Those Across the River
Ratings47
Average rating3.6
Really enjoyed this book. The authors writing crafted a world that was immersive and scary. I’m a big fan of southern horror, and this is a perfect example.
This is the first werewolf book I've ever read and it was awesome!
The story is set in 1930's Georgia. The Nichols just moved in and for some reason the town always sends their pigs across their river even though they can't afford to do it. They have a meeting and convince the town folk to stop. People start being mutilated and they have to go across the river to figure out just what's out there that the older town folk have been warning everyone about...something with sharp teeth.
It was a slow burn but the last half the book was a thrill ride and the ending was super good. Love this book and it was a perfect October read.
Rating: 2.55 leaves out of 5-Characters: 2.75/5 -Cover: 5/5-Story: 1.75/5-Writing: 4/5Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Paranormal, Werewolf-Fantasy: 1/5-Historical Fiction: 5/5-Horror: .5/5-Mystery: 2.5/5-Paranormal: 1/5-Werewolf: 2/5Type: AudiobookWorth?: MehHated Disliked Meh It Was Okay Liked Loved FavoritedWhat a shit way to start my September but whatever. What can I say about this book? Historically? Yeah Chris got that right... even down to saying the N word, I suppose. If you are triggered by it I suggest you don't read this because they say it a lot. Do you like werewolves? Find a different book. You will hear the N word more than you will read about the werewolves. The story was just so... draggy. I wanted to fear the werewolf but nah what we got was a long story of nothing. Also the wife? Didn't like her much. Hell most of these people I didn't like. This was just a disappointment.
Straight out going to say this: This is the best werewolf book I have read. Period.
Christopher Buehlman writes with a beautiful prose which really elevates this story telling. Those Across The River is an intriguing take on werewolves, taking a southern gothic bent to it. The Deep South setting gives a wonderful damp and squalid twist to the story, the rural and slightly isolated setting with its strange traditions playing into the overall mystery of the idea. Those Across The River is a subtle take on the werewolf concept - the monsters are very much hidden throughout the first half of the book with only vague allusions. The links to civil war, slavery and oppression are intriguing and add to the general miasma of the setting. There is a beauty to the way it is written which belies the ugliness at the heart of some of the key themes here.
This is werewolf horror of the highest calibre and a must read for those who like this genre!
I enjoyed it, but the first 2/3 of the book is pretty boring. The last 1/3 makes up for it and is interesting - I just wish there had been more of that.
Horror is not my usual genre, but it is Halloween season and I do like to pick up a scary book or 2 every October. I listened to this audio book, and first and foremost I think the narrator is amazing, he really made the story. His accents were great and definitely made me feel as if I was in 1920s Georgia where the novel takes place. I really wonder how much I would have liked the book if I had read it vs listened to it - I bet less honestly.
Because otherwise it was pretty gross. But I guess that's not uncommon in horror - and it is a story about werewolves and yeah they do eat people. But apparently they are also rape-y, which is unfortunate. I liked the way the story of the main character's ancestors was woven in and also WWI. A lot going on made for a compelling listen.
It was definitely spooky and good for this time of year!
The pacing and unusual setting/time period for this story are the aspects of this story that really hooked me. Skilled use of description and dialogue created an absolutely believable world that stayed with me even when I closed the book. Hope the author continues to write more like this.