The Suffering (Girl from the Well, #2)

by Rin Chupeco

[Veronica 🦦]

So I read this book a while back in December 2018 (it's June 2019 now) and while I was updating my write.as, I realized that I never finished writing the review. However, my opinion still stands. Still, since it has been a while and I only got so far in my original review, I'm going to try to keep this nice and short.

A/A- | This book is solid. It maintains that Fatal Frame-esque feel that I love but also brings more meat that I had been looking for from the first book.

I tend to read books I love really fast because I just engulf them. I can't help it. I would stay up all night to finish a good book. The Suffering is that book. I could not put this book down. Rin's writing has a way of gripping onto you and never letting you go.

With the first book, I kept wanting to shake my phone. I wasn't totally satisfied. It had the atmosphere, the characters, the writing, but it lacked the scares. This time, however, I was far more satisfied with how things worked out.

I was actually a little more scared this time around. Of course, I was reading this at night while I was alone, but the point still stands. My heart actually started pounding. This book is intense, a contrast to the previous book. While the first book was slow, this book gets fast and intense real quick, especially once they return to Japan.

I continue to just adore these characters and their characterization. They develop! But also they feel so utterly human. Even Okiku — the murderous vengeful spirit — became as real and human as you, dear reader. Tark is such a fantastic and funny protagonist, I admit that I snickered a few times while I was reading.

And let me tell you something else: the world building was even better this time around. Look, the world building in the other book was alright. It was good, but nothing spectacular. This time around? Wow.

Aokigahara (Sea of Trees) is this hauntingly beautiful forest at the flank of Mount Fuji. This is where the action happens. Aokigahara is already terrifying on its own, but Rin added an extra layer of scary with the legend and mystery she wove into the forest’s fabric.

Atmosphere? Check.
Abandoned village? Check.
Creepy dolls being used as vessels? Check!

Can I do the chef kiss now? Because oh well, I already did.

The series might have started a little slow, but I thought the conclusion was worth the slow start to this journey. You should 100% give this series a shot because the conclusion is so worth it.