Welcome to Litsy!

I have been mostly off the grid due to school and a wild weekend moving Con (and three of his friends) to a new place to live this weekend. I wish I had read this book in one or two sittings, I think I would have enjoyed it better. The story of a cult based on a remote Scottish island. Because I read it in fits and starts, I often found it difficult to follow. It wasn‘t the page-turner The Last House on Needless St. Was, but still good.

This was definitely better received by my last book from this author....I haven't decided if I'm a gan or not, but at this rate my subscription box will provide me with all of her work

I just discovered the Shirley Jackson Awards, leading to my first Catriona Ward book. It was a gripping story, so I look forward to reading her novel Sundial next!

#horror #shirleyjackson #catrionaward #awardwinning #gothic #cults

Just in time for Halloween #bookhaul.

#scarathlon #photochallenge #haunt @Clwojick @StayCurious

When Stephen King, Joe Hill, and Chuck Wendig give an author quotes you know it is perfect for October!

It‘s going to be a week of reviews. I‘m wanting to get caught up on them before the end of the month.

Little Eve started off with a bang. Then it jumps back in time to explore what led up to the events at the beginning. Unfortunately it slows down quite a bit. But toward the end the pace picked back up. I enjoyed my time reading it but I didn‘t like it as much as I expected to.

Full review: https://wildwoodreads.com/2023/06/27/little-eve/

What are you reading in June? I‘m starting spooky season a bit early. 🎃

Give me all of your spooky recommendations please!!!

Full tbr: https://wildwoodreads.com/2023/06/01/june-2023-tbr/

Which of these should I pick up next? This girl is craving a thriller.

https://wildwoodreads.com/2023/05/17/a-thrilling-book-haul/

This was so much better than I expected! Having previously loved The House on Needless Street but DNFing Sundial I wasn‘t sure what to expect from this 3rd attempt at the author. The writing was gorgeous and the storyline unique. The author takes the reader on a twisted ride with some very tough themes (abuse, cults, self harm, mutilation, murder) but it was unique and I couldn‘t turn away. It also wrapped up nicely in the end. 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed this gothic tale. The mystery aspect hooked me right out of the gate, and I enjoyed how the writing created a somewhat disorienting effect at times.

#AuldLangSpine #catsoflitsy #Ember

A gothic thriller/ murder mystery set on an island involving a cult during the early part of the 20th century.
At times I had difficulty following the storyline, but in the end, with all its unexpected twists and turns, it was totally worth it.

Outtake. Leo was coming to help.

#cats #cat #catsofinstagram #catsoflitsy

What a deliciously twisted novel! The symbolism throughout is so meaningful and powerful. I liked that there were multiple points of view used to tell the story. I have mixed feelings about the audiobook. The accent of the narrator, while very fitting to the setting of Little Eve, made it hard to understand at times, and I think that I would have struggled more if I did not have the words in front of me while I listened

Now that I‘ve had the chance to take a good look at your list, @FantasyChick, I‘m intrigued as well! I haven‘t read any of the books on your list, and I‘ve only heard of five of them. I think in January, I‘ll probably end up picking from the ones pictured since they appeal to me the most, but it‘s possible that might change depending on my reading mood. Regardless, I can‘t wait to get started! 😄

#AuldLangSpine

Atmospheric, cunning, and with surprises all along the way. Ward writes in her forward that this was her second novel and it *challenged* her considerably. Now that she has published other novels and established her residency among the best horror writers of her generation, Little Eve has made a reappearance. Put simply, this is a goddamn great story. Read it on a cold, gray weekend and I bet you won‘t sleep for a couple of days.

🎧 I loved The Last House on Needless Street. I felt this one wasn‘t as good but I like the author‘s writing style & it was the vibe I was looking for.

Cult, 1921, Isolated Scottish island, multiple grisly murders, orphans, detective, gothic, creepy.

Horror

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/4

Book 207📚 3.5⭐️

This is no “Last house on needless street”, that will haunt me forever . But this book got a second life when it was republished, as it is some of her earlier work - still a riveting story!

Oh little Eve… what have you done?🍯

An eerie and enthralling read where the true monsters are flawed humans. A good book for those who like cult novels. 4.5 stars. Winner of the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel.
#BookSpin @TheAromaofBooks

*Chef's kiss* creepy cult novel. Gothic castle on an isolated island only accessible during low tide. Weirdo little town that just lets obvious craziness ensue. It was so good & sketchy. I was totally entranced by the atmosphere & there were plenty of cringeworthy moments. The psychological games played with the plot were fantastically done. A super disturbing read like a train wreck you can't look away from. Dark & weird. Just like I like 'em.

#OminousOctober #Wicked
@Eggs @alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@StayCurious #TeamMonsterMash

Today's read.

I really enjoyed this! The time period and isolated Scottish location really adds to the story… a fantastic reminder that the scariest thing is simply other people.

Wow Catriona Ward...your mind is so very dark... I'm totally in love with your writing! 😍 This was the third book of hers that I've read, and while it didn't pack quite as big a punch as The Last House on Needless Street, it was still really fantastic! Lots of twists!

Ward‘s novel, THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET, was one of my very favorite books of 2021, so when I got the chance for an early copy of the audio version of this earlier novel, I was so excited! It‘s a great book for the #spookyseason and hooks you in with a grisly discovery of corpses at an isolated Scottish castle where Uncle kept a tight rein on those living in his 1921 cult. Riveting and surprising, I loved the performance & the story!

#NetGalley

Catriona Ward has created an atmospheric gothic horror story. As the secrets of the family unravel and the truth of what happens behind closed doors becomes known the suspense grows. It's a slow build, but then many gothic tales are that way.

Although this isn't the best example of this genre, it is still a great read, especially for this time of year.

I don't know about you, but my night is all planned!

We can see the Canada Day fireworks from our house so I have nowhere to go for the rest of the night 😊

Here's to long weekends!!

#BookandBonfire #ThisIsLife #Arc

Beautifully written and creepy slice of Gothic horror/mystery concerning a weird cult, led by the ghastly "Uncle", living an abusive existence on a remote Scottish isle. The plot was a bit convoluted but overall I enjoyed it.

Blue book stack - all on my tbr. Anyone read any of these yet?