Ash Thoreau

(No Spoilers)

Last night was not a great night at work. So, without delving into that any more than necessary, I will highlight the one thing I was happy about! I finished my book! It was crazy and so out of the norm of what I usually read, but I really enjoyed it.

Before I dig into it, be advised there are some pretty heavy triggers associated with the book, including violence, self harm, and murder. There is one more extremely hefty tigger that I hesitate to mention because it is a spoiler. Of the other reviews I’ve read of this book, they never seem to mention it. So in an effort to avoid said spoiler, I will put it in the very last paragraph of this post. If you don’t want to know, avoid that last sentence.

The book is a dark fantasy called Winterset Hollow, by Jonathan Edward Durham.

Summary

The book starts out following 3 close friends that are on a journey to tour an author’s private island. The author had written a favorite book of their’s about sentient animals and their holiday, Barley Day. Though the author has long since passed away and the island abandoned, it is almost a spiritual journey of sorts for the main character, Eamon.

Through a series of events, the three friends end up stranded on the island, only to find that the author’s story may not have been as much of a fantasy as they thought. Without giving too much away, the story takes a turn, and you are following along on a scary but addictive plot. The deeper I got into the story, the grouchier I became when I had to put down the book to be a responsible human.

Thoughts

Although I felt connected with the main characters you’re introduced to, the others that visit the island are never given much development. It felt like their side stories gave the storyline movement. I was okay with the fact that I didn’t have any emotional connection with these other people.

The antagonists of the story had complicated, tragic backgrounds that honestly made them the most interesting characters. As I learned more of their tragedies it became clear that their anger and hurt was justified. I was still horrified with the byproduct of their histories, but I felt their pain as well.

Overall, the plot was great once it got going. Initially, I had a difficult time to get into it. I knew it was going to turn dark and that gave me anxiety. I think that is a personal issue however, given I’m not used to reading such books. Once they were on the island and stranded, I started reading it every free minute I could.

Your Thoughts?

My question, for anyone that has read the book is this: Are we supposed to have found out what Olivia is atoning for? I’m not sure if I missed the explanation in the middle of trying to read it in my downtime at work. I really regret reading the rest of the book last night because I can never fully immerse myself in a book while working. I’m scared I possibly skipped a paragraph or maybe missed some subtext after taking a phone call or radio traffic.

Olivia, I felt, was one of the more interesting characters of the book. I’ve read other people’s thoughts on her, accusing her of being two-faced, but that’s not how I read it at all. I saw her as someone that desperately wanted to help but perhaps didn’t understand the best way to do so. She was so desperate to atone for previous misgivings, but I never did read what crime she had committed for her to earn her punishment. If I didn’t have other books on my reading schedule already, I would just reread it. Maybe I’ll put it on the list after I’ve gotten through the next 4 titles I’m already waiting on.

I Recommend

Like I said, I really enjoyed it. It has made my coveted “Favorite List.” I do recommend it if you’re into darker fantasies. Also if you’re just into regular fantasies but don’t have any triggers.

Speaking of which, the final trigger warning I have for you is genocide. I’m sorry if that spoils part of the story for you but it felt like it needed to be said.