Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Borrowed
Publication Date: July 15th 2014
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Point of View: –
Genres & Themes: YA, Horror, Fairy Tales, Short Stories, Graphic Novel
BLURB:
‘It came from the woods. Most strange things do.’
Five mysterious, spine-tingling stories follow journeys into (and out of?) the eerie abyss.
These chilling tales spring from the macabre imagination of acclaimed and award-winning comic creator Emily Carroll.
Come take a walk in the woods and see what awaits you there…
REVIEW:
Goosebumps. Full of them. Reading this horror filled graphic novel during night-time turned out to be a terrifying idea. Yet, I couldn’t stop reading. It was captivating. I don’t think I’ve even noted a single thing of my environment while reading it; there was only the book and I.
There were five short stories in this book. All of them contained a spooky or completely frightening plot that will keep you on the edge. The author also managed to include suspense in the atmosphere. However scary the story or characters might have appeared, there was no possibility for me to interrupt my own reading. The stories were short which means that never was I bored or waiting for something interesting to happen. It’s not often that I take the time to read and admire graphic novels and there are multiple styles of drawings that I am still not used to, but this is one I found uniquely beautiful and would gladly see more of.
The writing was simplistic but, sincerely, it worked with every single thing. Plus, it is really on the illustrations – which were amazingly vivid and arresting too – that I was concentrated on and did not, as I usually do, have the reflex to observe and wonder if the author used repetition as well as some figures of speech from time to time.
My own personal favorite was ‘A Lady’s Hands Are Cold’ since, at first, I thought it to be a retelling of ‘Bluebeard’ and was curious to see which path the story and main character will take. Plus, the author noticeably surpassed herself with the graphics in that short story in question.
It is true that I found this graphic novel to be one of the best I have ever read, for how monopolized by it I was the whole reading time, but there is something that displeased me inside it: every short story ended on a cliffhanger. Now, that was frustrating. At first, I thought maybe I was missing something but then it happened again. And again. Every time. Maybe some will not mind it, but by how dark the endings were, I did not approve of the hypotheses my mind was making for the characters.
This is one graphic novel I highly recommend to every fan of dark fairy tales and graphic novels with eerie ambiences. A truly too short for my liking book, but impressive nonetheless.
PS. How am I ever going to be able to sleep tonight? I have to get my head off worms, wolves, ghosts, hair-raising monsters hiding under the bed…
Oh I really need to read this one. I love scary books! And I have been wanting to read graphic novels, but had no clue where to start.
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Really? Then you’ll LOVE this! Hmm, this will maybe look to you ‘strange’, the illustrations I mean but it really depends on what you’re expecting or what image you have of graphic novels. Either way, I recommend this 😀
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Ooh, this one looks gorgeous, Lola! I love the cover and the art. Hopefully I’ll end up enjoying it as much as you did. I hope this one’s available in our local bookstores. ^_^
Aimee @ Deadly Darlings
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Hope so too, Aimee! The style of the graphics is quite unique and I loved how vivid they felt. Crossed fingers for you!
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OH maan I think I’d die of the horrifying-ness of this graphic novel lol. Poor you–I hope you do sleep better tonight. But the art is gorgeous–it’s so dark but beautiful at the same time.
Lovely review, Lola <33
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LOL! hahah, thanks, Melanie ;D Agree!! Amazing art!!
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I don’t do a lot of graphic novels but I love a good one from time to time. This one sounds really good and it’s great to see you were get that much into the story. I’m so intrigued now!
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I hope you’ll read it, Mellie!! I think you’ll love, if you don’t mind creepy 😀
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This sounds so creepy and good, Lola!! I love reading scary books at night 😀 Ooh each ends on a cliffhanger?! I’ll have to try this one out, nice review <33
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Yesssss. Crossed fingers for you! Enjoy!
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Oh this looks interesting! I do enjoy graphic novels but really need to branch out of the Marvel cocoon I have created for myself, this sounds like it’s right up my alley! And the art looks wonderful 🙂
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Lol ahahah agree 😉 Hope you like it!!
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Oh wow. Those graphics are beautiful. I’ve never been interested in reading gothic fairy tales, but your review is highly convincing. I have to add this on my pile. 🙂
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Awww thank you 😀 Happy to hear that! Awesome, enjoy!!
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This sounds awesome! Great review
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Thank you! 🙂
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Love the graphics! So many people are reading this and loving it, it makes me want to pick it up too!
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Oh, you should!! It is so good!!
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This sounds really good but I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle the creepiness of those graphics. I’m such a scary ass LOL
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Hahahah, maybe you can read them during daytime? aha
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I’ve heard about this graphic novel and it sounds deliciously creepy, the cliffhangers would drive me crazy though! Thanks for the review Lola.
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hahahah, yeah I get it! Thank you!!
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Sold me on this one! 🙂
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