Publication: September 6th 2016 by: Little, Brown BFYR
Genres: YA, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Format: ARC Source: Publisher
My Rating: 4 Stars
When Silla and Nori arrive at their aunt’s home, it’s immediately clear that the “blood manor” is cursed. The creaking of the house and the stillness of the woods surrounding them would be enough of a sign, but there are secrets too–the questions that Silla can’t ignore: Who is the beautiful boy that’s appeared from the woods? Who is the man that her little sister sees, but no one else? And why does it seem that, ever since they arrived, the trees have been creeping closer?Filled with just as many twists and turns as The Dead House, and with achingly beautiful, chilling language that delivers haunting scenes, AND THE TREES CREPT IN is the perfect follow-up novel for master horror writer Dawn Kurtagich.
Review
*I received an ARC of this book from NOVL, for free, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
I haven’t read Kurtagich’s debut novel, The Dead House, but I will make sure that I try to fit it in soon. Probably sometime in the fall, when I usually read any type of creepy books. And the Trees Crept In definitely has the whole horror factor down pat. There wasn’t a moment in this story where I wasn’t freaked out. I wasn’t planning to get started on it right away, but once I cracked it open, I couldn’t put it down.
There once were three little girls in the woods…….the prologue begins in 1980. Three sisters go into the woods to make a protector.It was like a seance, only they weren’t trying to wake the dead. They made a rag doll, began to chant, and the rest is history. Fast forward decades later, and Silla and Nori have run away from their abusive home, into the home of their aunt Cath. The manor is blood red and seems to be hiding something. It was not hard to see the direction that the author would go with this, to some degree. It was hard to figure out exactly what was really happening. Here are 2 little girls in need of protecting – it’s not surprising that everything kicked into gear once Silla and Nori arrived at La Baume Manor. The story is written with both the past and present, with passages from what appears to be pages from a journal. It’s very fragmented in places, which only adds to the creepy. I wasn’t expecting it to get so carried away. When you think you know what’s going on, you get blindsided and nothing makes sense. Silla seems very disturbed, so you ask yourself, WTF is happening?
I love the bond that Silla and Nori shared. I love even more the bonds between Catherine, Anne and Pamela. It was confusing at times with the back and forth, but I started to see how Silla twisted what happened in the past to her present. Gowan added more mystery to this, because I wasn’t sure of his intentions. The Creeper Man turns out to be a twist that I didn’t see coming until the moment it all came together in the end. I think the author turned the horror up a notch. I didn’t expect it to be so gory at times. The formatting is what makes this book special. I think without the added illustrations here and there, and the fragmented notes, this wouldn’t have been so engrossing. It’s horrifying, filled with twists, and a real page turner. I definitely recommend this book to horror lovers, or those in need of some creepy in their reading.
And the Trees Crept In releases September 6th 2016 from Little Brown BFYR (US), and on July 14th 2016 from Orion Chilldren’s (UK) under the title, The Creeper Man. That UK cover is wicked……
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4 stars is pretty darn great for YA mystery, so count me in!
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It’s really good. Hope you love it!
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I’ve been dying to read this one! And I had no clue that it has that kind of formatting. I want to read it even more now. Excellent review Lekeisha. I’m so glad that you liked this one. I still need to read her other book as well.
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Thanks Erin!
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I. Want. This. Right. Now. Sadly, I can’t have everything that I want. I’m really really excited to read this as I’ve been recently in a paranormal mood. I’ve got declined in my request via Edelweiss, my fault really, I got too excited but there’s no harm in trying right? But anyway, great review!
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No harm in trying, at all! I hope you get the chance to read it soon!
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Ok…you have sold me. I tend to shy away from YA unless it is fantasy, dystopian, science fiction or post-apocalyptic but you have me grabbing this!
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Yay! The title fits the atmosphere in this book. You know I tend to shy away from this genre until October. That’s the only month I usually pick up creepy reads.
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Oh wow it really does sound like this book managed to be terrifyingly creepy and that it really won you over. I love that the style of writing was fragmented and that only added to atmosphere, and that we steadily see how the narrators point of view puts some twists and opinions in the story that aren’t always entirely in accordance with what happened. It sounds so well written that I’m intrigued!
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Thanks, Olivia!
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This sounds like a perfect creepy book for fall when I loved to be scared by what I’m reading! I’ll be biting my nails for sure trying to figure out what’s going on all the while hoping nothing bad happens to the little girls! Wonderful review, Lekeisha! 🙂
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You and I are the same that way. I’m a wimp when it comes to flat-out reading something scary.
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Great review! This sounds so good and right up my alley! Glad it was actually creepy.
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Thanks Eva!
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I recently won a copy of this! I am so excited to read now. I also really enjoyed her book The Dead House so seeing that you liked this one and thought it was creepy is awesome!
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I really need to read The Dead House. I hope you enjoy this and I can’t wait for your review!
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Definitely too much for my wimpy heart, but I can see why it would be spine-tingling. Getting bits and pieces like that and having the past playing a part in the present along with one of the characters being a little off. Whew! Glad you loved it.
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I’m skittish when it comes to horror too, which is why I only read 2-3 books a year in this genre. When I was a teen, I loved it all. Now, it’s like pulling teeth to get me to go near the horror genre. Kinda backwards, but I’m weird like that. LOL
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I quite enjoyed Dead House so I’m looking forward to this, especially after reading your great review!
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I can’t wait to read The Dead House!
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It’s always interesting to have a different period like that and you made me curious about the book! thanks for the discovery!
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No problem! I hope you love it if you read it.
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Ohhh nice creepy cover
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Agreed!
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The UK cover is AMAZING. I’m not a horror fan, but this one caught my eye for some reason and I’m so happy to see it delivers. I’ll have to read it in the daylight though because it’s so gory. I’m too much of a wuss. The bond between the characters sound really amazing! I’ll have to pick this one up for sure.
Great review, Lekeisha!
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I don’t read horror often. Maybe, 2-3 books a year, and always around September-October. I cracked this one open and was hooked from the very first page.
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I was really hoping this would be good, I really enjoyed her debut. I’m so excited you liked it and can’t wait to read it!
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Everyone has been raving about her debut. I couldn’t get to it for some reason last year. I will make it my mission this year.
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