I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
And The Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich Series: Stand Alone
Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers on September 6th, 2016
Genres: Horror
Goodreads
A stunning, terrifying novel about a house the color of blood and the two sisters who are trapped there, by The Dead House author Dawn Kurtagich.
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.
Do you remember that scene in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory where everyone is on the boat, and Wonka is singing his creepy song and all those seemingly random, yet completely disturbing, images are playing around them?
And The Trees Crept In was similar to this scene. You didn’t know what exactly was happening but you knew to fear it. To fear the words Wonka was saying and the images that flashed by with no particular rhyme or reason. This is what And The Trees Crept In felt like. It was a ride you volunteered for, but quickly realized you were terribly unprepared, confused, and afraid. To be honest I wasn’t really sure how I wanted to rate this book. I started it and was all “I AM LOVING THIS! IT’LL GET ALL THE STARS!”. But after about 100 pages I started getting apprehensive. So much was happening! And I was afraid the plot was going to get lost because Kurtagich was searching for action (I was wrong FYI). Then I was annoyed because of THINGS. Then back to terrified. Then shocked. I seriously ran through every single human emotion in the span of 300 pages.
And with good reason! This book starts off wrapped in the unknown. I sort of felt like I had started a really intense movie 15 minutes late and was piecing everything together. Which, normally I’d be really pissy about but again, NOT THE CASE! If anything the way Kurtagich starts this just made it more compelling. You wanted to know not only the story that Silla was telling you but the one that she left behind too. Sure we received bits and pieces of Silla and her little sister Nori’s history, but like everything in this world, you must build up to it.
It took me longer than normal to write this review because the book itself unravels in such a peculiar way and while I do want people to QUICKLY add it to their TBR I don’t want to give anything away. Like most books within the horror/suspense/mystery genres one confession is similar to pulling a thread that undoes a knot. And honey! This is a knot that deserves your time to unravel!
That said, I want to say one more tiny thing….nothing is as it seems, but everything is exactly as it appears.
YUP! That’s all I want to say. I absolutely agree. Not what I thought or expected and in the end, really creepy and emotional. Great review!
Agreed! At the end, after the reveal, it was so freaking EMOTIONAL! Even my stone heart cracked a little, which is saying something lol. But I am so happy with the entire story. It was nothing like I expected, especially when you look at the old cover and old title.
GAH. I’m reading this now and I have all of the creeps and I’m so confused but in a good way. I LOVED The Dead House from this author SO much. I love her unique story telling and her writing. 🙂
Yay to all the creeps! I tell you this woman has a gift for creepy things! And I love her entire unique way of tell a story through more than one sight.