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Lakebridge #1
Spring
Vermont, picturesque and lovely, attracts visitors from across the country in search for the perfect picture, the perfect fall foliage or perhaps a taste of maple syrup. Stansbury is best known for the odd covered bridge that spans Stansbury Lake and goes nowhere, connecting no roads and serving no known purpose. The locals call it the Lakebridge. Very few know of its mysterious origins and fewer care to know more. Those visiting the town perhaps take a few snapshots and leave, their curiosity quelled by an uneasy feeling that they shouldn’t think on it anymore. The tourists will eventually leave Stansbury, but its residents strangely linger, seemingly held captive by a force they barely recognize. They also do not think about the town’s mysterious artifact much except in passing, all but Gil, his father, Ben, and a few others. They know of the bridge’s dark history and understand that it is responsible for every horror that ever befell the people of the people who fear the bridge but will not speak of it. The bridge makes people do things – bad things – so that it can continue to love and care for them all. Some have tried to destroy the bridge, but as long as the bridge is fed with the lives of the innocents of Stansbury it will go on – loving the people of Stansbury. Spring is the first of a four book cycle revolving around Stansbury and the Lakebridge.
260 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2011
39 people are currently reading
487 people want to read
About the author
Natasha Troop
4 books31 followersNatasha grew up in Southern California currently lives in Vermont with her spouse, son, daughter and menagerie of pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 7, 2012
Perfectly horrific. Dang, I am disturbed. Review to follow.
I am on the LakeBridge Summer First Rules publicity virtual book tour and was given this book as well as Summer. I like to read series in order whenever possible, even though it doesn't always happen, so I jumped on the chance to read them both. So glad I did, there is a lot of backstory that I think will be helpful in the next book. And it was creeptastic. I am quite disturbed actually.
Getting into this story took me a little while. It is told with a little bit of a stream of consciousness type style so when you follow a character, you are mostly in their heads. Thoughts run into each other, they repeat themselves and you learn things slowly because you have to delve past the surface thoughts. Plus Troop wants you invested and liking her characters, and to not really know what is going on until she gets you in the middle of the bridge. Then all hell breaks loose.
The bridge is a covered bridge across a tiny lake. No road leads to the bridge because it wasn't meant for driving, it was meant to transport to evil realms by some Lord who founded the town and named it after himself. Somehow this bridge never needs a touch of paint, instead it needs other things.
But you don't know much for a while. You follow normal people with normal issues, but in the back of their minds they know there is something weird about their town. Except for a few folks, a few nutty ones and a few who keep it together a bit better than the others. Most everyone else just tra la las through life in the small town. Bad things have happened...but the thought is, "don't bad things happen everywhere?"
And you also get to go inside the head of a moose. So fun. He is an obsessive compulsive moose who likes to help keep nature tidy, he also likes to stare at the yellow line in the middle of the road. Once you get used to it, the stream of consciousness is extremely effective. You get motivation, history and a feel for the person quite quickly. The difficult is there are run on sentences and long paragraphs. If you need a break, it sometimes takes some reading before you get there. But in your thoughts, not many of us follow perfect sentence structure, so it makes sense and is well done. There are a few issues, some almost exact repeats of sentences, so I think some of it could be shortened, but it works and works well.
So I felt like one of the people in the town under the fog of forgetfullness. Yes, bad things have happened, but life is good, the sun is shining and then suddenly I was horrified by the things that happened. Holy smokes. I was hopeful about one of the scenes, because you go inside the person's head. I was hoping for good, only to have my hopes dashed. There is evil in this town and I am wondering when or if it will be defeated. There are four books planned. I will be reviewing Lakebridge: Summer tomorrow. 4 bright red stars that never need painting.
I am on the LakeBridge Summer First Rules publicity virtual book tour and was given this book as well as Summer. I like to read series in order whenever possible, even though it doesn't always happen, so I jumped on the chance to read them both. So glad I did, there is a lot of backstory that I think will be helpful in the next book. And it was creeptastic. I am quite disturbed actually.
Getting into this story took me a little while. It is told with a little bit of a stream of consciousness type style so when you follow a character, you are mostly in their heads. Thoughts run into each other, they repeat themselves and you learn things slowly because you have to delve past the surface thoughts. Plus Troop wants you invested and liking her characters, and to not really know what is going on until she gets you in the middle of the bridge. Then all hell breaks loose.
The bridge is a covered bridge across a tiny lake. No road leads to the bridge because it wasn't meant for driving, it was meant to transport to evil realms by some Lord who founded the town and named it after himself. Somehow this bridge never needs a touch of paint, instead it needs other things.
But you don't know much for a while. You follow normal people with normal issues, but in the back of their minds they know there is something weird about their town. Except for a few folks, a few nutty ones and a few who keep it together a bit better than the others. Most everyone else just tra la las through life in the small town. Bad things have happened...but the thought is, "don't bad things happen everywhere?"
And you also get to go inside the head of a moose. So fun. He is an obsessive compulsive moose who likes to help keep nature tidy, he also likes to stare at the yellow line in the middle of the road. Once you get used to it, the stream of consciousness is extremely effective. You get motivation, history and a feel for the person quite quickly. The difficult is there are run on sentences and long paragraphs. If you need a break, it sometimes takes some reading before you get there. But in your thoughts, not many of us follow perfect sentence structure, so it makes sense and is well done. There are a few issues, some almost exact repeats of sentences, so I think some of it could be shortened, but it works and works well.
So I felt like one of the people in the town under the fog of forgetfullness. Yes, bad things have happened, but life is good, the sun is shining and then suddenly I was horrified by the things that happened. Holy smokes. I was hopeful about one of the scenes, because you go inside the person's head. I was hoping for good, only to have my hopes dashed. There is evil in this town and I am wondering when or if it will be defeated. There are four books planned. I will be reviewing Lakebridge: Summer tomorrow. 4 bright red stars that never need painting.
July 10, 2012
It's sad really that I am not nearly eloquent enough to express just how great this book is. I can and will gush like the goof I am but in all seriousness this book is wonderful and I am just sorry that I can't convey with words how much of an impact it had.
The most interesting thing is that once I started reading the second in the series Lakebridge Summer I began to love the first even more. I think it has to do with the connection with the characters you come to care for them so much that seeing what happens to them you feel it all the more.
Lakebridge Spring is what I like to refer to as a foundation. The series will take place over four books two of which are out. The first Spring lays out the story of a little town in Vermont called Stansbury. It's small, pretty, nice people for the most part and has this lake with a bridge on it that has quite the history.
Natasha has a lovely writing style different than what I've read. From any and everyone's point of view including that of a moose which by the way rocks. I love that moose and I love how the start and end of each point of view are tied together. It's quite fascinating. It's what hooked me when I started the book. I just grinned I love this and that's when I knew I'd like the book. In addition Natasha writes these long endless sentences that just keep going like a train of thought so much fun. I loved it. Fantastic writing style really.
Beyond the style of writing which worked so well for me was the story again its about the town, the people and the damn bridge.
The characters are so well written you find out their little quirks and you just take them in your heart you hurt for them because while reading the story there is no outright monster and yet there is. You can see but even more so feel the menace in the story. It's laced into everything, this constant creepiness about something not being right in Stansbury and as the story progresses and you learn more about the town, the bridge and it's history and the people who live there the more clear it becomes that bad things are coming like a tidal wave on the horizon.
I enjoyed Lakebridge Spring and appreciated it even more once I started Lakebridge Summer. I am very much looking forward to the next two and will get them as soon as I am able because they are a perfect example of why it is I read indie press and indie authors. What I get is actually some of the best reads out there. Talent that far too few know about. If you haven't read the Lakebridge Series I highly recommend adding it to your TBR list.
The most interesting thing is that once I started reading the second in the series Lakebridge Summer I began to love the first even more. I think it has to do with the connection with the characters you come to care for them so much that seeing what happens to them you feel it all the more.
Lakebridge Spring is what I like to refer to as a foundation. The series will take place over four books two of which are out. The first Spring lays out the story of a little town in Vermont called Stansbury. It's small, pretty, nice people for the most part and has this lake with a bridge on it that has quite the history.
Natasha has a lovely writing style different than what I've read. From any and everyone's point of view including that of a moose which by the way rocks. I love that moose and I love how the start and end of each point of view are tied together. It's quite fascinating. It's what hooked me when I started the book. I just grinned I love this and that's when I knew I'd like the book. In addition Natasha writes these long endless sentences that just keep going like a train of thought so much fun. I loved it. Fantastic writing style really.
Beyond the style of writing which worked so well for me was the story again its about the town, the people and the damn bridge.
The characters are so well written you find out their little quirks and you just take them in your heart you hurt for them because while reading the story there is no outright monster and yet there is. You can see but even more so feel the menace in the story. It's laced into everything, this constant creepiness about something not being right in Stansbury and as the story progresses and you learn more about the town, the bridge and it's history and the people who live there the more clear it becomes that bad things are coming like a tidal wave on the horizon.
I enjoyed Lakebridge Spring and appreciated it even more once I started Lakebridge Summer. I am very much looking forward to the next two and will get them as soon as I am able because they are a perfect example of why it is I read indie press and indie authors. What I get is actually some of the best reads out there. Talent that far too few know about. If you haven't read the Lakebridge Series I highly recommend adding it to your TBR list.
April 27, 2015
3.5 Stars
The story definitely reminds me of Stephen King's works. It takes place in a small town in New England and there is a mysterious bridge haunted by an abiding evil. It's a solid premise and the foundation of the story is very well constructed and intriguing.
It's also a bit like King in that there are a lot of characters and all are interconnected in some way. Each time a character is introduced, we take a side road through their journey in life. There is a lot exposition in the story, but I don't think it's a bad thing. I found it rather enjoyable and liked how the narrative switched from character to character, but with some sort of clever connection. Sometimes it was just a twist of a phrase, but those segues were fun.
There are numerous plot threads in the book and since its a part of a series I expected only a few to be tied up in this first volume. I wasn't anticipating a huge finale, but at the same time, there is a lot of build up in the story. The narrative is constantly amplifying the feeling that something terrible is about to happen. Yet, in the end, it just doesn't deliver.
For example: Our human antagonist is someone we never hear about or meet before the big reveal. I expected the human servant of the power behind the bridge to be one of the many characters we'd met during the story, but this wasn't the case. The character just pops into the picture and though the other characters in the book are surprised, as a reader I was like "huh?" That was a major letdown.
Also, the climatic end scene happens off stage. We see the build up to the event, then the aftermath a day later. I double-checked to make sure I didn't skip ahead.
The ending and the overuse of a certain writing technique dropped my excitement overall, but not enough to dissuade me from continuing with the series.
What was the writing technique? Well, the writing technique was the repetition of certain phrases. This writing technique was cute a few times when it played around with a characters perception, but after a while reading the same phrase over and over again became a tiresome writing technique. I got very tired of reading the same phrase over and over again, so the writing technique became tiresome. (Yes, I'm proving a point.) It wasn't that it wasn't effectual at times, it just bogged down the book after a while and lost its cleverness.
Do I recommend the book? If you like Stephen King's more literary works, I would say yes.
It's an enjoyable read.
The story definitely reminds me of Stephen King's works. It takes place in a small town in New England and there is a mysterious bridge haunted by an abiding evil. It's a solid premise and the foundation of the story is very well constructed and intriguing.
It's also a bit like King in that there are a lot of characters and all are interconnected in some way. Each time a character is introduced, we take a side road through their journey in life. There is a lot exposition in the story, but I don't think it's a bad thing. I found it rather enjoyable and liked how the narrative switched from character to character, but with some sort of clever connection. Sometimes it was just a twist of a phrase, but those segues were fun.
There are numerous plot threads in the book and since its a part of a series I expected only a few to be tied up in this first volume. I wasn't anticipating a huge finale, but at the same time, there is a lot of build up in the story. The narrative is constantly amplifying the feeling that something terrible is about to happen. Yet, in the end, it just doesn't deliver.
For example: Our human antagonist is someone we never hear about or meet before the big reveal. I expected the human servant of the power behind the bridge to be one of the many characters we'd met during the story, but this wasn't the case. The character just pops into the picture and though the other characters in the book are surprised, as a reader I was like "huh?" That was a major letdown.
Also, the climatic end scene happens off stage. We see the build up to the event, then the aftermath a day later. I double-checked to make sure I didn't skip ahead.
The ending and the overuse of a certain writing technique dropped my excitement overall, but not enough to dissuade me from continuing with the series.
What was the writing technique? Well, the writing technique was the repetition of certain phrases. This writing technique was cute a few times when it played around with a characters perception, but after a while reading the same phrase over and over again became a tiresome writing technique. I got very tired of reading the same phrase over and over again, so the writing technique became tiresome. (Yes, I'm proving a point.) It wasn't that it wasn't effectual at times, it just bogged down the book after a while and lost its cleverness.
Do I recommend the book? If you like Stephen King's more literary works, I would say yes.
It's an enjoyable read.
November 13, 2012
The first book in the Lakebridge Cycle from Natasha Troop, Lakebridge: Spring, is an old-fashioned thriller. It's the kind of book that understands it takes more than just blood and gore to make a great story - it takes an interesting premise to hook readers, a unique setting to orient them within the story, well-developed characters to make them care about what happens next, and an author who truly enjoys spinning a tale to bring it all together.
This is a story where everybody, including the moose wandering by the bridge in question, has a story to tell. Natasha certainly is not afraid to spread out her viewpoints and experiment with some unusual narrative choices. It's a bit of a quirky approach, in a David Lynch kind of way, but it really works. To continue along that vein for a moment, this is a story to become lost in, to immerse yourself in, to really 'hear' inside your head. Yes, there are some exceptionally long passages, but if you read them to yourself, even silently, rather than just scanning them for key words (as so many of us are prone to do), you'll quickly come to appreciate that Natasha isn't just writing a book . . . she's telling you a story.
The balance of emotions represented in the story is almost perfect. Natasha offers up plenty of tension here, and some scenes of high drama, but she smartly uses moments of humour (both subtle and absurd) to give the reader time to breathe.
As published on Bending the Bookshelf
This is a story where everybody, including the moose wandering by the bridge in question, has a story to tell. Natasha certainly is not afraid to spread out her viewpoints and experiment with some unusual narrative choices. It's a bit of a quirky approach, in a David Lynch kind of way, but it really works. To continue along that vein for a moment, this is a story to become lost in, to immerse yourself in, to really 'hear' inside your head. Yes, there are some exceptionally long passages, but if you read them to yourself, even silently, rather than just scanning them for key words (as so many of us are prone to do), you'll quickly come to appreciate that Natasha isn't just writing a book . . . she's telling you a story.
The balance of emotions represented in the story is almost perfect. Natasha offers up plenty of tension here, and some scenes of high drama, but she smartly uses moments of humour (both subtle and absurd) to give the reader time to breathe.
As published on Bending the Bookshelf
May 4, 2013
One of the most boring books I have read in a long time. The author just rambles on about stuff and the book has no real story line.
June 22, 2011
Amazing! If you like old school Stephen King, you'll LOVE this book! Awesome read!
June 18, 2012
There is a running theme on my website where I post my reviews first. It is a theme that fits within a sub-genre under horror in literature. But I have an issue with the term genre. When someone asks me what genre I read, I run my mouth off with a list of things that apparently fit the bill but frankly I read from where it has taken me emotionally, psychologically, intellectually and even physically. Horror is one of these things. It is not a genre, It is a term used by the masses because we as a society find the need to label everything and fit it in its own special little niche.
As children we are afraid of the shadow of a tree branch across the quilt that grandma just tucked around us. We continue to have our heart rate increase as the clown that lives in the closet starts moving the boxes of old clothes around on his way closer and closer. The gurgling of the toilet is actually the alligator your brother told you about right before you went to sleep by yourself for the first time in the guest bedroom instead of the kids room with the babies. As we grow older our fears are laced by the world outside those bedroom walls. We are tainted with real world horrors, the terror of the falling towers, the death of our grandmother, the sniffle our child has turning out to be something so serious it requires them to be hospitalized, our imagination is lost to those of the real world. However in the case of a well written tale of horror, the author infringes our psyches, bypassing rational thought and stroking the fears and terrors we put into the back of the closet behind the box holding that quilt that used to keep us safe.
The experience I had was layer upon layer of different emotions which the characters pulled from me, dragging me into the closet of my childhood, and under the bed and clawing me from the safety of my cabin. To say I was a bit excited to find something which aroused these feelings of terror, which made my heart race, made me exclaim an “oh my god!” as a surprise turn in the action threw me off the cliff with the brambles in the bottom, and not the one that would have landed me in the drink is an understatement. I sat up, or hunkered down under the covers, I had to really pay attention or I would end up drowning under a bridge.
Oh yes, the bridge, just what is up with the bridge? It is New England,and Vermont, the beauty of the covered bridge is sprinkled all over the area. I used to live in New England and I remember driving every weekend to some corner of a small county just to see a covered bridge, or some other in the New England flavor. I am a huge fan of Lovecraft so living where his stories were wrought from was exciting and I live to experience, and breathe through my mouth, tasting life, not just sniffing politely in the corner of a coffee shop. I have a distinct memory of my first covered bridge, it was not anything special, that bridge but I remember looking into the shadows, not seeing the light at the other side, but of the way my chest tightened at the idea of walking through the shadows in the middle of the bridge. When I read Lakebridge, it was the thought of those shadows from my wanderlust years that popped up. As I have stated before, sometimes a bridge is not just a bridge. It drew not only me, but it drew the inhabitants of Stansbury. Each stating different reasons yet truthfully they are not. Is the bridge evil? I believe it is a symbol, a physical statement of what I believe Stansbury is.
As you can see, I find myself having difficulty describing this book and what it is about. It is about a small town with each character described and built much like Chaucer‘s characters within the pages of “The Canterbury Tales“, they embody the idealistic ideals of each member of a small town populace. The town sweetheart, our school teacher, the town quirky storekeeper, Gil who runs the gas station all tourists stop at, even the serial killer plays a very solid idealistic and necessary roll. There is hope, love, terror, birth, death and it is encapsulated and expanding, stretching from clearest of skies, the darkest stormy nights.
So go get that quilt from the box in the closet, making sure you shut the door tight behind you, Tuck yourself in and begin your own experience in the cycle of Lakebridge. Oh, that shadow? Do not worry, it’s just a tree branch, I swear!
As children we are afraid of the shadow of a tree branch across the quilt that grandma just tucked around us. We continue to have our heart rate increase as the clown that lives in the closet starts moving the boxes of old clothes around on his way closer and closer. The gurgling of the toilet is actually the alligator your brother told you about right before you went to sleep by yourself for the first time in the guest bedroom instead of the kids room with the babies. As we grow older our fears are laced by the world outside those bedroom walls. We are tainted with real world horrors, the terror of the falling towers, the death of our grandmother, the sniffle our child has turning out to be something so serious it requires them to be hospitalized, our imagination is lost to those of the real world. However in the case of a well written tale of horror, the author infringes our psyches, bypassing rational thought and stroking the fears and terrors we put into the back of the closet behind the box holding that quilt that used to keep us safe.
The experience I had was layer upon layer of different emotions which the characters pulled from me, dragging me into the closet of my childhood, and under the bed and clawing me from the safety of my cabin. To say I was a bit excited to find something which aroused these feelings of terror, which made my heart race, made me exclaim an “oh my god!” as a surprise turn in the action threw me off the cliff with the brambles in the bottom, and not the one that would have landed me in the drink is an understatement. I sat up, or hunkered down under the covers, I had to really pay attention or I would end up drowning under a bridge.
Oh yes, the bridge, just what is up with the bridge? It is New England,and Vermont, the beauty of the covered bridge is sprinkled all over the area. I used to live in New England and I remember driving every weekend to some corner of a small county just to see a covered bridge, or some other in the New England flavor. I am a huge fan of Lovecraft so living where his stories were wrought from was exciting and I live to experience, and breathe through my mouth, tasting life, not just sniffing politely in the corner of a coffee shop. I have a distinct memory of my first covered bridge, it was not anything special, that bridge but I remember looking into the shadows, not seeing the light at the other side, but of the way my chest tightened at the idea of walking through the shadows in the middle of the bridge. When I read Lakebridge, it was the thought of those shadows from my wanderlust years that popped up. As I have stated before, sometimes a bridge is not just a bridge. It drew not only me, but it drew the inhabitants of Stansbury. Each stating different reasons yet truthfully they are not. Is the bridge evil? I believe it is a symbol, a physical statement of what I believe Stansbury is.
As you can see, I find myself having difficulty describing this book and what it is about. It is about a small town with each character described and built much like Chaucer‘s characters within the pages of “The Canterbury Tales“, they embody the idealistic ideals of each member of a small town populace. The town sweetheart, our school teacher, the town quirky storekeeper, Gil who runs the gas station all tourists stop at, even the serial killer plays a very solid idealistic and necessary roll. There is hope, love, terror, birth, death and it is encapsulated and expanding, stretching from clearest of skies, the darkest stormy nights.
So go get that quilt from the box in the closet, making sure you shut the door tight behind you, Tuck yourself in and begin your own experience in the cycle of Lakebridge. Oh, that shadow? Do not worry, it’s just a tree branch, I swear!
July 27, 2011
To read my recent interview with Natasha Troop, please visit Flying With Red Haircrow website http://flyingwithredhaircrow.wordpres...
"Clean, clear, crisp writing about dark magic and sinister scenes that gave me shivers both of pleasure at the sheer skill of the writing and the unpredictable nature of the story itself. Evident from the very start, the author’s plotting and pace was perfect, with visual descriptions that were never overwhelming or heavily wrought. They suited the story’s sense of the macabre on its build to a chilling climax and a resolution that paves the way for the next entry in the Lakebridge Cycle.
Characterization was particularly a high point for me as well. There were a number of different characters interacting over the course of the novel, but each added a unique “flavor” to the narrative. Gil, the main character, was very believable for me, empathetic and distinct. The length of some of the paragraphs was the sole issue I had with Lakebridge: Spring, and unhesitatingly I look forward to the other books in the series. Absolutely thrilled to have been able to review such an outstanding novel."
"Clean, clear, crisp writing about dark magic and sinister scenes that gave me shivers both of pleasure at the sheer skill of the writing and the unpredictable nature of the story itself. Evident from the very start, the author’s plotting and pace was perfect, with visual descriptions that were never overwhelming or heavily wrought. They suited the story’s sense of the macabre on its build to a chilling climax and a resolution that paves the way for the next entry in the Lakebridge Cycle.
Characterization was particularly a high point for me as well. There were a number of different characters interacting over the course of the novel, but each added a unique “flavor” to the narrative. Gil, the main character, was very believable for me, empathetic and distinct. The length of some of the paragraphs was the sole issue I had with Lakebridge: Spring, and unhesitatingly I look forward to the other books in the series. Absolutely thrilled to have been able to review such an outstanding novel."
September 14, 2012
This was an interesting read, to say the least. The story is centered around a bridge built by the founder of Stansbury, and supposedly a link to a realm few of us wish to encounter. I won't delve too deeply into the plot or details, as it would be difficult to explain without giving away the whole book.
One thing I noticed in this book was the intricate detail the author went into with each person's life. At times, this made the book a bit daunting, but at others it was interesting to read. The story flows well, and each new character is introduced on the back of the preceding one. If you follow all the characters closely, you'll walk away with an understanding of where it's going.
Overall, I'm conflicted with this book. The concept is amazing, and there's enough intrigue thrown in to keep me reading. I was particularly fascinated with the killer, but we didn't meet (him/her - I won't give it away) very often. I'd recommend this story if you enjoy a little bit of thriller, a little bit of magic, and a little bit of annoying, depressed tourists.
One thing I noticed in this book was the intricate detail the author went into with each person's life. At times, this made the book a bit daunting, but at others it was interesting to read. The story flows well, and each new character is introduced on the back of the preceding one. If you follow all the characters closely, you'll walk away with an understanding of where it's going.
Overall, I'm conflicted with this book. The concept is amazing, and there's enough intrigue thrown in to keep me reading. I was particularly fascinated with the killer, but we didn't meet (him/her - I won't give it away) very often. I'd recommend this story if you enjoy a little bit of thriller, a little bit of magic, and a little bit of annoying, depressed tourists.
October 18, 2013
I can't even begin to tell you how much I both loved and sort of hated this book. I was breathless at times and just knew there was no way the author would be able to end the story satisfactorily in the pages allotted, but yet I still kept on. At other times I was overwhelmed by the multiple POV, way interesting use of extreme run-on sentences, and even the viewpoint of an animal. I'm not sure who I would suggest this book to, but I did love it. And hated it. Must go purchase the next one!
dreaded-dnf
June 17, 2013I did not finish this book.
I gave up around the 10% mark. There was a lot of solid text and no dialogue at all. I'm sorry to say that I was bored and struggled to even get to that point.
Perhaps I will try it again at some point in the future, but I doubt it.
I gave up around the 10% mark. There was a lot of solid text and no dialogue at all. I'm sorry to say that I was bored and struggled to even get to that point.
Perhaps I will try it again at some point in the future, but I doubt it.
June 14, 2013
2.5 for good use of language. However, I just didn't care so much for the format. To me, it seemed like a long run-on sentence, with paragraphs that went over multiple pages. That took away a lot for me.
September 18, 2012
I definiely give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
If you are looking for a book with plenty of mystery, horror, character development, humor and a lot of suspense then this one is for you!
If you are looking for a book with plenty of mystery, horror, character development, humor and a lot of suspense then this one is for you!
August 3, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It was just exactly my sort of weird. The characters were great, the story was interesting. I can't wait to start the summer one.
January 31, 2023
Different but enjoyable. Enough to make me want to read the next one.
September 21, 2014
I really enjoyed the flow and plot of this book, I must say I loved each character and how they got to tell the story, their take on it. I love getting to see all the different takes and sides of a story. No story is never only one sided and this one the author does a great job at showing each side.
I liked how descriptive the author was in this book as well, she really is great at painting the picture so you can see it all play out in your head. Plus she was great at the small tidbits of humor she added in this book as well. (Which is one of the main reason's I really enjoyed it)
To read more of my review Click here!
I liked how descriptive the author was in this book as well, she really is great at painting the picture so you can see it all play out in your head. Plus she was great at the small tidbits of humor she added in this book as well. (Which is one of the main reason's I really enjoyed it)
To read more of my review Click here!
June 21, 2014
This book was slow from the start. Just when the storyline look like it might be getting interesting, it takes off in the opposite direction. I do not like to give up on a book but this one came really close.
July 21, 2012
Working on the review today. More of a psychological horror. Can definitely see influences from other horror authors with the style - but the author's voice is original. Not what I was expecting.
November 11, 2012
Great read review pending.
May 20, 2013
I'm not sure how it's classified as a horror. I honestly felt that the author just rambled on about whatever. not too sure how I feel about this book. I was really hoping for a classic horror.
September 9, 2018
I am usually more than willing to give a book a good chance to be enjoyed, but this one was a complicated meander through a story which didn't seem to reach a destination
April 24, 2023
It was hard to fit this book into a simple genre. It isn't quite horror, though it has horror elements, nor is it a mystery or even paranormal, though the suggestion of paranormal forces is quite strong.
The plot meanders through the town of Stansbury, Vermont, which is a very interesting place to live in. Every resident seems to have their own legend that they can never really escape, even if they leave Stansbury as one of the protagonists, Gil, tried to do. The residents believe that much of the weirdness they experience is focused on a cursed bridge that exerts a force over the town so that it can never be destroyed.
Those wanting a straightforward plot with definite answers and all loose ends tied up might find it frustrating, but the nature of the town is fascinating to explore and, while the plot unwinds slowly, the reader will get a taste of what everyday life is like before the major action.
The plot meanders through the town of Stansbury, Vermont, which is a very interesting place to live in. Every resident seems to have their own legend that they can never really escape, even if they leave Stansbury as one of the protagonists, Gil, tried to do. The residents believe that much of the weirdness they experience is focused on a cursed bridge that exerts a force over the town so that it can never be destroyed.
Those wanting a straightforward plot with definite answers and all loose ends tied up might find it frustrating, but the nature of the town is fascinating to explore and, while the plot unwinds slowly, the reader will get a taste of what everyday life is like before the major action.
November 17, 2017
Very different
The book is a slow starter. I wouldn't recommend reading this book if you're wanting something to pull you in quickly. It's a difficult book to get threat.
The book is a slow starter. I wouldn't recommend reading this book if you're wanting something to pull you in quickly. It's a difficult book to get threat.
April 13, 2022
I honestly don't know how I feel about this book.. I might read the next book in the series, not sure yet. Honestly it was kind of a confusing read. Not really sure what was going on..
April 14, 2013
Lakebridge: Spring
Odd, quirky tale!
This review is from: Lakebridge: Spring (Supernatural Horror Literary Fiction) (Kindle Edition)
This tale is an odd, supernatural one, which kept my attention, but frustrated me. There were many typos in the Kindle edition, which is distracting. The writing style is almost one long run on sentence. There are no chapters, just endless story. Lots of characters, all very quirky, but I was drawn into their lives. I did find it difficult to keep them all straight. Her writing style works, you just have to get used to it!
The story is about a town in Vermont notable for a bridge, over a lake, which goes nowhere. The bridge was built centuries ago by a practitioner of Black Magic, Lord Stansbury, whose presence still haunts the town. The bridge has not aged over all those hundreds of years, despite a concerted effort to destroy it by several townsfolk. Why destroy it? Because there is an evil presence in the town, and bad things happen frequently. Some blame the bridge.
There is some gore, a mouth dropping variety of it, so this is not for the squeamish!
The ending has left me frustrated as well. There are few answers to the riddles presented, and you are left with lots of questions. I know this is part of a series, and you will be encouraged to continue buying these to find your answers. But will you? That is my question. I would recommend this book for those who like the supernatural and don't mind getting sucked into a series. If read alone, I think it is just a frustrating tale.
September 8, 2011
This review is not for the entire book as I have only read the first 50+ pages. I tried reading this many times, and I really could not get into the story.
The introduction was way too long for me, like a never ending one. The book has a lot of long narrative paragraphs (like 1-2 pages long) with very little dialogue, thus making the story hard to follow. It would have been better if there were more character dialogues instead of just narrating the whole story for the readers.
The book didn't work for me. Please note that what bothers me might not bother other readers at all. Here are some positive reviews for this book. Read here.
http://www.amazon.com/Lakebridge-Spri...
November 25, 2013
Most of the time, I'm the kind of person that HAS to finish the book...even when I'm really not enjoying it. I'm not sure if it's the desire to know what happens, or just plain hoping it gets better. I was probably 80% of the way through this book before it even captured me in the slightest. I won't be reading the next one in the series...I just can't put myself through this again. I found it incredibly hard to follow, between flash backs with no warning, and then back to the present, and constantly changing who is "talking" so you can't keep track of who is doing what. Very disappointed.
Sorry.
Sorry.
May 11, 2013
Reading this book was a peculiar experience, to say the least. Written as a series of first-person narratives, the story unwound in an elliptical fashion, with the POV shifting among every character one encountered -- including the occasional moose or dog. It proved an interesting but not entirely successful creative device.
The narrative developed a tale that transformed slowly -- going from simply quirky to genuinely horrific -- like tracking the movements of a timepiece's minute hand. That is not to say it wasn't enjoyable. It was a slice of interesting "literary" horror fiction, and I am intrigued enough to seek out other works by the author.
The narrative developed a tale that transformed slowly -- going from simply quirky to genuinely horrific -- like tracking the movements of a timepiece's minute hand. That is not to say it wasn't enjoyable. It was a slice of interesting "literary" horror fiction, and I am intrigued enough to seek out other works by the author.
December 11, 2013
This is just an odd story and somewhat randomly put together. And it just sorta stops...no real ending; it just stops. I would hope that the second book in the series is better. I may even try to read it because I enjoyed the character development. It seems somewhat Stephen Kingish to me. Maybe the Summer book will tell more or just provide a more satisfactory ending.
February 20, 2014
This book was a chore to read, almost painful. The run on sentences and paragraphs that went on forever were beyond tedious. This seemed more like a first draft than a finished book. I finished because I finish everything I start reading and was rewarded with a book that just ends. There was no pulling things together, no finale, it just ended. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
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