Rating: ★★★★
Genre: Horror
Format: Paperback/ARC
Pages: 356
Read: 09/19/22
Synopsis:
In the twilight of March 21, 1955, eight people take cover in their local general store while a thundering torrent and flash flooding threatens life and livelihood alike. None of the eight are everything they claim to be. But only one of them hungers for human souls, flesh, and blood.
An overflowing waterway destroys their only path of escape. The tiny band of survivors is forced to confront themselves and each other when a peculiar stranger with a famous face tries to pick them off one by one.
Can the neighbors survive the predator in their midst as well as the 100-year flood that drowns the small town of Lost Hollow?
Or will they become victims of the night the townsfolk all remember as Hell Spring?
Review:
"From the day of her birth---or her creation, or her evolution, or whatever process had belched her into existence---the gigantic phallus in the center of the fiery arena had wanted her for its own."
Lost Hollow, Tennessee, 1955, the year of the 100-year flood. The year that everything changed for this small community. 7 people of the community become trapped at Beard's General Store when they are forced to take shelter from the torrential rains. When a stranger shows up outside the store, they help her in not knowing who she is or where she came from. Her intentions are more sinister than they ever could have imagined and piece by piece their trust, friendship, and lives dissipate.
I had to ponder about this one for a couple of days before writing this review, this is one of those books that really had me thinking. It has a subtlety to it that takes a bit of time to just let it all sink in and really think about the complete story. To me, this is one thing I love about reading. That added enrichment that settles in and stays.
The first chapter is intriguingly strange and wholey grotesque. I had to really pay attention to what was happening but as it continued into the next chapter it all came together and made complete sense. This creature/woman comes from another realm and enters our world, she is sinister and she is hungry for the one and only thing that will feed her...human sin, shame, and the darkest parts of guilt. If one really pays attention to the moments of her deceit, the way she messes with the minds of all of them and slowly draws from their souls, she really is a deeply dark character, rather creepy and frightening.
Each of the characters have some really dark secrets that have shaped who they are as a person and the reasons they have made some not so great decisions, but there are those past reasons and it develops their character. These are mostly broken souls just trying to strive in a life where acceptance is not always available, hidden lives trying to break free from an oppressive childhood into adulthood. Each character plays a part for the sin eater as they grapple with their own inner selves.
There are many themes involved such as, domestic violence, racism, sexual inclinations, homophobia, past trauma, and struggles with ones own faith, all deeply set during 1955. One can imagine the guilt and shame that is layed upon the characters as such things were not accepted, considered unnatural. As we get to know the characters, we see them slowly overcoming their guilt and shame. There is empathy and beauty that lies within, a strength they come to rely upon to beat not only the demon they are facing but the demons that have been haunting them throughout their lives.
I am one that quite enjoys a book that is more of a slow burn, that subtlety that sprinkles horrific moments. All in all this has great character developement, really creative writing, and a unique story. I will admit there are a couple of things that I feel confused about as I just cannot figure out why certain creatures were developed even though they played an important part. There is also a character that I am confused about, but I digress as it does not ruin the story.
I must also mention there is a later reveal that quite surprised me.
If you enjoy isolated settings and small town horror, this is one you should give a try.
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Isaac-Thorne/e/
Review Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/
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