Book Review: Sour Roots (Curse of Grief Hollow #1) by Shawn Burgess
Title: Sour Roots (Curse of Grief Hollow #1)
Author: Shawn Burgess
Release date: August 1st, 2022
Have you read ‘The Tear Collector’ yet?
Released back in 2019, it was a novel that grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. I loved it. Featuring a solid cast of characters, a creepy-as-all-heck setting and a backstory riddled with questions for us readers, Burgess delivered the goods. I’ve also been in a fortunate position of having read an advanced, advanced, advanced copy of the follow up – which Shawn will be announcing shortly.
Now, in order to get readers excited for that release, he’s also released this novella, ‘Sour Roots,’ which clocks in right around 75 pages or so. This is a prequel, set about 90 or so years prior to the events in ‘The Tear Collector,’ and introduce us to the thing that lives within the woods and the reasons for all of the carnage that ensues.
What I liked: ‘Sour Roots’ showcases Burgess’ scope as a writer. He really infuses the characters with a sense of ‘timelessness’ while having them solidly rooted (sorry about that!) in the year this takes place. He’s done his due diligence regarding both dialect/drawl and character interactions.
That comes into play with an unfortunate character, one in the wrong place at the wrong time. Set in 1932, it frustratingly could be something that happens in the present day. This does a great job of getting an emotional response from us readers, but also works as a piece to showcase the rage that is prevalent in the father, Mr. Davis, whose twin daughters have gone missing.
For such a short read, Burgess packs a wallop of story into these pages, but it doesn’t feel bloated or burdened by excessiveness. It hummed along and can be easily read in a single sitting.
What I didn’t like: While I did like the reveal (if that’s the correct word for our thing in the woods), I thought it was a bit too TAH-DAH! I would’ve loved a longer teasing out of it, but no matter, it will have you squirming!
Why you should buy this: Oops, totally forgot to mention – you don’t have to buy it! Shawn is offering this up for free through Book Funnel! So, if you’re looking for a fast-paced story that sets the stages for the two novels, look no further. If you’ve read ‘The Tear Collector’ already – this is a must read for you then. If you’ve not, this is a great entry point, especially before the next novel is released.
5/5
You can get your free copy here;
