What do you think?
Rate this book
Fallow Heart
When a gruesome murder spree leads to the door of a teenage loser, she is forced to face the reality that something demonic is growing inside her. Fallow Heart is the story of Lorelai Blake, a self-conscious, overweight seventeen-year-old who discovers that a demon has pierced her heart, sparking an incredible transformation. Sleepwalking, fits of rage and impossible strength force Lori to accept that part of her is no longer human. It was hard enough fitting in before, and now that hurtful voice in her head has taken an even more sinister tone. Worse than this, bodies are being discovered. People in Chester are dying and they have only one a nocturnal killer who savages its prey. When you’re becoming more demonic by the day, it’s what's on the inside that counts. Fallow Heart is a tale of strength, suspicion and the supernatural for ages fourteen and up.
- GenresYoung AdultHorrorFantasy
404 pages, Paperback
Published November 22, 2018
About the author
K.C. Finn
38 books390 followersK.C. Finn has been writing since 2011, at a time when extreme illness saw her trapped in the house with nothing but her imagination. Since then she's amassed a collection of stories, poems and novels spanning many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, gothic fiction, horror, paranormal and historical works. Her unique and diverse voice has won many awards, and she is both an Amazon and USA Today best-selling writer.
In her free time, K.C. is an eternal student, forever studying and learning more about the world. She travels whenever possible to explore new cultures and climates, and when she's at home she enjoys coaching writers of all ages with a story to tell. She also exercises her flair for the dramatic by directing, writing and occasionally acting in darkly humorous theatre productions in her hometown of Chester.
K.C. also works as a professional reviewer, manuscript consultant and cover designer. Feel free to message regarding any of these services!
In her free time, K.C. is an eternal student, forever studying and learning more about the world. She travels whenever possible to explore new cultures and climates, and when she's at home she enjoys coaching writers of all ages with a story to tell. She also exercises her flair for the dramatic by directing, writing and occasionally acting in darkly humorous theatre productions in her hometown of Chester.
K.C. also works as a professional reviewer, manuscript consultant and cover designer. Feel free to message regarding any of these services!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 19, 2018
"I'm a fat, friendless virgin, and now I'm going to be eaten alive" (Finn, 1).
Fallow Heart is an up and coming YA horror following Lori as she discovers what it's like to live in a world where demons are real and the struggles of becoming one.
As YA-feel-good-movie I just made that sound, the book is actually pretty scary and earns its place in the horror category for me.
The book starts off right away with Lori in an alleyway getting attacked, revealing my favourite line of the whole book (see above). It shoots you right into the story wanting to know what happens next.
Finn did a great job with the storyline. The way she intertwined multiple timelines happening in the background into the main story is what made this novel feel like I picked it up off the shelves in a high end book store. The plot develops in a way where it creates anticipation, making the book hard to put down.
Lori was a fantastic main character as she was very relatable and easy to identify with in terms of personal experience (not the demon thing). She wasn't overbearing with her emotions, but she was still able to express them clearly through her point of view.
I think one of the themes around this novel is mental and physical health. The main character is described as overweight, and she clearly has issues with it, which are brought up through her own thoughts and comments from other people. The message that is portrayed though those things is that there are bigger things in life than worrying about what people think, and also that our mental health is important and no matter who we are, we need to take care of that aspect of ourselves, which is an excellent message to bring forward.
The novel was also really well written. Clear, concise, and well structured, it really felt like I was immersed in the story completely.
Fallow Heart is a great novel with a great message, an entertaining plot, and a handful of spooks. It is set up for a sequel so I look forward to that coming out and to see what else Finn has in store in the future, as well as all of her past novels. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Fallow Heart is an up and coming YA horror following Lori as she discovers what it's like to live in a world where demons are real and the struggles of becoming one.
As YA-feel-good-movie I just made that sound, the book is actually pretty scary and earns its place in the horror category for me.
The book starts off right away with Lori in an alleyway getting attacked, revealing my favourite line of the whole book (see above). It shoots you right into the story wanting to know what happens next.
Finn did a great job with the storyline. The way she intertwined multiple timelines happening in the background into the main story is what made this novel feel like I picked it up off the shelves in a high end book store. The plot develops in a way where it creates anticipation, making the book hard to put down.
Lori was a fantastic main character as she was very relatable and easy to identify with in terms of personal experience (not the demon thing). She wasn't overbearing with her emotions, but she was still able to express them clearly through her point of view.
I think one of the themes around this novel is mental and physical health. The main character is described as overweight, and she clearly has issues with it, which are brought up through her own thoughts and comments from other people. The message that is portrayed though those things is that there are bigger things in life than worrying about what people think, and also that our mental health is important and no matter who we are, we need to take care of that aspect of ourselves, which is an excellent message to bring forward.
The novel was also really well written. Clear, concise, and well structured, it really felt like I was immersed in the story completely.
Fallow Heart is a great novel with a great message, an entertaining plot, and a handful of spooks. It is set up for a sequel so I look forward to that coming out and to see what else Finn has in store in the future, as well as all of her past novels. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
October 30, 2018
K.C. Finn's Fallow Heart is a trip into the darkest recesses imaginable. Lori goes on a journey from a normal seventeen year old girl to her own personal hell. The storyline is fast-paced and unique, filled with twists and turns, darkness, despair and danger. The characters are varied and well developed. While this is not a story for the faint of heart, it is enjoyable and very well written. Can't wait to see what book 2 brings us!
November 30, 2018
When we first meet "fat friendless virgin" Lori Blake she is waking up from a half remembered trauma in an alleyway that somehow involved a fearsome horned demon. The mysterious scar left on her chest tells her that her experience wasn't a hallucination. And pretty soon Lori is being stalked by all manner of creepy strangers with rivaling agendas, not to mention a trail of blood and bodies that keeps leading back to her. And then there's the voice of self-loathing in her head that seems to grow more powerful and malicious by the day.
What I loved most about Fallow Heart was the different levels this story operates on. First there's the horror layer, which is equal parts gruesome gore and psychological chills. Then as Lori begins to investigate all the demonic carnage suddenly surrounding her, it feels more like a fantastical detective story with its own very captivating mythology. But put the supernatural elements aside and this novel could also be read as an allegory of a teenage girl struggling with body issues and extreme self-loathing. Lori clearly has demons long before her heart is marked by one, but I loved how her mental health issues were amplified through the magical storytelling. I also loved how this metaphor was extended through the different conditions that the other Sown kids are suffering with at the DC clinic. So much to sink your teeth into here. I'd recommend this dark urban fantasy noir to fans of Neil Gaiman, Holly Black and Kendare Blake.
What I loved most about Fallow Heart was the different levels this story operates on. First there's the horror layer, which is equal parts gruesome gore and psychological chills. Then as Lori begins to investigate all the demonic carnage suddenly surrounding her, it feels more like a fantastical detective story with its own very captivating mythology. But put the supernatural elements aside and this novel could also be read as an allegory of a teenage girl struggling with body issues and extreme self-loathing. Lori clearly has demons long before her heart is marked by one, but I loved how her mental health issues were amplified through the magical storytelling. I also loved how this metaphor was extended through the different conditions that the other Sown kids are suffering with at the DC clinic. So much to sink your teeth into here. I'd recommend this dark urban fantasy noir to fans of Neil Gaiman, Holly Black and Kendare Blake.
December 31, 2020
Oh wow. I have to admit I didn't enjoy this book at first, but after things set into motion I couldn't stop reading. It had creepy stuff, twists, interesting characters, and an amazing plot. What more can you ask for? I definitely can't wait to read the next book and see what happens next! The only negative thing I have against the book is how Lori's weight was always emphasized, but other than that it was a really nice book and I recommend it.
December 6, 2018
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Something I've always loved about K.C. Finn's stories are the ways in which she adds the fantastical to the not-so-much, and always tells the tale through the eyes of the common folk, two themes carried over in her latest story as well. If you are a reader who appreciates excellent characterization, unique settings, and a strong voice, I believe this will be a book you enjoy. It was a dark and gritty tale, honest in its descriptions and emotion - not for those faint of blood and gore, but a great display for the lovers of those.
I did have a few hangups on the pacing of the plot - in that it is kind of slow - however once I learned this was a series those opinions were assuaged. Really, a trademark KC Finn novel is much in the same vein as a Stephen King novel - it will be a story of how a typical person reacts to an atypical situation, and as such, you will be in the head of the characters 24/7. If you are a reader who enjoys the highs and lows of a character's internal dialogue and emotions, any KC Finn novel will please you, Fallow Heart no exception. However, this may not be your favorite if you are a reader who enjoys a fast-paced plot.
Something I've always loved about K.C. Finn's stories are the ways in which she adds the fantastical to the not-so-much, and always tells the tale through the eyes of the common folk, two themes carried over in her latest story as well. If you are a reader who appreciates excellent characterization, unique settings, and a strong voice, I believe this will be a book you enjoy. It was a dark and gritty tale, honest in its descriptions and emotion - not for those faint of blood and gore, but a great display for the lovers of those.
I did have a few hangups on the pacing of the plot - in that it is kind of slow - however once I learned this was a series those opinions were assuaged. Really, a trademark KC Finn novel is much in the same vein as a Stephen King novel - it will be a story of how a typical person reacts to an atypical situation, and as such, you will be in the head of the characters 24/7. If you are a reader who enjoys the highs and lows of a character's internal dialogue and emotions, any KC Finn novel will please you, Fallow Heart no exception. However, this may not be your favorite if you are a reader who enjoys a fast-paced plot.
December 20, 2020
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In the beginning, I didn't think I was going to like Lori in Fallow Heart but in the end, she sucker punched me into loving her. Not going to lie either, the beginning will suck you in because it starts with Lori being attacked in an alleyway. So, yeah, I had tons of questions and wanted to know what was going to happen next. Obviously.
Back to Lori, I loved her so much. Her character was completely relatable and likable. So it was pretty easy to fall in love with her (if I do say so myself). She has her own issues, like being overweight and such, but it also dove into her mental health as well. Mental and physical health were pretty important throughout the book and I really enjoyed watching her realize that there more important things for her to worry about. Mentally wise (ya know).
In the end, I really enjoyed diving into the darkness of this book and watching Lori grow as well. I look forward to my next book by K.C. Finn!
In the beginning, I didn't think I was going to like Lori in Fallow Heart but in the end, she sucker punched me into loving her. Not going to lie either, the beginning will suck you in because it starts with Lori being attacked in an alleyway. So, yeah, I had tons of questions and wanted to know what was going to happen next. Obviously.
Back to Lori, I loved her so much. Her character was completely relatable and likable. So it was pretty easy to fall in love with her (if I do say so myself). She has her own issues, like being overweight and such, but it also dove into her mental health as well. Mental and physical health were pretty important throughout the book and I really enjoyed watching her realize that there more important things for her to worry about. Mentally wise (ya know).
In the end, I really enjoyed diving into the darkness of this book and watching Lori grow as well. I look forward to my next book by K.C. Finn!
August 14, 2020
What if you encounter with something evil, scary, something never seen before and you can't even tell about it to anyone, thinking that people might consider you crazy.
The book is about some scary and wild things happening in Chester, England. It is about a girl named Lorelai, who is 17 yrs old and got attacked by a big beast, bigger than a moose while she was going to her work one day. And after that everything changed for her. The attack changed her own body too, she started feeling stronger, warmer and a lot more.
She observed the scary things happening in the city. Everything is making her feel scared about herself and especially about her loved ones.
The book is written in third person narrative. And the story is just so amazing and beautifully written. The best part is that the book is fast-paced and thus doesn't let you take a break from it. Also, everything in the story makes so much sense according to the scenario of Chester city as mentioned in the book.
I loved how different characters play their role in making the story even more adventurous. I really enjoyed the ending it changed the whole scene. Also, the book has a great vocabulary.
One thing you can take from the book is that never underestimate yourself, stay confident about yourself, about your body, looks and always have control on your mind, don't let it put you down.
Overall, it is a great read, I will highly recommend it.
The book is about some scary and wild things happening in Chester, England. It is about a girl named Lorelai, who is 17 yrs old and got attacked by a big beast, bigger than a moose while she was going to her work one day. And after that everything changed for her. The attack changed her own body too, she started feeling stronger, warmer and a lot more.
She observed the scary things happening in the city. Everything is making her feel scared about herself and especially about her loved ones.
The book is written in third person narrative. And the story is just so amazing and beautifully written. The best part is that the book is fast-paced and thus doesn't let you take a break from it. Also, everything in the story makes so much sense according to the scenario of Chester city as mentioned in the book.
I loved how different characters play their role in making the story even more adventurous. I really enjoyed the ending it changed the whole scene. Also, the book has a great vocabulary.
One thing you can take from the book is that never underestimate yourself, stay confident about yourself, about your body, looks and always have control on your mind, don't let it put you down.
Overall, it is a great read, I will highly recommend it.
February 8, 2019
I finished K.C. Finn's magnificent Fallow Heart days ago and I'm still thinking about it. I'll get to the standard book review stuff in a second. First, I want to talk about the main character's voice.
Finn writes our protagonist, Lori, so beautifully. I don't mean she's lathered up in purple prose. (Finn's descriptions are vivid but precise, exactly enough to get the image and keep moving.) Rather, I mean that the voice she brings to Lori's story is human and humane and sympathetic without ever once being cloyingly sentimental. Lori's intrusive thoughts and self-criticism are revealing and frank in a way that made me shudder with recognition: they're the exact thoughts I had about myself at that age (and every age since). A writer with less skill might have created a protagonist whose doubt and low self-esteem made them annoying, but Finn masterfully uses Lori's inner monologue to make her the most human of all the characters in a story about monsters. It hurt to see myself in Lori, to know from my own experience exactly how she feels at times, but in exactly the way we want a book to hurt. It was the pain of therapy, the pain of stretching out a limb with an old injury. The way Lori addresses herself was instantly recognizable to me as the way I have addressed myself, off and on, in the several decades since I was a teenager. It was the voice of someone who feels powerless to better anything: the world, their situation, themselves. It was not the voice of someone who is unlikeable. Instead, it made me feel for Lori right away. It laid the perfect foundation for a story about someone who discovers she is more powerful than she imagined and unprepared for that power.
The book isn't all psychological study and intimate inner thoughts - though it has those in spades and executes them magnificently. It's also a mystery, and an adventure, and a family drama, and a coming of age story. Finn weaves together an engaging and entertaining plot from myth and from her own imaginings, pulling them together to create a compellingly contemporary take on some very old ideas. I loved riding along as the plot dipped in and out of modern conspiracy, mystery-thriller, YA drama, and supernatural horror. If you've enjoyed any of the last 25 years of supernatural-teens-in-trouble tales - from Buffy to Misfits to Legion - you're going to love Fallow Heart. I won't spoil plot specifics, but this is a book about whom to trust, and when, and every relationship is believable and relatable. The cast of characters is huge and Finn manages them very deftly. I had a strong sense of each of the major players and a real affection for even the "minor" characters. The voices are clear and strong and even the character types to whom I would normally have a reflexive negative reaction - those who are very religious, for instance - are put in a good light and made fully human while also still being about what they're about.
In the end, nothing thrilled me more than seeing there's a sequel to this. I will snatch it up and devour it, and I recommend you do the same with this book!
Finn writes our protagonist, Lori, so beautifully. I don't mean she's lathered up in purple prose. (Finn's descriptions are vivid but precise, exactly enough to get the image and keep moving.) Rather, I mean that the voice she brings to Lori's story is human and humane and sympathetic without ever once being cloyingly sentimental. Lori's intrusive thoughts and self-criticism are revealing and frank in a way that made me shudder with recognition: they're the exact thoughts I had about myself at that age (and every age since). A writer with less skill might have created a protagonist whose doubt and low self-esteem made them annoying, but Finn masterfully uses Lori's inner monologue to make her the most human of all the characters in a story about monsters. It hurt to see myself in Lori, to know from my own experience exactly how she feels at times, but in exactly the way we want a book to hurt. It was the pain of therapy, the pain of stretching out a limb with an old injury. The way Lori addresses herself was instantly recognizable to me as the way I have addressed myself, off and on, in the several decades since I was a teenager. It was the voice of someone who feels powerless to better anything: the world, their situation, themselves. It was not the voice of someone who is unlikeable. Instead, it made me feel for Lori right away. It laid the perfect foundation for a story about someone who discovers she is more powerful than she imagined and unprepared for that power.
The book isn't all psychological study and intimate inner thoughts - though it has those in spades and executes them magnificently. It's also a mystery, and an adventure, and a family drama, and a coming of age story. Finn weaves together an engaging and entertaining plot from myth and from her own imaginings, pulling them together to create a compellingly contemporary take on some very old ideas. I loved riding along as the plot dipped in and out of modern conspiracy, mystery-thriller, YA drama, and supernatural horror. If you've enjoyed any of the last 25 years of supernatural-teens-in-trouble tales - from Buffy to Misfits to Legion - you're going to love Fallow Heart. I won't spoil plot specifics, but this is a book about whom to trust, and when, and every relationship is believable and relatable. The cast of characters is huge and Finn manages them very deftly. I had a strong sense of each of the major players and a real affection for even the "minor" characters. The voices are clear and strong and even the character types to whom I would normally have a reflexive negative reaction - those who are very religious, for instance - are put in a good light and made fully human while also still being about what they're about.
In the end, nothing thrilled me more than seeing there's a sequel to this. I will snatch it up and devour it, and I recommend you do the same with this book!
October 5, 2020
I was really excited to get this book. It’s the fall season and I am ready for something spooky. I liked this book, but did not love. It is a supernatural new adult fiction story, about a girl that gets attacked on her way to work by something she can’t explain and the horrible events that happen after. It was spooky, action packed with a number of twist. The story had a really interesting take on demons, I have not read anything quite like it. I really wanted to more about the demon’s in this world, which was one of the things that was missing from this book for me. I am interested in reading the next book and hoping that those elements will be in the next installment. The first four chapters I had a hard time getting through. The wording in several passages at the beginning of the book, were confusing and took couple rereads to understand were it’s was going. After those initial chapters the writing smoothed out and was very enjoyable and fast paced. There was several mysteries going on at once and you just wanted answers so you can’t help but keep reading to find out what’s going on. There are several trigger warnings in this book that include alcoholism, body shaming, violence and murder. Overall I would recommend this book it was a good read. I received this ebook via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 18, 2020
I really liked this but then that's what 4 stars means. I am really not a fan of the term YA, it seems to be a term meant to say something is somehow less worthy of being read. This is so not true, sometimes I don't need something overloaded with swearing and sex. This is a great story with good characters and a plot that keeps you turning the pages.
Read it.
Thank you, K.C. Finn.
PS could have done with a more meticulous editor.
Read it.
Thank you, K.C. Finn.
PS could have done with a more meticulous editor.
June 13, 2019
Lorelai Blake was on the way to work when she was attacked by the creature with the massive antlers and breath that stank of rotting meat. She should have died. With something demonic growing within her and a murderer on the loose Lori will have to learn everything she can about what’s happened to her. Will she decide if she can trust the organization that supposedly treats conditions like hers, the DC, or if she should follow Kasabian, the mysterious fellow who seems to have escaped his demon? Something is stalking Lori, waiting to harvest her. Can she control her burgeoning demonic powers in time to find out what’s going on? Can she escape it?
K. C. Finn’s Fallow Heart is a solid supernatural story with some really nifty ideas. The concept of people being infected by demons, like it’s a cousin to lycanthropy, is particularly cool. Plus I like the idea of the various groups that are trying to deal with the demon problem.
That said, Fallow Heart is very focused in on its protagonist, so let’s talk about Lori. A lot of the early stuff in the book involves Lori being bothered by the fact that she’s over weight, it affects her self esteem deeply. She thinks of herself as being ugly a number of times. This is, in fact, something that one of the murder victims uses when he’s bullying her. It’s something mentioned in the blurb and I admit that I was concerned that it would be over used, but Finn did a really good job with it. It isn’t a constant thing, but does crop up when Lori is already second guessing herself. It isn’t the sole non-demon issue Lori has, and it doesn’t eclipse the other issues. It does make the bits where she’s clever and resourceful or confident, feel more solid. The balance makes Lori feel more real.
The flip side of the focus on our protagonist is that since Lori is out of her depth things can feel confusing or disjointed. We’re introduced to everything from Lori’s point of view and follow things with her biases. So if she isn’t interested in or can’t follow up on something, that’s not going to be explored. I’m hoping that a lot of what was introduced here will be built on in later books.
There’s some really good horror elements here. Finn does an excellent job with atmosphere. There’s this really good emotional feel for some of the places, a low creeping fear. I’m hoping for more of that too.
Honestly, the only thing I have an issue with is the ending. I’m not going to go into spoilers. It was just something that’s fairly common to stories that are billed similarly to Fallow Heart that I really hoped wasn’t going to be the end point. A thoroughly expected disappointment if you will.
So overall, I’m left with a really positive experience with Fallow Heart. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series and reading K. C. Finn again. It does lose a little for the ending just because I feel like more could have been done there within the theme. That leaves Fallow Heart with a four out of five. Check it out if you get the chance.
K. C. Finn’s Fallow Heart is a solid supernatural story with some really nifty ideas. The concept of people being infected by demons, like it’s a cousin to lycanthropy, is particularly cool. Plus I like the idea of the various groups that are trying to deal with the demon problem.
That said, Fallow Heart is very focused in on its protagonist, so let’s talk about Lori. A lot of the early stuff in the book involves Lori being bothered by the fact that she’s over weight, it affects her self esteem deeply. She thinks of herself as being ugly a number of times. This is, in fact, something that one of the murder victims uses when he’s bullying her. It’s something mentioned in the blurb and I admit that I was concerned that it would be over used, but Finn did a really good job with it. It isn’t a constant thing, but does crop up when Lori is already second guessing herself. It isn’t the sole non-demon issue Lori has, and it doesn’t eclipse the other issues. It does make the bits where she’s clever and resourceful or confident, feel more solid. The balance makes Lori feel more real.
The flip side of the focus on our protagonist is that since Lori is out of her depth things can feel confusing or disjointed. We’re introduced to everything from Lori’s point of view and follow things with her biases. So if she isn’t interested in or can’t follow up on something, that’s not going to be explored. I’m hoping that a lot of what was introduced here will be built on in later books.
There’s some really good horror elements here. Finn does an excellent job with atmosphere. There’s this really good emotional feel for some of the places, a low creeping fear. I’m hoping for more of that too.
Honestly, the only thing I have an issue with is the ending. I’m not going to go into spoilers. It was just something that’s fairly common to stories that are billed similarly to Fallow Heart that I really hoped wasn’t going to be the end point. A thoroughly expected disappointment if you will.
So overall, I’m left with a really positive experience with Fallow Heart. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series and reading K. C. Finn again. It does lose a little for the ending just because I feel like more could have been done there within the theme. That leaves Fallow Heart with a four out of five. Check it out if you get the chance.
October 22, 2020
Series Info/Source: I got a copy of this book through NetGalley to review. This is the first book in a series (which definitely isn’t made clear by the synopsis or on any media sites).
Story (3/5): This was a decent read but yet another book in a slew of recent reads that I didn’t like all that much. It's about an overweight teen (Lori) whose heart is pierced by a demon and then she starts to become that demon. This is the first book in a series which I did not realize. As a result this book doesn't really tie up any of the mysteries presented and pretty much just leaves the reader hanging. I wasn’t looking to start a new series, so I was a bit frustrated by this.
Most of the story involves Lori trying to figure out how to deal with the changes that are happening to her and how to survive them. Lori also struggles with figuring out who to trust in this new-to-her demon infested world. The story was fairly predictable but I liked the darker tone to it and the way demons were dealt with. There were some really interesting ideas around demons and possessions and "sowing".
Characters (3/5): I struggled a bit with this story in general because I had trouble relating to or engaging with any of the characters. Lori also did a lot of things that just didn't seem to make a lot of sense when her "smart" girl persona was considered. Most of the characters are fairly selfish and not all that pleasant to read about which just isn’t my thing.
Setting (3/5): The story is set in Chester, but could have been any generic city setting. There weren’t a ton of iconic moments that featured special areas of the city. Most of the story takes place at the trailer park Lori lives in or at her college. It was fine but the setting wasn’t the main driver behind the story.
Writing Style (3/5): I seem to be in a bit of a reading slump lately, I think this is the fourth or fifth book in a row I’ve given 3 or less stars to. This book was okay, technically it was fine to read. I just always felt like Finn keeps her readers at a distance. We never really get to engage with the characters or story but are kept apart from it. This made it hard for me to really dive into the story and enjoy it. As mentioned above I was also really disappointed to find out that this is the first book in a series; it should be advertised as such so that readers know what they are getting into.
My Summary (3/5): Overall this was an okay read about a girl turning into a demon (kind of) and trying to control the side effects. There is an interesting secret world built around demons and the main character struggles with figuring out who to trust. This is the first book in a series, so this story leaves the reader on a cliffhanger. I didn’t engage with the characters or the story all that well, they all felt a bit distant. I don’t plan on continuing this series.
Story (3/5): This was a decent read but yet another book in a slew of recent reads that I didn’t like all that much. It's about an overweight teen (Lori) whose heart is pierced by a demon and then she starts to become that demon. This is the first book in a series which I did not realize. As a result this book doesn't really tie up any of the mysteries presented and pretty much just leaves the reader hanging. I wasn’t looking to start a new series, so I was a bit frustrated by this.
Most of the story involves Lori trying to figure out how to deal with the changes that are happening to her and how to survive them. Lori also struggles with figuring out who to trust in this new-to-her demon infested world. The story was fairly predictable but I liked the darker tone to it and the way demons were dealt with. There were some really interesting ideas around demons and possessions and "sowing".
Characters (3/5): I struggled a bit with this story in general because I had trouble relating to or engaging with any of the characters. Lori also did a lot of things that just didn't seem to make a lot of sense when her "smart" girl persona was considered. Most of the characters are fairly selfish and not all that pleasant to read about which just isn’t my thing.
Setting (3/5): The story is set in Chester, but could have been any generic city setting. There weren’t a ton of iconic moments that featured special areas of the city. Most of the story takes place at the trailer park Lori lives in or at her college. It was fine but the setting wasn’t the main driver behind the story.
Writing Style (3/5): I seem to be in a bit of a reading slump lately, I think this is the fourth or fifth book in a row I’ve given 3 or less stars to. This book was okay, technically it was fine to read. I just always felt like Finn keeps her readers at a distance. We never really get to engage with the characters or story but are kept apart from it. This made it hard for me to really dive into the story and enjoy it. As mentioned above I was also really disappointed to find out that this is the first book in a series; it should be advertised as such so that readers know what they are getting into.
My Summary (3/5): Overall this was an okay read about a girl turning into a demon (kind of) and trying to control the side effects. There is an interesting secret world built around demons and the main character struggles with figuring out who to trust. This is the first book in a series, so this story leaves the reader on a cliffhanger. I didn’t engage with the characters or the story all that well, they all felt a bit distant. I don’t plan on continuing this series.
October 13, 2020
Fallow Heart by K.C. Finn is a Young Adult horror novel. The plot centres around Lori who has been touched by something from another world and goes through a journey to uncover what is happening around and to her.
I found myself immediately drawn in by the first few chapters. K.C. made great descriptive word choices around her creature and the people who were experiencing it.
I also was empathetic with Lori, the main character. I liked the theme of being overweight and bullied as well as having some home drama with her family. These are relatable, especially in the young adult genre.
The middle was slow-paced for my taste. I would have liked more of the bullying and overweight theme to have come through and a few more spots with that early descriptive horror coming through again. The last few chapters were an enjoyable conclusion and a nice setup for future stories.
In the sequel, I would like to see Lori as an adult and having overcome her weight struggle while now following the path that was put in front of her to end this book.
I like to try and find movie comparables when I read. I could see a Blade or Underworld like sequel spawning from this.
Full disclosure. K.C. Finn reviewed my novel in April. She did not ask me to review this. I decided to pick this up out of curiosity and for inspiration as I am writing my second novel which contains a creature itself. This also makes a good October read as it has many dark themes that go well with Halloween.
4 Stars
I found myself immediately drawn in by the first few chapters. K.C. made great descriptive word choices around her creature and the people who were experiencing it.
I also was empathetic with Lori, the main character. I liked the theme of being overweight and bullied as well as having some home drama with her family. These are relatable, especially in the young adult genre.
The middle was slow-paced for my taste. I would have liked more of the bullying and overweight theme to have come through and a few more spots with that early descriptive horror coming through again. The last few chapters were an enjoyable conclusion and a nice setup for future stories.
In the sequel, I would like to see Lori as an adult and having overcome her weight struggle while now following the path that was put in front of her to end this book.
I like to try and find movie comparables when I read. I could see a Blade or Underworld like sequel spawning from this.
Full disclosure. K.C. Finn reviewed my novel in April. She did not ask me to review this. I decided to pick this up out of curiosity and for inspiration as I am writing my second novel which contains a creature itself. This also makes a good October read as it has many dark themes that go well with Halloween.
4 Stars
September 20, 2020
-Minor spoilers
“I’ve separated the demon from myself. I know it’s there. I feel it getting angry, wanting to break out, but I don’t let it. It’s like I told you. No stress. Just calming thoughts. It takes practice, but it can be done.”
Another work of demonic possession (hold it, give this one a chance) where the story’s protagonist, Lori Blake, is up against the clock to solve a beastly murder case in her home town of Chester, England, all while she herself transcends into a nightmarish form. The manifestation occurs after Lori is assaulted by a diabolical creature, and from there, she becomes submerged with the gruesome encounter. Like many demonic counterparts in the literary world, the novel takes a somewhat archaic approach as the mystery unfolds. There are Spanish and Roman historical nods scattered throughout the book, and of course, we come a cross a few nuns. These references suited me just fine.
Lori is consistently bullied in the early chapters, and I wish the author had made this the major theme of her finished product. Various points occur where some of the other characters begin to question their own dignity, but by that point there’s a hybridized plot involving a secret medical research facility. Kind of reminded me of ‘X-Men.’
‘Fallow Heart.’ was predictable, and dissipating at times, but I also found it just as intriguing and grisly.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a free ARC for honest feedback.
“I’ve separated the demon from myself. I know it’s there. I feel it getting angry, wanting to break out, but I don’t let it. It’s like I told you. No stress. Just calming thoughts. It takes practice, but it can be done.”
Another work of demonic possession (hold it, give this one a chance) where the story’s protagonist, Lori Blake, is up against the clock to solve a beastly murder case in her home town of Chester, England, all while she herself transcends into a nightmarish form. The manifestation occurs after Lori is assaulted by a diabolical creature, and from there, she becomes submerged with the gruesome encounter. Like many demonic counterparts in the literary world, the novel takes a somewhat archaic approach as the mystery unfolds. There are Spanish and Roman historical nods scattered throughout the book, and of course, we come a cross a few nuns. These references suited me just fine.
Lori is consistently bullied in the early chapters, and I wish the author had made this the major theme of her finished product. Various points occur where some of the other characters begin to question their own dignity, but by that point there’s a hybridized plot involving a secret medical research facility. Kind of reminded me of ‘X-Men.’
‘Fallow Heart.’ was predictable, and dissipating at times, but I also found it just as intriguing and grisly.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a free ARC for honest feedback.
October 22, 2020
This was a quick read which I love in thrillers/horror books. That didn't take away from the plot at all. In fact it added to the story because it made you realize how quickly Lori's whole world changed in the span of minutes.
Lori is possessed by a demon and she goes to the only people she thinks can help, the D.C., an organization that helps infected children.. When people around her start dying, she starts sleep walking and losing track of time, and she starts having uncontrollable fits of rage, she starts to wonder who the culprit of these terrible crimes are. With a demon coming for her and a detective that is looking into his only connection in a string of murders, her, she must find the culprit of these crimes and learn to master her inner darkness with the help of her rebellious friend Kasabian.
I truly enjoyed the characters in this book. I wish Kasabian was involved a little more and some of the side characters were a little more developed but I realized this is Lori's story. Regardless I think its definitely worth the read.
Lori is possessed by a demon and she goes to the only people she thinks can help, the D.C., an organization that helps infected children.. When people around her start dying, she starts sleep walking and losing track of time, and she starts having uncontrollable fits of rage, she starts to wonder who the culprit of these terrible crimes are. With a demon coming for her and a detective that is looking into his only connection in a string of murders, her, she must find the culprit of these crimes and learn to master her inner darkness with the help of her rebellious friend Kasabian.
I truly enjoyed the characters in this book. I wish Kasabian was involved a little more and some of the side characters were a little more developed but I realized this is Lori's story. Regardless I think its definitely worth the read.
October 31, 2020
La historia me pareció super original, demonio, virus. La humanidad contra la maldad. Me gusto mucho esta idea.
Aunque sentí que la autora quería una protagonista nunca antes vista, se me hizo algo pobre de carácter y choque con ella en algunas ocasiones.
Pero me sorprendí varias veces y me pareció algo cruel el final. No lo vi venir.
------
The story seemed super original, demon, virus. Humanity vs. evil. I really liked this idea.
Although I felt that the author wanted a protagonist never seen before, something poor of character came to me and I clashed with her on some occasions.
But I was surprised several times and the ending seemed somewhat cruel. I did not see it coming.
Aunque sentí que la autora quería una protagonista nunca antes vista, se me hizo algo pobre de carácter y choque con ella en algunas ocasiones.
Pero me sorprendí varias veces y me pareció algo cruel el final. No lo vi venir.
------
The story seemed super original, demon, virus. Humanity vs. evil. I really liked this idea.
Although I felt that the author wanted a protagonist never seen before, something poor of character came to me and I clashed with her on some occasions.
But I was surprised several times and the ending seemed somewhat cruel. I did not see it coming.
November 8, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. Fast paced and full of energy. It was predictable in places but surprising in others. I would love to know more of Sister Agnes' and Lori's grandfather's stories. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series.
I received a copy of this book free through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion
I received a copy of this book free through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion
February 6, 2019
Intriguing story with lots of potential! I'm eager to read the next instalment(s).
April 22, 2024
the characterizations were great, especially Lori. She reminds me a little bit of Holly (Stephen King's vulnerable character). will read more books featuring her.
October 22, 2020
This was a quick read which I love in thrillers/horror books. That didn't take away from the plot at all. In fact it added to the story because it made you realize how quickly Lori's whole world changed in the span of minutes.
Lori is possessed by a demon and she goes to the only people she thinks can help, the D.C., an organization that helps infected children.. When people around her start dying, she starts sleep walking and losing track of time, and she starts having uncontrollable fits of rage, she starts to wonder who the culprit of these terrible crimes are. With a demon coming for her and a detective that is looking into his only connection in a string of murders, her, she must find the culprit of these crimes and learn to master her inner darkness with the help of her rebellious friend Kasabian.
I truly enjoyed the characters in this book. I wish Kasabian was involved a little more and some of the side characters were a little more developed but I realized this is Lori's story. Regardless I think its definitely worth the read.
Lori is possessed by a demon and she goes to the only people she thinks can help, the D.C., an organization that helps infected children.. When people around her start dying, she starts sleep walking and losing track of time, and she starts having uncontrollable fits of rage, she starts to wonder who the culprit of these terrible crimes are. With a demon coming for her and a detective that is looking into his only connection in a string of murders, her, she must find the culprit of these crimes and learn to master her inner darkness with the help of her rebellious friend Kasabian.
I truly enjoyed the characters in this book. I wish Kasabian was involved a little more and some of the side characters were a little more developed but I realized this is Lori's story. Regardless I think its definitely worth the read.
August 24, 2020
What happens when one day you find yourself attacked by a creature and wake up with new scars and now idea what has exactly happened? Throw in sleepwalking, hearing voices, and a lot of fresh murders in this teenage girls life and you’ve got a very interesting coming of age story splashed with demonic possession. I really had a fun time reading this story. I found the characters to be interesting and I really liked the way the demonic possession and creatures played into the story. Our protagonist is Lorelai Blake, an overweight and self conscious girl who is just trying to get by until she is attacked. Lorelai is smart and tries her best to deal with what has happened to her. The overall arc of her journey was an interesting one and this is just the beginning of the series. I am very interested to see where it goes and how Lorelai continues.
* Thank you Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
* Thank you Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
October 7, 2020
First of all, I'd like to praise KC Finn for doing one of those rare things in a YA Novel - including a plus size protagonist. One that is well written, realistic and most importantly, does not spend the whole book obsessing over her weight - she quite literally has bigger demons to deal with.
As a fan of supernatural stories and murder mysteries this book is a perfect blend of both and brilliantly weaves a narrative that is dark, thrilling and above all a story of Hope and triumph over adversity.
The protagonist, Lorelei, finds she is treading a balancing act between demon and human, and it is thrilling to watch her try to overcome the dark voice in her head that becomes more malevolent by the day.
This is a perfect book for horror fans, but the narrative also mixes in detective story, coming of age novel themes and magical supernatural. It is a little bit of something for everyone.
As a fan of supernatural stories and murder mysteries this book is a perfect blend of both and brilliantly weaves a narrative that is dark, thrilling and above all a story of Hope and triumph over adversity.
The protagonist, Lorelei, finds she is treading a balancing act between demon and human, and it is thrilling to watch her try to overcome the dark voice in her head that becomes more malevolent by the day.
This is a perfect book for horror fans, but the narrative also mixes in detective story, coming of age novel themes and magical supernatural. It is a little bit of something for everyone.
October 25, 2020
This was a bit average story, but I've read a lot thriller/horror books so it's really hard for me to find something what I think it's unpredictable and scary. Fallow Heart is a book with great darker theme, interesting yet simple plot and not so bad characters. The writing style was really easy to read and enjoyable, and thanks to that it was really quick read for me. Overall I would say that this book will be perfect for someone with lower expectations or for someone who wants some simple and relaxing read.
Thank you Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2020
The story seemed super original, demon, virus. Humanity vs. evil. I really liked this idea.
Although I felt that the author wanted a protagonist never seen before, something poor of character came to me and I clashed with her on some occasions.
But I was surprised several times and the ending seemed somewhat cruel. I did not see it coming.
Although I felt that the author wanted a protagonist never seen before, something poor of character came to me and I clashed with her on some occasions.
But I was surprised several times and the ending seemed somewhat cruel. I did not see it coming.
November 8, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. Fast paced and full of energy. It was predictable in places but surprising in others. I would love to know more of Sister Agnes' and Lori's grandfather's stories. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series.
I received a copy of this book free through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion
I received a copy of this book free through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion
February 25, 2019
Fallow Heart
Review:
With a plot such as itself, it attracts the readers and make them want to read it and follow the story of Lori. With the struggles of this 17 year old overweight teenager, there are many things that each one of us can relate to. The plot may be moving slowly, but it still manages to keep you hooked up till the end. It's totally remarkable that even in a plot such as this, the reality of the situation remains with us till the end. The vivid descriptions creates the whole picture in front of our eyes.
The book is not just psychological, but it encompasses the inner thoughts in spades and executes them magnificently. It's also a mystery, and an adventure, and a family drama, and a coming of age story. Finn weaves together an engaging and entertaining plot from myth and from her own imaginings, pulling them together to create a compellingly contemporary take on some very old ideas.
This is a book about whom to trust, and when, and the high cost of getting that wrong. The way Finn manages the huge number od characters and their different behavior is enthralling. I had a strong sense of attachment to each of the major players and a real affection for even the "minor" characters.
I'm likely to bend more towards strong beginnings, and this one certainly doesn't disappoint in that regard.
The self-consciousness and all the other insecure things about Lori draws the perfect picture of her in front of our eyes. The character is perfecrly portrayed and feels completely realistic. There are so many things all of us will recognise that we once had. It makes us relate to the situation, it builds up the emotion in our hearts and minds as the book proceeds.
It is unique blend of reality in fantasy and emotional instances filled with twists and turns, darkness, despair and danger. The characters are varied and well developed. While this is not a story for the faint of heart, it is enjoyable and very well written.
Rating : 4.5/5
Review:
With a plot such as itself, it attracts the readers and make them want to read it and follow the story of Lori. With the struggles of this 17 year old overweight teenager, there are many things that each one of us can relate to. The plot may be moving slowly, but it still manages to keep you hooked up till the end. It's totally remarkable that even in a plot such as this, the reality of the situation remains with us till the end. The vivid descriptions creates the whole picture in front of our eyes.
The book is not just psychological, but it encompasses the inner thoughts in spades and executes them magnificently. It's also a mystery, and an adventure, and a family drama, and a coming of age story. Finn weaves together an engaging and entertaining plot from myth and from her own imaginings, pulling them together to create a compellingly contemporary take on some very old ideas.
This is a book about whom to trust, and when, and the high cost of getting that wrong. The way Finn manages the huge number od characters and their different behavior is enthralling. I had a strong sense of attachment to each of the major players and a real affection for even the "minor" characters.
I'm likely to bend more towards strong beginnings, and this one certainly doesn't disappoint in that regard.
The self-consciousness and all the other insecure things about Lori draws the perfect picture of her in front of our eyes. The character is perfecrly portrayed and feels completely realistic. There are so many things all of us will recognise that we once had. It makes us relate to the situation, it builds up the emotion in our hearts and minds as the book proceeds.
It is unique blend of reality in fantasy and emotional instances filled with twists and turns, darkness, despair and danger. The characters are varied and well developed. While this is not a story for the faint of heart, it is enjoyable and very well written.
Rating : 4.5/5
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews