Echo by Thomas Olde Heuvelt
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Oh my days, that start
Flipping heck this book starts with a total mind blowing scene – by which I mean you’ll need to sit behind a cushion. To be honest, having read Hex, I already knew that this author could write some creepy prose and Echo is no exception. What really stands out for me with both Hex and Echo is that although they’re both completely different stories they both rely on superstition and ever increasing fear. I will mention that this book is not a book to race through, it’s also not a slasher-type-in-your-face horror. What it is is a character focused tale involving a traumatic experience that is slowly revealed with insidious subtlety until the dramatic conclusion ends in a turbulent finale.
I will only briefly describe the plot. As the story begins we make the acquaintance of Nick Grevers a mountaineer who wakes up in hospital with horrific facial injuries, his climbing partner Augustin is missing presumed dead and all the evidence points to anything but an actual climbing accident. From here we meet Nick’s partner Sam and experience his struggle to come to terms with what’s happened and from there other accidents occur and things start to look bleak.
Okay, what I really liked about this book.
The attention to detail in terms of the mountain climbing, the cold, the snow and the physical danger are excellent. It’s atmospheric and then some.
There is a heavy play on superstition, the sort of elements that are woven into the story with such a deft hand that you could read this as hysteria, delusion or knee jerk reaction. It’s a brilliant touch because you’re never quite sure what’s really going on and it puts you on the edge of your seat reading furiously to find out.
On top of this there’s the mystery of what actually took place and this is kept under wraps and revealed little by little. The writing is well done and I loved the way the author uses references to other horror stories with opening chapters taken from well known books together with references to Prometheus and Frankenstein.
The other really clever element is the characters. Primarily Nick and Sam but also Sam’s sister, one of the medical staff who treated Nick originally and the people in the small village who really don’t like outsiders and any sort of upset in the balance. We jump back to an earlier trauma that Sam and his sister experienced and how this affected them both in later life – in particular in terms of misremembering things and how this leads to feelings of guilt.
However, the really winning element of the story is the mountain itself. Unfathomable, dangerous, elusive, ever changing, defying any attempt to conquer it. Dark, mysterious and foreboding.
In terms of criticisms. I think this is longer than I expected. There is an element of reinforcement of certain aspects that begins to feel a little repetitive and certainly some points are stretched out. Not enough to spoil my enjoyment but I think it’s good to be forewarned that this is a slow burn.
I don’t want to really give too much away here which is why this review will be necessarily short. This is a creepy and menacing story that relies heavily on exceptional characters, family ties and superstitions that have become so deep rooted that they almost feel like hysteria.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars.
Can’t Wait Wednesday : Book of Night by Holly Black
9 February 2022
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book of Night, Can't wait Wednesday, Holly Black, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is: Book of Night by Holly Black. I’m always excited when I hear that Holly Black has a new release in the pipeline and this one has me bouncing up and down. Here’s the description:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black makes her stunning adult debut with Book of Night, a modern dark fantasy of shadowy thieves and secret societies in the vein of Ninth House and The Night Circus
In Charlie Hall’s world, shadows can be altered, for entertainment and cosmetic preferences—but also to increase power and influence. You can alter someone’s feelings—and memories—but manipulating shadows has a cost, with the potential to take hours or days from your life. Your shadow holds all the parts of you that you want to keep hidden—a second self, standing just to your left, walking behind you into lit rooms. And sometimes, it has a life of its own.
Charlie is a low-level con artist, working as a bartender while trying to distance herself from the powerful and dangerous underground world of shadow trading. She gets by doing odd jobs for her patrons and the naive new money in her town at the edge of the Berkshires. But when a terrible figure from her past returns, Charlie’s present life is thrown into chaos, and her future seems at best, unclear—and at worst, non-existent. Determined to survive, Charlie throws herself into a maelstrom of secrets and murder, setting her against a cast of doppelgangers, mercurial billionaires, shadow thieves, and her own sister—all desperate to control the magic of the shadows.
With sharp angles and prose, and a sinister bent, Holly Black is a master of shadow and story stitching. Remember while you read, light isn’t playing tricks in Book of Night, the people are.
Expected publication : May 2022
Top Ten Tuesday : February Book Tag
8 February 2022
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: February Tag, Month of Romance, Romance Freebie, That Artsy Reader Girl, Top Ten Tuesday
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme where every Tuesday we look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) bookish examples to demonstrate that particular topic. Top Ten Tuesday (created and hosted by The Broke and Bookish) is now being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and future week’s topics can be found here. This week’s topic is:
A love freebie
My love freebie is going to be a tag that I’ve put together for the month of February (the month of romance) with ten prompts:
1.
The shortest month of the year – A short story or novella that you would like everyone to know about
My first book is a lovely novella called Snowspelled (the first in the Harwood Spellbook series) by Stephanie Burgis. A book that feels positively Austen(ish) with magic, elves and a nugget of a romance.
2.
Valentine’s Day – your favourite romance novel
I was torn with this one. Strictly speaking I don’t read romance novels – which isn’t to say that I don’t read books where romances play a part – but, I have read a few romances over the course of my reading life and I definitely had a few contenders for this one but I’ve gone for a book that definitely has longevity. The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Jamie and Claire make for some very entertaining reading.
3.
Leap Year – ‘One Ring to Rule Them All’ – the year for proposing. A book with your favourite couple
Again, quite a few favourite couples for this one but I’ve decided to go with another couple from a series with longevity and that have definitely been put through the wringer. Adam and Mercy from the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. I’m loving this series and I’m always anxious to return.
4.
Romeo – Could be a book boyfriend, could be your favourite male character
I have only one book boyfriend. I’m ridiculously faithful in this respect. My book boyfriend is Jean Tannen – best buddy to Locke Lamora (The Gentleman Bastard series by Scott Lynch. I don’t know what it is about this character that appeals to me but I just like him – and I can’t wait for the next instalment so that I can read some more of these two maniacsm shenanigans.
5.
Juliet – Could be a book girlfriend, could be your favourite female character
I thought to go with a longish series for this one such as the Toby Daye books or True Blood series but then I was scanning through my lists and realised that I loved the character Vasilisa from Katherine Arden’s Winternight Trilogy. This is such a beautiful series of books that I highly recommend.
6.
Love Triangle – love it or hate it
Well, the first love triangle that popped into my head was the one between Bella, Edward and Jacob from Stephanie Meyers Twilight. Love it or hate it this is a book that really divided opinion. And, for a long time we had a lot of vampire stories flooding the market – not to mention a surge in love triangles. I can’t say I really enjoyed the relationship(s) between these three and I can’t deny it put me off the whole idea of love triangles.
7.
Enemies to lovers
Well, for this prompt I thought I’d go with a well tried, often (for me) reread classic. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I love this book and watching the change between Ms Bennet and Mr Darcy as they get over themselves and finally come to terms with the fact that they’re inexplicably in love – especially given the way Darcy originally proposed:
‘In vain I have struggled. It will not do! My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. In declaring myself thus I’m fully aware that I will be going expressly against the wishes of my family, my friends, and, I hardly need add, my own better judgement.
The relative situation of our families is such that any alliance between us must be regarded as a highly reprehensible connection’ – not exactly rocking the romance vibe is he.
8.
Sweet like chocolate – a book that is positively delicious
I’m going to go for the Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris. This is in fact the fourth in the Chocolat series but I think you could quite safely read this as a standalone. It’s an absolutely beautiful story, amazing writing, great characters and oozing with emotion. And chocolate.
9.
A Rose By Any Other Name – a book with a romance that you didn’t expect
The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart. This is the second book in the Drowning Empire series and I’m loving it. The romance between two of the main characters is only just beginning to bloom and it isn’t the main focus of the story by a long shot but it’s got a lovely slow burn feel to it. This is a story set in an absolutely fascinating world. The magic and creatures are incredibly unique and the characters are really well drawn.
10.
A book that broke your heart
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. Well, it didn’t break my heart really but when I read this I was only about 15 and I so wanted the happy ending. Famous last lines notwithstanding at the end of this I just simply didn’t have the gumption to write my own happily ever after in my head. Ahh, how I loved this book though.
I’m not going to tag anyone in particular but if you fancy having a go at my Romance or February Tag then I’d love to read your choices.
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
6 February 2022
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Booking Ahead, Caffeinated Reviewer, Weekly wrap up
I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing a round-up of the week just completed and also take a look at my plans for the forthcoming week. I rather got out of the habit of doing this but I would like to reinstate this type of post as I feel it keeps me on track. So, I’m linking up to The Sunday Post over at Kimberly’s Caffeinated Reviewer. Without further ado:
This week my reading has not been too good. Basically, we have family visiting which is just wonderful but does impact on reading and blogging. I managed to finish Echo by Thomas Olde Heuvelt – this is an interesting story that gets off to a scary start. I’d say it’s not a fast read and I think it was a little chunkier than I expected but it’s definitely got some very creepy elements.
Books read this week:
Next Week’s Reads:
I’m going to pick up This Charming Man by CK McDonnell which is the second book in the Stranger Times series. I had a fantastic time reading the first book and can’t wait to pick this one up. I’m going to leave it at just the one and see what else happens.
- The Haunting of Las Lagrimas by WM Cleese
Outstanding reviews:
Echo by Thomas Olde Heuvelt
Friday Face Off : Brooding and dull like a cloudy sky – a cover that is grey
4 February 2022
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Andrea Stewart, Books by Proxy, Friday Face off, The Bone Shard Daughter
Here we are again with the Friday Face Off meme created by Books by Proxy . This is a great opportunity to feature some of your favourite book covers. The rules are fairly simple each week, following a predetermined theme (list below) choose a book (this doesn’t have to be a book that you’ve read), compare a couple of the different covers available for that particular book and choose your favourite. Future’s themes are listed below – if you have a cover in mind that you’re really wanting to share then feel free to leave a comment about a future suggested theme. I’ve also listed events that take place during the year, that I’m aware of, so you can link up your covers – if you’re aware of any events that you think I should include then give me a shout.
I’ve added themes in below. For information, I’m trying out some new ideas so along with coming up with particular items for book covers I thought we could also look for certain elements contained within the book or that play a large part in the story – this really broadens things out because I have plenty of more ideas with this – I’ve gone for a few of the Tough Travel Themes (so a book with that theme – just choose any book – the theme isn’t necessarily on the cover, then compare covers), also, I’ve thrown in some genres and some colours. Hopefully this will open things out a little and give us some more freedom to come up with new books.
This week’s theme:
Brooding and dull like a cloudy sky – a cover that is grey
I had quite a few grey covers for this week’s theme but I’ve gone for a relatively recent read that I was happy to discover had a couple of alternative covers to choose from. The Bone Shard Daughter (No.1 of the Drowning Empire series) by Andrea Stewart:
I’m most familiar with the first cover and I always feel drawn to the cover I’m most familiar with but, that being said, I like the cover with the same design but the red background, it really makes the design pop and actually the second cover in series fits in with the different coloured background. I’m also quite fond of the totally different cover with the golden key. I think my favourite is:
Which one is your favourite?
If you’re taking part in this week’s theme feel free to leave your link in the comments below.
If you know of an event that’s coming up let me know and I’ll try and include covers that work for the event itself so that you can link up to the Friday Face Off and, as always, if you wish to submit an idea then leave me a comment – or if you’d like to host a week then simply let me know. Also, I would just mention that it’s very possible that some of these might be repeats from previous FFOs although I have tried to invent more ‘open ended’ prompt that can be interpreted differently and also prompts that relate to emotions. Finally, don’t struggle with any of these, this is meant to be a fun way of highlighting books. If you can’t come up with a book you think fits for a particular week use a freebie – perhaps a recent read for example:
Next Week – Sealed with a kiss – lips, or the impression left by a kiss
2022
Books and travelling with Lynn 