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My Throat an Open Grave
Labyrinth meets folk horror in this darkly romantic tale of a girl who wishes her baby brother away to the Lord of the Wood
Growing up in the small town of Winston, Pennsylvania feels like drowning. Leah goes to church every Sunday, works when she isn’t at school, and takes care of her baby brother, Owen. Like every girl in Winston, she tries to be right and good and holy. If she isn’t the Lord of the Wood will take her, and she’ll disappear like so many other girls before her.
But living up to the rigorous standards of the town takes its toll. One night, when Owen won’t stop screaming, Leah wishes him away, and the Lord listens. The screaming stops, and all that’s left in the crib is a small bundle of sticks tied with a ribbon.
Filled with shame and the weight of the town’s judgment, Leah is forced to cross the river into the Lord of the Wood’s domain to bring Owen back. But the devilish figure who has haunted Winston for generations isn’t what she expects. He tells her she can have her brother back―for the price of a song. A song that Leah will have one month to write.
It’s a bargain that will uncover secrets her hometown has tried to keep buried for decades. And what she unearths will have her questioning everything she’s been taught to fear.
Growing up in the small town of Winston, Pennsylvania feels like drowning. Leah goes to church every Sunday, works when she isn’t at school, and takes care of her baby brother, Owen. Like every girl in Winston, she tries to be right and good and holy. If she isn’t the Lord of the Wood will take her, and she’ll disappear like so many other girls before her.
But living up to the rigorous standards of the town takes its toll. One night, when Owen won’t stop screaming, Leah wishes him away, and the Lord listens. The screaming stops, and all that’s left in the crib is a small bundle of sticks tied with a ribbon.
Filled with shame and the weight of the town’s judgment, Leah is forced to cross the river into the Lord of the Wood’s domain to bring Owen back. But the devilish figure who has haunted Winston for generations isn’t what she expects. He tells her she can have her brother back―for the price of a song. A song that Leah will have one month to write.
It’s a bargain that will uncover secrets her hometown has tried to keep buried for decades. And what she unearths will have her questioning everything she’s been taught to fear.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 20, 2024
About the author
Tori Bovalino
9 books532 followersTori Bovalino is a bestselling author of young adult horror and fantasy fiction. She loves obscure academic facts, folklore, and oversized sweaters. Find her on Twitter as @toribov and Instagram as @toribovalino.
Tori also writes adult fantasy as V.L. Bovalino.
Tori also writes adult fantasy as V.L. Bovalino.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 667 reviews
Shelved as 'wishlist'
September 20, 2023As someone who has a shelf EXPLICITLY for books that remind her of Labyrinth, I NEED this book please and thank you. You don't even need to send me an ARC. Just inject the word document right into my veins so I can feel the hit.
January 28, 2024
Leah lives in a small town in Pennsylvania. When she’s not at school, she’s at church or taking care of her little brother. She thinks that if she isn’t good and holy, the Lord of the Wood will take her…like many of the girls before her.
Religious standards are high and one night when Owen won’t stop screaming, Lead wishes him away. The screaming stops, and when Leah checks his crib, all that remains is a bundle of sticks tied with a ribbon.
What does Leah have to do to get Owen back?
I love reading folklore books about religious town and their views of women, mainly because they’re just the views are so toxic they’re ridiculous. This book did a fantastic job showcasing how it is always the woman’s job to suffer at the feet of men. Leah was a fantastic, multi-faceted character who showed great growth over the course of the book. This story is very creepy, and utterly atmospheric. I loved how it was written because I felt like I was transported into the book with the characters. This was on the slow side pacing wise, however things unfolded nicely over the course of the book, so I stayed engaged. Once I started going with this one, I didn’t want to put it down and finished in one sitting. This book is so much more than just a spooky read, it’s full of self-love, redemption, and acceptance. I loved the twist at the end and didn’t see it coming!
This book is perfect if you are looking for spooky gothic read.
Thank you to Page Street YA @PageStreetYA TBR Beyond Tours @tbrbeyondtours Tori Bovalino @toribovalino and Netgalley @netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
4.5 Stars from me.
Religious standards are high and one night when Owen won’t stop screaming, Lead wishes him away. The screaming stops, and when Leah checks his crib, all that remains is a bundle of sticks tied with a ribbon.
What does Leah have to do to get Owen back?
I love reading folklore books about religious town and their views of women, mainly because they’re just the views are so toxic they’re ridiculous. This book did a fantastic job showcasing how it is always the woman’s job to suffer at the feet of men. Leah was a fantastic, multi-faceted character who showed great growth over the course of the book. This story is very creepy, and utterly atmospheric. I loved how it was written because I felt like I was transported into the book with the characters. This was on the slow side pacing wise, however things unfolded nicely over the course of the book, so I stayed engaged. Once I started going with this one, I didn’t want to put it down and finished in one sitting. This book is so much more than just a spooky read, it’s full of self-love, redemption, and acceptance. I loved the twist at the end and didn’t see it coming!
This book is perfect if you are looking for spooky gothic read.
Thank you to Page Street YA @PageStreetYA TBR Beyond Tours @tbrbeyondtours Tori Bovalino @toribovalino and Netgalley @netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
4.5 Stars from me.
April 6, 2024
I received an ARC from the publisher
TW: suicidal thoughts, mentioned overdose, kidnapping, emotionally abusive parent, drowning, implied infanticide, pregnancy horror
3.3
When I saw that this was "Labyrinth-inspired horror", I was very excited. Labyrinth is one of my favorite movies in the world, and there are plenty of elements that can be mined for horror, as well as metaphor and implications just begging to get dove into. In the end, this just didn't really go with the lens I was expecting, or tackle the concept in the direction I'd imagined.
However, I can see the inspiration in certain places- such as the general plot concept- and I did enjoy the folk horror elements.
I also liked the characterization of The Wood. A great thing about Labyrinth is how fleshed out and populated it feels, even with only glimpses. The Wood doesn't feel as large, but it definitely does feel like it's home to many people. I enjoyed getting to know these characters, and feeling like they're a real part of this community. It makes The Woods feel so much more 3-dimmensional.
However, this never really hit "horror" for me. It felt like fantasy, and one that leaned younger than most YA as well. The horror elements are few, and the focus consistently stays more towards romance and coming of age than it does survival.
Leah also felt like a very loose, thin character, with many of her traits told and then never show to match that description. With one major plot point I can see the point of that, but overall it just felt like she was an indistinct character who did little and had pretty much nothing going for her.
TW: suicidal thoughts, mentioned overdose, kidnapping, emotionally abusive parent, drowning, implied infanticide, pregnancy horror
3.3
When I saw that this was "Labyrinth-inspired horror", I was very excited. Labyrinth is one of my favorite movies in the world, and there are plenty of elements that can be mined for horror, as well as metaphor and implications just begging to get dove into. In the end, this just didn't really go with the lens I was expecting, or tackle the concept in the direction I'd imagined.
However, I can see the inspiration in certain places- such as the general plot concept- and I did enjoy the folk horror elements.
I also liked the characterization of The Wood. A great thing about Labyrinth is how fleshed out and populated it feels, even with only glimpses. The Wood doesn't feel as large, but it definitely does feel like it's home to many people. I enjoyed getting to know these characters, and feeling like they're a real part of this community. It makes The Woods feel so much more 3-dimmensional.
However, this never really hit "horror" for me. It felt like fantasy, and one that leaned younger than most YA as well. The horror elements are few, and the focus consistently stays more towards romance and coming of age than it does survival.
Leah also felt like a very loose, thin character, with many of her traits told and then never show to match that description. With one major plot point I can see the point of that, but overall it just felt like she was an indistinct character who did little and had pretty much nothing going for her.
Read
February 8, 2024did you ever wonder what labyrinth would be like if david bowie was a nice age appropriate boy? i sure didn’t.
May 3, 2024
3.5 stars, rounded down for several reasons (which as I enumerate them are tempting me to make it 2 stars!)
-This is not at all like Labyrinth. Just starting with "a girl has to get back a magically stolen baby" is not enough to make a story = Labyrinth. Labyrinth, for those who haven't seen it, is about a fanciful girl who doesn't get along with her stepmother or want to babysit the new baby. She is resentful but doesn't actually expect the goblins to steal the baby because she lives in the normal world where that doesn't happen. Leah has good reason to think the baby will in fact be taken. And Sara's story is an active quest: she chooses to rescue her brother, she makes her way through dangers and tests and finds friends and outwits the opposition. Leah is forced by her mother and pastor to enter the woods, which prove to be not actually dangerous, and then she hangs out in relative comfort (it's a lot nicer than her home!) and broods and plays piano in pretty skirts and eats yummy foods and develops a crush on a hot magical boy who is respectful. This is my kind of adventure, sign me up!
-This book is barely folk horror. It's more "folk" than the author's anthology, which was horror but not folk horror, but not by much. It's not horror for one thing: there's a mildly icky skeleton described, and some realistic nasty elements relating to religion and how men treat women and girls (so I guess in that sense one could argue that real life is horror all the time! I guess I agree, actually, but that doesn't work a genre label). I would describe this as YA fantasy with a cottage-core aesthetic.
I was very disappointed that despite having a Lord of the Woods there is no connection to folklore or mythology; in fact there's not much lore at all, we don't find out why their town has this baby-stealing lineage in the woods who are otherwise harmless and just live there in a pleasant Renn Faire encampment type of place (but with real houses and cooking facilities and baths, as usual with cottage core it's unclear who does the work that would be realistically needed to maintain the comfortable living conditions).
-All the women chose to go back to Winston, a town which seems horrible and which ostracized them. Why, when we eventually learn they could stay in the friendly community in the woods and have feasting and dances and stuff? This made no sense to me, and I was especially mad at the MC Leah for
Why I'm not giving this lower than 3 stars: The writing is decent. It's very readable. And I appreciated the author's grappling with female victimization, helplessness, and rage. I thought this was the element of the story she actually cared about.
****Note from before I read the book
I ordered this before realizing she'd edited the The Gathering Dark: An Anthology of Folk Horror that I found so disappointing. And I was meh about her story in there, too. But, I will read this eventually.
-This is not at all like Labyrinth. Just starting with "a girl has to get back a magically stolen baby" is not enough to make a story = Labyrinth. Labyrinth, for those who haven't seen it, is about a fanciful girl who doesn't get along with her stepmother or want to babysit the new baby. She is resentful but doesn't actually expect the goblins to steal the baby because she lives in the normal world where that doesn't happen. Leah has good reason to think the baby will in fact be taken. And Sara's story is an active quest: she chooses to rescue her brother, she makes her way through dangers and tests and finds friends and outwits the opposition. Leah is forced by her mother and pastor to enter the woods, which prove to be not actually dangerous, and then she hangs out in relative comfort (it's a lot nicer than her home!) and broods and plays piano in pretty skirts and eats yummy foods and develops a crush on a hot magical boy who is respectful. This is my kind of adventure, sign me up!
-This book is barely folk horror. It's more "folk" than the author's anthology, which was horror but not folk horror, but not by much. It's not horror for one thing: there's a mildly icky skeleton described, and some realistic nasty elements relating to religion and how men treat women and girls (so I guess in that sense one could argue that real life is horror all the time! I guess I agree, actually, but that doesn't work a genre label). I would describe this as YA fantasy with a cottage-core aesthetic.
I was very disappointed that despite having a Lord of the Woods there is no connection to folklore or mythology; in fact there's not much lore at all, we don't find out why their town has this baby-stealing lineage in the woods who are otherwise harmless and just live there in a pleasant Renn Faire encampment type of place (but with real houses and cooking facilities and baths, as usual with cottage core it's unclear who does the work that would be realistically needed to maintain the comfortable living conditions).
-All the women chose to go back to Winston, a town which seems horrible and which ostracized them. Why, when we eventually learn they could stay in the friendly community in the woods and have feasting and dances and stuff? This made no sense to me, and I was especially mad at the MC Leah for
Why I'm not giving this lower than 3 stars: The writing is decent. It's very readable. And I appreciated the author's grappling with female victimization, helplessness, and rage. I thought this was the element of the story she actually cared about.
****Note from before I read the book
I ordered this before realizing she'd edited the The Gathering Dark: An Anthology of Folk Horror that I found so disappointing. And I was meh about her story in there, too. But, I will read this eventually.
Shelved as 'dnf'
September 11, 2024dnf
there’s nothing actually wrong with this book, i went into it not knowing anything and about 20 pages in i decided to read the description and im both glad i did but also wish i hadn’t. the idea that she had to write a song just sounds so stupid and im sure i was gonna give it 3 stars anyway so let me just cut my losses here.
there’s nothing actually wrong with this book, i went into it not knowing anything and about 20 pages in i decided to read the description and im both glad i did but also wish i hadn’t. the idea that she had to write a song just sounds so stupid and im sure i was gonna give it 3 stars anyway so let me just cut my losses here.
January 3, 2024
If I could give this 10 stars on this app, I would. Dark, heartbreaking, relatable. Excuse me whilst I sob in the corner for a bit.
OK I've come back to add to this because I cannot stop thinking about it.
I've tried to write this review a hundred times over and nothing I have to say comes close to expressing how extraordinary this book is.
Full disclosure, the TWs for this book are long. Please look these up. This is a book built around traumas, on and off page. But this is a story that focuses less on the what has and more on the what next. This is the true north in My Throat An Open Grave; hope.
This book follows Leah, a young woman living in a god fearing small town she's resigned herself to for the rest of her life. She's looking after her little brother and living with her emotionally difficult mum and has a partially absent father, all in all not the most emotionally nourishing environment! Oh did I mention that an ominous evil demon lord lives in the woods next to the town, and he gobbles up missing young women and children? Yup. That's a thing.
When something awful happens to Leah's brother, she is cast out into the woods to save her brother and finds more than she bargained for...
What I have loved most about Bovalino's writing in previous works is the various ways journeys of self discovery have been teased out in some of the darkest moments and settings, never letting that small flame of hope be dowsed. My Throat An Open Grave is no exception to this format; this I feel is Bovalino's rawest, most honest and gut wrenching one yet. I cried tears of sorrow, I cried tears of joy. Congratulation Tori, this is a masterpiece.
Read. This. Now.
OK I've come back to add to this because I cannot stop thinking about it.
I've tried to write this review a hundred times over and nothing I have to say comes close to expressing how extraordinary this book is.
Full disclosure, the TWs for this book are long. Please look these up. This is a book built around traumas, on and off page. But this is a story that focuses less on the what has and more on the what next. This is the true north in My Throat An Open Grave; hope.
This book follows Leah, a young woman living in a god fearing small town she's resigned herself to for the rest of her life. She's looking after her little brother and living with her emotionally difficult mum and has a partially absent father, all in all not the most emotionally nourishing environment! Oh did I mention that an ominous evil demon lord lives in the woods next to the town, and he gobbles up missing young women and children? Yup. That's a thing.
When something awful happens to Leah's brother, she is cast out into the woods to save her brother and finds more than she bargained for...
What I have loved most about Bovalino's writing in previous works is the various ways journeys of self discovery have been teased out in some of the darkest moments and settings, never letting that small flame of hope be dowsed. My Throat An Open Grave is no exception to this format; this I feel is Bovalino's rawest, most honest and gut wrenching one yet. I cried tears of sorrow, I cried tears of joy. Congratulation Tori, this is a masterpiece.
Read. This. Now.
March 21, 2024
I really wanted to love this book, The Devil Makes Three is one of my favorite books and I had high expectations for My Throat an Open Grave, unfortunately I found the book a bit disappointing, it was too slow, nothing interesting really happened.
I was promised a Labyrinth inspired book but the only thing remotely similar was the fact the protagonist’s younger brother was taken by a mysterious figure and she has to strike a bargain to get him back.
I wanted more action more mystical things, goblins, magic, fantasy and this book had none of it.
The topics Tori wrote about are really important and relevant ones and I’m sure is going to resonate with a lot of people, maybe if I had known up ahead that this book would be so serious I wouldn’t have been as disappointed.
The prose was as enchanting as ever, Tori is a good author and I’m definitely going to read other books from her.
Thanks Netgalley and Titan Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review
I was promised a Labyrinth inspired book but the only thing remotely similar was the fact the protagonist’s younger brother was taken by a mysterious figure and she has to strike a bargain to get him back.
I wanted more action more mystical things, goblins, magic, fantasy and this book had none of it.
The topics Tori wrote about are really important and relevant ones and I’m sure is going to resonate with a lot of people, maybe if I had known up ahead that this book would be so serious I wouldn’t have been as disappointed.
The prose was as enchanting as ever, Tori is a good author and I’m definitely going to read other books from her.
Thanks Netgalley and Titan Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review
January 30, 2024
4.5 stars.
Loved it.
If Labyrinth was remade by M.Night Shyamalan and Ari Aster
Dripping in gothic language reminiscent of spinning silver and a house of salt and sorrow mixed with folklore and gore I think someone else reviewed it as the epitome of cottagegore and I have to agree. But it's also very angsty YA but I think if I was a gothy goth teen I would ADORE this book.
Although I own another book by Tori I haven't read it but I will be putting that right immediately.
Part folklore and part mystery, culty, sprinkled with horror.
Loved it.
If Labyrinth was remade by M.Night Shyamalan and Ari Aster
Dripping in gothic language reminiscent of spinning silver and a house of salt and sorrow mixed with folklore and gore I think someone else reviewed it as the epitome of cottagegore and I have to agree. But it's also very angsty YA but I think if I was a gothy goth teen I would ADORE this book.
Although I own another book by Tori I haven't read it but I will be putting that right immediately.
Part folklore and part mystery, culty, sprinkled with horror.
March 13, 2024
Repetitive and shallow writing mixed with flat characters and atmosphere, this book did not deliver. I get the point it’s making and that’s important in its own right, but the execution of it was entirely flawed. Do not expect what it’s marketed as, and I dare say you won’t be as disappointed as me.
April 17, 2024
Labyrinth vibes were not there. Bargain for a baby, and heterochromia? Imma need more than that. This book did a lot, and yet it was slow and uneventful, and I wanted more. I found the story incredibly moving at times, but overall it didn't hit the right notes for me.
August 1, 2024
2.5 stars.
This book is a victim of misguided marketing.
I wouldn’t say it’s Labyrinth meets folk horror, more like a paranormal romance with a small town murder mystery.
There is a a lot to unpack with this book, and while it does cover an unsettling topic covered by superstition, i felt there there were too many layers to uncover before we got to the twist at the end (which i liked!) but was kind of rushed.
•
Overall, not a bad book (teenage me would have swooned over the romance!) just not what I was expecting from the premise.
This book is a victim of misguided marketing.
I wouldn’t say it’s Labyrinth meets folk horror, more like a paranormal romance with a small town murder mystery.
There is a a lot to unpack with this book, and while it does cover an unsettling topic covered by superstition, i felt there there were too many layers to uncover before we got to the twist at the end (which i liked!) but was kind of rushed.
•
Overall, not a bad book (teenage me would have swooned over the romance!) just not what I was expecting from the premise.
December 4, 2023
I don't see myself healing from my weakness to resist a pretty cover anytime soon and this cover is gorgeous. The novel is graces is a lot more young adult than I expected, so though this was enjoyable, I wanted it to be darker.
My Throat an Open Grave is a quote directly taken out of the Bible and is the title of the story about Leah Jones. The high schooler lives in Winston, Pennsylvania, where she's facing a pretty gloomy outlook on life. She's barely managing to keep her job at a gas station and caring for her baby brother Owen, when said brother is taken by the Lord of the Woods. Leah now has to write a song in order to win him back, which forces her to examine the depths of what went so wrong in her life.
It's about religious and emotional oppression and standing up to face your fears. In a similar fashion to many other novels that came out in recent times such as Wayward and VenCo, this story explores the role of women who don't obey the rules society has caved out for them. In her world, Leah is a misfit, someone who doesn't believe like her religious town would like her to. The contrast is shown quite clearly: in the novel, the residents of Winston are afraid of the Lord of the Woods and his land, but as a reader, we learn that true evil lies with the humans who enforce fear upon others.
Apparently this was inspired by the movie Labyrinth, which I wasn't aware of. The 1986 film, which at this point I haven't seen, has quite a similar premise ("Sixteen-year-old Sarah must solve a labyrinth to rescue her baby brother when he is taken by the Goblin King.") and seemed to be the direct inspiration for the plot of this novel. I can't judge whether knowing that movie will enhance the reading experience of this, but it probably would have helped me with what to expect from this story, because I had no clue romance would play such a big role.
Parts of this did just read like YA romance. I don't think I'm spoiling too much by saying that the Lord of the Woods ended up being an attractive young man that Leah falls for. I was a bit disappointed when realising what direction this would develop, because for me personally, recognising the genre's familiar patterns relieved the story of a lot of tension and that eerie atmosphere that was created beforehand.
This is pleasantly written – just know what to expect from it. It's basically YA fantasy and romance with subtle elements of gothic horror and folklore. It's a delicious mix, but because it is ultimately targeted at young adults, it's not exploring its themes as drastically or intensively as they could have been examined. Don't get me wrong – this is an atmospheric and diverting novel that I finished within a couple of days, but I think there could have been more to it.
My Throat an Open Grave is a quote directly taken out of the Bible and is the title of the story about Leah Jones. The high schooler lives in Winston, Pennsylvania, where she's facing a pretty gloomy outlook on life. She's barely managing to keep her job at a gas station and caring for her baby brother Owen, when said brother is taken by the Lord of the Woods. Leah now has to write a song in order to win him back, which forces her to examine the depths of what went so wrong in her life.
It's about religious and emotional oppression and standing up to face your fears. In a similar fashion to many other novels that came out in recent times such as Wayward and VenCo, this story explores the role of women who don't obey the rules society has caved out for them. In her world, Leah is a misfit, someone who doesn't believe like her religious town would like her to. The contrast is shown quite clearly: in the novel, the residents of Winston are afraid of the Lord of the Woods and his land, but as a reader, we learn that true evil lies with the humans who enforce fear upon others.
Apparently this was inspired by the movie Labyrinth, which I wasn't aware of. The 1986 film, which at this point I haven't seen, has quite a similar premise ("Sixteen-year-old Sarah must solve a labyrinth to rescue her baby brother when he is taken by the Goblin King.") and seemed to be the direct inspiration for the plot of this novel. I can't judge whether knowing that movie will enhance the reading experience of this, but it probably would have helped me with what to expect from this story, because I had no clue romance would play such a big role.
Parts of this did just read like YA romance. I don't think I'm spoiling too much by saying that the Lord of the Woods ended up being an attractive young man that Leah falls for. I was a bit disappointed when realising what direction this would develop, because for me personally, recognising the genre's familiar patterns relieved the story of a lot of tension and that eerie atmosphere that was created beforehand.
This is pleasantly written – just know what to expect from it. It's basically YA fantasy and romance with subtle elements of gothic horror and folklore. It's a delicious mix, but because it is ultimately targeted at young adults, it's not exploring its themes as drastically or intensively as they could have been examined. Don't get me wrong – this is an atmospheric and diverting novel that I finished within a couple of days, but I think there could have been more to it.
January 14, 2024
➸ 4.25 ⭐️
🥹🥹🥹
'Tis the year of cottagecore horror-y books and I'm here for it.
'Labyrinth' meets folk horror in this wonderfully dark and twisted tale of belonging and what it means to be good.
My Throat an Open Grave is about facing your fears and overcoming religious trauma. It's about a girl who can't quite be "good enough" in the eyes of the small town that's been condemning her for years.
Our MC Leah was complex and well fleshed out, she's becoming more and more relatable with every chapter, gods how my heart broke for her.
I loved the dynamic between her and the Lord of the Wood. He was such an interesting character and exactly what Leah needed I only wish we'd gotten his POV.
The last 100 pages were super interesting and everything came together, one of the plot twists really destroyed me emotionally.
MTaOG was such an atmospheric and creepy read, perfect for the spooky season. Leah's story is one that'll stay with me.
eternal gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC
all quotes are from an advance copy and may differ in the final publication
"You came for me."
"I would always come for you," he promises. "I waited for you."
🥹🥹🥹
'Tis the year of cottagecore horror-y books and I'm here for it.
'Labyrinth' meets folk horror in this wonderfully dark and twisted tale of belonging and what it means to be good.
My Throat an Open Grave is about facing your fears and overcoming religious trauma. It's about a girl who can't quite be "good enough" in the eyes of the small town that's been condemning her for years.
Our MC Leah was complex and well fleshed out, she's becoming more and more relatable with every chapter, gods how my heart broke for her.
I'm Red Riding Hood, lost to temptation, screaming forever in the belly of the wolf. The princes don't come for the ruined, the unchaste, the soiled girls they only care for princesses. They don't come for girls like me.
I loved the dynamic between her and the Lord of the Wood. He was such an interesting character and exactly what Leah needed I only wish we'd gotten his POV.
"But you have to understand... You're not human and you take things you shouldn't, and you've been made into a punishment. You have to see how that could be terrifying."
He shrugs. "But you came seeking me anyway."
I bite my lip, considering. "Perhaps I always wanted to be punished. Perhaps I was begging you to come do your worst, to unmake me and everything I've ever done wrong."
The last 100 pages were super interesting and everything came together, one of the plot twists really destroyed me emotionally.
MTaOG was such an atmospheric and creepy read, perfect for the spooky season. Leah's story is one that'll stay with me.
eternal gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC
all quotes are from an advance copy and may differ in the final publication
February 28, 2024
I feel mean because this was actually very nicely done, beautiful writing, all of it... but it didn't get to me, not really.
3.5/5
3.5/5
February 20, 2024
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒔 - 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒎𝒆.”
There’s a small town called Winston, in Pennsylvania, and they know there are worse things than death. There’s the Lord of the Wood.
Raised to be a good girl from a very religious town, Leah goes to church every Sunday. But silently, she images herself drowning over and over again. When she’s underwater, it’s the only time she feels peace. And imagining her own death brings her comfort.
Leah struggles with being a good girl. She tries to do her best, but when the Lord of the Wood comes in the night to take her brother….she knows she’s failed.
Let me just sum up the vibes for you:
•cottagegore
•religious cult
•blood oaths
•sacrifices
•time warps
•a memory garden
•found family
•mild enemies to lovers
Tori Bovalino is a master of YA horror books. The atmosphere, body horror/gore, and dark themes that she writes about are some of my favourites. She’s an auto-buy author for me.
This book is for those who loved Lakesedge, Lovely, Dark and Deep, and Wake The Bones.
There’s a small town called Winston, in Pennsylvania, and they know there are worse things than death. There’s the Lord of the Wood.
Raised to be a good girl from a very religious town, Leah goes to church every Sunday. But silently, she images herself drowning over and over again. When she’s underwater, it’s the only time she feels peace. And imagining her own death brings her comfort.
Leah struggles with being a good girl. She tries to do her best, but when the Lord of the Wood comes in the night to take her brother….she knows she’s failed.
Let me just sum up the vibes for you:
•cottagegore
•religious cult
•blood oaths
•sacrifices
•time warps
•a memory garden
•found family
•mild enemies to lovers
Tori Bovalino is a master of YA horror books. The atmosphere, body horror/gore, and dark themes that she writes about are some of my favourites. She’s an auto-buy author for me.
This book is for those who loved Lakesedge, Lovely, Dark and Deep, and Wake The Bones.
February 16, 2024
This is one of my favorite reads of 2024 so far! Creepy folklore horror is always a win for me, especially with the addition of religious trauma and manipulation. The theme of women paying for men's sins hits so hard and is so visceral through Leah's experiences, that it made it hard to read at times in the best way. Tori Bovalino's haunting, atmospheric writing was perfect for this kind of story and added such weight to every step that Leah took on her path to acceptance.
Though this book is creepy, dark, and gory at times, at the core, it's a story of redemption, honesty, love, and forgiveness. The romance and platonic love aspects are healthy and heartfelt, but in the end, this is Leah's story of escaping the horrific life she's been doomed to once she realizes she's worthy of happiness.
If you're a fan of complex female journeys, emotional reveals, cottagecore horror, dark atmosphere, religious oppression, and facing your fears, pick up this book.
Endless thanks to NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Though this book is creepy, dark, and gory at times, at the core, it's a story of redemption, honesty, love, and forgiveness. The romance and platonic love aspects are healthy and heartfelt, but in the end, this is Leah's story of escaping the horrific life she's been doomed to once she realizes she's worthy of happiness.
If you're a fan of complex female journeys, emotional reveals, cottagecore horror, dark atmosphere, religious oppression, and facing your fears, pick up this book.
Endless thanks to NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2024
A quick read, it had me hooked from the very beginning regardless of how *cringe* I found the MC to be.
The reason I picked this one up is because it drew inspiration from the Labyrinth - an all time favourite - and whilst I see the parallels, it didn't quite live up to what I had in mind.
This is supposedly a YA Horror, but other than the mention of body gore a couple of times this reads more like a Romantasy. I also feel like the author had a word count to reach and there was a lot of repetitiveness in there.
The reason I picked this one up is because it drew inspiration from the Labyrinth - an all time favourite - and whilst I see the parallels, it didn't quite live up to what I had in mind.
This is supposedly a YA Horror, but other than the mention of body gore a couple of times this reads more like a Romantasy. I also feel like the author had a word count to reach and there was a lot of repetitiveness in there.
January 31, 2024
A YA dark fantasy? who am I? This book was a bit out of my comfort zone so I was pretty nervous but when I saw it was a Labyrinth inspired story I was so excited for it! I did enjoy this one and I did get the Labyrinth vibes! This was a very dark coming of age story and I liked the themes explored here, But the romance was pretty boring for me...like all romance is haha. You can check more of my thoughts in this vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlTNA...
January 4, 2024
My Throat an Open Grave by Tori Bovalino (she/her)
Genre: young adult, folk horror, urban fantasy, romance (subplot)
Rating: 4.5 stars
ARC review
Thank you NetGalley and Page Street YA for my ARC of this book! This is my honest review and all opinions are my own.
“I am a mangled thing. I am soiled black with sin.”
In a small Appalachian town, lives Leah Jones and her baby brother, Owen. One night after an exhausting work shift and trying to get the baby to sleep; he just won't stop screaming. She wishes him away to the Lord of the Wood. The screaming stops and all that is left is a still warm cradle and a bundle of sticks. Leah is forced to search for her brother and return him to the town. After the Lord of the Wood finds her, they make a deal: if she can write a song for him in one month, she and her brother can leave. But things are not as they seem, she feels safer here, far away from the choking expectations of the town and its inhabitants. Ghosts of her hometown are unearthed and Leah has to find out the truth, no matter if it leads to her death.
When I requested this book on NetGalley, I’ll be honest, I was expecting a YA romance that is inspired by the movie Labyrinth. I was expecting something fun, light, and easy to read with a splash of folklore. MY THROAT AN OPEN GRAVE was nowhere near any of that, and I loved it because of it.
MY THROAT AN OPEN GRAVE was about small towns, purity culture, religious trauma, how angry the dead can be, Lady Macbeth Syndrome, and the “otherness” that comes with finding faults in those ideals. When I finished reading it, I just sat on my bed at 2:26 am crying for no reason I could identify besides the fact that I felt seen. Have I ever gone into the woods to find my baby brother and bring him home? No. Did I have to write a song to bring him back? No. Have I ever found solace in water? No. But I have lived in two very small towns, seen what religion when placed in the wrong hands can do, how lost you feel, and been coached on “violations” before marriage in a school gymnasium. I remember the stale air, how quietly we went into the locker room to change for our gym class, not a single one of us saying a word. That is what this book is about. How oppressive that need to be perfect is at that moment. How after so many years, you are just done.
One of the major things I loved about this book were the metaphors and symbolism of water. Leah takes solace in the water, she loves it and feels pure and whole when in it. She is constantly bathing herself and trying to wash away her past. I interpreted a lot of this to be Bovalino’s exploration of Lady Macbeth Syndrome, and I will say that it was done beautifully. I loved every hidden metaphor, every long bath scene. Even when the water is used as a weapon against the main character time and time again.
“I’ve always felt best in water. Like I’m come undone. Clean.”
Another thing in this novel that surprised me was the folklore. While it is a main part of the novel, it is not in the way you would think. While Leah is in Winston, the Lord of the Wood is this terrifying creature coming to take babies away. He is used as the town’s main weapon of defense in keeping its inhabitants in line. “Do what you are supposed to, or the Lord of the Wood will come for your children.” In a way it reminds me a lot of Krampus and the constant threat of him against young children. However, when Leah does her own deconstruction, the folklore takes more of an important role. It helps her and guides her to the truth time and time again.
MY THROAT AN OPEN GRAVE is going to be a novel that I will be referencing multiple times in reviews to come. In more ways than one, it reminded me of The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White and the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm or Hans Christen Andersen. MY THROAT AN OPEN GRAVE caused that deep pang to shoot from my gut straight to my heart moments before a character says something. Just knowing what they are going to say before they do and knowing you can do nothing to stop it. That is the experience I will remember most about reading this book.
I highly recommend this book (if that was not apparent already by the very incomprehensible essay style review) and will not stop thinking about this haunting story for a very long time. I will most likely be getting a physical copy just to have, to sleep with it under my pillow, and annotated to my heart's content. I am also hoping to read the rest of Bovalino’s published works after finishing this one. If they cause even a fraction of the reaction I had to reading this novel, I know I will love them as well.
Please note that quotes used are from an advanced reader copy and may be subject to change in the final copy of the book.
MY THROAT AN OPEN GRAVE will be released on February 20th.
CW: blood, death, animal death (deer), body horror, suicidal ideation, religious trauma, purity culture, pregnancy, death of a family member (in the past)
Genre: young adult, folk horror, urban fantasy, romance (subplot)
Rating: 4.5 stars
ARC review
Thank you NetGalley and Page Street YA for my ARC of this book! This is my honest review and all opinions are my own.
“I am a mangled thing. I am soiled black with sin.”
In a small Appalachian town, lives Leah Jones and her baby brother, Owen. One night after an exhausting work shift and trying to get the baby to sleep; he just won't stop screaming. She wishes him away to the Lord of the Wood. The screaming stops and all that is left is a still warm cradle and a bundle of sticks. Leah is forced to search for her brother and return him to the town. After the Lord of the Wood finds her, they make a deal: if she can write a song for him in one month, she and her brother can leave. But things are not as they seem, she feels safer here, far away from the choking expectations of the town and its inhabitants. Ghosts of her hometown are unearthed and Leah has to find out the truth, no matter if it leads to her death.
When I requested this book on NetGalley, I’ll be honest, I was expecting a YA romance that is inspired by the movie Labyrinth. I was expecting something fun, light, and easy to read with a splash of folklore. MY THROAT AN OPEN GRAVE was nowhere near any of that, and I loved it because of it.
MY THROAT AN OPEN GRAVE was about small towns, purity culture, religious trauma, how angry the dead can be, Lady Macbeth Syndrome, and the “otherness” that comes with finding faults in those ideals. When I finished reading it, I just sat on my bed at 2:26 am crying for no reason I could identify besides the fact that I felt seen. Have I ever gone into the woods to find my baby brother and bring him home? No. Did I have to write a song to bring him back? No. Have I ever found solace in water? No. But I have lived in two very small towns, seen what religion when placed in the wrong hands can do, how lost you feel, and been coached on “violations” before marriage in a school gymnasium. I remember the stale air, how quietly we went into the locker room to change for our gym class, not a single one of us saying a word. That is what this book is about. How oppressive that need to be perfect is at that moment. How after so many years, you are just done.
One of the major things I loved about this book were the metaphors and symbolism of water. Leah takes solace in the water, she loves it and feels pure and whole when in it. She is constantly bathing herself and trying to wash away her past. I interpreted a lot of this to be Bovalino’s exploration of Lady Macbeth Syndrome, and I will say that it was done beautifully. I loved every hidden metaphor, every long bath scene. Even when the water is used as a weapon against the main character time and time again.
“I’ve always felt best in water. Like I’m come undone. Clean.”
Another thing in this novel that surprised me was the folklore. While it is a main part of the novel, it is not in the way you would think. While Leah is in Winston, the Lord of the Wood is this terrifying creature coming to take babies away. He is used as the town’s main weapon of defense in keeping its inhabitants in line. “Do what you are supposed to, or the Lord of the Wood will come for your children.” In a way it reminds me a lot of Krampus and the constant threat of him against young children. However, when Leah does her own deconstruction, the folklore takes more of an important role. It helps her and guides her to the truth time and time again.
MY THROAT AN OPEN GRAVE is going to be a novel that I will be referencing multiple times in reviews to come. In more ways than one, it reminded me of The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White and the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm or Hans Christen Andersen. MY THROAT AN OPEN GRAVE caused that deep pang to shoot from my gut straight to my heart moments before a character says something. Just knowing what they are going to say before they do and knowing you can do nothing to stop it. That is the experience I will remember most about reading this book.
I highly recommend this book (if that was not apparent already by the very incomprehensible essay style review) and will not stop thinking about this haunting story for a very long time. I will most likely be getting a physical copy just to have, to sleep with it under my pillow, and annotated to my heart's content. I am also hoping to read the rest of Bovalino’s published works after finishing this one. If they cause even a fraction of the reaction I had to reading this novel, I know I will love them as well.
Please note that quotes used are from an advanced reader copy and may be subject to change in the final copy of the book.
MY THROAT AN OPEN GRAVE will be released on February 20th.
CW: blood, death, animal death (deer), body horror, suicidal ideation, religious trauma, purity culture, pregnancy, death of a family member (in the past)
January 13, 2024
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my e-ARC of My Throat an Open Grave!
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🌲 are looking for a dark and atmospheric read
🧝🏻 loved the movie Labyrinth
💕 want a YA romance
👥 enjoy cult-driven novels
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Growing up in the small town of Winston, Pennsylvania feels like drowning. Leah goes to church every Sunday, works when she isn’t at school, and takes care of her baby brother, Owen. Like every girl in Winston, she tries to be right and good and holy. If she isn’t the Lord of the Wood will take her, and she’ll disappear like so many other girls before her. But living up to the rigorous standards of the town takes its toll. One night, when Owen won’t stop screaming, Leah wishes him away, and the Lord listens. The screaming stops, and all that’s left in the crib is a small bundle of sticks tied with a ribbon. Filled with shame and the weight of the town’s judgment, Leah is forced to cross the river into the Lord of the Wood’s domain to bring Owen back. But the devilish figure who has haunted Winston for generations isn’t what she expects. He tells her she can have her brother back―for the price of a song. A song that Leah will have one month to write. It’s a bargain that will uncover secrets her hometown has tried to keep buried for decades. And what she unearths will have her questioning everything she’s been taught to fear.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was a really different and interesting read. Apparently it is heavily based on the movie Labyrinth, which I haven’t seen since I was fairly young. It starts out strong, but ultimately loses me about halfway through the story as the MC, Leah, seems to start falling for the Lord of the Woods, which just isn’t the direction I thought the book was headed in whatsoever. However, I loved the woods and how everything worked in this “realm” where time doesn’t operate in the same way. When Leah was essentially a ghost, was probably one of my favorite scenes. Overall, definitely pick this one up if you’re a fan of YA reads with a dark atmosphere!
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🌲 are looking for a dark and atmospheric read
🧝🏻 loved the movie Labyrinth
💕 want a YA romance
👥 enjoy cult-driven novels
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Growing up in the small town of Winston, Pennsylvania feels like drowning. Leah goes to church every Sunday, works when she isn’t at school, and takes care of her baby brother, Owen. Like every girl in Winston, she tries to be right and good and holy. If she isn’t the Lord of the Wood will take her, and she’ll disappear like so many other girls before her. But living up to the rigorous standards of the town takes its toll. One night, when Owen won’t stop screaming, Leah wishes him away, and the Lord listens. The screaming stops, and all that’s left in the crib is a small bundle of sticks tied with a ribbon. Filled with shame and the weight of the town’s judgment, Leah is forced to cross the river into the Lord of the Wood’s domain to bring Owen back. But the devilish figure who has haunted Winston for generations isn’t what she expects. He tells her she can have her brother back―for the price of a song. A song that Leah will have one month to write. It’s a bargain that will uncover secrets her hometown has tried to keep buried for decades. And what she unearths will have her questioning everything she’s been taught to fear.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was a really different and interesting read. Apparently it is heavily based on the movie Labyrinth, which I haven’t seen since I was fairly young. It starts out strong, but ultimately loses me about halfway through the story as the MC, Leah, seems to start falling for the Lord of the Woods, which just isn’t the direction I thought the book was headed in whatsoever. However, I loved the woods and how everything worked in this “realm” where time doesn’t operate in the same way. When Leah was essentially a ghost, was probably one of my favorite scenes. Overall, definitely pick this one up if you’re a fan of YA reads with a dark atmosphere!
March 16, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book invites you to fall under the spell of the Lord of the Wood, and boy did I ever. This was dark and creepy and twisted and I LOVED it. Steeped in religious trauma and painful isolation, this story is incredibly atmospheric and you just fall into this world. Leah was a complex main character who shows so much growth over the span of a short book - this is a real journey of self discovery. I also really loved the romance, which I wasn't expecting at all but which I felt was paced perfectly and the tone of which suited the story. I would highly recommend!!
This book invites you to fall under the spell of the Lord of the Wood, and boy did I ever. This was dark and creepy and twisted and I LOVED it. Steeped in religious trauma and painful isolation, this story is incredibly atmospheric and you just fall into this world. Leah was a complex main character who shows so much growth over the span of a short book - this is a real journey of self discovery. I also really loved the romance, which I wasn't expecting at all but which I felt was paced perfectly and the tone of which suited the story. I would highly recommend!!
March 1, 2024
Well, that was disappointing? I signed up for a horror, not a romance. I expected this book to...worse? "He tells her to she can get her brother back...for a price." I expected that price to be way higher, and it should've been (imo)
Read
March 5, 2024Well this was stupid
February 16, 2024
Many thanks to NetGalley and Titanbooks for the free e-arc in exchange of my honest opinion.
“My throat an open grave” is the story of Leah. She lives in a small and weird town, very religious, and when she’s not at school or work or church, she takes care of her brother, Owen. She’s not happy, but it’s just life. But there’s something in the forest next to this village, Lord of the Woods, and it is said that if you’re not good, he’ll take you.
But one night, Owen doesn’t stop crying. And Leah does one thing she knows she shouldn’t, she wishes Owen away. And he’s taken.
That’s the plot of the book in a few words, without the twists and turns that will happen.
“My throat is an open grave” is actually a verse from the Bible, and I did not knew that. After finishing this book I searched for its meaning.
“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
I am a lover of creepy stories and creepy forests. I am a sucker for strange creatures and ghosts. While this wasn’t scary or horror, it was very enjoyable and entertaining. Also sad. It has “Labyrinth” vibes and explores women’s fears. It’s starting a little bit slow, but it’s very captivating.
There are one main character, Leah, and while it was a little annoying to see how many times she talks about herself being broken and bad, I understood her in the end. But throughout the story, we find out more about her and we see how people influenced her to have these opinions. She’s just a girl who made mistakes, but she always been seen as something rotten. It was sad to see how much she despises herself and I hate her mother for never standing up for her daughter. I liked to be by her side while she understood that she deserves love and peace and happiness.
“That’s what we’re meant to fear, isn’t it? Not the things that look evil, but the ones that look just as sweet and nice as honey, the sins that come back to bite you like a viper lying in wait. It’s to easy to trust a beautiful thing, to let yourself go deeper and deeper until you take a breath and realise the oxygen has been all sucked out and you’re suffocating.”
I don’t want to say a lot about this, it was a good book. My expectations were really low, being disappointed by so many gothic/horror books, but this one was a pleasant surprise. It has short chapters, easy and understandable writing, good and developed characters, I liked the twists even if I figured it out some of them, I was still surprised. I hate the town Leah grew in, I hate his residents, I hate what the men did to these women. The religion is playing a huge role in “My throat an open grave” and being in Leah’s place, it would be hard to believe in something bigger than everything.
“I wish I had some name, some religion that I believed could save me. I wish I could look to the stars and whisper the name of my own personal god and be whisked away somewhere new, somewhere that didn’t hurt so much.”
I’m very happy with the ending, but this book left me with some sad thoughts. It’s hard to be a woman, anything you do is not good. And Leah’s story in a good example.
“My throat an open grave” is the story of Leah. She lives in a small and weird town, very religious, and when she’s not at school or work or church, she takes care of her brother, Owen. She’s not happy, but it’s just life. But there’s something in the forest next to this village, Lord of the Woods, and it is said that if you’re not good, he’ll take you.
But one night, Owen doesn’t stop crying. And Leah does one thing she knows she shouldn’t, she wishes Owen away. And he’s taken.
That’s the plot of the book in a few words, without the twists and turns that will happen.
“My throat is an open grave” is actually a verse from the Bible, and I did not knew that. After finishing this book I searched for its meaning.
“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
I am a lover of creepy stories and creepy forests. I am a sucker for strange creatures and ghosts. While this wasn’t scary or horror, it was very enjoyable and entertaining. Also sad. It has “Labyrinth” vibes and explores women’s fears. It’s starting a little bit slow, but it’s very captivating.
There are one main character, Leah, and while it was a little annoying to see how many times she talks about herself being broken and bad, I understood her in the end. But throughout the story, we find out more about her and we see how people influenced her to have these opinions. She’s just a girl who made mistakes, but she always been seen as something rotten. It was sad to see how much she despises herself and I hate her mother for never standing up for her daughter. I liked to be by her side while she understood that she deserves love and peace and happiness.
“That’s what we’re meant to fear, isn’t it? Not the things that look evil, but the ones that look just as sweet and nice as honey, the sins that come back to bite you like a viper lying in wait. It’s to easy to trust a beautiful thing, to let yourself go deeper and deeper until you take a breath and realise the oxygen has been all sucked out and you’re suffocating.”
I don’t want to say a lot about this, it was a good book. My expectations were really low, being disappointed by so many gothic/horror books, but this one was a pleasant surprise. It has short chapters, easy and understandable writing, good and developed characters, I liked the twists even if I figured it out some of them, I was still surprised. I hate the town Leah grew in, I hate his residents, I hate what the men did to these women. The religion is playing a huge role in “My throat an open grave” and being in Leah’s place, it would be hard to believe in something bigger than everything.
“I wish I had some name, some religion that I believed could save me. I wish I could look to the stars and whisper the name of my own personal god and be whisked away somewhere new, somewhere that didn’t hurt so much.”
I’m very happy with the ending, but this book left me with some sad thoughts. It’s hard to be a woman, anything you do is not good. And Leah’s story in a good example.
September 5, 2024
Came for the horror, stayed for revenge.
Labyrinth meets folk horror is a very accurate description of this book. And even though it had less horror in the literal sense and it dealt more with the horrors that we find in the world every day, everywhere, it was very satisfying.
Leah lives in a small town where everyone goes to church and girls are taught how to be a good girl. She is tired of taking care of her younger brother and he asks the Lord of the Woods to come and take him. She does not believe in the legend that says the Lord of the Woods comes and takes children away if you offer them. But after her offering, her brother disappears.
Now, ashamed and guilty, Leah decides to enter the woods to look for her brother even though when people enter those woods, they never come back.
This book had so many interesting fantasy elements to it but the joy of some of those parts is small compared with all the grief you will experience. It is a sweet yet devastating story and as we follow Leah trying to discover who she is and what she wants, we will also learn the truth about the Lord of the Woods.
The writing style was very beautiful and it was easy to relate to Leah as a woman and to put yourself in her shoes. What would you do? Who and what would you believe?
Labyrinth meets folk horror is a very accurate description of this book. And even though it had less horror in the literal sense and it dealt more with the horrors that we find in the world every day, everywhere, it was very satisfying.
Leah lives in a small town where everyone goes to church and girls are taught how to be a good girl. She is tired of taking care of her younger brother and he asks the Lord of the Woods to come and take him. She does not believe in the legend that says the Lord of the Woods comes and takes children away if you offer them. But after her offering, her brother disappears.
Now, ashamed and guilty, Leah decides to enter the woods to look for her brother even though when people enter those woods, they never come back.
This book had so many interesting fantasy elements to it but the joy of some of those parts is small compared with all the grief you will experience. It is a sweet yet devastating story and as we follow Leah trying to discover who she is and what she wants, we will also learn the truth about the Lord of the Woods.
The writing style was very beautiful and it was easy to relate to Leah as a woman and to put yourself in her shoes. What would you do? Who and what would you believe?
April 15, 2024
This is the kind of horror I can completely get behind!
Tori Bovalino has written a story about brokenness and pain and judgment and the sheer unfairness of it all. It’s a very important book about what it means to be female, and should be required reading everywhere, but most especially in certain states these days.
I wish I’d read this earlier. I was put off by the cover. I mean, that cover is pretty horrifying. Don’t be like me. If you’re bothered by the cover, turn the page and dive in anyway.
4.5 stars.
Tori Bovalino has written a story about brokenness and pain and judgment and the sheer unfairness of it all. It’s a very important book about what it means to be female, and should be required reading everywhere, but most especially in certain states these days.
I wish I’d read this earlier. I was put off by the cover. I mean, that cover is pretty horrifying. Don’t be like me. If you’re bothered by the cover, turn the page and dive in anyway.
4.5 stars.
Shelved as 'gave-up-on'
August 16, 2024As a Labyrinth inspired book, this was a book meant for the Bog of Eternal Stench.
I forgot about the brother at 50% in and not because of the romance (because it was so bad), but that the book actually made me forget that she is on a mission to rescue her brother.
Another thing: is this story current? How the hell is everyone in this town just accepting / believing of some demon in the wood? Like, establish the world building better. Example: A Marvel film makes me accept superheroes exist because of either interplanetary involvement or government interference. ... Yet, you're gonna try to get me to believe that grown ass adults and kids believe a demon is in the woods taking kids (a legit demon with powers and not some psycho rapist / killer / murderer) because... ?
Yeah. Sorry. Goodbye. Not gonna give this a rating due to not finishing it, but I will open my mouth on this one.
I forgot about the brother at 50% in and not because of the romance (because it was so bad), but that the book actually made me forget that she is on a mission to rescue her brother.
Another thing: is this story current? How the hell is everyone in this town just accepting / believing of some demon in the wood? Like, establish the world building better. Example: A Marvel film makes me accept superheroes exist because of either interplanetary involvement or government interference. ... Yet, you're gonna try to get me to believe that grown ass adults and kids believe a demon is in the woods taking kids (a legit demon with powers and not some psycho rapist / killer / murderer) because... ?
Yeah. Sorry. Goodbye. Not gonna give this a rating due to not finishing it, but I will open my mouth on this one.
January 15, 2024
I had no idea this was inspired by Labyrinth?? But now that I know, I can see a few connections.
I really liked the exploration of religious oppression and the shame and persecution of living in such a town. The cottagecore, folky vibes were such a mood and I loved it. It was written fabulously and the story just got better and better.
That being said, I felt the romance played a larger role in the story than I would have liked. Of course, this is a preference thing and the description clearly states there would be a romance aspect to the story...I just found it to be far less interesting than everything else and a bit distracting. Idk, maybe because this is YA and that aspect appeals more to the YA audience. I think I would have enjoyed this even more if it was just darker overall.
This was my favorite Tori Bovalino book and I will definitely read anything else she comes out with; her writing is fantastic and she knows how to tell a damn good story.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me this book along with the gorgeous packaging and extra goodies--I 100% squealed with delight when I received it! I'm incredibly grateful ❤️
I really liked the exploration of religious oppression and the shame and persecution of living in such a town. The cottagecore, folky vibes were such a mood and I loved it. It was written fabulously and the story just got better and better.
That being said, I felt the romance played a larger role in the story than I would have liked. Of course, this is a preference thing and the description clearly states there would be a romance aspect to the story...I just found it to be far less interesting than everything else and a bit distracting. Idk, maybe because this is YA and that aspect appeals more to the YA audience. I think I would have enjoyed this even more if it was just darker overall.
This was my favorite Tori Bovalino book and I will definitely read anything else she comes out with; her writing is fantastic and she knows how to tell a damn good story.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me this book along with the gorgeous packaging and extra goodies--I 100% squealed with delight when I received it! I'm incredibly grateful ❤️
February 22, 2024
I think My Throat is an Open Grave was an okay book, but sadly, I just did not enjoy it.
I went into this book with high hopes as it was described as being inspired by Labyrinth.
Labyrinth is one of my favourite movies, so this made me really excited!
I found that there were barely any similarities other than the premise of wishing away a baby, and that deeply disappointed me.
There was also a twist in this book that I guessed really early on, and i have to admit it was annoying that it wasn't confirmed until the end of the book.
I'm not a fan of that specific topic, and I probably never would have read the book if I knew about it beforehand. I won't say more as it's technically a spoiler.
The last thing I want to say is that while the characters were pretty good, no one stood out, and I was a little disappointed with the romance as I felt there was zero chemistry.
Also, while I liked the love interest, I was kinda hoping for a love interest that would be a little like Jareth, and he sadly wasn't.
I really hate how negative this review turned out...
I do think this wasn't a bad book as most of the reasons I disliked it were my own fault due to my high hopes and would still recommend this book.
I just wouldn't recommend it if you want to read it just because you like Labyrinth, as you will probably be disappointed.
I'm now going to rewatch Labyrinth soon to make myself feel better!
I went into this book with high hopes as it was described as being inspired by Labyrinth.
Labyrinth is one of my favourite movies, so this made me really excited!
I found that there were barely any similarities other than the premise of wishing away a baby, and that deeply disappointed me.
There was also a twist in this book that I guessed really early on, and i have to admit it was annoying that it wasn't confirmed until the end of the book.
I'm not a fan of that specific topic, and I probably never would have read the book if I knew about it beforehand. I won't say more as it's technically a spoiler.
The last thing I want to say is that while the characters were pretty good, no one stood out, and I was a little disappointed with the romance as I felt there was zero chemistry.
Also, while I liked the love interest, I was kinda hoping for a love interest that would be a little like Jareth, and he sadly wasn't.
I really hate how negative this review turned out...
I do think this wasn't a bad book as most of the reasons I disliked it were my own fault due to my high hopes and would still recommend this book.
I just wouldn't recommend it if you want to read it just because you like Labyrinth, as you will probably be disappointed.
I'm now going to rewatch Labyrinth soon to make myself feel better!
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