Social Media Icons

Friday, May 25, 2018

#allthebookreviews: The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay @wmmorrowbooks @paulgtremblay

The Cabin at the End of the World
by Paul Tremblay


Thank you to William Morrow for these gifted copies in return for our honest opinions.
This book completed WOWED US!  Put this on your TBR immediately!

See Jessica and I's 5 Star Reviews below!


Publisher:  William Morrow
Publish Date:  June 26, 2018
Hardcover
288 pages
Standalone
Genres:  Horror, Suspense, Fiction, Thriller

Goodreads Synopsis:

The Bram Stoker Award-winning author of A Head Full of Ghosts adds an inventive twist to the home invasion horror story in a heart-palpitating novel of psychological suspense that recalls Stephen King’s Misery, Ruth Ware’s In a Dark, Dark Wood, and Jack Ketchum’s cult hit The Girl Next Door.


Seven-year-old Wen and her parents, Eric and Andrew, are vacationing at a remote cabin on a quiet New Hampshire lake. Their closest neighbors are more than two miles in either direction along a rutted dirt road.

One afternoon, as Wen catches grasshoppers in the front yard, a stranger unexpectedly appears in the driveway. Leonard is the largest man Wen has ever seen but he is young, friendly, and he wins her over almost instantly. Leonard and Wen talk and play until Leonard abruptly apologizes and tells Wen, "None of what’s going to happen is your fault". Three more strangers then arrive at the cabin carrying unidentifiable, menacing objects. As Wen sprints inside to warn her parents, Leonard calls out: "Your dads won’t want to let us in, Wen. But they have to. We need your help to save the world."

Thus begins an unbearably tense, gripping tale of paranoia, sacrifice, apocalypse, and survival that escalates to a shattering conclusion, one in which the fate of a loving family and quite possibly all of humanity are entwined. The Cabin at the End of the World is a masterpiece of terror and suspense from the fantastically fertile imagination of Paul Tremblay.


Jessica's Review:

I had heard nothing but great things going into THE CABIN AT THE END OF THE WORLD, and I was anxious to get started. Holy crap, guys. The first chapter alone pulls you in instantly and the suspense created in the last couple pages of chapter one was insane. Literally felt my heart racing as the chapter continued and that didn’t quit for the rest of the book.

We are introduced to Wen, she’s almost 8 years old, and she’s playing her front yard trying to collect grasshoppers. The sweetness ends about there and then the tone completely changes. Like I already mentioned, the end of this first chapter the suspense and ominous tone takes over.

The emotions and themes throughout this book are insane. We come across loyalty, sacrifice, the strength of your beliefs, and the importance and love of your family. Wen and her fathers, Eric and Andrew, were brought to life in this novel – you’ll definitely fall in love with this little girl. Tremblay does an incredible job bringing you through an array of reactions and plenty of WHAT THE HELL moments. I know for a fact I said that out loud a couple of times.

I don’t want to give away much because this is one you need to fully experience. If you’re a horror fan or already love Tremblay’s work, then this is a no-brainer. I can see this being a buzzed about book this summer!


I give this 5/5 stars!


My Review:


I typically write my reviews as soon as I'm done reading the book so my thoughts are fresh and I say exactly how I felt as I turned that last page. With this one, I'm glad I took the night to mull my thoughts over. Tremblay has outdone himself with this book. The blurb on the back cover sums it up perfectly: a "...gripping tale of paranoia, sacrifice, apocalypse and survival..." You really don't need to know anything more than that before going in.


The beginning starts off innocently enough as we get introduced to the adorable 7 year old Wen catching grasshoppers... and by the end of that first chapter the ominous and creepy tone sets in and that's it. You're done. You may as well cancel any plans you have and just read until you're done. Otherwise the story will just cling inside your brain and you'll hear that buzzing sound until you complete your mission! 

The characters are brought to life in such a way that you almost instantly feel a connection to them. I fell in love with Wen immediately and then her fathers secondary. As for the rest of the crew - I was torn. I love them but I hate them... but I love them... I think. Or not. I don't know! At one point I had to grab the pint of chocolate ice cream out of my freezer and eat my feelings as I kept reading. GAH! (true story)

Look, this book has a LOT going on - it's a tale of faith, loyalty, love and sacrifice. Tremblay punches you right in the gut a few times and I heard myself gasp out loud a few times. I had visions of The Strangers in my head during one of the scenes which then turned into a cult like phenomenon which then turned into what-the-hell-is-actually-going-on?! I'll admit, I was a little bit plundered by the ending.. which is what I needed to simmer on, even though I already knew it was going to be a 5-star review. In retrospect, it's brilliant... bloody brilliant when looking at the grasp of the entire story arc. 

As a final note, I don't know about the rest of you but Leonard had the same voice in my mind as Leland Gaunt and Charlie Manx. Haha! I heard a rumor this was coming to the big screen and I'm EXCITED about this news! 

Lovers of horror touched with home invasion apocalyptic suspense will be absolutely thrilled by this page turner of all page turners.


★★★★★

No comments

Leave a Comment