Black River Orchard

3.5 stars!!!

I've read a few Chuck Wendig books and I always have the same complaint, they're all too long. It didn't negatively impact my enjoyment as much as it has in the past but I did reach a point were I was like “what? There's still 200 pages left?” The concept of this story was very interesting, a “magical” apple that lowkey brainwashes people? Shortly after finishing this post I saw a post about a fake apple that only grows in this one specific place that apparently is the most delicious apple in the world and my first thought was “DON'T EAT THAT” and I thought that was a lot of fun. This book has overtaken my brain and I can't stop thinking about it, but at the same time it's not all good things. I didn't enjoy a majority of the POVs that you follow and thought most of the characters were annoying. Overall though, I had a fun time reading this and read it a lot quicker than I thought it would. Despite thinking his books are too long, I would be interested in reading more by this author. I think he does a good job flushing out the world, and in this case, the magic, and the overall plots are very interesting and like nothing I've read before.






Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey, and NetGalley for providing me with an eBook copy to review.

Black River Orchard embodies all that's trademark Chuck Wendig: cutting wit, dynamic characters, and an eerily unsettling premise, this time centered on a very peculiar apple tree. Wendig excels in weaving a tapestry of horror and fantasy, plunging us into the foreboding heart of the small town of Harrow

The story dives deep into the shadowy corners of the townsfolk's transformations as they consume the enchanting yet nefarious apples, creating a chilling atmosphere that Wendig fans will find all too familiar (some easter eggs for fans of his other works) and eerily satisfying.

His knack for exploiting our deepest fears and desires is on full display, morphing a tale of simple ambition into a full-blown, relentless nightmare. The narrative threads bind us to an escalating horror that makes the town of Harrow a memorable stop in the annals of macabre fiction.

My only gripe would be that the story occasionally extends beyond what feels necessary. A modest trim (50 or so pages) could have heightened its already potent impact.

Regardless, the narrative's draw remains unforgettable. The combination of Wendig's snappy dialogue, atmospheric horror, and unique story spinning keeps the pages turning late into the night. If you are on the lookout for a twisted tale that haunts your thoughts long after the final page, Black River Orchard awaits your visit.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, Del Rey, and the author for the advance copy.