annieb123's Review of 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?

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Little Eve is a very well written and *extremely* creepy gothic horror fantasy by Catriona Ward. Released 11th Oct 2022 by Macmillan on their Tor Nightfire imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format available from the same publisher in 3rd quarter 2023.

This is, at its heart, a cult novel set on a remote island in the first part of the 20th century in Scotland. There are rituals aplenty, body horror, creepy cult patriarch ("Uncle") who will give anyone with a beating heart the absolute cold creeps toot suite. The author is quite adept at the nuts-n-bolts of writing and the plotting and characterizations are much more than competent. The plotting is scattered and chaotic, a lot like horror films with a strobe effect where readers are continually disoriented and unsure (until the next huge jump-scare).

Ms. Ward has an impressive grasp of many forms, but stretches her talents here. This is creepy gothic horror, atmospheric and disturbing. It was very twisty and dark, from start to finish.

Three and a half stars. One for fans of horror. A potentially contentious choice for public library acquisition, it would make a good buddy read or book club selection.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Reading updates

15 April, 2023: Started reading

15 April, 2023: Finished reading

15 April, 2023: Reviewed