Book Review: Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward Durham

Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Title: Winterset Hollow

Author: Jonathan Edward Durham

Description:

Everyone has wanted their favorite book to be real, if only for a moment. Everyone has wished to meet their favorite characters, if only for a day. But be careful in that wish, for even a history laid in ink can be repaid in flesh and blood, and reality is far deadlier than fiction . . . especially on Addington Isle.Winterset Hollow follows a group of friends to the place that inspired their favorite book-a timeless tale about a tribe of animals preparing for their yearly end-of-summer festival. But after a series of shocking discoveries, they find that much of what the world believes to be fiction is actually fact, and that the truth behind their beloved story is darker and more dangerous than they ever imagined. It’s Barley Day . . . and you’re invited to the hunt.

Winterset Hollow is as thrilling as it is terrifying and as smart as it is surprising. A uniquely original story filled with properly unexpected twists and turns, Winterset Hollow delivers complex, indelible characters and pulse- pounding action as it storms toward an unforgettable climax that will leave you reeling. How do you celebrate Barley Day? You run, friend. You run.

RATING

This might be one of the most interesting yet the most peculiar book I’ve ever read, let me tell you why.

This book follows a group of friends, lovers of this book called Winterset Hollow, which is about antropomorphic animals living on an island. Every year, on Barley Day, they throw a big feast. And this year, Eamon and his friends decide to visit the island and the house. When they come, they soon realize that everything they thought was fiction is actually reality, however, the animals aren’t as kind and harmless as they thought. The Hunt begins.

Let me be honest, I couldn’t bring myself to read this book during the night. The whole theme of it plus the eerie vibes would be enough to make me dream of killer foxes and rabbits who cut their own ear off. This book would be perfect for the upcoming spooky season, but I wouldn’t put it in the horror genre, this is something specific. More like a very peculiar and eerie thriller. I’ve never read something similar to this.

The book starts off as light and wholesome. Who wouldn’t want for their favorite book to be true? But after the big plot-twist, you see how dark and twisted it actually is. The ending was so dramatic and shocking that it left me a bit sad. How different would things be if only one thing in the past didn’t happen.

One thing I really liked about this is how well written it is. The author really has a way with his words. My favorite thing were the snippets of the “actual book” which were so beautifully written, they truly felt like an old fairytale.

In conclusion, if you are a fan of scary, peculiar thrillers with a mix of fantasy, you’ll love this. If you’re on a hunt for a Halloween book that is totally different from anything you’ve read before, you’ll love this. I really enjoyed it and will definitely be including it in my Halloween recommendations!