Little Eve by Catriona Ward

Little Eve

by Catriona Ward

' A wonderful literary gothic tale' Sarah Pinborough, author of BEHIND HER EYES

'You liked The Wasp Factory? Meet Little Eve' Natasha Pulley, author of THE WATCHMAKER OF FILIGREE STREET

Eve and Dinah are everything to one another, never parted day or night. They are raised among the Children, a community of strays and orphans ruled by a mysterious figure they call Uncle. All they know is the grey Isle of Altnaharra which sits in the black sea off the wildest coast of Scotland.

Eve loves the free, savage life of the Isle and longs to inherit Uncle's power. She is untroubled save by her dreams; of soft arms and a woman singing. Dinah longs for something other.

But the world is at war and cannot be kept at bay. As the solitude of Altnaharra is broken, Eve's faith and sanity fracture. In a great storm, in the depths of winter, as the old year dies, the locals discover a devastating scene on the Isle.

Eve and Dinah's accounts of that night contradict and intertwine. As past and present converge, only one woman can be telling the truth. Who is guilty, who innocent?

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on

3.5 of 5 stars

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Catriona Ward's horror novels are always SO heavy hitting. Therefore, I try not to miss one – even when they touch upon heavier subjects that I generally try to avoid. Enter Little Eve, her latest terrifying read.

We've all heard tales of sacred ceremonies accompanying the death and rebirth of the world. Some people take these stories to be nothing more than children's tales, while others take them more literally. Eve has spent her whole life believing the tales to be true. Now it is time for The Adder to arrive, and her clan has to help prepare for this time.

However, Eve and her people were not prepared for one significant interruption. An investigation by the Chief Inspector of the area. Though in hindsight, it makes total sense that somebody of his rank would investigate a murder in the area...

“It is a kind of privilege, to witness the darkness.”

Well, I said that Catriona Ward always writes heavy books – and I wasn't wrong. In many ways, Little Eve is a kick to the gut. It's well-written, but it is also seriously intense and isn't afraid to touch on more sensitive subjects (TWs include: rape, pedophilia, self-harm, child abuse/neglect, animal death, and miscarriage).

If you're a fan of gothic horror novels with an edge of something serious other and eerie, then you'll love Little Eve. Ward's writing and style so enchanted me that I could power through the parts that would normally make me put down a book. I hope that tells you something!

Honestly, this book does a little too good of a job portraying certain elements. It made my stomach churn – not in a "this is spooky" sense. It felt too real and too awful, which was then compounded by other horror elements.

Once again, Catriona Ward has successfully written a novel that will haunt me for days, months, and years. There's no getting Little Eve out of my head anytime soon.

Thanks to Tor Nightfire and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 21 October, 2022: Finished reading
  • 21 October, 2022: Reviewed