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The Forlorned
When Tom Doherty first laid eyes on the lighthouse he knew it was damned.
An advertisement lured him to the island, offering a job renovating the old lighthouse and ramshackle buildings. What he didn't know was that he was the only applicant. None of the locals wanted the job – no one dared.
Isolated and alone, Tom soon discovers why. Messages from disembodied voices; ghostly visitations and escalating horrors draw Tom deeper into the island's evil past—a darkness that forces Tom to unbury the truth and bring demons of his own into the light.
An advertisement lured him to the island, offering a job renovating the old lighthouse and ramshackle buildings. What he didn't know was that he was the only applicant. None of the locals wanted the job – no one dared.
Isolated and alone, Tom soon discovers why. Messages from disembodied voices; ghostly visitations and escalating horrors draw Tom deeper into the island's evil past—a darkness that forces Tom to unbury the truth and bring demons of his own into the light.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2018
140 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 19, 2016
almost 3-1/2 stars.
some genuinely creepy moments and building of atmosphere.
the prose style is nice and clean and easy to read the main flaws I found were the climax, a little long in buildup and some of the dialogue seemed stilted and flat.
some genuinely creepy moments and building of atmosphere.
the prose style is nice and clean and easy to read the main flaws I found were the climax, a little long in buildup and some of the dialogue seemed stilted and flat.
August 10, 2015
I must say I don't have the words for this book. What an absolute phenomenal Horror story!!! I was totally blown away by the author's style of writing. It has its own unique quality that keeps your heart racing and sitting on the edge of your seat, and it is written in a way that its acceptable for teens to read. It's a phenomenal read that kept me guessing about the ghosts of the Lighthouse. The story was so well written, the book actually called to me as if it was taunting me and calling my name when I would put it down, and of course, I had trouble ignoring it and would go back to it and get entangled in its pages all over again. It's a fast paced and smooth read, and this was one book I was sad when it ended. This book is being made into a movie and I must say as wild as my imagination got while reading this book, its going to be extremely creepy on the big screen. This is one author that I will want to keep my eye out for and I can't wait to read more of her work. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED MUST READ!
Clean Teen Publishing provided me with a digital ARC copy of the book for review purposes only. No remuneration was exchanged.
Clean Teen Publishing provided me with a digital ARC copy of the book for review purposes only. No remuneration was exchanged.
August 13, 2015
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/t...
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I've read a few other books (Moonflower and both Angus MacBain) by this author, so I jumped at the opportunity to review this when CTP made it available.
It's a fast read, and it's interesting. I really enjoyed how everything and everyone was connected. The author is great at folklore in her stories, and it is one of the reasons why I love her stories so much.
Unlike her other stories I had no emotional reaction to anything, and I'm a highly emotional reader. I felt no sense of fear, and I'm a spaz that is afraid to turn the lights off in the bathroom at night. I do believe this would have been more accurately labeled if it was under "paranormal" instead of "horror". I also had no connection to any of the characters. I found them to be fascinating, but that was it.
It's an entertaining story. I recommend it to people who have an interest in folklore.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I've read a few other books (Moonflower and both Angus MacBain) by this author, so I jumped at the opportunity to review this when CTP made it available.
It's a fast read, and it's interesting. I really enjoyed how everything and everyone was connected. The author is great at folklore in her stories, and it is one of the reasons why I love her stories so much.
Unlike her other stories I had no emotional reaction to anything, and I'm a highly emotional reader. I felt no sense of fear, and I'm a spaz that is afraid to turn the lights off in the bathroom at night. I do believe this would have been more accurately labeled if it was under "paranormal" instead of "horror". I also had no connection to any of the characters. I found them to be fascinating, but that was it.
It's an entertaining story. I recommend it to people who have an interest in folklore.
August 12, 2015
I should not have started this book in the middle of the night. I always begin my reading well into what most would call early morning, as this is the most peaceful time of my day, however, that peace was quickly disrupted in the best way possible. From the very first paragraph, Angela J Townsend managed to transport me to not only another place, but another time. It was a time where peril was prevalent and truth was torn asunder. The eerie beginnings of this work leapt off of the page only to dance in the recesses of my mind, where only the terrifying things go. These scenes only continued to dominate my consciousness in the most intriguing of ways, pulling me into a high-stakes world that I could see just as clear in my mind’s eye as I could my very own memories.
The mood of this book was established early on, and impeccably at that. The darkness of the subject matter was a beautiful through line that kept me entertained until the very last page. I normally do not read thriller/suspense books as I scare easily, however I am very glad that I read this work, as it was more than simply it’s scare factor. Weaved in between the moments of terror and supernatural occurrences was a strong story that stands perfectly on its own. Very often in this genre, attention is only paid to specific scenes and the rest is just filler until the next terrifying twist. The Forlorned not only had these emotionally charged vignettes, but it also showcases exquisite prose and storytelling. It is a plot line that is incredibly original and captivation throughout.
The characters in this book were occasionally hard to relate to. The descriptive details of each of their lives were handled with incredible agility and the creative structure was brilliant. However, as soon as the characters began to speak their own dialogue, the writing became very generic and bland. There was not much to differentiate the characters from one another in their speech and vocabulary. This created such a stark contrast to the well-crafted prose found in the majority of the book that it became distracting at times. There were moments that I found myself rushing to get through the dialogue in order to get back to the meat of the work.
Overall I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. The plot is one of the more original that I have had the pleasure of reading as of late and I appreciated the advanced level of storytelling. The emotions conveyed throughout its pages were electric and palpable, making this one difficult to put down. Had the characters been developed more past their current generic structure, this book would be nearly perfect. Aside from the distraction the contrast of these two writing styles, I very much enjoyed this book and found it to be an easy read. I look forward to reading more of Townsend’s work in the future and feel that her success has only begun.
The mood of this book was established early on, and impeccably at that. The darkness of the subject matter was a beautiful through line that kept me entertained until the very last page. I normally do not read thriller/suspense books as I scare easily, however I am very glad that I read this work, as it was more than simply it’s scare factor. Weaved in between the moments of terror and supernatural occurrences was a strong story that stands perfectly on its own. Very often in this genre, attention is only paid to specific scenes and the rest is just filler until the next terrifying twist. The Forlorned not only had these emotionally charged vignettes, but it also showcases exquisite prose and storytelling. It is a plot line that is incredibly original and captivation throughout.
The characters in this book were occasionally hard to relate to. The descriptive details of each of their lives were handled with incredible agility and the creative structure was brilliant. However, as soon as the characters began to speak their own dialogue, the writing became very generic and bland. There was not much to differentiate the characters from one another in their speech and vocabulary. This created such a stark contrast to the well-crafted prose found in the majority of the book that it became distracting at times. There were moments that I found myself rushing to get through the dialogue in order to get back to the meat of the work.
Overall I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. The plot is one of the more original that I have had the pleasure of reading as of late and I appreciated the advanced level of storytelling. The emotions conveyed throughout its pages were electric and palpable, making this one difficult to put down. Had the characters been developed more past their current generic structure, this book would be nearly perfect. Aside from the distraction the contrast of these two writing styles, I very much enjoyed this book and found it to be an easy read. I look forward to reading more of Townsend’s work in the future and feel that her success has only begun.
April 30, 2018
“Trust your instincts boy.” his father had told him. “A fisherman will notice his gut feeling and heed it’s warning. Look to the sky. The birds will let you know when trouble is brewing. Heed the warning boy. Heed the warning.”
Having answered a job advertisement which requires him to renovate an old lighthouse and it’s surrounding decrepit buildings, Tom Doherty hopes to earn enough money to buy a fishing boat for himself and his father. As he approaches the island and first lays eyes on the lighthouse, he is filled with a sense of foreboding as though he is being watched. The atmosphere in the keepers house sets him further on edge. The shadows making it clear he is ‘unwelcome’, ‘unwanted’ and ‘unsafe’. And so follows a week of strange unexplained events that has Tom questioning whether he’s really alone.
While returning home in his boat one foggy night, Tom sees a light and is puzzled when a longboat draws close. A man dressed in strange attire from another time and place with a cross around his neck is its only occupant. Raising a lantern, he points a bony finger at the island,”They lay ahead. They do not rest. You must find them... you must free them.” Who was the Man? Disembodied voices in the dark corners of the house urge Tom to, “Find us, help us, find us.” But find who?
As Tom struggles to complete the repairs, his life becomes increasingly threatened by hostile forces bent on ensuring the work does not get carried out. Tom’s attempts to find answers by delving into the history of the island leads him to the discovery that all previous lighthouse keepers met the same fate. Can Tom defeat the evil and free the souls trapped on the island before he meets the same fate as his predecessors?
I was already familiar with the author’s eloquent descriptive writing style in her previous work, River of Bones, so I knew I was in for a treat. I wasn’t disappointed. The wonderful vivid and stunning imagery used to describe the atmosphere around the eerie island was remarkable. I felt like I was there with Tom experiencing the extraordinary sights, smells and sounds.
Tom is a likeable character, courageous, determined to do the right thing, his motives honourable throughout. I liked his camaraderie with Murphy and Tough Johnson.
The book was an absorbing read which sucked me in from it’s prologue. I’m not surprised it’s been made into a motion picture. There were some genuinely creepy moments as this was a night time read. The ending was a lot more satisfying compared to River of Bones, so I was surprised to learn that there’s going to be a sequel, The Forsaken. However, I’m looking forward to exploring what the author has further in store for Tom. For now, I’m off to watch the movie on Amazon Prime.
Having answered a job advertisement which requires him to renovate an old lighthouse and it’s surrounding decrepit buildings, Tom Doherty hopes to earn enough money to buy a fishing boat for himself and his father. As he approaches the island and first lays eyes on the lighthouse, he is filled with a sense of foreboding as though he is being watched. The atmosphere in the keepers house sets him further on edge. The shadows making it clear he is ‘unwelcome’, ‘unwanted’ and ‘unsafe’. And so follows a week of strange unexplained events that has Tom questioning whether he’s really alone.
While returning home in his boat one foggy night, Tom sees a light and is puzzled when a longboat draws close. A man dressed in strange attire from another time and place with a cross around his neck is its only occupant. Raising a lantern, he points a bony finger at the island,”They lay ahead. They do not rest. You must find them... you must free them.” Who was the Man? Disembodied voices in the dark corners of the house urge Tom to, “Find us, help us, find us.” But find who?
As Tom struggles to complete the repairs, his life becomes increasingly threatened by hostile forces bent on ensuring the work does not get carried out. Tom’s attempts to find answers by delving into the history of the island leads him to the discovery that all previous lighthouse keepers met the same fate. Can Tom defeat the evil and free the souls trapped on the island before he meets the same fate as his predecessors?
I was already familiar with the author’s eloquent descriptive writing style in her previous work, River of Bones, so I knew I was in for a treat. I wasn’t disappointed. The wonderful vivid and stunning imagery used to describe the atmosphere around the eerie island was remarkable. I felt like I was there with Tom experiencing the extraordinary sights, smells and sounds.
Tom is a likeable character, courageous, determined to do the right thing, his motives honourable throughout. I liked his camaraderie with Murphy and Tough Johnson.
The book was an absorbing read which sucked me in from it’s prologue. I’m not surprised it’s been made into a motion picture. There were some genuinely creepy moments as this was a night time read. The ending was a lot more satisfying compared to River of Bones, so I was surprised to learn that there’s going to be a sequel, The Forsaken. However, I’m looking forward to exploring what the author has further in store for Tom. For now, I’m off to watch the movie on Amazon Prime.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2015
I loved the setting of this book! Tom accepts a job making repairs to an old historic lighthouse and the surrounding buildings. The island is haunted. Tom does not scare easily, and he is desperate for the money. The author does a wonderful job describing the rocky, remote area and the small fishing village that is the nearest settlement.
The tension escalates as the mystery of the lighthouse is slowly revealed. Tom picks up clues, and begins to understand the blighted history of the place. As the hauntings become ever more bizarre, Tom becomes obsessed with completing the lighthouse restoration and figuring out how to set right long-forgotten crimes.
I liked Tom and his dedication both to his father and to his job. There are also a few supporting characters that I loved, especially Squirrely and Murphy. I did feel that the ending was a bit too rushed and a little too serendipitous, but maybe that is because I just was not ready for this novel to end. I am excited to see the movie when it comes out!
This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
The tension escalates as the mystery of the lighthouse is slowly revealed. Tom picks up clues, and begins to understand the blighted history of the place. As the hauntings become ever more bizarre, Tom becomes obsessed with completing the lighthouse restoration and figuring out how to set right long-forgotten crimes.
I liked Tom and his dedication both to his father and to his job. There are also a few supporting characters that I loved, especially Squirrely and Murphy. I did feel that the ending was a bit too rushed and a little too serendipitous, but maybe that is because I just was not ready for this novel to end. I am excited to see the movie when it comes out!
This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
August 7, 2015
I received a free copy of this book via Clean Teen Publishing Elite Reviewers which I am a member of. I made no guarantee of a favorable review.
If you are looking to read a book that will creep you out then look no further because this one will do just that. There's even a scene in the story that had me quickly getting out of the bathtub and I LOVED it!!!
This is horror and supernatural at its extreme best. The author's unique and creative story telling ensnares you from the very beginning and the heart pounding scares will keep you glued to the book until the outstanding end. I hope the movie version does this book justice. I can't wait to read more books written by this extremely talented writer.
If you are looking to read a book that will creep you out then look no further because this one will do just that. There's even a scene in the story that had me quickly getting out of the bathtub and I LOVED it!!!
This is horror and supernatural at its extreme best. The author's unique and creative story telling ensnares you from the very beginning and the heart pounding scares will keep you glued to the book until the outstanding end. I hope the movie version does this book justice. I can't wait to read more books written by this extremely talented writer.
June 9, 2018
Good spooky story with some really scary moments.
August 13, 2018
This book gives new meaning to "being eaten alive."
I thought Tom was a goner, but he kept going until the end. It seemed to take the reader there as Tom fought back to keep his sanity and his life.
I thought Tom was a goner, but he kept going until the end. It seemed to take the reader there as Tom fought back to keep his sanity and his life.
July 20, 2018
Oh, man this book was so good, it kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen to Tom next in the old house! I really can't believe I hadn't read any books by this author, I really loved this book and can't wait to read any other books she has! Thank you so much Mrs. Townsend for letting me read your book because I loved the story and will be waiting to read any other books in this series!
April 21, 2018
Awesome, amazing read !!!!
I have read one other book by this amazing author. When I purchased this book I thought, there is no way it can be as good as the first book. Well I can happily say I was so wrong. I can see why this book has been made into a Motion Picture. It was a great book. I honestly don't know if I could watch the movie. This book scared me to death. I had weird dreams for 3 nights. This author can write a book, she hooks you right off the bat. Even though it scared me there was no way I was not finishing this book. It takes an amazing author to hook a reader at the beginning of a book. This book was written so well. It had an amazing plot, great characters and you can tell she did a lot of research. That made this story so believable. I am not going to give away much on this book. It is a book you pick up and read with no spoilers to ruin it. This book is about a lighthouse and hidden secrets. The moment Tom saw it he knew it was haunted. He took the job to renovate it. No one who lived there would go near it. When the messages and voices start he knows he is in trouble. Tom ends up bringing his own demons and finding out things he probable didn't want to know. A great , amazing book, and now I see why it was made into a Motion Picture. This author is just amazing and I would highly recommend this book to anyone !!!!!!!!
I have read one other book by this amazing author. When I purchased this book I thought, there is no way it can be as good as the first book. Well I can happily say I was so wrong. I can see why this book has been made into a Motion Picture. It was a great book. I honestly don't know if I could watch the movie. This book scared me to death. I had weird dreams for 3 nights. This author can write a book, she hooks you right off the bat. Even though it scared me there was no way I was not finishing this book. It takes an amazing author to hook a reader at the beginning of a book. This book was written so well. It had an amazing plot, great characters and you can tell she did a lot of research. That made this story so believable. I am not going to give away much on this book. It is a book you pick up and read with no spoilers to ruin it. This book is about a lighthouse and hidden secrets. The moment Tom saw it he knew it was haunted. He took the job to renovate it. No one who lived there would go near it. When the messages and voices start he knows he is in trouble. Tom ends up bringing his own demons and finding out things he probable didn't want to know. A great , amazing book, and now I see why it was made into a Motion Picture. This author is just amazing and I would highly recommend this book to anyone !!!!!!!!
April 28, 2018
A scary read
For those of us who love a good ghost story to scare us. This book will definitely be a hit. The determination Tom has to get his father and himself back on the water is beyond admirable. You feel like you’re there with him every step
For those of us who love a good ghost story to scare us. This book will definitely be a hit. The determination Tom has to get his father and himself back on the water is beyond admirable. You feel like you’re there with him every step
July 21, 2015
This was an amazing read and I couldn't put the book down! The flow of the story keeps your attention locked on every word. It felt like I couldn't read the words fast enough and my mind craved for the next sentence, next page, next chapter. Angela Townsend's other books are all well written and suspenseful, and The Forlorned will not disappoint you. THIS IS A MUST READ for those who love a well written story with the perfect amount of thrill and suspense. I can't wait until her second novel in The Forlorned series is released! Very excited about seeing the movie too!
July 22, 2015
Incredible! I've been looking forward to this book for a while now, and I got the book yesterday. I couldn't wait to sit down and read it (unfortunately I had to work). This book had a very rich plot, with twists and turns that were unexpected yet logical. Easy to follow, but hard to predict. I had high expectations for this book. This is the book you should read if you want an intellectually stimulating and engaging horror story, that is still accessible to young adult readers. If it comes out as an audiobook I'd buy that too for road trips!
April 26, 2018
This was my first book by this author and I was hooked by the first page. It didn't so much as scare me but it creeped me out! The characters were strong with great chemistry between them. She did an amazing job of pulling you into the story and the mystery of the island. This is going to be an awesome movie!
June 13, 2018
This book had me pulled in from the first few pages, as someone who loves the sea (never been on it but love looking at it and reading about it) this book just HAD ME! Add to it that weird things are happening on the island and there just wasn't anything better!
The hog that kept on showing up was seriously creepy. I would rate this book a ten every day of the week! It's a serious must read for any horror fans.
The hog that kept on showing up was seriously creepy. I would rate this book a ten every day of the week! It's a serious must read for any horror fans.
July 21, 2015
This novel was absolutely TERRIFYING. I couldn't put it down, and I know I'm not the only one! I read it at night, and I jumped whenever my housemate's cat made noise. I've now read it at least three times. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good scary read, but I wouldn't read it home alone again. I learned that lesson the hard way.
August 31, 2016
Disappointing
What a shame,a great idea poorly written, the characters were so thinly written,you felt nothing for any of them and the love story was toe curling bad. Wanted to like this ,read peter James the house on cold hill, for a properly written ghost story. No more Angela Townsend for me
What a shame,a great idea poorly written, the characters were so thinly written,you felt nothing for any of them and the love story was toe curling bad. Wanted to like this ,read peter James the house on cold hill, for a properly written ghost story. No more Angela Townsend for me
August 25, 2016
A fisherman dreams of becoming his own captain
Through love and courage, many people have survived. This wonderful story brings you to the edge of your seat ! Well done you may find a little something about yourself before you're putting this book down.
Through love and courage, many people have survived. This wonderful story brings you to the edge of your seat ! Well done you may find a little something about yourself before you're putting this book down.
May 12, 2018
This book was great! I love Angela Townsend's writing style. It's amazing. Totally spooky and there were a few moments that I wished I hadn't read it at night! I really want to see the movie after reading this book, I'm totally searching for it next! Family movie night is tonight!
sounds-interesting-so-maybe
January 17, 2018Just watched the movie of this story on Amazon Prime, and it was pretty interesting. Saw in the end credits that that it was based off this book, so, might be worth a read maybe.
May 4, 2018
The book I read was The Forlorned by Angela Townsend. A man named Tom Doherty saw a newspaper ad that read “Wanted--construction bids to restore historic lighthouse and outbuildings on a remote island in Nova Scotia, Canada. All applicants welcome.” So Tom went and applied for the job and he got hired to fix a lighthouse and other building on a island. He didn’t know that it was haunted by an evil spirit that was a captain of a sunken ship from a long time ago. Tom also didn’t know was that the spirit of the captain was guarded by an evil spirit that was a boar. Tom couldn't see the boar until the end of the book.
When Tom was walking back to the house he spotted someone standing on the walkway at the top of the lighthouse. The person leaned forward a fell off the lighthouse walkway, Tom ran to the spot were he saw the person land. There was no dead body were Tom ran too, so Tom went in the lighthouse and his feet got pulled out from under him and he was being dragged out the lighthouse. He turned himself over and realized it was the person that leaned over of the top of the lighthouse.
Tom would go back to the mainland for supplies, food, and to get help from a man named Murphy. One day when Tom was coming back to the island, he saw a girl on a fishing boat and waved at her and she waved back. Later that week, Tom went to the mainland and saw that girl again and asked for her name which is Amy Garrity. Later on in the book Tom finally stops the evil spirit and the ghosts that were held captive were setfree. Tom had help from the bartender, Amy, and Amy’s Grandfather all helped Tom stop the evil spirit.
Tom Doherty is a middle aged man. “He was the son, grandson, and great-grandson of fisherman” (Narrator pg. 10). He would always go fishing with his dad on their boat until his dad sold the boat for money to pay bills. Tom applied for the job because he wanted to buy a new fishing boat for his dad so they can go fishing again like they did before his dad sold the boat.
The book The Forlorned by Angela Townsend is baste on murder and mystery. Mystery because, when Tom was trying to fix the lighthouse, he kept hearing things in the house. He couldn’t figure out were and what the noise is. Murder because, Tom found a diary and read it . It was about a captain of a pirate ship killing men on the same island for the fun of it. The captain of the ship killed more than a dozen men on that island.
“A fisherman will notice his gut feeling and heed its warning. Look to the sky. The birds will let you know when trouble is brewing. Heed the warning boy, heed the warning” (Tom pg 14). This quote means pay attention to your surrounding and take notice if something bad goes on. Which the whole island speaks and looks like a whole lot of bad stuff is going to happen. The birds will help if there is something wrong that Tom doesn’t know and can’t see. The birds on the island kept flying into the buildings and would die every time the evil ghost boar would try to attack Tom. The birds were a sign of something bad was going to happen. It goes for the same thing out on sea, if there is a storm coming out on sea take action immediately and get prepared for the worst.
What I liked about the book was that Tom wanted to do something for his dad and to keep the family tradition going. He wanted to do something for the town so the townspeople won't be scared of the island that is haunted. I liked were he tried to get the people he met to help him out through the book. Angela Townsend writing style was to the point. She didn’t add a lot of extra detail that wasn’t needed. And Angela Townsend writes books like this for young adults. What I disliked about the book was that the evil spirit was trying to kill Tom and the people who visited the island to help Tom. Some parts were kinda scary, and I felt like I was actually there on the island with Tom. I would recommend this book to someone who loves a good murder and mystery novel.
When Tom was walking back to the house he spotted someone standing on the walkway at the top of the lighthouse. The person leaned forward a fell off the lighthouse walkway, Tom ran to the spot were he saw the person land. There was no dead body were Tom ran too, so Tom went in the lighthouse and his feet got pulled out from under him and he was being dragged out the lighthouse. He turned himself over and realized it was the person that leaned over of the top of the lighthouse.
Tom would go back to the mainland for supplies, food, and to get help from a man named Murphy. One day when Tom was coming back to the island, he saw a girl on a fishing boat and waved at her and she waved back. Later that week, Tom went to the mainland and saw that girl again and asked for her name which is Amy Garrity. Later on in the book Tom finally stops the evil spirit and the ghosts that were held captive were setfree. Tom had help from the bartender, Amy, and Amy’s Grandfather all helped Tom stop the evil spirit.
Tom Doherty is a middle aged man. “He was the son, grandson, and great-grandson of fisherman” (Narrator pg. 10). He would always go fishing with his dad on their boat until his dad sold the boat for money to pay bills. Tom applied for the job because he wanted to buy a new fishing boat for his dad so they can go fishing again like they did before his dad sold the boat.
The book The Forlorned by Angela Townsend is baste on murder and mystery. Mystery because, when Tom was trying to fix the lighthouse, he kept hearing things in the house. He couldn’t figure out were and what the noise is. Murder because, Tom found a diary and read it . It was about a captain of a pirate ship killing men on the same island for the fun of it. The captain of the ship killed more than a dozen men on that island.
“A fisherman will notice his gut feeling and heed its warning. Look to the sky. The birds will let you know when trouble is brewing. Heed the warning boy, heed the warning” (Tom pg 14). This quote means pay attention to your surrounding and take notice if something bad goes on. Which the whole island speaks and looks like a whole lot of bad stuff is going to happen. The birds will help if there is something wrong that Tom doesn’t know and can’t see. The birds on the island kept flying into the buildings and would die every time the evil ghost boar would try to attack Tom. The birds were a sign of something bad was going to happen. It goes for the same thing out on sea, if there is a storm coming out on sea take action immediately and get prepared for the worst.
What I liked about the book was that Tom wanted to do something for his dad and to keep the family tradition going. He wanted to do something for the town so the townspeople won't be scared of the island that is haunted. I liked were he tried to get the people he met to help him out through the book. Angela Townsend writing style was to the point. She didn’t add a lot of extra detail that wasn’t needed. And Angela Townsend writes books like this for young adults. What I disliked about the book was that the evil spirit was trying to kill Tom and the people who visited the island to help Tom. Some parts were kinda scary, and I felt like I was actually there on the island with Tom. I would recommend this book to someone who loves a good murder and mystery novel.
May 13, 2018
Angela J. Townsend really brings on the creep factor with her novel - The Forlorned. Right from the beginning, we are thrown into the past and given a taste of the island's history. It's dark...morbid...better off unknown...history. But there is more to it than meets the eye. The author quickly shifts to present day and elevates the creepiness. When young Tom comes to the island for the job of repairing the old place, he has no idea what it is that he is in store for. His goals are to save up money to buy a new fishing boat for him and his dad to get back on the water with. He wants that for his dad whom he feels is wasting away with the sea under him anymore. Tom has no idea of the dark history surrounding the island. He has no idea that he is the only one who applied for the job. He has no idea what it is that watches him in the darkness of the shadows and the night.
The Forlorned by Angela J. Townsend is an engaging horror story that will keep you reading long after the sun has set. You'll find yourself listening for your own haunting sounds in the dark as you read about Tom's ordeals. From creepy dolls to sharp-toothed rats, to even strange markings outside the house. You know that Tom has it far from easy. Tom has a lot of fortitude because most wouldn't even have stayed after the first night's excitements. But you really have to hand it to Tom for sticking things out. I like the various creepy and disturbing elements the author throws into this story. I am an avid fan of horror stories and this one suits me just fine!
There honestly isn't anything that I don't like about this story. I like that it is well edited and error free. The story flows exceedingly well and is a story that I'm willing to bet many who love horror would love to pick up and read.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author in the future. Well done!
The Forlorned by Angela J. Townsend is an engaging horror story that will keep you reading long after the sun has set. You'll find yourself listening for your own haunting sounds in the dark as you read about Tom's ordeals. From creepy dolls to sharp-toothed rats, to even strange markings outside the house. You know that Tom has it far from easy. Tom has a lot of fortitude because most wouldn't even have stayed after the first night's excitements. But you really have to hand it to Tom for sticking things out. I like the various creepy and disturbing elements the author throws into this story. I am an avid fan of horror stories and this one suits me just fine!
There honestly isn't anything that I don't like about this story. I like that it is well edited and error free. The story flows exceedingly well and is a story that I'm willing to bet many who love horror would love to pick up and read.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author in the future. Well done!
May 11, 2018
I have loved reading Horror since I was in Junior High School and discovered Stephen King. So, I am always looking for more great horror writers and books.
The Prologue of the book hints at what has happened on this island in the past. Tom Doherty accepts a job in Nova Scotia, repairing an old lighthouse on an island. His goal is to earn enough money to buy a boat in order to allow his father to be a fisherman again. Tom immediately starts to feel that something is wrong, but continues to do his job. After multiple attacks by ravenous rats, he still stays on the island to complete the job..
This book reminded of a book/movie from the 1970's called "Willard". Full of rats.....YUCK! This book should definitely have a trigger warning on it somewhere. If a reader is deathly afraid of rats, this book would send them over the edge! I rather enjoyed the encounters with the rats and as I said, it reminded of "Willard", which I still remember after all these years.
I especially liked Tom's determination in completing the job in order to show his love for his father. When Tom finally discovers the horrors that occurred on the island, he decides that he must try to make things right. The ending of the book was very satisfying. And, I especially loved the addition of Skipper, the cat.
The writing was very good, very descriptive and poetic. The description of Tom's arrival on the island really drew me in to the story. The story was sufficiently spooky and creepy to haunt my nightmares for a while, which is what I love in a Horror book!
I was gifted a copy of the book and chose to review it honestly.
The Prologue of the book hints at what has happened on this island in the past. Tom Doherty accepts a job in Nova Scotia, repairing an old lighthouse on an island. His goal is to earn enough money to buy a boat in order to allow his father to be a fisherman again. Tom immediately starts to feel that something is wrong, but continues to do his job. After multiple attacks by ravenous rats, he still stays on the island to complete the job..
This book reminded of a book/movie from the 1970's called "Willard". Full of rats.....YUCK! This book should definitely have a trigger warning on it somewhere. If a reader is deathly afraid of rats, this book would send them over the edge! I rather enjoyed the encounters with the rats and as I said, it reminded of "Willard", which I still remember after all these years.
I especially liked Tom's determination in completing the job in order to show his love for his father. When Tom finally discovers the horrors that occurred on the island, he decides that he must try to make things right. The ending of the book was very satisfying. And, I especially loved the addition of Skipper, the cat.
The writing was very good, very descriptive and poetic. The description of Tom's arrival on the island really drew me in to the story. The story was sufficiently spooky and creepy to haunt my nightmares for a while, which is what I love in a Horror book!
I was gifted a copy of the book and chose to review it honestly.
June 15, 2018
Tom goes to the lighthouse island in order to fix it up with a view to a handsome payout and the ability to buy a fishing boat so he can take his dad fishing again, only things on the island aren't what they seem...
The Forlorned is an interesting read and it did have me turning the pages quickly to find out what happened but I found that it was quite disjointed, the characters a little underdeveloped (the romance I felt didn't need to be included at all for the importance it carried) and lacking in atmosphere. The story, for me, seemed to centre around the rats that kept attacking him and was less about a ghost story than his disbelief that this was happening. I also felt as someone who was supposed to be doing construction and repair, not an awful lot was happening.
However, it is worth a read.
The Forlorned is an interesting read and it did have me turning the pages quickly to find out what happened but I found that it was quite disjointed, the characters a little underdeveloped (the romance I felt didn't need to be included at all for the importance it carried) and lacking in atmosphere. The story, for me, seemed to centre around the rats that kept attacking him and was less about a ghost story than his disbelief that this was happening. I also felt as someone who was supposed to be doing construction and repair, not an awful lot was happening.
However, it is worth a read.
January 30, 2019
This book was interesting. I loved the mystery of the buried soldiers at the beginning. It really set a haunting and forlorn tone for the novel that stayed with me throughout my read. Every time the author took me back to the lighthouse, it reeked of darkness, mourning, and regret. It really made it feel like it was in an entirely different time, an opposite world from the bustling life on the docks. I loved this distinction. This author is truly gifted at her use of description. However, I was a little disappointed at the ending and the description of what was truly creating the nightmares on the island. Had it not been for that, this novel would have been truly great.
October 16, 2017
This book was amazing! Even better in my opinion to her other book River Of Bones. This book is a creep factor all over!
Wow! My mind kept worrying what was at the freaking island! What is harming him! Will he get harmed? What is the history and how will this book end!?!? So many emotions, so many times I would have been screaming if I had been in the Main Males POV. I WILL buy book two when it releases!
Please buy this woman's book! Ms. Townsend is an amazing author!
(Also if you read this book and love it, it was just released as movie! I know what I'll be watching soon!)
Wow! My mind kept worrying what was at the freaking island! What is harming him! Will he get harmed? What is the history and how will this book end!?!? So many emotions, so many times I would have been screaming if I had been in the Main Males POV. I WILL buy book two when it releases!
Please buy this woman's book! Ms. Townsend is an amazing author!
(Also if you read this book and love it, it was just released as movie! I know what I'll be watching soon!)
June 29, 2019
There are books that make you turn the pages because you are so enticed by the story you NEED to know what’s going to happen, and there are books that make you turn the pages because you just want to get to the end.
This book was the latter.
Just a few chapters in, I was already ready to be finished with this book. The characters are all annoying, the dialogue is weird and cliche, and the plot isn’t really that interesting.
I finished it because it was short and I wanted to see what would come of it. But I wouldn’t recommend it.
This book was the latter.
Just a few chapters in, I was already ready to be finished with this book. The characters are all annoying, the dialogue is weird and cliche, and the plot isn’t really that interesting.
I finished it because it was short and I wanted to see what would come of it. But I wouldn’t recommend it.
August 11, 2018
Just missed
I was surprised that this book petered out at the end. There are several scary parts! I wish that the characters had been given more time. Tough started to sound interesting then just poof. Same with his daughter. The cat is a great character! I kept asking myself why this book would be made into a movie.
I was surprised that this book petered out at the end. There are several scary parts! I wish that the characters had been given more time. Tough started to sound interesting then just poof. Same with his daughter. The cat is a great character! I kept asking myself why this book would be made into a movie.
June 23, 2018
I absolutely could not put this book down! At first I was confused, then you find a land of the dead buried, man eating rats, ghost....I really hope they did this book justice for the movie...Brad Pitt could be a good Tom!
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