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The Fallmoore Chronicles #1
The Church in the Wildwood
**SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 KOBO EMERGING WRITER AWARD**
A haunted past; a father's ghost; a mother's secret.
As fifteen-year-old Joseph Carver peels back the layers of a haunted past, he finds himself lost in the shadows of his mother's unorthodox religion; desperate to uncover the truth about his father's death and the sister he never met—learning that sometimes, it is only through great loss that you can finally let go and begin to understand your own story.
A haunted past; a father's ghost; a mother's secret.
As fifteen-year-old Joseph Carver peels back the layers of a haunted past, he finds himself lost in the shadows of his mother's unorthodox religion; desperate to uncover the truth about his father's death and the sister he never met—learning that sometimes, it is only through great loss that you can finally let go and begin to understand your own story.
- GenresFiction
297 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2017
3 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
Alanna Rusnak
18 books54 followersAlanna was born in the wrong decade and dreams of abandoning everything to live in a van and travel across Canada. She’ll call it "a book tour," but it’s really an excuse to unleash her inner hippie. A collector of typewriters and John Travolta VHS movies, she believes life is too short to not indulge in the things that bring you joy and in keeping with that philosophy, she left a stuffy office job of 18 years to launch a full-time indie press out of a chicken coop on her childhood property. An author of literary and speculative fiction, Alanna likes to play in dark spaces, but always leaves room for redemption. Her latest novel is about burning down the world in order to set things right. Settled in West Grey as a four-year-old, it has always been her home and source of inspiration and she’s working hard to build bridges between the various arts communities. With no immediate plans to abandon this, she will certainly leave it all behind the moment her husband gets on board with the van-life idea.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 16, 2017
Alanna Rusnak is a wordsmith. She is both mistress and master of her craft. Everything she puts her pen to is magical, and The Church in the Wildwood is no exception. From the initial page to the last word the tale was gripping in pace, tension, and story; and the characters deep, and feeling. While unusual, and at times downright eerie, Joshua Carver, the young male protagonist, was simultaneously terrified and brave throughout; but it was his mother, Iris, who deftly stole the pages of this book for her own. I can't wait to read what's next from Alanna's desk, specifically 'The Ghost of Iris Carver', a companion novella to this little 'big' church that was built in her memory.
May 27, 2017
Alanna is such a lovely writer, her words are poetic and tragic but filled with hope. She deals with real darkness in The Church in the Wildwood but does so in such a beautiful way. This book left me with a smile on my face and a feeling of peace. I loved it.
January 30, 2020
I couldn’t put it down!
Having 2 young kids, it’s been a very long time since I have sat down and read a book. This was one I literally couldn’t put down. It look me less than 5 hours to read it. In every chapter, Alanna pulled me in, developing characters and emotions and scenarios on every page. I’m very much looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
Having 2 young kids, it’s been a very long time since I have sat down and read a book. This was one I literally couldn’t put down. It look me less than 5 hours to read it. In every chapter, Alanna pulled me in, developing characters and emotions and scenarios on every page. I’m very much looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
April 23, 2017
Following a tragic accident, the tortured past of Joseph’s mother is brought to light. How much of Joseph’s history has been distorted through her deception? Does her past as an abused, child-bride in a polygamist cult excuse her sins? Does the camp fire story about his father’s suicide hold any truth? What really happened the day he was born?
A deeply evocative story, The Church in the Wildwood presents humanity at both its best and worst. The depth and authenticity of each character is a triumph to say the least. It takes great skill to create characters so flawed, yet relatable. Although the story moves slowly at first, the ever increasing plot tension draws the reader in, refusing release until the very last page.
A poignant beauty, that can exist in the ugliest corners of the world, is presented artfully by the author. This could have been a very heavy coming of age story, as it touches on abuse and death. Rather than creating another version of the tired “poor, little orphan” plot line, the imagery and unique perspective has created a story of love, forgiveness and spirituality in a fallen world. Although harsh, the story is depicted through a fresh lens of redemption and hope, reminiscent of the innocence conveyed in the book Room by Emma Donoghue.
While the plot line is engaging, the skillfully woven internal conflict and personal growth of each character is the true focal point of the book. The reader is taken on a journey from a place of judgement to compassion as the story unfolds, reminding us that everyone has a backstory and it is wrong to condemn someone without walking a mile in their shoes.
We each need a Church in the Wildwood, where we can forgive the past and say goodbye to the memories and relics that haunt us.
A deeply evocative story, The Church in the Wildwood presents humanity at both its best and worst. The depth and authenticity of each character is a triumph to say the least. It takes great skill to create characters so flawed, yet relatable. Although the story moves slowly at first, the ever increasing plot tension draws the reader in, refusing release until the very last page.
A poignant beauty, that can exist in the ugliest corners of the world, is presented artfully by the author. This could have been a very heavy coming of age story, as it touches on abuse and death. Rather than creating another version of the tired “poor, little orphan” plot line, the imagery and unique perspective has created a story of love, forgiveness and spirituality in a fallen world. Although harsh, the story is depicted through a fresh lens of redemption and hope, reminiscent of the innocence conveyed in the book Room by Emma Donoghue.
While the plot line is engaging, the skillfully woven internal conflict and personal growth of each character is the true focal point of the book. The reader is taken on a journey from a place of judgement to compassion as the story unfolds, reminding us that everyone has a backstory and it is wrong to condemn someone without walking a mile in their shoes.
We each need a Church in the Wildwood, where we can forgive the past and say goodbye to the memories and relics that haunt us.
May 10, 2017
This story weaves the lives of the characters in a beautifully tragic tale of love and rejection, hope and despair, abuse and healing. It is the classic story of the human needs to be understood, accepted and belong.
Rusnak simultaneously tells the story of a young boy coming of age while his mother learns to move beyond her haunting past. The author crosses storylines from the past with the present to enlighten the reader of elements of the characters' past that have shaped them into who they have become. The characters are flawed and scarred which gives them both tragic yet human qualities the reader can relate to.
The plot moves slowly enough to really allow the reader to appreciate the beautiful imagery created by the author from the beginning to the end. Yet there are just enough twists and turns, characters, and drama to captivate the reader and carry them all the way through the story. It has poignant moments of heavy emotions where the characters wrestle with themselves and the world around them. The reader can't help but be drawn into the conflict.
The Church in the Wildwood is a must-read for everyone looking for a story of humanity at its most broken AND its most redemptive.
Rusnak simultaneously tells the story of a young boy coming of age while his mother learns to move beyond her haunting past. The author crosses storylines from the past with the present to enlighten the reader of elements of the characters' past that have shaped them into who they have become. The characters are flawed and scarred which gives them both tragic yet human qualities the reader can relate to.
The plot moves slowly enough to really allow the reader to appreciate the beautiful imagery created by the author from the beginning to the end. Yet there are just enough twists and turns, characters, and drama to captivate the reader and carry them all the way through the story. It has poignant moments of heavy emotions where the characters wrestle with themselves and the world around them. The reader can't help but be drawn into the conflict.
The Church in the Wildwood is a must-read for everyone looking for a story of humanity at its most broken AND its most redemptive.
September 14, 2017
The journey I was taken on while reading this book was one that I hadn't expected. Not really a fan of anything religious, The Church in the Wildwood was a story entrenched in religion that wove itself into a tragic family history that spanned a few decades and generations. I went from thinking Joseph was strange and conniving to sweet to disturbed. Iris's upbringing is something right out of a horror story itself, ironically deeply routed in religion however the way she and her son live their lives is nothing short of a contradiction. The characters of Paisley, Samuel and Grace are all directly connected to Joseph and Iris in very different ways however it's how these characters interact with the other two is what makes this story so unforgettable. I'll admit that I couldn't put this book down, every new page revealed another train wreck waiting to happen, sometimes predictable, however I didn't think the predictability spoiled the story. I would recommend it. Happy reading!
May 16, 2018
This was a hard read. There’s not much of this book that I enjoyed reading. It’s about incredible difficult times within the confines of man-made religion that unfortunately tends to reflect real life rather than remaining on the page.
However, it was a story I needed to read. It’s an invaluable eyeopener that was so wonderfully communicated by the hand of Ms Rusnak.
She writes with such illustrious clarity and complexity that I never once felt that I was reading a second rate b-novel.
I hesitate to call it a wonderful story, but I’m not afraid to say it was a striking splash of necessary pain.
I don’t recommend to readers younger than 18, as some themes, while not graphic, have more mature implications than is normally found in YA fiction.
Thank you, Ms Rusnak!
However, it was a story I needed to read. It’s an invaluable eyeopener that was so wonderfully communicated by the hand of Ms Rusnak.
She writes with such illustrious clarity and complexity that I never once felt that I was reading a second rate b-novel.
I hesitate to call it a wonderful story, but I’m not afraid to say it was a striking splash of necessary pain.
I don’t recommend to readers younger than 18, as some themes, while not graphic, have more mature implications than is normally found in YA fiction.
Thank you, Ms Rusnak!
April 22, 2020
We read this book for one of our book club picks! It was a great book for that! If you are looking for a book club book this was a good choice!
February 23, 2017
A beautifully woven tale exploring the complexity of relationships, family, and love. The story flows between two time periods, giving the reader a glimpse into some of the experiences that form beliefs and views of the world. Real characters with imperfections, depth and honest voices. A unique storyline that engages you from beginning to end.
April 30, 2018
This book had me from the title, to be perfectly honest.
Look to many of the stories that formed us as children and you'll see that when anyone enters a forest they come out changed on the other side. "A Church in the Wildwood" is no different, but it is so much more than a cautionary morality tale; indeed it doesn't warn us away from the perils of the wildwood, but instead beckons us closer.
Our stories never begin with ourselves, and the story of Joseph Carver is no different. His story began before he was born with his mother, Iris, whose story began with the poor choices made by her own mother and the steps she took to build a life for herself despite those choices. Alanna Rusnak shows us time and again throughout the novel that every decision has a consequence--and it is how the characters respond to their choices that kept me riveted.
Rusnak does not waste a single word, and she is clear where she wants her story to take her reader. This was a great read.
Look to many of the stories that formed us as children and you'll see that when anyone enters a forest they come out changed on the other side. "A Church in the Wildwood" is no different, but it is so much more than a cautionary morality tale; indeed it doesn't warn us away from the perils of the wildwood, but instead beckons us closer.
Our stories never begin with ourselves, and the story of Joseph Carver is no different. His story began before he was born with his mother, Iris, whose story began with the poor choices made by her own mother and the steps she took to build a life for herself despite those choices. Alanna Rusnak shows us time and again throughout the novel that every decision has a consequence--and it is how the characters respond to their choices that kept me riveted.
Rusnak does not waste a single word, and she is clear where she wants her story to take her reader. This was a great read.
October 1, 2017
This novel is hauntingly imagined and gorgeously told. It immediately surrounded me with a mood that lingered almost heavily, while the intriguing and layered plot made it an absolute page-turner!
The Church In The Wildwood is expertly and thoughtfully crafted, an impressive recipe of poetry and plot- it captivated me with beautiful phrasing that begged attention while twists, turns, and soul-searching characters compelled me to quickly read on. The author offers a heartwrenching and dangerous story - child abuse and unfathomable family secrets appear throughout - yet she weaves it all together with thoughtful insights that keep the reader hopeful. I found it easy to understand and care for the vast array of entangled characters who are offered their own space to falter, fail, and try again.
This is a fantastic and emotional read!
The Church In The Wildwood is expertly and thoughtfully crafted, an impressive recipe of poetry and plot- it captivated me with beautiful phrasing that begged attention while twists, turns, and soul-searching characters compelled me to quickly read on. The author offers a heartwrenching and dangerous story - child abuse and unfathomable family secrets appear throughout - yet she weaves it all together with thoughtful insights that keep the reader hopeful. I found it easy to understand and care for the vast array of entangled characters who are offered their own space to falter, fail, and try again.
This is a fantastic and emotional read!
January 4, 2021
Gripping and soulful. This story follows the life of Iris Carver and her son Joseph. Iris struggles to leave the trauma of her young life behind and to reconcile the secrets and lies she feels compelled to perpetuate with the desires she has for her own life and the future of her son. The novel was poetic in the way it wove a tale that wound through themes of pain, regret, love, loss, sin, devotion, mistakes and deception. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the follow-up novella and full length novel.
November 20, 2024
Ugh!
There aren’t many books out there that I actually dive right into, but this is one. I feel like I’m there, witnesses everything. Did I get mad? Yes! Did I cry? Also, yes. This isn’t my genre of book, but it was SO WELL written. I just can’t believe I didn’t read it sooner. Onto the next…
There aren’t many books out there that I actually dive right into, but this is one. I feel like I’m there, witnesses everything. Did I get mad? Yes! Did I cry? Also, yes. This isn’t my genre of book, but it was SO WELL written. I just can’t believe I didn’t read it sooner. Onto the next…
April 8, 2019
A tragic (but enthralling) tale of twins separated at birth, growing up with a sense that "something is missing" and the truly beautiful story of their reunion. Such an intense, smothering love between Joseph and his mother, Iris Carver, leading him to the brink of an act of desperation.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews