The Loney

What? How can this book end without any real explanation? I would have given 3 stars If the main secret was explained or even if a few of the side secrets were. Instead, we are simply reflecting on a persons past and a little bit of their present with absolutely no point or enlightenment. (The only secret that was explained ended up being along the lines of “suddenly, his mind changed” and lacked any real meaning or realism.)

Also... The whole quote from Steven king calling this an eerie and suspenseful novel had me expecting horror or anticipation that would be satisfied. Neither were applicable.. (If we are being honest, I have myself to fault for this assumption as I haven't read or liked much Steven King..) Not to mention, the only suspense it had was for answers which we never receive..

3.5*

This was a bit of an odd one. Maybe my expectations were too high after all the praise I've heard about it, but I didn't find myself connecting with this in the same way that others have. Too much was left unexplained, meaning by the half way mark I was beginning to lose my patience, and I really struggled to see where the story was going. The ending itself left me mystified. I didn't realise going into this that there would be so much on religion, as it follows a devoutly (I would say fanatically) religious community. Perhaps this is way I struggled to relate to it much. It's also a hard book to describe; not quite creepy enough to be called horror, and lacking a satisfying enough plot to be a thriller or mystery. Saying that I really liked how the author wrote the characters, who were all well developed and realistic to the point that I took a real disliking to certain characters! That was really well done. The relationship between the two brothers and their way of communicating was also really touching. Ultimately, I'm not sure whether I'd recommend this or not. It didn't quite work for me personally, but that doesn't mean I think it's a bad book or one that others won't enjoy.