Why DNF?

This is the first book I have dropped since starting this blog, so it feels quite odd lol

I initially desired to read this book due to its mixing of horror themes with Christian ideals. Being the first book of Billy Coffey’s I have read, I had no idea which direction he would take it. Ultimately, I stopped reading it due to its dark and hopeless narrative as it does not quite fit the whole purpose of my blog: comfy and cozy lol If I was reading this for enjoyment separate from my blog, I probably would have finished it, albeit a bit slowly. I do not know if it’s because I am currently enduring a stressful period of my life right now, but I found myself getting extra stressed and depressed during and after my reading sessions. There were also some situations within the book that were hard for me to get through because of the lack of humanity of certain characters. I understand that is the point of the story, however certain choices that were made were seemingly unrealistic and outrageous. It began to feel like shock value if that makes sense.

One aspect I did enjoy a lot was the personification of the evil. The entity the high schoolers were tracking was super creepy. It felt like the love child of a dogman, wendigo and skin walker. As somebody who has a long history of listening to Creepy Pastas and The Confessionals podcast, I was instantly enthralled in the demon.

That all being said, I am not calling this book bad in any means, it is just not for me. If you are okay with the bleak and dreary setting and characters, feel free to give this a shot.

Synopsis

Everyone in Crow Hollow knows of Alvaretta Graves, the old widow who lives in the mountain. Many call her a witch; others whisper she’s insane. Everyone agrees the vengeance Alvaretta swore at her husband’s death hovers over them all. That vengeance awakens when teenagers stumble upon Alvaretta’s cabin, incurring her curse. Now a sickness moves through the Hollow. Rumors swirl that Stu Graves has risen for revenge. And the people of Crow Hollow are left to confront not only the darkness that lives on the mountain, but the darkness that lives within themselves.

(via Amazon)