Winterset Hollow is as thrilling as it is terrifying and as smart as it is surprising. A uniquely original story filled with properly unexpected twists and turns, Winterset Hollow delivers complex, indelible characters and pulse- pounding action as it storms toward an unforgettable climax that will leave you reeling. How do you celebrate Barley Day? You run, friend. You run. All of this is to say, that when ‘Winterset Hollow’ was offered for review, I took in that gorgeous cover, read the synopsis and something was stirred. I knew I was in for a truly stunning debut novel. I wanted to experience it and find out just what Jonathan Edward Durham had created. What I didn’t like: While I absolutely loved this book, I would say the one part that wasn’t as impactful was the secondary human characters. Because we get introduced to them so briefly and have an idea of who they are, when the carnage and hunt begins, I didn’t really have any vested interest in if they survived or not. The tourists were invited to sit down to a vegetarian feast. When the meal was over, Eamon asked Runny: What happens now?... Contrasted against all of these strengths, I am left with only a handful of criticisms, each admittedly minor: though Durham’s use of “show, don’t tell” is by and large excellent, there are times where I feel he leans a little too far into telling something about various characters’ emotions or intentions that has already been effectively shown; a few of the close calls may stretch believability regarding the survival of certain characters; and by a little over halfway through the novel, readers should have a pretty good sense of which members of the cast have secured a place in the finale. But said finale certainly does not disappoint, and though the epilogue does feel somewhat rushed, the ending points of each characters’ respective journey still feel thoroughly proper in a way befitting the spirit of the storybook framing device. Even the excerpts of Addington’s fictional classic, which appear before each of the novel’s four parts and bookend the epilogue, authentically evoke the style of their early-20 th-century inspirations while also effectively foreshadowing the events about to unfold (or, in the case of the final excerpt, providing a bittersweet sense of closure).

Mark took a resigned breath and forced a pitiful smile, returning the gentleman’s greeting in the words of his people, the largely unaffected. “Sup.” Uh huh. It also doesn’t necessarily mean she’s not dumb,” Eamon retorted, raising his eyebrows and slurping his shake as Caroline stroked her boyfriend’s chubby cheek with her perfect, graceful fingers. “Although, for a woman, I must admit she’s quite handsome.” I don’t know,” he protested. “I mean, that was okay, but I would’ve gone with like . . . ‘so far down his throat that he’ll be shitting whist cards for a fortnight,’ or something like that.”Some of the saves were a little too convenient, but I still found myself completely immersed in what was happening so it never really bothered me. I was just reading something so unique that some of the familiar tropes never really landed as overdone. This book was totally refreshing. But of course, to the trio, the book is just that – a book. And so after they trespass onto the gated property and discover a light on in the house, Edward Durham turns this book upside down. The characters are real. They exist and they still live on the island and in the house. Certainly not me,” Eamon squeaked, but as he looked down at the suddenly useless freebies in his hand, his silent reverie for their weekend trip was interrupted by the sturdy chug of a big diesel engine and they all turned to see an old fishing troller limping in from the sea. The haggard boat swung a wide turn across the shoreline and idled to a stop before reversing until its stern was close enough for Eamon to see that “The Standard ” was painted on the hull in faded lettering. The boat was in rough shape and its captain didn’t appear to be faring any better as he stepped out of the wheelhouse sporting canvas pants, a hefty fleece, and a beard befitting a very particular image that he clearly had no intention of avoiding. I enjoyed the horror elements. Once it got started, it was kind of like a survive the night slasher. Winterset Hollow was one of those timeless, inimitable books that was simple and pure and patently entertaining on the surface, but so much more underneath. It spoke about life and loss and struggle, fear and bravery and sacrifice in a way that was so approachable it was almost easy to miss, and it immediately wormed its way under Eamon's skin and stayed there like good, strong ink from the day he first opened the cover.”

Surprisingly people seem to quite like the writing style. To me, it was that kind of writing style that tries too hard yet ends up achieving nothing, that gives the illusion of skill where there isn't any. Most books are supposed to feel like you are inside them, experiencing what the characters are experiencing, but the way that this author writes breaks all the immersion and makes it feel more like you are being told a story by another person with a very pretentious vocabulary. A Wildness of the Heart by Madison Scott-Clary Review by Casimir Laski Madison Scott-Clary’s A Wildness of the Heart is a collection of short stories bookending a single novella, I immediately looked to see what else the author had out (nothing yet looks like) but I will absolutely be keeping an eye out for more. Actually, now that you mention it, I don’t even see any signs or anything,” pondered Eamon, looking around for any indication that they were even in the right place to begin with. Eamon was well aware that impetus was a double-edged sword and rightly sharp, but as he dragged his bones away from the river and toward the coast, just the thought of the taste of it made his mouth run wet with a craving that rang hauntingly familiar.”

About the Artist

In terms of characters, Eamon, Caroline, and Mark have instant chemistry. Their dialogue is realistic, and their personalities are distinct and relatable. Eamon and Caroline share a love of the book that brings them to the island, and Mark is just along for the ride. I cared for all three. The side characters were hard to distinguish, but they also only played a small part. On the other hand, the antagonists are utterly fantastic in their depravity, sorrow, and compulsion to enact revenge at any cost.

W

Numbered Edition

WINTERSET HOLLOW, by Jonathan Edward Durham, is a novel that took me by complete surprise. If it hadn't been nominated as a group read on Goodreads, I'm not sure I would have ever heard of it. I went into this novel--which begins with a group of friends taking a trip to Addington Isle, a secluded island where their favorite author was said to have written their favorite story--expecting an "Alice in Wonderland" type of fantasy. The mechanics of salt as it relates to fries are uncomplicated, but that doesn’t mean they don’t require some reflection. I think the question you should be asking is . . . why haven’t you given them that same consideration?” returned Eamon before blessing the pool of ketchup with a few shakes of his wrist. “Tomatoes need love too, you know . . . not to get too technical or anything.”

Some readers won’t mind this, however – especially because the novel is tremendously fun, and the writing remains of a very high quality. JONATHAN EDWARD DURHAM was born near Philadelphia in one of many satellite rust-belt communities where he read voraciously throughout his youth and beyond. After attending William and Mary, where he received a degree in neuroscience while also studying literature, Jonathan waded into the professional world before deciding he was better suited for more artistic pursuits. was true gratitude flowing from every guest amid the shuffle of serving trays and jugs of this and that—gratitude not only for their hosts and the meal they were being served, but gratitude for the book that had brought them all together as well. It was as if the love that each of them felt for Addington’s timeless collection of verse had been validated in the most searing manner, and it buoyed every one of their spirits and made them all feel a little less miscreated. They” Many reviewers have touched upon the parallels and critiques of men taking over new land from indigenous tribes, and I do believe that is accurate. Even with that in mind, this story that begins with a fictional book of a group of animals celebrating their yearly Barley Day festival, feels to me as if it has a life of its own. It's the darkest fantasy, mixed with real world people and problems, that lead you on a unique, violent, and extremely unforgettable journey. The many twists, which I usually try to figure out, were almost secondary to the telling of the tale--the journey was worth every minute! The milkshakes arrived to silent, smile-laden approvals from Mark and Eamon and actual applause from Caroline who clapped her hands together like a schoolgirl as a tall glass of strawberry slurry was set in front of her. As for Mark, he could never say no to chocolate in any situation where it was an option, and Eamon, it seemed, still hadn’t evolved beyond the delicious predictability of vanilla.

Classic Edition

Basically, the book is about three friends (Eamon, Mark, and Caroline), who take a trip to an island where their favorite book was written (the book is called "Winterset Hollow", of course). They find that other fans of the book are also visiting the island, and they end up heading there kind of as a tour group. They even find the huge, abandoned (?) house where the author wrote the book. Addington wrote WINTERSET HOLLOW partly because he felt bad about disturbing the wildlife when he built his mansion on the isle... Jonathan Edward Durham has truly crafted a classic story, a fresh offering that connected me to my youth while also speaking to where I am currently as a reader and I can’t thank him enough. This book gets the highest recommendation from myself to you, if you’re reading this and honestly, I hope this book finds a home on your shelf so that you can enjoy this for years and years to come. Good morrow, fellow Hollowheads!” he barked, stepping away from the rail with a leather-bound copy of Addington’s opus under his arm. “Hast thou come to share the feast of Barley with this party of wayward souls?” Jonathan Edward Durham was born near Philadelphia in one of many rust-belt communities where he read voraciously throughout his youth. After attending the College of William & Mary, where he received a degree in neuroscience, Jonathan waded into the professional world before deciding he was better suited for more artistic pursuits.