Throughout the story, there's an eerie sense of tension that culminates in some satisfying revelations.