Mella finds herself in a whole new world, surrounded by all new things and people. Life was often scary back in the tall trees in that tiny little house, but it was all she knew, and that brought her comfort. Now, separated from her Momma, and her baby brother Pete, Mella has to find out how to make her way in this strange new home with all new rules and people. The cruelty she finds here makes her wonder if there are more than just Bad Men to be afraid of, but Bad Women, too.
Angel Van Atta writes horror as a way to spread the same kind of hope that she so needed as a little girl and outside of the world of fiction only really ever found as an adult. The kind of hope that tells you that good often overcomes evil and that anything is possible if you just believe. Her stories are vivid and chilling as well as heartwarming and fast paced. She invites you to walk with her in her imagination. A place that can be just as dark as it is light.
I was lucky enough to be gifted this ARC by the author, and I so happy that I am able to give my review on release day!
Just like in the real world there is lot of hardship for people who suffer such a horrible tragedy such as Mella suffered in book one.
This book focuses on the recovery and aftermath of book one, it has a much larger cast, featuring all the types of people. Some are loving and understanding of all that Mella had gone though, and others take the evil step mother trait to whole new levels.
This book was a slower pace than book one, but I think that was appropriate for the story and well needed. It was nice to see and live with Mella in a slower setting and get to experience this new world along side Mella. I wouldn’t have it any other why (other then having nothing but good things happen to Mella. But then there wouldn’t have been a story to tell.)
Angel shows once again what a skilled writer she is, and how well she can write in the mind of a child who has such trauma in her life.
If you read book one, you need to read this, it is the perfect follow up. If you haven’t read book one you need to go do so and then read this book right after!
My sweet, sweet Mella Moo... I needed to sit with my thoughts for a bit on this one, yall.
In a tall world picks up where we are left off in 'In The Tall Trees', while you don't have to read book 1, I highly recommend checking it out first. I think it's important to read book 1 to understand just how truly amazing and strong this tiny child is.
When people think of horror, a lot of times, our minds drift into thoughts of monsters. This book has monsters, but they aren't who or what you think. Mankind is often the scariest monster, and sometimes, they come in the form of those closest to us.
Angel truly lives up to her name sake. Not only is she a beautiful person, but in many ways, she has shared some of her darkest moments with us in the form of art. Through her own pain, she has created this amazing story of preserverance and strength.
I dont personally open a horror novel and expect it to impact me and shake me deep into my core. This story did just that. I cried for this child and connected with her. I surely won't soon forget her. Mella is a character who will live rent-free in my head, probably for the rest of my life.
Ughhh, this was a hard read. Like a gut punch on repeat. I raged, I cried, I had to stop halfway through to collect my thoughts and give my poor heart a break.
The whole I just wanted to swoop in and save these poor kids. Poor Mella and Megs…
The bad people from Book 1 are still in the picture and Mella and her twin sister are at risk of being taken. Mella has to be brave again to try and save her sister and herself, but it’s hard when you’re a little kid in a tall world.
“The buildings were tall, tall, tall here. They reached up and up all the way to the sky, and there were no stars at all. I missed that so many. The stars that filled the air back home. Back in the tall trees.”
This was such an intense, emotional rollercoaster of a book, one that should definitely be on everyone’s TBR list.
Really enjoyed reading this book. Mella gets to meet her twin sister and half sister and her real papa. Papas fiancé is a very wicked woman who will do anything to try to get Mella and her sister out of their lives. I’m so glad the ending turned out the way it did.
The follow-up to In The Tall Trees. After loving the first book and falling in love with little Mella, I was so excited to read this one. The first one had me sobbing from start to finish, and this one had my heart breaking all over again. After escaping the little house where she was trapped with Momma and Petey, Mella finds herself suddenly living with her dad and her twin sister Megs. Papa and Megs make her happy, but unfortunately, Papa's girlfriend Lana is mean to them when he isn't around. After overhearing Lana on the phone, Mella is desperate to save herself and Megs from this nasty lady and her horrible daughter Rachel. This was another absolutely heartbreaking story, told from Mella's POV. I really hope there is more to come because I certainly haven't had enough of this amazing little girl.
Angela Van Atta is extremely talented as an author. I absolutely loved “In the Tall Trees” so I had high hopes for this one; it definitely lived up to my expectations. Although i found it to be a bit redundant at times, that’s what it’s like in the mind of a traumatized little girl. I enjoyed following Mella through her new life in the tall world
i didn’t think it was possible to love this more than the first book but i did. i also have never, ever hated a character as much as i hate lana. she is pure cruelty and evil. she is the true Bad Man. this story broke my heart and put it all back together again. it makes me wanna hug all the little kiddos in my life extra hard. beautifully written, incredible sequel.
After reading In The Tall Trees, I jumped at the chance to read this. Mella's story has not only broken me once, but twice now. My heart broke for this little girl, and now for her twin sister Megs. Angel has such an amazing talent for pulling on your heartstrings. She writes so beautifully, and at times, so raw. I was a child who had step parents that were far from perfect, I felt this story on another level. I highly recommend you read this. For your inner child that may not have had enough love or support, that may have been isolated or felt alone. Mella's story may break you at times, but it will warm your heart.
In the Tall World is the sequel to Angel Van Atta's novella In the Tall Trees. They both tell the story of a sweet innocent little girl named Mella. Mella is forced to live a part of her life under circumstances that no person, let alone a child, ever should. I won't go into the details about the book, because I believe the reader should go into this knowing as little as possible. I really enjoyed this book and I dont remember when I've so badly wanted to reach into a book and strangle a character, as I did during this read. You should prepare yourself for an emotional journey and grab it as soon as you can. In the Tall World by Angel Van Atta will be available May 22, 2024.
I feel very privileged to be gifted an advanced copy from Angel N. Van Atta in exchange for a honest review.
"Granny saids it's not a very ladylike way to be. But I don't really cared that much, though, 'cause I'm not a lady. I'm a Mella."
In the Tall World picks up where we left off with Mella's story from the first book. It grabs you by the heart and takes you on one hell of a journey.
I don't want to give absolutely anything away in the plot with this but I do want to say something about the author.
I've never read such a style of writing that evokes such a reaction inside me like what these books do. When I open the pages and start reading it's like everything around me fades away and I'm sitting cross legged on the ground, on her level, with Mella as she whispers her story to me. Time stops. Sometimes I want to scoop her up in a hug, or hold her hand while she's being brave. I think as a trauma survivor, maybe I see a little bit of Mella in myself and I have the visceral reaction of not wanting her to experience hurt but also to not let her stand alone in the hard places.
Angel, you have again written an absolute masterpiece that should NOT be missed and I hope you're ready because I think the world has some big things in store for you.
(Also, if fictional characters were real, I would be headed over to speak to someone in this book with a pillowcase and a bar of soap.... I swear, I just want to talk to them for a minute.)
This book picks up right where In The Tall Trees finishes and boy is it a wild and emotional ride!
While this book doesn’t bring out the same emotions as the first, the emotions are still incredibly strong. This time, it’s anger. I literally cannot tell you why without spoiling it.
The writing is consistent, not only as we view the story from the perspective of a little girl, but with the previous book too.
I did find one inconsistency however, which is the name of the mom in the story — after speaking with the author we determined I had an old copy of the first book, and the name had been changed after it was published. Originally, the character was named after someone personal to the author, and they no longer felt comfortable with their name being used and Angel immediately changed it everywhere possible — however, there are still some original copies with the now-incorrect name. The Mom’s name is Alice.
This story was great, very interesting, and will definitely be reading more by Angel.
Amazing, amazing, amazing! I absolutely inhaled this duet and will be thinking about it for a while. I loved how emotional this story made me - so many ugly tears were shed - how uncomfortable this story is, and how much I just wanted to give poor little Mela a hug. This horror story told from an innocent child’s perspective is simply haunting and unforgettable.
After reading In The Tall Trees at the beginning of this year, I couldn't wait for this to come out so I could find out what was next for little Mella. I know some people don't enjoy the child as narrator thing, but I love it. The way this series is written from Mella's perspective, in her voice, with her words, really brings the character to life for me. And while I'd be more than happy to keep reading about Mella, I also hope this is the end of her story, because I love that little fictional child and she deserves all the happiness for the rest of her little fictional life.
The fluency and elegance that Angel Van Atta conjures up flows out into the pages remarkably well. Book 2 picks up where the first leaves off and immediately shreds your heart once more and doesn’t let up. This book was an emotional strangulation on my already damaged soul after the first one. I wish I could follow this journey further and hear what happens next. I am so attached to this story and these characters. So so well done.
I didn't think I could get any more emotional after reading Angel's first book in this series (In the Tall Trees), but this second one proved me wrong!
In the Tall World continues Mella's story after she, her momma, and her baby brother are rescued from the bad man who took them. But she quickly realizes that bad women exist too.
I thought the villain in the first book was the worst, but the one in this second book takes the cake. I had to stop reading every so often because I would get visibly upset.
As a woman and a mother, I will protect children at all costs, and not just my own. So I think that's what made this book even more upsetting and heartbreaking for me. I wish I could read these both again for the very first time.
I am beyond grateful to have been given an ARC of in the tall world. I have been sitting here trying to think of the words describe my experience, but I honestly think I will copy and paste my review from my review of in the tall trees (book 1) because I have been left with the same state of mind as the first book.
I didn’t expect to be hit this hard in the feelings. This continued story of Mella was emotional, raw, intense, heartbreaking, and much more. This is in the POV of a child which makes this story as powerful as it is. If you have triggers, check with the trigger warnings, mainly abuse. This book will definitely give you a perspective of the world and the evil in it. These two books broke my heart but I will recommend these to anyone and everyone. They are shorter reads but so impactful!
Another amazing reading experience provided by van Atta with In The Tall World 🌏🎀
We get to continue our adventure with lovely Mella Moo as she meets her twin sis and Papa and gets thrown into a world she doesn't know much of outside of what some movies show.
Of course, all cannot be easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy for our young heroine, as her Papa's girlfriend is quite the cu- ... scoundrel 😬💅🏻
I absolutely adore Mella and I wouldn't mind this becoming a longer series so we can further explore love, fear, confusion, excitement, anger and all the big emotions which a small child could face throughout life after having such a horrid introduction to it 🫶🏻
I found no flaws with this book. This continues the story of Mella and where she ended up after her brave adventure. This book will make you cry, and it hits deep. The author did such an amazing job not only writing a masterpiece with tear jerking accuracy from the point of a child but also sending a message so many people need to hear. This is well written and emotional.
***This review may contain slight spoilers to In The Tall Trees so please do not read any further if you have not read that and don't want any spoilers***
In The Tall World Angel Van Atta ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mella, her mom and little brother Petey make it out of that tiny house in the tall trees and face new obstacles as she learns to navigate the giant world. Mella soon realizes the bad man is still haunting her but in the form of the bad woman. Mella once again shows just how brave she is and tries to save those important to her just like a superhero. Will Mella once again conquer evil or will she succumb to the monsters that live in the shadows?
When I first found out there was a second installment to little Mella's story, I could not wait to read it. Angel was kind enough to add me to ARC group and allow me the privilege to read it prior to her May release. This story was heart wrenching just like the first one but worse in a lot of ways. Being hurt by those whom are supposed to love and protect you as a child is the ultimate betrayal that any child can endure. Angel manages to encapsulate a gut wrenching story from a child's POV perfectly. Stories of this topic are not for the faint of heart but can also be cathartic for those trying to break the cycles of generational trauma. I loved how we are given more back story to the time before Mella was living in the tiny house as well as fully rounding out to an ending that left me satisfied.
I had to sit with my feeling for a little while after finishing this book. In all honesty, I kept it together pretty well until I read the “afterword”, then I lost it. My heart hurt the entire time I was reading… it hit so close to home and I wasn’t expecting the emotions this story dragged out of me. This. This is how you tell a story. This is how you reel your audience in, and this is how you make them feel so many different things that it makes their heads spin. Stories like this one, to me, are so much scarier than ghosts, killers, ect. because it deals with the psychological… that is true torture, the kind of torture I have such a hard time processing. My god, this book is phenomenal. I loved the first one, but this one got me. This one will live inside my head for quite some time. 🫀🫀🫀🫀🫀 five hearts and many more if I could!
I really enjoyed the first book, but I couldn't get into this one. In the first book, the only reason it was four stars for me, and not five, was the "baby talk", bad grammar/spelling given to the main character. Mella's intelligence, thought processes, and consumption of literature and movies would naturally give her much better speech abilities than the author gave her. It seemed unnecessary to do that the the MC. It was a bigger distraction for me as I tried this sequel for some reason. In this book I felt it more intensely; like the proverbial wall mentally blocking me from being able to read each time I tried. I am glad so many others have been able to enjoy it though--because I do enjoy the premise and the author is good. I plan to try some of her other works!
This book follows Mella's journey. It is a direct sequel to In The Tall Trees. Just when we think she's safe, she isn't. And the ending had me internally screaming. It is very suspenseful!
Throughout the book, Mella, along with her sister Megs, try to figure out their new way of life. Mella has to adjust so much that it can be overwhelming for her. On top of that, someone who is supposed to provide love and guidance, is absolutely cruel. This villain is realistic and did everything to make me angry. Angel always creates great characters. I just wanted to give Mella and Megs so many hugs throughout this novel. This is a must read!
Just wow! Angel has done it again through the eyes of little Mella. Such a power continuation showcasing the intense traumas and abuse one little girl goes through at the hands of some very rotten people. The sad thing about these stories is they aren’t a fabrication or exaggeration for some children. There are true monsters living in this world that prey on the innocent. Mella’s story is a heartbreaking and often times inspiring portrayal of a little girl’s bravery through adversity at the hands of those who should nourish and safeguard. Angel Van Atta is an instant buy for me!
This follow up to In the Tall Trees was just as raw, horrific, and powerful as its predecessor. Mella is back, and is facing another kind of horror. I can’t say enough good things about the emotions this book invokes, and the heavy, steady dread I felt while reading. I finished this in a night; I just had to know how things turned out! An easy 5 star read, and I will be recommending this to everyone I know!
Angel Van Atta truly pours her heart and soul into Mella’s story, and I hope that his sweet little girl is able to provide some sense of healing and catharsis!
Thank you to the author for the ARC of In the Tall World.
I have read a ridiculous amount of books that have been full of terrible, horrible, awful people. But I don’t think I’ve hated anyone more than I hate Lana. I had an inkling of suspicion that she was being set up by Charlie and I am so, so happy that I was right. The pages where Mella and Megs were running from Lana together through the “tall, tall world” just broke my heart. And it terrifies me that there really are people like Lana out there, raising their own and other people’s kids. But I know in my heart at the end of this story that Mella Bella (and Megs, Momma, Petey and Amelia too) will now get their very well-deserved happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is a superb sequel to In the Tall Trees. The first one ripped my heart out and this one picks up where the first one leaves off. Mella gets to meet her real family - her Papa; her twin, Megs, her Papa’s fiancé and their child. But, there is still a person in this book that has a “bad man” inside them and Mella figures this. Her strength and will to love are brought out and shown again in how she wants to protect her sister. This is a wonderful, but heartbreaking story that you will love with your whole big heart. I do hope there is more to come on Mella’s story!
This series was awesome. This book had me mad most the time just cause I hated Lana so much other than her I loved it lol. Story made me feel all kinds of feelings.
To the amazing author your story is amazing. Go you for becoming into the person that you are now and taking what happened to you into this amazing story. I’m so happy you found your happy life and are loved as you deserved to be. ❤️❤️
I spent a good majority of this book wanting to punch Lana in the face. It’s so rage inducing how evil people can be, especially to children. This was an amazing follow up to In The Tall Trees. We got a few answers and lived a few more horrors with Mella.
I finished this book in two hours. I couldn’t stop because i had to find out what was happening to sweet Mella. This book will make you feel all the feels. I had to keep telling myself that “it’s just a book” because it feels like it’s coming from a real child.
This book broke my heart and made me cry so many times. I’m so glad Mella can finally be happy. ❤️