The Coven of Tobin Island

by Michael Neeb

A TERRIFYING DESCENT INTO HELL.
A CHILLING JOURNEY INTO A NIGHTMARE.
Tim Reynolds met the girl of his dreams. Gwen is beautiful. Charming. Too good to be true. So, when Tim and his friends are invited to Gwen’s cottage to meet her family, they packed their gear and headed north.
What they find there will change them forever. Twisted visions of the past. Hideous creatures in the dark. A relentless pursuit through the terrifying maze of Tobin Island.
What secrets does the island hold?
Is there any chance of escape? Is there any hope of survival?
OR…WILL THE COVEN OF TOBIN ISLAND TAKE THEM ALL?

Genres: Horror

354 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2023

About the author

Michael Neeb lives in Brantford, Ontario. A husband and a father, voice-over actor and writer. In the winter he can be found strumming a guitar and playing hockey. In the summer you can find him fishing unsuccessfully or golfing terribly and enjoying the lakes of Northern Ontario. And always reading, watching, or listening to stories.
Website - www.michaelvo.ca
TikTok - @michaelreadsandwrites
Facebook - www.facebook.com/michael.neeb.372/

Reviews

[Crystal K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Michael Neeb for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars

I loved this book. I didn't expect to like it based on the cover. But hey, don't judge a book by its cover, right? This book totally reminded me of that Sirens story from The Vampire Diaries. It's pure gruesome horror. But there are some negatives.

The thing that threw me off was how the characters didn't even seem to care when their friend died. They were so emotionless. I mean, I get that they were in a crazy situation, but come on, it wouldn't have hurt them to comfort Molly a little. She had just lost her husband for crying out loud. Tim should have been there for her, and at least he should have been thoughtful enough to have mentioned that Conner was long dead before he was infected by the magic. So when she beheaded the creature, she had helped Conner find peace or something. Tim should have manned up and taken some accountability, 'cause it was all his fault that they were there on that cursed island in the first place. At that point, it felt like Tim was just sacrificing his friends. I didn't like the main characters one bit. They just seemed so selfish, you know?

Ok, well, let's talk about that ending. It came out of the blue. Like, why didn't Gwen use her powers earlier? Seriously, this ending... It was such a bummer when the side characters we actually cared about got killed off.


And if the story was supposed to be about Gwen, then why didn't we get her POV? At least she would seem passably likeable then. So now all witches are evil, is that what the end of the book is saying? Really? But what about the ones who have families? Won't it be the same old story if Gwen goes on a killing spree and wipes everyone out? Someone is bound to survive that ordeal and seek revenge.

Look, I don't wanna bring down the author or anything. I actually liked the plot and how the story flowed, right up until the end. Honestly, this book needed a lot more refinement in terms of the conclusion. Most of the plot about the witches was good, but then the ending came, and it made you question the relevance of it all.

After reading my own review again, I realized that I didn't praise this book enough. I really feel this book needs to be recognized more. It was really engaging. Though fast-paced, I did not feel for even one moment that the story was lacking or the world-building was bad. I really loved how the backstories of the characters were woven together with the plot. I felt sorry for the side characters and even the villains, but it soon became apparent how truly evil the villains had become.

Adding adventure and a survival plot on an island is cool and all, but it's gonna be pretty tragic if there are no survivors. So I just don't get why everyone had to die for just one person to make it out alive. And the thing is, as a reader, I've come to really dislike Gwen's character. Seriously, I can't get over the fact that the characters I was rooting for ended up dead. And yes, I'm still referring to the side characters here.

So yeah, I couldn't stop thinking about this book long after I finished it. I would love to read more books by this author.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun, the author is Canadian and the story takes place in Muskoka. As someone from Ontario this was great to see a story take place locally. I thought the premise was great, the characters were intresting, and I liked the gross gore at times. Also, I enjoyed the focus on friendships, family, and grief. The ending is what lost me, it felt very out of the left field and didn't feel like it fit with the story. Overall still an enjoyable read.

Read this if you enjoy: indie horror, supernatural, isolation, camping/woods, gore,body horror, dysfunctional families.

[Vicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise but the spelling mistakes and missing words were incredibly disruptive.

[Dom Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up.

The Coven of Tobin Island follows Tim and his friends on a trip to meet his new girlfriend. A strange rainstorm and a flat tire are just the beginning. What follows is a slow unraveling of reality — hallucinations, visions, blackouts, and creatures that I won’t say more about because you need to experience it yourself.

I was hooked immediately. Michael Neeb’s narration brought this story to life in a way that made it play like a film in my head, and for me that is the highest compliment I can give. If I can’t visualize a story I check out fast. This one never lost me.

The detail in this story is exceptional. Neeb clearly knows how to build atmosphere and sustain it. I had read another of his books last year and loved it, and this confirmed he is an author worth following.

Don’t let the cover fool you either — I almost let it talk me out of this one and I would have made a serious mistake.

I’m not a hypercritical reviewer at all so I can look beyond petty things so the only gripe I had is that I wanted more backstory on one major character and the ending left me wanting just a little more.

Trigger warning for animal lovers so go in aware.

A genuinely impressive listen and an easy recommendation for horror fans who like their tension slow-built and their atmosphere thick.

[Nikki Wilbur · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want gruesome thrills this is for you.
Listened to on Audible.

This was a fascinating novel about the twists a heart will make after centuries of trying to exact vengeance.

The relationships between the friends to begin with are marvelous. Tim, Mia, Felix, Conner, and Molly all have a tight relationship. Even after Conner and Molly had a miscarriage, and their lives careened into darkness, they all still care deeply for each other, and it's felt throughout the novel.

Tim invites them all to, Gwen, his girlfriend's parent's house on Coven Island where the strange becomes wicked, and beauty becomes grotesque.

But their terror started long ago, before Coven Island. It started with a totem of hair, bones, and threads that were placed in each of their lives, and no one thought to say anything, thinking it was a one off and not coincidence. It started with a strange occurrence on the side of the rode, and with Winston, Felix's dog, who was the first to show signs that something wasn't right, but no one listened. Everyone too enthralled with beautiful homes, land, and women.

The dark turns and corners that are taken in this book left me grimacing, rewinding to ensure I heard it correctly, and wishing I did not have such a vivid imagination. The way Neeb paints a picture is left emblazoned behind my retinas. Which I love . . . and hate because ew.

Prepare for witchy games, flesh feasting, monsters, demons, and lies.
Neeb is an autobuy author.

[Naiomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Coven of Tobin Island is a great read also seeing as this is the author's first solo novel.

This novel is a complete mix of genres such as romance, horror, historical fiction, and fantasy which is something I thoroughly enjoyed.

The author is very descriptive which is something that often goes overlooked and really lets the reader see into the author's mind, giving a real view of what is happening during the plot. We clearly see the locations, characters, and scenarios of what is happening.

Reflecting back on the characters, when it comes to their backstories, as well as being descriptive there are full circle moments written in the novel that bring a satisfying close to the entirety of the novel, something I personally look forward to.

I would recommend The Coven of Tobin Island to any reader who enjoys a work of fiction. This novel reaches every reader who looks for an entertaining book, especially those interested in horror.

[Derrick College · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim and his friends are invited to his new girlfriend’s cottage to meet her family. When a storm strikes on the way there. Tim and his friends awaken there, not really remembering anything.
As bizarre as that is, the cottage is beautiful. Her family is welcoming. But something is off. Even his friends dog is suspicious.
But things are tense when the friends meet Gwen’s mother..
What could they be hiding?
Here’s My Opinion:
This author took the time to describe how each friendship worked for this group of characters. All of them are strong characters. You can tell they care for each other.
The cover gives a little away, but the horror written in this book, had me glued to the page. Everything was set up well. To the backstories, the history of Gwen’s family. The hope that these characters survive. I had a suspicion about the family. But I didn’t know what was about to go down. I found this excellent. Like a well done B rated horror movie. ( That’s how visualised it ) off to read the next book!

[TessaMcbessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!!
Perfect for fans of witches and any secluded forest horror.

The Coven of Tobin Island follows our MC Tim and a group of his friends as they take a trip to meet Tim’s new girlfriends family on the secluded private island that has been in their family for generations.

But here’s the problem- things start getting dark and bizarre very quickly.

This book is so fast paced, and an excellent read for anyone looking for a creepy atmosphere, a strange and bizarre story line, and awesome creatures and characters.

I especially enjoyed the atmosphere of Tobin Island, and the creativity of the creatures in this made for a one of a kind read.

Definitely pick it up, it’s worth it!

[Shannon Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating read

If horror is your genre of choice, this book may be for you. Rooting for the lead the entire time, a series of plot twists will have you unable to put the book down.

A few spelling and grammatical mistakes were found which hurt my brain but for the most part, a wonderful read.

[Nicholas Farrant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun monster romp full of blood, guts, and one unfortunate goat man. With elements oh 80's Grindhouse pics and a wide assortment of beasts, ghouls, and long-toothed vodka aunts this book was a fun ride and a great way to get in the spooky spirit.

Also there is a goat man who was just doing his job. I feel bad for the goat man.

[Marcey Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

An auto buy author for me! The audio was stunning, and truly had me on the edge of my seat! From the very beginning I was trying to pick apart what was going to happen, and that ending was way more than I could have imagined! Witches, horror, trauma bonding?what more could a girl ask for!?
Michael Neeb is a talented author and narrator and I simply cannot wait to see what else he has up his sleeve!

[Amber Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

A good read. Lost in a fugue of happy times that get rudely turned into a terrible nightmare. A group of friends find real horror and friendship and sacrifice. Evil is real and it gets real unfair.

[Marie Wikle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Paced really well, great characters… wonderful debut book from this author

[Kerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just wasn't for me, plus spelling errors, missing words + overall not flowing particularly well. Great premise just fell flat.

[Cari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up skimming through the last 1/3 just to finish this up. Can't really think of a lot to say about it. I liked some parts, didn't like others, but in the end it just did not hold my attention.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not bad, just rough. The concept is there but it needs refinement. There’s a few irksome things like spelling errors, some grammatical mistakes and a few plot or descriptive points that came as a surprise (Like realizing Abby was black when it was pointed out halfway through the book)

Overall a fun story, seems to lose its way a few times, could use some expanding on in places and shortening in others. Again, not a bad story - just reads like an early draft of something that could be really quite good!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tim and his group of long-time friends drive to Tobin Island to spend the weekend with Tim's new girlfriend and her family. It takes exactly 3 minutes for the trip to turn crazy spooky and for weird crap to start happening to the friends. I wasn't expecting this book to take such a horrific turn (there really is no happy ending here) but it wasn't so over the top or graphic that I couldn't finish it. The way the author describes the environment and the sounds and the smells is very compelling and makes you feel like you are standing there with the character... or should I say victim? My only negative comment is regarding the ending which honestly felt a little too rushed and frankly didn't make a lot of sense to me but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. This book didn't have many reviews so perhaps it's not really on the mainstream radar but I urge you to give it a chance. I'm sure I will be thinking about this book the next time I take a walk in the woods.

[Spike Creamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a fun time with this one. An island with a Coven of Witches residing on it. Throw in a bunch of long time friends hoping to have a relaxing vacation. What could possibly go wrong? This book was fast paced and will keep you turning those pages. Definitely grab yourself a copy of this wherever books are sold.

[Jenny Farion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down! I highly recommend it! I wasn't a horror genre fan before this , but I sure am now!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the past few years, I've been fortunate enough to be invited to spend a few days each summer in Muskoka. It's a pretty special place - a remote, relatively untouched island inhabited by one family, with authentic, original cottages. The main cottage dates back to the late 1800s, with additional structures built between then and the 1950s. It's not glamourous, but that's what makes it amazing.

Anyway...I borrowed this book from the owners of the cottage, which faces the real Tobin Island on Lake Rosseau, and herein lies my first issue with this book. In this story, Tobin Island is small, housing a single dwelling; whereas in reality, it is quite large and contains many cottages, houses, mansions, and mega-cottages. In fact, if you didn't know it was an island, you might assume that it is mainland as you motor past in your boat. So, while I get using it in this book because it does give the title a nice ring, it really doesn't reflect the real island at all. It might have been better to make up a name, or to find one that is better suited. It's a small thing and would only be apparent to those in the know, but still, it irked me.

I enjoyed that this book reflected real life in Ontario, Canada, though, with geographically accurate descriptions of towns and cities and the actual highways and roadways that connect them. And how traffic on the highways that lead you to cottage country turn into gridlocks in the fairer months. I also liked the references to 90s alternative music, which is still my personal preferred genre of music (and comprises 80% of my playlists) and funny lines from The Simpsons that my husband and I still use to this day ("Everything's coming up Milhouse!")

I liked the premise and the character development of the core friend group. I found them realistic and likeable. I also mostly found the story itself interesting, even if it was darker and more gruesome that my normal reads.

What I found lacking was the ending, specifically, and without giving away any spoilers, that it seemed to come out of nowhere. The main character at the end was not nearly developed as they needed to be, considering that they were endgame. I can honestly say that I was not rooting for this conclusion and wish that it had been further refined or decidedly different. I don't want to say too much here, but I feel like the high action ending rushed by in a blur, leaving me disappointed and a little perplexed.

In the end, the elements that I liked (as listed above) made it an overall fun read - especially for this native Ontarian born in the 1980s :)

[Libby Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a story to grab you and pull you into something strange, dark, and mysterious, this is it. A group of friends is thrust into unimaginable circumstances and the author pushes them to extremes making you wonder what would you do in this world, and whether would you be able to survive.

[Anthony Udeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that this book was a page turner, couldn’t put it down the moment I picked it up. Enjoyed the villains back stories. The only flaw for me was the survivor and how they were written in the end, it was ambiguous and left me with questions but other than that a good read. Would make an excellent horror movie.