by Sarah Langan

A Horror, 2026 by Atria Books, 320 Pages

What I Didn’t Like:

• Some of the chapters are REALLY long. One chapter told me it would take me an estimated 1 hour and 9 minutes to read. There are some breaks in the action for you to pause and bookmark but it’s worth noting.
• The story starts kind of slow, almost as if you’re waiting for something to happen. 
• The ending may not be everyone’s cup of tea. It isn’t what you want or expect and that can give you a sense of hopelessness.

What I Did Like:

• The pacing of this story reminds me of the old adage about killing a frog by slowly turning up the heat on the water. It builds slowly, bringing in small details to unsettle you and then letting you get comfortable there before bringing in something new. 
• The idea is well thought out. Stretching back into the past and using new tools made the idea complex and dangerous. It definitely fits the modern horror genre well.
• Satisfying answers. There’s a lot of questions throughout this novel and the ending does bring you answers and closure. It’s not necessarily the ending you were expecting, but it does wrap things up. 

Who Should Read This One:

• Horror fans. On the surface this one may seem like it isn’t your thing but, rest assured, this is definitely modern horror and it’s done well.

My Rating: 4 Stars