Fifteen-year-old Leo is watching the world crumble. His father is missing and his mother is slipping into madness as she cares for Leo, his sick sister Goldfish, and two useless brothers. Relatives are no help and the church folk have turned their backs in the middle of the Great Depression.
When he discovers an enchanted wulver from ancient folklore that will do his bidding, he decides to settle old scores. Revenge is sweet, but Leo soon learns he can’t control what he’s unleashed. It takes his spitfire best friend Lilyfax to help Leo overcome his anger and try to escape the wulver’s evil. As they search for his father, Leo, Lilyfax, and friends are pursued by dark forces and pulled into a rescue effort to find and save trafficked girls rumored to have been taken by the mysterious Blue Man.
Featuring elements of horror, folklore, and magical realism, Where Dark Things Grow is a dark bildungsroman set squarely in the place and culture of the 1930s Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Thank you author Andrew K. Clark for the gifted eARC of “Where Dark Things Grow” published by Cowboy Jamboree Press. All opinions expressed are mine alone. “Where Dark Things Grow” will be widely available 09/10/24.
What to Expect:
🌲 Coming of age story
🌲 Magical realism
🌲 Atmospheric and eerie Appalachian setting
🌲 Monsters
🌲 Ancient folklore
🫶 What worked for me…
“Where Dark Things Grow” was absolutely amazing! It takes place in 1920s Appalachia with a whole new spin on gothic horror, including magical realism components. Clark, a master of poetry, brings his debut novel to life with beautiful imagery and atmospheric details but not overwhelming the reader. From the beginning to the end, I was completely invested in the story and setting. It’s captivating, and you’ll be rooting alongside the main character Leo in the quest of his personal life and also saving the lives of others. Along with the darkest of monsters, finding revenge and himself along the way. With a full cast of characters, be they good or bad, there’s something for everyone in this novel.
🤷♀️ What didn’t work for me…
I honestly couldn’t find anything negative about this novel. I was here for the ride, and it didn’t disappoint.
🤔 Would I recommend it…
I absolutely would recommend this beautifully written story! Although magical realism isn’t usually my cup of tea, I really enjoyed it. There was just enough of it to make it very interesting and exciting. Anyone who enjoys gothic horror with a flair of magical realism is going to want to add this to their reading list ASAP. Don’t wait on this one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Paperback or Ebook format can be purchased directly here or signed editions can be purchased directly here
Page Turning Thrills 