ALL TOWNS HAVE SECRETS An unseen evil is growing deep beneath the isolated seaside town of White Harbor, which an insidious cult worships as their God. For centuries, it has fed on the inner darkness of its people, their nightmares, and their secrets, forming the almost tangible collective mind the locals call "Blight Harbor."
Only one person can speak directly to the town's Martha Lange, an Alzheimer's patient in the town's hospice. The Faithful call her "Mother". She is the messenger of God, and she has proclaimed it's time for His awakening.
When Peter, Martha's estranged son, returns to White Harbor after a personal loss, he's unaware that his arrival will act as a catalyst for a dark omen, and God has promised Mother a reward for her service.
As supernatural events, disappearances, and horrors shake White Harbor over the course of three nights, Peter Lange and a group of townspeople swallowed up in these events must desperately find answers in the town’s history of death and tragedy. The source of the cult, and the true nature of “Blight Harbor” must be uncovered, because the final ritual is underway, and the most prominent phrase in the cult’s unearthly tongue translates “God will feed.” BOOK 1 will introduce you to the town of White Harbor, the Vanek House, and the town's history of death and tragedy. When Peter Lange returns to his hometown to have a difficult conversation with his mother, he doesn't realize his arrival was foretold, and it's only one in a series of events that presage one of the cult's darkest of prophecies. Can Peter and those around him figure out the ominous signs plaguing the town before it's too late?
As an anxious, introverted kid growing up in Costa Rica during the 80s and 90s, I always felt like something of an outsider. My refuge was escaping into and devouring sci-fi, fantasy, drama, crime thrillers, and above all things, HORROR. For years, these books, movies, comics, and even video games became my life. I dove into the horror-next-door of Stephen King, the ineffable cosmic abominations of H.P. Lovecraft, the disturbing atmosphere of Silent Hill, the dreamlike imagery of David Lynch, the sheer unnerving strangeness of Junji Ito, and many more; they got mixed in with my country’s folk stories and my own experiences, resulting in what I think is a peculiar blend that you, the reader, might feel is familiar but unknown. And isn’t that the foundation of horror? Doesn’t horror begin with something mundane that, seen from the right angle, seems a bit wrong?
This excellent novel feels like a combination of various authors while maintaining Carlos' unique and frightening voice.
White Harbor is small town horror, coming of age, and demonic cosmic horror told over the course of many years and many characters. I personally love this narrative choice as it gives you a look at the town, it's dark secrets, and the lives of the characters that affect the evils they face in the present day.
But there's another part of this town. Known as Blight Harbor, it's where pain, grief, evil, and fear live. An invisible "other" world where all the bad things go to feed the presence behind it. It's invisible but it's very real. And it's fed by a god and his believers. Not a good of Christianity, Islam, or Hindi but something much darker, much older, and it's always hungry.
White Harbor has seen more death, accidents, and unexplainable things than your average town. A cursed house, a mysterious caretaker who doesn't speak yet knows more than most. A mother who only loves her god and is physically and mentally abusive to her son (she plays a dominant role in this first book).
I absolutely loved the creepy vibe this novel gave me throughout. And I'm completely on board for the rest of this series. It's a fantastic mix of different horror themes that this author has expertly crafted together to make this book much more than a sum of its parts. I highly recommend it!
Review for White Harbor, by Carlos Rivera - this is an excellent horror. It starts slow, and feels fractured, with lots of back and forthing. It probably takes till around halfway to really up the ante. Be patient with it, it's worth it! This reminded me a LOT of early King, in particular The Tommy Knockers. The story isn't the same, but it has that same feel to it. The characters, once they get going, really get going. There's an element of mystery to it, this 'perfect town' with a layer of something else to it, the blight. This is Book One, and I will certainly read Book 2. This is a cracker of a horror and Rivera is a stonkingly good author.
What a story! It took a bit for me to get into the first part ,but that's a me thing, lol. Loved the flash backs to whe they were kids. Well written could really picture everything in my head. I can't wait for the second book to see how the story turns out!!
The author does a brilliant job, but I had to fast forward past the child s/a. That’s just a personal trigger, not a reflection of the quality of the writing.
I took a long time with this novel, because, quite frankly, I loved what the author was doing, story-wise, and I kind of wanted to just hang out with these people, both in their kid forms, and as adults.
Rivera takes his time in this first novel of the trilogy, offering up a lot of questions, setting up a few mysteries, and answering very little. The pacing is, quite frankly, all over the place, and normally that would upset me but somehow, dammit, the author makes it work.
And that inspires both jealousy AND admiration in me. This is the type of book I'd love to write, but am completely incapable of doing so...meanwhile, Rivera makes it look easy.
Make no mistake, from the first page to the last, this novel, while engaging, is all set-up. There's actually no real climax here, which is fine, because I know there's two more thick books that follow it. Normally, I'd be a touch worried, but throughout the 600ish pages (counting the I AM THE DOOR novella that closes out the last hundred pages or so), the reader gets a sense that Rivera not only knows everything that's going on, but that he has to weave it slowly, carefully, so it all comes together down the line. I feel like I'm in very good, very knowledgeable, very capable hands here, and I'm eager to get through the next two novels.
And, a small note about I AM THE DOOR. Same town, different time frame, and this story? Holy cow, it's vicious, in the best sense of the word. It's horrible, it's nasty, and I loved it. When Rivera wants to bring the pain, he can bring it.
I had fun with this, there's a definite oversaturation of the small creepy town type of Novel. Carlos does a good job at separating his novel from the slog of others in his Genre. The unique horror elements do a good job at laying the ground work for a town that one gets the sense he intends to spend much more time in. Like most first novels however, it does have it's fair share of world building issues, lot's of names, and introductions which at times feel like they go on longer than they warrant. Still when it comes to the main character, he does a good job at setting the table and integrating elements that will become important later. All in all, in a world of generic stories told a hundred times over, Carlos has managed to distinguish himself from others, making it clear his voice is wholly unique.
Pros:
Some good Horror set pieces. Good Main Character Interesting relationships within the community. Creepy Atmosphere.
Cons: First Book in Series World Building Burden. Too much time spent on side characters. Plotting could be choppy at times.
This was a heck of a debut novel and I am excited that it is the first in a series because I need more White Harbor! This book has everything that I love in a horror novel, creepy towns, haunted houses, complex family relationships, evil people. This is haunted and gory. I read it in a day because I couldn't put it down!
A great start to a larger work, but missing its own arc which makes it feel less like a standalone book and more like it was a larger work forced into a series format.
Not long ago I had answered a question on Mr Rivera’s Facebook page that, no I didn’t like a book that ends with a cliff hanger. I was wrong. This book was so compelling that besides never finding a slow part, I can’t wait until the next book in the series comes out!
This dude can write Horror! The pictures that were in my head as I read will stay with me for a long time.
I felt dread during the entirety of this novel. I really enjoyed the character development, and the setting of the creepy little town. I felt like I really got to know the characters and their way of thinking, even if I wish they had made other choices. A well-developed and fully thought-out work.
The small town feeling, the local legends and the damned devil dogs. This book is detailed and so vibrant in the life it gives to Blight Harbor.....I mean White Harbor. The author does a fantastic job in bringing you into this world and all of its secrets. I look forward to reading more in this series and cannot wait to see where he takes us next!
You know what's difficult to do in the horror genre nowadays? Come up with something that is fresh, and use that to disconcert the characters that you create, and generally sow that same feeling, as a result, in your audience.
Simply because of the saturation the genre sees, it's a difficult thing to achieve. So, what do you do? Risk something different and hope you can achieve what all horror writers aim for, or play it say and risk your work being labelled derivative.
I am happy to tell you that Carlos has gone for the former, and that he succeeds in doing so.
The premise is really cool, and really fresh, in that the singular member of the 'small town trope' actually speaks to a dark cult's point of worship, and shit just generally goes down hill as a result of this malevolent force.
I won't spoil too much, but what I will say is that the intent of this presence being foreboding and crushing to the township, comes through the page, and their affliction of this ominous haze will be one shared between character and audience.
This is helped by a sense of urgency, between both the characters trapped in the reality, and the reader. There is a finite amount of time, between availing, and succumbing to this antagonist, and this sense of urgency builds pressure and adds legitimate stakes and consequences to the novel.
As you can tell from my rating, I loved this book! The setting and town are familiar to other horror classics, but Rivera is able to create a new storyline that really draws you in! Rivera's writing style is clear, concise and clever, making it a great read to smash through quickly.
It is very easy to grow to love the characters, and I found myself constantly wondering (and also worrying) what tragedy they may face on the next page! I can't wait to sink my teeth into book 2 and continue the journey in White Harbor!
I love reading stories of haunted small towns. Carlos Rivera tells the brilliantly haunting tale of White Harbor, a small town with a deadly history. Cursed houses and families, an evil “Mother” and a young survivor (her son) who has returned to town for his mom’s last days. This book is the first in a series that will be forthcoming by Rivera, and the ending gave me chills, and left me excited for the next chapter of the series!
✍️ Peter returns to his hometown of White Harbor to visit his estranged mother who is unwell. His return after many years brings back secrets, dangers and nightmares that have been hidden for years.
I have to confess that I am not a fan of horror films nor can I watch them alone so when I received an early copy of this book I was very excited and a little unsure as to how I would feel about reading this story which is based around Hauntings, Cults and Supernatural Events.
After reading the Synopsis and starting the Prologue I was completely Intrigued by the Concept and the Graphical elements of the story that were very vividly portrayed in the narrative and which kept me engaged.
The writing style was well written and atmospheric with a sense of eeriness and fearfulness to it which made it a tense and engaging story along with the storytelling that was rich in depth.
The town of White Harbour and Vanek House had me immersed in the history and the mysterious circumstances surrounding them. The attention to detail had me captivated by the fact that the town was a place filled with disturbing happenings of the past.
Blight Harbor was such a creepy town filled with secrets and strange people and evil spirits which gave me the creeps.
While initially a slow burn, it was a terrifying read that gave me shivers down my spine. A perfect read for all horror fans out there!
The town of White Harbor, which the locals refer to as "Blight Harbor" is home to more than it's fair share of death and tragedy, but are those losses natural or caused by something more nefarious?
If you want all the answers now, you are going to be disappointed, as this is the first book in what promises to be an epic series.
With that in mind, there is a lot of backstory and character development crammed in, which I'm sure is in place to set up future White Harbor stories. This is not to suggest that there is little else going on, as there are some genuinely creepy moments with a hint of some Lovecraftian type goodness to come.
Fans of King will get a real kick out of this book, as there are little elements of IT, as well as Carrie, with the religious zealot "Mother" sure to resonate with King followers.
There is a good deal of jumping around to help build the characters, which makes the book a little disjointed in places, but it all serves as a build-up to what is coming. A solid debut novel that is definitely worth a read.
The story of a group of friends who live in a small seaside town and the haunted house that forms the center of their lives. It's chilling and dark. There is graphic violence, child abuse, and neglect. More importantly, there is a fascinating story. This town is cursed by all of the bad things that have happened within its borders. The result marks all of the residents. The characters are all well fleshed out. The antagonists are fascinating with motivations and a depth of their own. The POV and time frame jumps around somewhat, which occasionally makes it hard to follow. It also finishes on a cliff hanger but part two is coming out very soon.
Peter Lange has to return to his hometown of White Harbor after a tragic incident occurs. Peter does not want to go back this town holds many bad memories for him. Bad things have happened her for a long time. White Harbor has a house everyone is afraid of. Peter reunites with his few friends except one. His return sets events in motion. What is White Harbor hiding? Amazing characters suspense filled chilling read.
First off, horror is not my preferred genre, so if I'm giving this book five stars, it must be good. Carlos Rivera is an intelligent writer who can deftly describe a character and a creepy town. I was immediately drawn in to the unfolding lore of White Harbor and its array of inhabitants. There were chills and mystery throughout that kept me reading. Highly recommended!
This book continues to haunt me and live rent-free in my nightmares. It was immersive and disturbing, to the point where I had a little trouble with the content due to personal triggers. However, that said, the writing was nothing short of brilliant and I recommend this book strongly to readers with nerves of steel.
Best damn horror novel I’ve read in a long time. I loved the different perspectives, the time skips, and the descriptions. The descriptions. They don’t ever lose their impact. Everything is so bleak and grotesque, the characters are like real people, and they grow on you. Even those you don’t want to like (Barry). I can’t wait to read more.
I loved reading this story!! This book was detailed and the author did a fantastic job creating this world and its secrets. I was immediately drawn into this book the second I started it and couldn’t put it down. It was an excellent book to read during spooky season
Oh man! I loved this book! It has humor and really interesting, fleshed out characters. I care about a lot of them and want to know so much more! And that lore!
Also, I loved the writing of this book. I can't wait to read the second one!!!
I did a review on Amazon. But, ugh! I love this book and can't wait to read the rest of the series. I loved the humor and the characters! The description of things was amazing.
This book is so good it hurts. The strongest debut novel I've ever read; honestly, this is a killer. It's like the best of those early King's doorstoppers, with such sharp and convincing dialogue, absolutely realistic characters, and a disturbing plot to boot - it's like falling in love with horror all over again!
The story starts very simple, and gets progressively more intricate and more haunting: a succesful writer who's recently lost his wife goes back to his hometown, the town of "White Harbor" in the series' title, in order to have a talk with his demented mother, who abused him all throughout his childhood. He has no idea what he's in for: the small town is the setting for the activities of a long-standing, sinister, eldritch threat, whose central worshipper is precisely the writer's mother (the Mother.) The townspeople, who've observed how rare it is for any of them to reach the age of fifty or sixty (that one: suicide, the other one: cancer, the third: killed his children and ate them, and so on) talk of their own "local truth" about the town: the Blight Harbor. But the dread escalates as the town's horrors are revealed through flashbacks going as far back as the 1800s, seamlessly fused into the 2022 narrative. This town has one of the creepiest stories I've read in a while (there's a haunted house, a group of kids exploring it, there are strange languages, bizarre animals, and much more!) but what follows each revelation makes things even more disturbing. A lot of thought has gone into this novel: the details are fascinating, the people so alive, the situations so down-to-earth, the pain, the joy, the sheer occasional despair. I loved the honest, straightforward writing and the uncanny atmosphere; however, one thing stood out for me, and that's the author's storytelling abilities. It's a 500 pages book, and it flows like water! There's a sequel coming, and I can't tell you how excited I am to read it!
I love horror stories that deliver lots of creepy feelings and atmospheric chills, especially if they are set in small towns that welcome you as an unlucky inhabitant (or lucky depending on your opinion) for the duration of the book, but that stay with you way after the last page is turned. This great hidden gem delivers on all this.
From the immersive descriptions to the variety and depth of the characters, the novel wraps you around a sense of uneasiness, where you know things are not as perfect as they seem, and something is lurking behind a thin veil.
The writer seems to know his craft and moreover, seems to really enjoy every emotion pour on the pages, which translates in a very engaging and “fun” read if you like to be scared and surprised. This seems to be the first book on a series which makes it very exciting. Kudos to the author for the work and dedication in getting his book out in the world.