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Lute
Wicker Man meets Final Destination in Jennifer Thorne's atmospheric, unsettling folk horror novel about love, duty, and community.
On the idyllic island of Lute, every seventh summer, seven people die. No more, no less.
Lute and its inhabitants are blessed, year after year, with good weather, good health, and good fortune. They live a happy, superior life, untouched by the war that rages all around them. So it’s only fair that every seven years, on the day of the tithe, the island’s gift is honored.
Nina Treadway is new to The Day. A Florida girl by birth, she became a Lady through her marriage to Lord Treadway, whose family has long protected the island. Nina’s heard about The Day, of course. Heard about the horrific tragedies, the lives lost, but she doesn’t believe in it. It's all superstitious nonsense. Stories told to keep newcomers at bay and youngsters in line.
Then The Day begins. And it's a day of nightmares, of grief, of reckoning. But it is also a day of community. Of survival and strength. Of love, at its most pure and untamed. When The Day ends, Nina―and Lute―will never be the same.
On the idyllic island of Lute, every seventh summer, seven people die. No more, no less.
Lute and its inhabitants are blessed, year after year, with good weather, good health, and good fortune. They live a happy, superior life, untouched by the war that rages all around them. So it’s only fair that every seven years, on the day of the tithe, the island’s gift is honored.
Nina Treadway is new to The Day. A Florida girl by birth, she became a Lady through her marriage to Lord Treadway, whose family has long protected the island. Nina’s heard about The Day, of course. Heard about the horrific tragedies, the lives lost, but she doesn’t believe in it. It's all superstitious nonsense. Stories told to keep newcomers at bay and youngsters in line.
Then The Day begins. And it's a day of nightmares, of grief, of reckoning. But it is also a day of community. Of survival and strength. Of love, at its most pure and untamed. When The Day ends, Nina―and Lute―will never be the same.
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2022
185 people are currently reading
16027 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Marie Thorne
16 books1,106 followersJennifer Thorne is the author of Lute and Diavola (a USA Today bestseller), published by Tor/Nightfire. With Lee Kelly, she is co-author of The Antiquity Affair (2023) and The Starlets (2024), published by HarperMuse. As Jenn Marie Thorne, she is the author of the YA novels The Wrong Side of Right, The Inside of Out, and Night Music, and her short fiction appeared in the YA anthology Battle of the Bands. She is also the author of the picture book Construction Zoo. She received her BFA in Drama at NYU, and currently lives in Gloucestershire, England with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 950 reviews
October 13, 2022
This was the perfect spooky season read and I liked it so much that I picked it for my book club, The Fantastic Strangelings. Unsettling folk horror that touches on duty, want, fear. Very Shirley Jackson-esque.
March 24, 2024
Read my interview with Jennifer Thorne at Grimdark Magazine.
My complete review appears in Grimdark Magazine.
Lute is an understated masterpiece of folk horror by Jennifer Thorne, an exceptionally talented new voice in the genre. The small British island of Lute is both blessed and cursed. Its inhabitants experience lives filled with good health and free of tragedy, even during a time of war. But this good fortune requires sacrifice: every seventh year on the summer solstice, the island takes the lives of seven people. This cycle of seven years of peace and prosperity followed by a single day of sacrifice has occurred for centuries. As the aristocratic caretakers of the island, the Treadway family bears an especially large responsibility for maintaining this balance.
Lute is told as a first-person narrative by Nina, a young Floridian who has left her academic life behind to wed Lord Hugh Treadway, whom she met on a cruise with her grandmother. As the newly minted Lady Treadway, Nina grapples with settling into her new life on Lute while also bringing a natural skepticism toward the legends of the island. As an American, Nina’s assimilation on Lute is made especially difficult due to the global political situation, where the United States has allied with Russia on the wrong side of a new world war. Now, after seven years on the island and with two young children, Nina is about to experience her first day of ritualistic sacrifice.
Nina both embodies and upends the well-worn trope of oblivious Americans experiencing a clash of cultures in historic, aristocratic Europe. This has been the subject of classic works by Mark Twain (The Innocents Abroad, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court), Henry James (Daisy Miller, The Ambassadors), Nathaniel Hawthorne (The Marble Faun), and many others. Jennifer Thorne’s specific use of this motif in Lute echoes that of Oscar Wilde in The Canterville Ghost, but with Wilde’s trademark humor replaced by a pervasive sense of foreboding.
Thorne adds layer upon layer of depth to Nina’s character as this familiar archetype is taken in unexpected new directions. Although she puts on a confident exterior, Nina is full of self-doubt and never experiences a sense of home, even in her native Florida. Part of the joy of reading Lute is seeing how Nina develops a genuine feeling of belonging on this ancient island, and how the island, in turn, adopts Nina as one of its own.
Lord Treadway is another intricately drawn character who develops in startling new directions. Grimdark enthusiasts will especially appreciate his gray morality as he grapples with his personal role on this brutal day of sacrifice. Jennifer Thorne brilliantly juxtaposes the character arcs of the Lord and Lady of Lute over the course of the novel.
Part of the genius of Lute is seeing how this close-knit community reacts to unavoidable tragedy. We see characters experiencing all stages of grief, culminating with the acceptance of their fate as they understand the necessity of honoring their bargain with the island. In its own perverse way, this tragic day of sacrifice both tears apart and brings together this ancient community.
Jennifer Thorne’s prose is elegant in its simplicity, embracing a quiet minimalism that only enhances its sense of horror. Lute is a stunning achievement for an author new to the genre. This is the type of novel that will haunt you for years to come.
My complete review appears in Grimdark Magazine.
Lute is an understated masterpiece of folk horror by Jennifer Thorne, an exceptionally talented new voice in the genre. The small British island of Lute is both blessed and cursed. Its inhabitants experience lives filled with good health and free of tragedy, even during a time of war. But this good fortune requires sacrifice: every seventh year on the summer solstice, the island takes the lives of seven people. This cycle of seven years of peace and prosperity followed by a single day of sacrifice has occurred for centuries. As the aristocratic caretakers of the island, the Treadway family bears an especially large responsibility for maintaining this balance.
Lute is told as a first-person narrative by Nina, a young Floridian who has left her academic life behind to wed Lord Hugh Treadway, whom she met on a cruise with her grandmother. As the newly minted Lady Treadway, Nina grapples with settling into her new life on Lute while also bringing a natural skepticism toward the legends of the island. As an American, Nina’s assimilation on Lute is made especially difficult due to the global political situation, where the United States has allied with Russia on the wrong side of a new world war. Now, after seven years on the island and with two young children, Nina is about to experience her first day of ritualistic sacrifice.
Nina both embodies and upends the well-worn trope of oblivious Americans experiencing a clash of cultures in historic, aristocratic Europe. This has been the subject of classic works by Mark Twain (The Innocents Abroad, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court), Henry James (Daisy Miller, The Ambassadors), Nathaniel Hawthorne (The Marble Faun), and many others. Jennifer Thorne’s specific use of this motif in Lute echoes that of Oscar Wilde in The Canterville Ghost, but with Wilde’s trademark humor replaced by a pervasive sense of foreboding.
Thorne adds layer upon layer of depth to Nina’s character as this familiar archetype is taken in unexpected new directions. Although she puts on a confident exterior, Nina is full of self-doubt and never experiences a sense of home, even in her native Florida. Part of the joy of reading Lute is seeing how Nina develops a genuine feeling of belonging on this ancient island, and how the island, in turn, adopts Nina as one of its own.
Lord Treadway is another intricately drawn character who develops in startling new directions. Grimdark enthusiasts will especially appreciate his gray morality as he grapples with his personal role on this brutal day of sacrifice. Jennifer Thorne brilliantly juxtaposes the character arcs of the Lord and Lady of Lute over the course of the novel.
Part of the genius of Lute is seeing how this close-knit community reacts to unavoidable tragedy. We see characters experiencing all stages of grief, culminating with the acceptance of their fate as they understand the necessity of honoring their bargain with the island. In its own perverse way, this tragic day of sacrifice both tears apart and brings together this ancient community.
Jennifer Thorne’s prose is elegant in its simplicity, embracing a quiet minimalism that only enhances its sense of horror. Lute is a stunning achievement for an author new to the genre. This is the type of novel that will haunt you for years to come.
July 31, 2022
I am in the camp of I'm-not-quite-sure-how-to-rate-this-book. I’m going with 3.5 stars.
First off, I enjoyed the narrator. Her voice had an almost hypnotic quality to it which worked quite well with this book.
Nina Treadway is an American woman who meets Lord Hugh Treadway on a ship. He takes her back to the beautiful idyllic Island of Lute where he was raised and has a home. Residents enjoy a life free of the war that rages around them. They have good fortune, good health, and good weather. To enjoy such good fortune, there is a day a.k.a. "The Day" every seven years. Nina has been told that unless you experience 'the day' then you don't know what it is about. But the day is different, it is not like the other carefree days on the island, this is the day the residents pay the island back. There will be tragedy and lives lost.
The author did a wonderful job of building her community and showed how they come together on 'the day'. Nina is an interesting character as she is an outsider and yet due to being married to Lord Treadway, she takes on a roll of leadership.
This book has an interesting vibe to it. As I mentioned, I enjoyed the narrator and her voice with the hypnotic quality really set the stage. The plot just rolls along. It's not very fast and I am not a fan of slow burns, but this book had such a pull to it. I just wanted to keep listening, to keep learning about 'the day' and the residents. There is some unease to the book. That what-is-going-to-happen-at-the-end-of-the-day feel to it.
Traditions, community, family, and survival are all woven into this book.
This book is categorized as folk horror.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
First off, I enjoyed the narrator. Her voice had an almost hypnotic quality to it which worked quite well with this book.
Nina Treadway is an American woman who meets Lord Hugh Treadway on a ship. He takes her back to the beautiful idyllic Island of Lute where he was raised and has a home. Residents enjoy a life free of the war that rages around them. They have good fortune, good health, and good weather. To enjoy such good fortune, there is a day a.k.a. "The Day" every seven years. Nina has been told that unless you experience 'the day' then you don't know what it is about. But the day is different, it is not like the other carefree days on the island, this is the day the residents pay the island back. There will be tragedy and lives lost.
The author did a wonderful job of building her community and showed how they come together on 'the day'. Nina is an interesting character as she is an outsider and yet due to being married to Lord Treadway, she takes on a roll of leadership.
This book has an interesting vibe to it. As I mentioned, I enjoyed the narrator and her voice with the hypnotic quality really set the stage. The plot just rolls along. It's not very fast and I am not a fan of slow burns, but this book had such a pull to it. I just wanted to keep listening, to keep learning about 'the day' and the residents. There is some unease to the book. That what-is-going-to-happen-at-the-end-of-the-day feel to it.
Traditions, community, family, and survival are all woven into this book.
This book is categorized as folk horror.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
June 25, 2025
**2.5-stars rounded up**
On the mysterious island of Lute, every seventh summer, seven people must die.
This doesn't necessarily sound like somewhere I would want to move to, but after Nina meets her now husband, a native of Lute, that's exactly what she does. She moves to the island and becomes Lady Treadway.
Lute is like a place locked in time. In fact, it's difficult to determine time in general. For a while I thought this was a story set in the past, but as it progressed, maybe it is actually set in the future?
Regardless, the feel of the island itself and the mannerisms of the locals feels very old-fashioned. Nina seems, in her thoughts and actions, like a more modern lady who is now trying to mold herself into these more old-fashioned ideals.
Nina has never been on the island on a tithe day and as it approaches she becomes more and more aware of the harsh realities of The Day.
The locals believe that the deaths of the seven grant them luck and prosperity, as well as protection for the island from the outside world. Nina believes this is all superstitious nonsense, but is it?
I was excited for this book due to the comparisons to The Wicker Man and Final Destination. The Wicker Man comparison is definitely apt.
With this being said, maybe dark summer solstice tales just aren't for me? I've never found one that has truly captivated me. Lute was good, the writing was strong, but I never felt connected with it enough to be gripped by the narrative.
Truth be told, I could have abandoned it at any point.
I found parts of it confusing and honestly, I wanted more dark atmosphere. Just because something is murky, as in confusing, does not necessarily mean it is a strong, dark, creepy atmosphere.
Overall though, I am happy I read this. It kept me entertained somewhat and I would be interested in picking up more from Jennifer Marie Thorne.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Tor Nightfire and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review.
While this didn't quite knock it out of the park for me, I am sure that a lot of Readers will really enjoy this.
On the mysterious island of Lute, every seventh summer, seven people must die.
This doesn't necessarily sound like somewhere I would want to move to, but after Nina meets her now husband, a native of Lute, that's exactly what she does. She moves to the island and becomes Lady Treadway.
Lute is like a place locked in time. In fact, it's difficult to determine time in general. For a while I thought this was a story set in the past, but as it progressed, maybe it is actually set in the future?
Regardless, the feel of the island itself and the mannerisms of the locals feels very old-fashioned. Nina seems, in her thoughts and actions, like a more modern lady who is now trying to mold herself into these more old-fashioned ideals.
Nina has never been on the island on a tithe day and as it approaches she becomes more and more aware of the harsh realities of The Day.
The locals believe that the deaths of the seven grant them luck and prosperity, as well as protection for the island from the outside world. Nina believes this is all superstitious nonsense, but is it?
I was excited for this book due to the comparisons to The Wicker Man and Final Destination. The Wicker Man comparison is definitely apt.
With this being said, maybe dark summer solstice tales just aren't for me? I've never found one that has truly captivated me. Lute was good, the writing was strong, but I never felt connected with it enough to be gripped by the narrative.
Truth be told, I could have abandoned it at any point.
I found parts of it confusing and honestly, I wanted more dark atmosphere. Just because something is murky, as in confusing, does not necessarily mean it is a strong, dark, creepy atmosphere.
Overall though, I am happy I read this. It kept me entertained somewhat and I would be interested in picking up more from Jennifer Marie Thorne.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Tor Nightfire and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review.
While this didn't quite knock it out of the park for me, I am sure that a lot of Readers will really enjoy this.
November 29, 2022
Rant incoming! I really don't understand the many high ratings for this, maybe we read different books.
So, I was lured in by the Final Destination meets Wicker Man vibes, but. This was dreadful. Just awful. Slow, dull, missing any investment on my part as a reader, it was a slog to get through what was actually a pretty brief audiobook. Nothing gets going until the forty percent mark, and we're stuck in Nina's terrible POV the whole story.
First, the uhh marketing summary pretty massively spoils the plot, a truly fascinating move by the publishers. The gist is: Nina is an American who's married the Lord of Lute, had two children with him, and they live on this island. The time period is nebulous, and there is some ambiguously-referred to "war" that has been going on, and we infer Americans are the enemy. It soon becomes clear that every seven years Something happens that results in seven sacrificial deaths, implied to keep the island and its residents safe from that war. Or Something. Nina has been married since just after the last time and apparently hasn't asked anything about what happens. Just chilling, clueless, a doormat character.
"What hurts the most is not that this is out of character for us, Hugh patronizing, me giving in; it is us, isn't it? This is our relationship. I'm Hugh's dependent. I'm like a pretty souvenir he picked up on vacation and brought home with him. [...] For seven years, I've allowed this dynamic to grow, to fester, and yet I cannot fight him now." [Can't find the actual quote written anywhere so if any punctuation or wording is off, I was angrily guessing lol]
And there it is!
Why does this character not seem to know anything about what's going to happen? She floated along for seven years of hazy marriage, having kids and all, not being told seven people would die in this tiny island community every seven years? Her husband has abusive, bad vibes, and Nina is horrifically passive. I never felt any bond between her, her husband, or even the children - it was like Stepford Nuclear Family, heteronormative nonsense lol.
I guess I see the Final Destination vibes - anyone can die any way, any time, on The Day. Just random, unknowing sacrifices or whatever. Tripping and falling, vehicles going haywire etc. This would've been more titillating and engaging if I was rooting for any characters or even remotely invested in them. This brought no originality to its precursors/inspirations' ideas, no riveting feelings. Just the annoying sense of "I guess I should finish this". The only time I Felt Something was at the watery chemistry between protagonist Nina and the solitary, rugged lighthouse keeper Matthew. But then they hook up because the island willed it or something and whew, did that fizzle out my interest.
Oh, but wait: Nina is revealed to be the Special White Girl, seeing visions of what happened on the island before and having some sort of link to it. And there are wishy-washy allusions to her dark past, but that's all?
And then everything builds to a distasteful, unsatisfying climax.
To top it off, the narrator was not great, either, her accent slipping multiple times in the overall narration part where she was adopting an American accent, sometimes to the extent I had to double back and make sure one of the British characters wasn't speaking. Not a quality production, I guess, if they're not re-recording bits.
The lovely cover is the sole good part of this.
So, I was lured in by the Final Destination meets Wicker Man vibes, but. This was dreadful. Just awful. Slow, dull, missing any investment on my part as a reader, it was a slog to get through what was actually a pretty brief audiobook. Nothing gets going until the forty percent mark, and we're stuck in Nina's terrible POV the whole story.
First, the uhh marketing summary pretty massively spoils the plot, a truly fascinating move by the publishers. The gist is: Nina is an American who's married the Lord of Lute, had two children with him, and they live on this island. The time period is nebulous, and there is some ambiguously-referred to "war" that has been going on, and we infer Americans are the enemy. It soon becomes clear that every seven years Something happens that results in seven sacrificial deaths, implied to keep the island and its residents safe from that war. Or Something. Nina has been married since just after the last time and apparently hasn't asked anything about what happens. Just chilling, clueless, a doormat character.
"What hurts the most is not that this is out of character for us, Hugh patronizing, me giving in; it is us, isn't it? This is our relationship. I'm Hugh's dependent. I'm like a pretty souvenir he picked up on vacation and brought home with him. [...] For seven years, I've allowed this dynamic to grow, to fester, and yet I cannot fight him now." [Can't find the actual quote written anywhere so if any punctuation or wording is off, I was angrily guessing lol]
And there it is!
Why does this character not seem to know anything about what's going to happen? She floated along for seven years of hazy marriage, having kids and all, not being told seven people would die in this tiny island community every seven years? Her husband has abusive, bad vibes, and Nina is horrifically passive. I never felt any bond between her, her husband, or even the children - it was like Stepford Nuclear Family, heteronormative nonsense lol.
I guess I see the Final Destination vibes - anyone can die any way, any time, on The Day. Just random, unknowing sacrifices or whatever. Tripping and falling, vehicles going haywire etc. This would've been more titillating and engaging if I was rooting for any characters or even remotely invested in them. This brought no originality to its precursors/inspirations' ideas, no riveting feelings. Just the annoying sense of "I guess I should finish this". The only time I Felt Something was at the watery chemistry between protagonist Nina and the solitary, rugged lighthouse keeper Matthew. But then they hook up because the island willed it or something and whew, did that fizzle out my interest.
Oh, but wait: Nina is revealed to be the Special White Girl, seeing visions of what happened on the island before and having some sort of link to it. And there are wishy-washy allusions to her dark past, but that's all?
And then everything builds to a distasteful, unsatisfying climax.
To top it off, the narrator was not great, either, her accent slipping multiple times in the overall narration part where she was adopting an American accent, sometimes to the extent I had to double back and make sure one of the British characters wasn't speaking. Not a quality production, I guess, if they're not re-recording bits.
The lovely cover is the sole good part of this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2022
This is basically a Midsommar and Final Destination folk horror mashup, that DELIVERS on tension and fast-paced horror
September 22, 2022
2.5 stars
I really wanted to like this book more. I think my issue is that the structure of the narrative lacked suspense. Usually my favourite aspect of folk horror is the subtle suspense and mystery as I try to figure out the secret, but the situation was completely given away in the synopsis. The characters were frustratingly unlikeable so I just struggled to connect or care about anyone's fate.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I really wanted to like this book more. I think my issue is that the structure of the narrative lacked suspense. Usually my favourite aspect of folk horror is the subtle suspense and mystery as I try to figure out the secret, but the situation was completely given away in the synopsis. The characters were frustratingly unlikeable so I just struggled to connect or care about anyone's fate.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
May 19, 2023
The premise here was SO fascinating, but unfortunately, the execution (pardon the pun) was not.
There were so many choices made here that just… didn’t make sense, weren’t explained, or just didn’t need to exist.
Why are we in a (near?) future where WW3 is happening, but the setting of the novel feels historical and would slot right into the late 19th/early 20th century?
Why does our clueless narrator staunchly avoid learning about this regular bloodbath of a day after almost a decade on the island and two children? Why does no one ELSE explain it to her, content just to stare agape in horror at her inappropriate and insensitive comments due to her utter ignorance of the situation?
Why does the romance happen? Really, why?? There was literally zero need. None. Nada.
Why does the only likeable character die first? I just wanna talk.
Speaking of likeable characters, our protagonist is not one. She also has so many odd callbacks to a mysterious and dark past that is never fully tied into the main plot, EVEN WHEN THE AUTHOR WROTE IN THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO. It’s like the author forgot about all that intrigue and buildup and just dropped it at literally the least opportune time.
What the actual f*ck is going on here? Is it actual deities/spirits? Is there some kind of mass hallucination/delusion caused by spores of island-specific plants?? Is it all a dream??? Sorry, no answers for you. I don’t mind an open ending, but this one was so vague and half-hazard that I was left baffled and somewhat incensed.
The climax and conclusion were… a choice. I just- ugh. Trying to keep this spoiler free is stifling my ranting!! *deep breaths* I didn’t enjoy how the antagonist was handled, nor how the author tried to wrap the whole ordeal up with a tidy bow. How is any of this tidy? And am I supposed to feel good about their “perfect” solution? Because I don’t.
It’s a mess. I didn’t actually hate it because the premise was cool, and there was enough tension to keep me reading, but this was so chaotic and not in a good way. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend it.
Trigger/Content Warnings: death, abusive parent , drowning, blood, child death mentioned, fire injury, self-harm, infidelity
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There were so many choices made here that just… didn’t make sense, weren’t explained, or just didn’t need to exist.
Why are we in a (near?) future where WW3 is happening, but the setting of the novel feels historical and would slot right into the late 19th/early 20th century?
Why does our clueless narrator staunchly avoid learning about this regular bloodbath of a day after almost a decade on the island and two children? Why does no one ELSE explain it to her, content just to stare agape in horror at her inappropriate and insensitive comments due to her utter ignorance of the situation?
Why does the romance happen? Really, why?? There was literally zero need. None. Nada.
Why does the only likeable character die first? I just wanna talk.
Speaking of likeable characters, our protagonist is not one. She also has so many odd callbacks to a mysterious and dark past that is never fully tied into the main plot, EVEN WHEN THE AUTHOR WROTE IN THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO. It’s like the author forgot about all that intrigue and buildup and just dropped it at literally the least opportune time.
What the actual f*ck is going on here? Is it actual deities/spirits? Is there some kind of mass hallucination/delusion caused by spores of island-specific plants?? Is it all a dream??? Sorry, no answers for you. I don’t mind an open ending, but this one was so vague and half-hazard that I was left baffled and somewhat incensed.
The climax and conclusion were… a choice. I just- ugh. Trying to keep this spoiler free is stifling my ranting!! *deep breaths* I didn’t enjoy how the antagonist was handled, nor how the author tried to wrap the whole ordeal up with a tidy bow. How is any of this tidy? And am I supposed to feel good about their “perfect” solution? Because I don’t.
It’s a mess. I didn’t actually hate it because the premise was cool, and there was enough tension to keep me reading, but this was so chaotic and not in a good way. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend it.
Trigger/Content Warnings: death, abusive parent , drowning, blood, child death mentioned, fire injury, self-harm, infidelity
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April 8, 2023
I grabbed this on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not sure if fans of hardcore horror would love it as the book didn't really have strong horror vibes or atmosphere. No real gore or fright. No feelings of dread even though there could have been. But the story was engaging and writing strong.
October 26, 2022
The reviews are all LYING to you.
I genuinely could not stand this book and I don’t understand the hype and the number of 3+ star reviews??? This book seemed incredibly promising due to the creepy concept, the reviews, and the comps – “The Wicker Man meets Final Destination!” How do you make The Wicker Man meets Final Destination so mind-numblingly boring?!
Nina Treadway is an American woman who has fled a dark (but boring) past to live on the perfect, pastoral island of Lute with her husband, the Lord Hugh Treadway. Lute is untouched by the tragedy that ravages the rest of the world – in this case, a global war over water scarcity that looms in the background of the story but feels almost completely pointless to the actual story. The cost of peace and prosperity? Blood. Every seven years, seven people die on the day of the summer solstice.
The concept is great. The concept has so much potential. A lot of people give the author a lot of credit by saying that the book fell kinda flat because the summary gave the game away, but honestly? I think a better author would at least be able to drum up some level of suspense and horror, even if the reader saw the twist coming.
It is painfully apparent that this is the author’s first foray into horror fiction, and I think she missed the mark majorly. There are moments of death and violence in the story, but it isn’t scary. There is none of the dread, the horror, the slow dawning of fear that sends chills down your spine and raises your hair on end. Absolutely no atmosphere. The tone of the book feels more like a contemporary romance or beach-read than anything even approaching horror, and the author absolutely invests more time and attention to an extremely pointless romance arc than she does to the horror aspect. The parts that are supposed to be scary are really just Nina running back and forth across the island and encountering people who die in extremely anticlimactic ways while Nina and the other characters do literally nothing to affect the outcome of the story. I genuinely can’t believe this was marketed as horror and published by Tor Nightfire.
Thinking about overall issues, I think this book also just had Too Much going on. It was like. A look at the inner turmoil of a middle aged mother with a relationship lacking balance. It was a wannabe gothic horror at times. It was (barely) folk horror. There’s a war over global water scarcity that’s like, actually pointless and says nothing? The most eye-rolling, pointless, and contrived romance arc I’ve ever read? Reflections on a past full of tragedy that does absolutely nothing to endear the reader to the main character? Commentary on cultural clash and the experience of an immigrant about… an American girl who does literally nothing but spit in the face of a community’s tradition the whole time and totally reeks of American exceptionalism? This book has a serious editing problem. I don’t understand why there is So Much Going On, even though Very Little Happens.
The pacing is also awful. It takes like 30% into the book before anything even remotely creepy happens, and from there it’s just Nina running back and forth making bad decisions across the island. The climax was anticlimactic, and then once it’s over you realize there’s still like…..20% of the book left. I had the audiobook, and thank GOD for being able to speed up the narration. I had this one at 2.6x at the end.
Also, for a folk-horror that draws from Celtic mythology there was like. Almost no Celtic mythology. There were a few tidbits here and there, then some more in the climax, but like absolutely nothing that felt meaningful or interesting.
Okay, now onto the characters. Nina might be the single most unlikable character in any book I have ever read. And I LOVE unlikeable women! But she is so whiny. She is so whiny and incredibly rude and invasive and her inner monologue was excruciatingly fake-deep. I think I could have gotten over some of this if she hadn't been so inconsistent? She goes between being massively self deprecating with a huge victim complex to being incredibly self congratulatory and arrogant. She claims that she is “too careful” while constantly being super reckless to the point that she often endangers others -- even leaving her children unattended and in harm’s way. She says she’s bad at confrontation, while also being brash and rude and direct compared to everyone else on the island. Absolutely none of these contradictions are part of like, any kind of path of character development (whether that be progression or regression). It’s just wildly inconsistent. It’s even worse due to the fact that like, 85% of the novel feels like it takes place in Nina’s head, with long-ass inner monologues about a past that I couldn’t care less about or incredibly pointless mundane happenings. There is so little actual action and dialogue in this story compared to the amount of Nina’s self-satisfied sadgirl inner monologues and descriptions of her like. Walking back through town or getting dressed or something.
She also had SO much backstory that kept resurfacing, but wasn’t relevant to the story, didn’t get resolved, and really did not contribute to any kind of real depth or interest to her character.
Also, her steadfast refusal to believe in Lute’s traditional sacrifices is so mind-bendingly annoying. Like, after a certain point, she just sounds like an idiot (which she is). Also, I know she and her husband
Also, on the romance front.
Anyway, the other characters are all also just as boring. Nobody in this story has any agency or moves the story along in any way.
The writing was like. Okay for a contemporary romance beach read, maybe? But honestly, nothing special. Way too rambling and fake deep and all over the place. Did not flow. Actually, I don’t think I’d read a beach read from this author either.
The narrator for the audiobook…. I can’t tell if I found her voice annoying or if I found Nina annoying and they were just the same thing. I learned while reading reviews (in puzzlement, because I was trying to find reviews that accurately dragged this book to Hell and back, but most of them found it redeemable enough for 3+ stars, which makes me GENUINELY question if I read the same book as these people) that the narrator is a British VA speaking with an American accent – which makes sense. The narration sounds so stereotypically American. She sounds like a voiceover for an American high school movie. I can just hear “Dirty Little Secrets” by the All American Rejects lurking in the shadows while she talks, waiting for her to be done with her quippy little voiceover intro before the title card pops up. It was really hard to enjoy and genuinely made me hate Nina even more.
I would recommend this book to no one. I don’t even want to compare it to anything else, because it would feel insulting to those books. I genuinely wish I hadn’t read this book, and I hope Libro gives me my credit back.
I genuinely could not stand this book and I don’t understand the hype and the number of 3+ star reviews??? This book seemed incredibly promising due to the creepy concept, the reviews, and the comps – “The Wicker Man meets Final Destination!” How do you make The Wicker Man meets Final Destination so mind-numblingly boring?!
Nina Treadway is an American woman who has fled a dark (but boring) past to live on the perfect, pastoral island of Lute with her husband, the Lord Hugh Treadway. Lute is untouched by the tragedy that ravages the rest of the world – in this case, a global war over water scarcity that looms in the background of the story but feels almost completely pointless to the actual story. The cost of peace and prosperity? Blood. Every seven years, seven people die on the day of the summer solstice.
The concept is great. The concept has so much potential. A lot of people give the author a lot of credit by saying that the book fell kinda flat because the summary gave the game away, but honestly? I think a better author would at least be able to drum up some level of suspense and horror, even if the reader saw the twist coming.
It is painfully apparent that this is the author’s first foray into horror fiction, and I think she missed the mark majorly. There are moments of death and violence in the story, but it isn’t scary. There is none of the dread, the horror, the slow dawning of fear that sends chills down your spine and raises your hair on end. Absolutely no atmosphere. The tone of the book feels more like a contemporary romance or beach-read than anything even approaching horror, and the author absolutely invests more time and attention to an extremely pointless romance arc than she does to the horror aspect. The parts that are supposed to be scary are really just Nina running back and forth across the island and encountering people who die in extremely anticlimactic ways while Nina and the other characters do literally nothing to affect the outcome of the story. I genuinely can’t believe this was marketed as horror and published by Tor Nightfire.
Thinking about overall issues, I think this book also just had Too Much going on. It was like. A look at the inner turmoil of a middle aged mother with a relationship lacking balance. It was a wannabe gothic horror at times. It was (barely) folk horror. There’s a war over global water scarcity that’s like, actually pointless and says nothing? The most eye-rolling, pointless, and contrived romance arc I’ve ever read? Reflections on a past full of tragedy that does absolutely nothing to endear the reader to the main character? Commentary on cultural clash and the experience of an immigrant about… an American girl who does literally nothing but spit in the face of a community’s tradition the whole time and totally reeks of American exceptionalism? This book has a serious editing problem. I don’t understand why there is So Much Going On, even though Very Little Happens.
The pacing is also awful. It takes like 30% into the book before anything even remotely creepy happens, and from there it’s just Nina running back and forth making bad decisions across the island. The climax was anticlimactic, and then once it’s over you realize there’s still like…..20% of the book left. I had the audiobook, and thank GOD for being able to speed up the narration. I had this one at 2.6x at the end.
Also, for a folk-horror that draws from Celtic mythology there was like. Almost no Celtic mythology. There were a few tidbits here and there, then some more in the climax, but like absolutely nothing that felt meaningful or interesting.
Okay, now onto the characters. Nina might be the single most unlikable character in any book I have ever read. And I LOVE unlikeable women! But she is so whiny. She is so whiny and incredibly rude and invasive and her inner monologue was excruciatingly fake-deep. I think I could have gotten over some of this if she hadn't been so inconsistent? She goes between being massively self deprecating with a huge victim complex to being incredibly self congratulatory and arrogant. She claims that she is “too careful” while constantly being super reckless to the point that she often endangers others -- even leaving her children unattended and in harm’s way. She says she’s bad at confrontation, while also being brash and rude and direct compared to everyone else on the island. Absolutely none of these contradictions are part of like, any kind of path of character development (whether that be progression or regression). It’s just wildly inconsistent. It’s even worse due to the fact that like, 85% of the novel feels like it takes place in Nina’s head, with long-ass inner monologues about a past that I couldn’t care less about or incredibly pointless mundane happenings. There is so little actual action and dialogue in this story compared to the amount of Nina’s self-satisfied sadgirl inner monologues and descriptions of her like. Walking back through town or getting dressed or something.
She also had SO much backstory that kept resurfacing, but wasn’t relevant to the story, didn’t get resolved, and really did not contribute to any kind of real depth or interest to her character.
Also, her steadfast refusal to believe in Lute’s traditional sacrifices is so mind-bendingly annoying. Like, after a certain point, she just sounds like an idiot (which she is). Also, I know she and her husband
Also, on the romance front.
Anyway, the other characters are all also just as boring. Nobody in this story has any agency or moves the story along in any way.
The writing was like. Okay for a contemporary romance beach read, maybe? But honestly, nothing special. Way too rambling and fake deep and all over the place. Did not flow. Actually, I don’t think I’d read a beach read from this author either.
The narrator for the audiobook…. I can’t tell if I found her voice annoying or if I found Nina annoying and they were just the same thing. I learned while reading reviews (in puzzlement, because I was trying to find reviews that accurately dragged this book to Hell and back, but most of them found it redeemable enough for 3+ stars, which makes me GENUINELY question if I read the same book as these people) that the narrator is a British VA speaking with an American accent – which makes sense. The narration sounds so stereotypically American. She sounds like a voiceover for an American high school movie. I can just hear “Dirty Little Secrets” by the All American Rejects lurking in the shadows while she talks, waiting for her to be done with her quippy little voiceover intro before the title card pops up. It was really hard to enjoy and genuinely made me hate Nina even more.
I would recommend this book to no one. I don’t even want to compare it to anything else, because it would feel insulting to those books. I genuinely wish I hadn’t read this book, and I hope Libro gives me my credit back.
November 8, 2022
The Final Destination and Midsommar comps are so on point for this book, so if you enjoy either of those, definitely pick this up for spooky season! Review to come.
October 13, 2022
The dock is empty now. The sea rises and falls. The Pride of Lute has made it over to Sunnan. Out west, little Elding shines gold in the afternoon light, with no people there at all, only sheep dotting its hills, like tiny clouds. Behind me, Joseph's Rock sits stoic, lonely, buffeted by crashing waves. And this, our main island, is quiet.
If I were as traditional as everybody here, I might say that Lute is waiting.
I'm not from here, so I'll say it's nice and peaceful. Lute is the same as it ever was.
Welcome to Lute –a small and tranquil island off the British coast. There’s something a bit special about this place; the weather is warm and sunny, more often than not, and the small village war memorial has yet to need a name carved into it. The residents even observe the solstice every year; but this year, like every seventh, is special. They call it The Day.
Nina Treadway, or Lady Treadway to the locals, married Lute’s Lord Treadway and moved to the island from America. She’s heard about The Day, of course – Lute’s a small island and locals have been ever so friendly and welcoming. But as it draws closer, she starts to realise this quaint superstition is treated with complete belief by the villagers she’s come to know; and she’ll soon have a chance to make up her own mind.
Described as Wicker Man meets Final Destination, I’m pleased to report that the blurb is accurate; though I think I saw a dash of the Swedish horror Midsommar in there too. Lute was a captivating read, taking place in a near future beset with water wars, providing the turbulent background this small island provides a peaceful refuge from. It’s the perfect setting for the folk horror author Jennifer Thorne quickly adds to the seemingly-idyllic location, allowing a current of unease to undercut every sunny moment.
It’s a masterfully paced book all round, actually. Nina is a protagonist that makes a great point of view for the readers; she’s intelligent, and capable, making connections and uncovering truth at a speed that kept me engaged and felt believable. There’s no denying obvious facts to drag events out, but there’s also no sense that anything was cut short to get to the action too soon. Lute was an excellent book, one I enjoyed greatly and would recommend to anyone looking to be thoroughly unsettled this Halloween season.
If I were as traditional as everybody here, I might say that Lute is waiting.
I'm not from here, so I'll say it's nice and peaceful. Lute is the same as it ever was.
Welcome to Lute –a small and tranquil island off the British coast. There’s something a bit special about this place; the weather is warm and sunny, more often than not, and the small village war memorial has yet to need a name carved into it. The residents even observe the solstice every year; but this year, like every seventh, is special. They call it The Day.
Nina Treadway, or Lady Treadway to the locals, married Lute’s Lord Treadway and moved to the island from America. She’s heard about The Day, of course – Lute’s a small island and locals have been ever so friendly and welcoming. But as it draws closer, she starts to realise this quaint superstition is treated with complete belief by the villagers she’s come to know; and she’ll soon have a chance to make up her own mind.
Described as Wicker Man meets Final Destination, I’m pleased to report that the blurb is accurate; though I think I saw a dash of the Swedish horror Midsommar in there too. Lute was a captivating read, taking place in a near future beset with water wars, providing the turbulent background this small island provides a peaceful refuge from. It’s the perfect setting for the folk horror author Jennifer Thorne quickly adds to the seemingly-idyllic location, allowing a current of unease to undercut every sunny moment.
It’s a masterfully paced book all round, actually. Nina is a protagonist that makes a great point of view for the readers; she’s intelligent, and capable, making connections and uncovering truth at a speed that kept me engaged and felt believable. There’s no denying obvious facts to drag events out, but there’s also no sense that anything was cut short to get to the action too soon. Lute was an excellent book, one I enjoyed greatly and would recommend to anyone looking to be thoroughly unsettled this Halloween season.
October 31, 2022
what in the world was this LMAO
August 28, 2022
The story is set on a small isolated island off the coast of England called Lute. The island and its inhabitants are perfect in almost every way: idyllic weather year-round, wealth, and general good fortune. The only trade-off is that every seventh summer on the day of the ‘tithe’ seven people must die. Nina who married into a family that is native to Lute believes the seventh year is just a local superstition. But when the day comes, both Nina and Lute will never be the same again.
Going into this one I expected it to be a mix of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson and the HBO mini-series The Third Day(highly recommend) but I was wrong. Lute is a unique story that differs from anything I've ever seen.
Folk horror always grabs my attention. I love diving into a world filled with local superstitions and beliefs. I truly enjoyed the atmospheric setting of Lute. The writing was very suspenseful and kept me guessing what would happen next. I also loved the main character Nina. Nina who was born in and lived in America up until the past 7 years, transforms into a true member of Lute. I enjoyed following Nina’s transition from just another aloof American into a member of the Lute community.
The story is set in the future during the backdrop of WWIII and even though this added an interesting element to the story, it was unnecessary. The war only played a minor part in the story and it could have been eliminated.
Overall I truly enjoyed Lute. Horror readers will also enjoy this one and it would be the perfect atmospheric read for Halloween. Lute will be available on October 4, 2022. Many thanks to Tor Nightfire and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Going into this one I expected it to be a mix of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson and the HBO mini-series The Third Day(highly recommend) but I was wrong. Lute is a unique story that differs from anything I've ever seen.
Folk horror always grabs my attention. I love diving into a world filled with local superstitions and beliefs. I truly enjoyed the atmospheric setting of Lute. The writing was very suspenseful and kept me guessing what would happen next. I also loved the main character Nina. Nina who was born in and lived in America up until the past 7 years, transforms into a true member of Lute. I enjoyed following Nina’s transition from just another aloof American into a member of the Lute community.
The story is set in the future during the backdrop of WWIII and even though this added an interesting element to the story, it was unnecessary. The war only played a minor part in the story and it could have been eliminated.
Overall I truly enjoyed Lute. Horror readers will also enjoy this one and it would be the perfect atmospheric read for Halloween. Lute will be available on October 4, 2022. Many thanks to Tor Nightfire and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2022
Hmmm, have you ever wanted to adore a book and make it work because it sounds amazing and almost everyone else seems to love/like it but the book and/or your brain have other plans? I think that's what happened here. Or maybe I'm just malfunctioning.
Who cares, right?
So, Lute takes place on an idyllic secluded isle in the UK. Nina, a Floridian, married the Lord of Lute and is now the Lady of Lute. She's been there for seven years having babies and seemingly ignoring the locals but now "The Day" has arrived. She's heard rumors about sacrifices and such that happen on "The Day" which arrives every seven years, but she believes it's all superstition and she isn’t nosey like me and hasn’t asked all or any of the proper questions and she feels like an outsider being from the evil US and all. The cowardly Lord of Lute makes plans for himself and for his family to escape Lute and whatever horrors may await on "The Day" because OF COURSE he does but those plans go awry. Too bad, so sad. Now Nina is at the part where she is about to find out what the true cost of living on an island free of worry and strife truly costs. And it’s kind of a big deal.
That’s really all I want to say about the plot. There is a weird thing going on with a near-future timeline where war has broken out and the US is the enemy of everyone else but that doesn’t have much to do with the story itself. Do yourself a favor and ignore the synopsis unless you want it all spoiled. It gives too much away which is really a shame - especially if you’re not a person who has watched or read much in the way of folk horror.
Once I decided to ignore the iffy and confusing timeline, I was having a decent time waiting for some dread to settle in but it didn’t really happen for me - possibly because I basically knew what was coming but I was enjoying watching Nina maneuver her way around the island and having awkward dealings with the people she’d previously kept at arm's length due to her own issues. Unfortunately, somewhere along the line she simply began to annoy me with her inaction and her complete lack of curiosity, and don’t even get me started on the needless and unbelievable romance that is added in here because I do not want to waste another moment thinking about it. I’ve read many a romance. I LOVE a good steamy romance. Put romance in all the stories and I won’t be the one complaining about it but please sweet Satan, spend your time developing the romance and make it make sense! Otherwise, it’s a waste of space and it makes me go a little screamy. Here it made me a lot screamy. But again, that may be on me and my reading history. Other readers may not give a cat’s butt about it and that’s perfectly fine too.
In the end, Nina does come around a bit but the journey to get there took too long for my patience. The logic of “The Day” didn’t add up when the lore was considered. Some things were answered but looking back on my notes I realize that there were many random things that were brought up in the story that didn’t seem to fit and it seemed strange to include them. Horses, psychic flashbacks, supposedly dark pasts, and secrets that should be kept to oneself, lol. Nina’s characterization also felt inconsistent, and she seemed to forget she had little kids to worry about for most of the book. Maybe that’s what happens when you have maids and nannies? I wouldn’t know. After writing this all out, I suppose most of this book simply didn’t work for me and I’m just nitpicking now. Anyhow, this all makes me sad because I wanted to love this book but hey, we can’t all have the same reading experience, or what’s the point of pubs releasing so many books each month, right?
I’m struggling to say something positive because that’s what I’m told I'm supposed to do (and sometimes I just cannot), I guess I’ll have to go with a low 3 or perhaps a high 2 might be more fitting. I think if you know nothing going in, you do not read romance the way I have read romance and you enjoy a leisurely stroll through an idyllic island with some threads of danger thrown in your path, you’ll find some things to enjoy here.
All I can say is whew, what a journey this book and I had 😅.
Who cares, right?
So, Lute takes place on an idyllic secluded isle in the UK. Nina, a Floridian, married the Lord of Lute and is now the Lady of Lute. She's been there for seven years having babies and seemingly ignoring the locals but now "The Day" has arrived. She's heard rumors about sacrifices and such that happen on "The Day" which arrives every seven years, but she believes it's all superstition and she isn’t nosey like me and hasn’t asked all or any of the proper questions and she feels like an outsider being from the evil US and all. The cowardly Lord of Lute makes plans for himself and for his family to escape Lute and whatever horrors may await on "The Day" because OF COURSE he does but those plans go awry. Too bad, so sad. Now Nina is at the part where she is about to find out what the true cost of living on an island free of worry and strife truly costs. And it’s kind of a big deal.
That’s really all I want to say about the plot. There is a weird thing going on with a near-future timeline where war has broken out and the US is the enemy of everyone else but that doesn’t have much to do with the story itself. Do yourself a favor and ignore the synopsis unless you want it all spoiled. It gives too much away which is really a shame - especially if you’re not a person who has watched or read much in the way of folk horror.
Once I decided to ignore the iffy and confusing timeline, I was having a decent time waiting for some dread to settle in but it didn’t really happen for me - possibly because I basically knew what was coming but I was enjoying watching Nina maneuver her way around the island and having awkward dealings with the people she’d previously kept at arm's length due to her own issues. Unfortunately, somewhere along the line she simply began to annoy me with her inaction and her complete lack of curiosity, and don’t even get me started on the needless and unbelievable romance that is added in here because I do not want to waste another moment thinking about it. I’ve read many a romance. I LOVE a good steamy romance. Put romance in all the stories and I won’t be the one complaining about it but please sweet Satan, spend your time developing the romance and make it make sense! Otherwise, it’s a waste of space and it makes me go a little screamy. Here it made me a lot screamy. But again, that may be on me and my reading history. Other readers may not give a cat’s butt about it and that’s perfectly fine too.
In the end, Nina does come around a bit but the journey to get there took too long for my patience. The logic of “The Day” didn’t add up when the lore was considered. Some things were answered but looking back on my notes I realize that there were many random things that were brought up in the story that didn’t seem to fit and it seemed strange to include them. Horses, psychic flashbacks, supposedly dark pasts, and secrets that should be kept to oneself, lol. Nina’s characterization also felt inconsistent, and she seemed to forget she had little kids to worry about for most of the book. Maybe that’s what happens when you have maids and nannies? I wouldn’t know. After writing this all out, I suppose most of this book simply didn’t work for me and I’m just nitpicking now. Anyhow, this all makes me sad because I wanted to love this book but hey, we can’t all have the same reading experience, or what’s the point of pubs releasing so many books each month, right?
I’m struggling to say something positive because that’s what I’m told I'm supposed to do (and sometimes I just cannot), I guess I’ll have to go with a low 3 or perhaps a high 2 might be more fitting. I think if you know nothing going in, you do not read romance the way I have read romance and you enjoy a leisurely stroll through an idyllic island with some threads of danger thrown in your path, you’ll find some things to enjoy here.
All I can say is whew, what a journey this book and I had 😅.
September 27, 2022
Horror is so hit or miss with me. I don't think I've rated a true horror novel more than 3 stars this year, but Jennifer Thorne's LUTE will definitely entertain. This folk horror takes place on a small British Island called Lute. The inhabitants are enriched with safety and health, but every seven years requires a sacrifice. Our protagonist is in fact an American, Nina, who has moved to Lute to wed Lord Hugh Treadway. Nina's assimilation to Lute has been difficult, as the United States has allied with the wrong side of this new global war. Nina starts clashing with Lute's inhabitants during the first day of sacrifice on the island.
Lute dives into so many different themes—cultural differences, grief, family, and tradition are main themes I can immediately think about. The close-knit community grapples with death in their own unique way, and Nina's journey during these sacrifices is incredibly thought provoking. This book is a blend of horror, dystopia, fantasy, and mystery. It is slower paced than I expected this book to be, but if you liked the Final Destination series and Midsommar (not sure why I haven't seen people talk about this correlation yet), then this book is definitely perfect for Spooky Season!
Lute dives into so many different themes—cultural differences, grief, family, and tradition are main themes I can immediately think about. The close-knit community grapples with death in their own unique way, and Nina's journey during these sacrifices is incredibly thought provoking. This book is a blend of horror, dystopia, fantasy, and mystery. It is slower paced than I expected this book to be, but if you liked the Final Destination series and Midsommar (not sure why I haven't seen people talk about this correlation yet), then this book is definitely perfect for Spooky Season!
June 6, 2023
All the heart eyes!!!
June 23, 2022
I see a lot of comps that are totally wrong, but props to the person who put "Wicker Man meets Final Destination" for this one because it is right on. Although even this is a bit spoilery so try to forget it as you read. And don't read the summary copy. It tells you too much about the story, and the way the story unfolds without knowing all this is so nicely done that it's a shame to spoil.
This fits nicely into the long tradition of British folk horror with all the history and all the pagan overtones you'd expect. It's also set in the near future, a nice change of pace.
You can tell right away that this is giving The Lottery vibes and it is a book that is going to make you wait to find out what The Day is all about. It does not do this because it is such a big reveal. Your general gist is going to be right. But because the specificity of it is the whole thing. Nina is an outsider, so even she, who basically knows the details, is told over and over again that until you go through it you just don't get it and everyone is right about that.
This almost paints itself in a corner but I was just fine with the hard turn it took to get out of it. The little epilogue is much too nicely wrapped up, in my opinion.
This fits nicely into the long tradition of British folk horror with all the history and all the pagan overtones you'd expect. It's also set in the near future, a nice change of pace.
You can tell right away that this is giving The Lottery vibes and it is a book that is going to make you wait to find out what The Day is all about. It does not do this because it is such a big reveal. Your general gist is going to be right. But because the specificity of it is the whole thing. Nina is an outsider, so even she, who basically knows the details, is told over and over again that until you go through it you just don't get it and everyone is right about that.
This almost paints itself in a corner but I was just fine with the hard turn it took to get out of it. The little epilogue is much too nicely wrapped up, in my opinion.
October 6, 2022
An edge of your seat treat! 4 stars 🤩 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an AudioARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nina is relatively new to the Isle of Lute. Nearly 7 years ago she met her husband aboard a cruise she was taking with her grandmother. Now married to the Lord of Lute, Nina is navigating all that being a Lady of the Isle and a mommy to two young ones entails. However, Lute has a legend...one that every seven years, on "The Day" seven people on the island will die, bringing prosperity and protection for the Isle for the next seven years to come. Nina chalks this all up to folk tales, until "The Day" comes and people begin to perish. Is there a reasonable explanation for the sudden parade of deaths? Or will Nina lose more than she can bear?
Lute was a suspenseful surprise that I wasn't ready for! The author does an amazing job slowly peeling back the layers of not only her characters, but the Island of Lute. I found myself really rooting for Nina and felt all the panic that she endured throughout the longest day ever(but in such a good way!). The lore of the island was enough to satisfy any questions I had while doing this fantastic thing of making me do the work to envision the lore's subjects. It was so satisfying as my own imagination picked up the pieces the author laid out and ran with it, building my vision of what this world had to offer. If you don't like obscurity, it could leave you wanting....but I really enjoyed it as a powerful tool.
Four stars for Lute and an interest in the author's other work from this reviewer. Recommended for those who love suspense, well done lore, and remote settings. Age recommended for 14+.
Nina is relatively new to the Isle of Lute. Nearly 7 years ago she met her husband aboard a cruise she was taking with her grandmother. Now married to the Lord of Lute, Nina is navigating all that being a Lady of the Isle and a mommy to two young ones entails. However, Lute has a legend...one that every seven years, on "The Day" seven people on the island will die, bringing prosperity and protection for the Isle for the next seven years to come. Nina chalks this all up to folk tales, until "The Day" comes and people begin to perish. Is there a reasonable explanation for the sudden parade of deaths? Or will Nina lose more than she can bear?
Lute was a suspenseful surprise that I wasn't ready for! The author does an amazing job slowly peeling back the layers of not only her characters, but the Island of Lute. I found myself really rooting for Nina and felt all the panic that she endured throughout the longest day ever(but in such a good way!). The lore of the island was enough to satisfy any questions I had while doing this fantastic thing of making me do the work to envision the lore's subjects. It was so satisfying as my own imagination picked up the pieces the author laid out and ran with it, building my vision of what this world had to offer. If you don't like obscurity, it could leave you wanting....but I really enjoyed it as a powerful tool.
Four stars for Lute and an interest in the author's other work from this reviewer. Recommended for those who love suspense, well done lore, and remote settings. Age recommended for 14+.
November 6, 2022
Lute is an island that is unaffected by war, pestilence, and poverty. Every seven years, the island takes seven random sacrifices to keep replenishing all it has to offer. Nina Treadway, wife to the Lord of Lute, and her two children, who would normally leave the island for The Day, get trapped on the island. I was expecting some Final Destination mixed with Midsommar, and it was indeed somewhat like this, but everything about this book infuriated me, so spoilers ahead:
1. Lute's magic makes zero logical sense. Every seven years it takes seven people on a specific day. However, families who live and profit from the island all year long are permitted to leave on The Day? Why wouldn't the island's power extend beyond its borders for those who live there? And why does the island kill people who don't live there and are just visiting? 4 of the 7 people who die in the book are literally not natives to the island. Seems like one could very easily cheat the system and I know this is discussed somewhat by the Treadways being trapped there, but overall the whole thing makes very little sense. This also means the conclusion makes very little sense, despite being a "look everything works out okay!"
2. Also shipping people with terminal illness to your island so you can sacrifice them is kind of gross. Whether or not they agreed to medical euthanasia, you are still exploiting them by bringing them over on The Day rather than allowing them to live in peace, wealth, and comfort for however long they want on the island until The Day. "Oh it's okay, we give them one good day before they are sacrificed" lmao WHAT
3. Sis, your children are at risk of being killed by some unknown force, and you are out here cheating on your husband with his best friend PLEASE GET SOME PERSPECTIVE. I know your husband is a whiny loser, but just like, chill for a sec.
4. Nina doesn't even know if Lute's danger applies to animals, yet she knowingly sets her dog free just to have an excuse to go outside for a walk on The Day? He chases after birds and also could literally trip someone or something. Also, she literally smokes and litters her cigarette in a sacred freaking space of the island.
5. In true Final Destination fashion, Nina causes a window to crack early in the morning and her daughter later nearly falls to her death from that same window. She literally acknowledges the window could break and doesn't think to like, idk, cover it up or lock that room for the day?
6. There is a little old lady who wants to die the entire book because she is sad and old and they literally just will not let her die. This along with the "safe vs unsafe" system Nina later discovers in her husband's office, that the island picks who it wants and it is not entirely random. Yet they do accept sacrifices later on? Let that poor old woman die
7. The best character on the entire island is the first to die. He is someone who respects the island, and treats it well, and the island kills him first? And the person the island "chooses" to represent it is the person who a) irresponsibly allows their dog to run leash free and chase after native birds, b) doesn't supervise their children, c) pollutes and litters in a sacred space and d) doesn't even believe the island's legend until like halfway through the book. Honestly, the island and spirits of the island or whatever are super problematic if that's the case.
This book could have been so freaking good and I was so disappointed. The narrator for the audiobook was good, but the book was not.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
1. Lute's magic makes zero logical sense. Every seven years it takes seven people on a specific day. However, families who live and profit from the island all year long are permitted to leave on The Day? Why wouldn't the island's power extend beyond its borders for those who live there? And why does the island kill people who don't live there and are just visiting? 4 of the 7 people who die in the book are literally not natives to the island. Seems like one could very easily cheat the system and I know this is discussed somewhat by the Treadways being trapped there, but overall the whole thing makes very little sense. This also means the conclusion makes very little sense, despite being a "look everything works out okay!"
2. Also shipping people with terminal illness to your island so you can sacrifice them is kind of gross. Whether or not they agreed to medical euthanasia, you are still exploiting them by bringing them over on The Day rather than allowing them to live in peace, wealth, and comfort for however long they want on the island until The Day. "Oh it's okay, we give them one good day before they are sacrificed" lmao WHAT
3. Sis, your children are at risk of being killed by some unknown force, and you are out here cheating on your husband with his best friend PLEASE GET SOME PERSPECTIVE. I know your husband is a whiny loser, but just like, chill for a sec.
4. Nina doesn't even know if Lute's danger applies to animals, yet she knowingly sets her dog free just to have an excuse to go outside for a walk on The Day? He chases after birds and also could literally trip someone or something. Also, she literally smokes and litters her cigarette in a sacred freaking space of the island.
5. In true Final Destination fashion, Nina causes a window to crack early in the morning and her daughter later nearly falls to her death from that same window. She literally acknowledges the window could break and doesn't think to like, idk, cover it up or lock that room for the day?
6. There is a little old lady who wants to die the entire book because she is sad and old and they literally just will not let her die. This along with the "safe vs unsafe" system Nina later discovers in her husband's office, that the island picks who it wants and it is not entirely random. Yet they do accept sacrifices later on? Let that poor old woman die
7. The best character on the entire island is the first to die. He is someone who respects the island, and treats it well, and the island kills him first? And the person the island "chooses" to represent it is the person who a) irresponsibly allows their dog to run leash free and chase after native birds, b) doesn't supervise their children, c) pollutes and litters in a sacred space and d) doesn't even believe the island's legend until like halfway through the book. Honestly, the island and spirits of the island or whatever are super problematic if that's the case.
This book could have been so freaking good and I was so disappointed. The narrator for the audiobook was good, but the book was not.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
I wrapped up this book a few days ago, and honestly, I cannot get this story and its unique, well developed characters out of my mind.
I don't usually dive into the PNR/Sci-Fi genre, but wow, this book has completely captured my imagination and left me wanting more.
It also falls into the thriller/horror genre. I recommend reading the trigger warnings, also a little gore in this one, but those parts move fast.
There are some slow parts in the middle, but nothing that went on too long.
I recommend listening to this story, as the narrators do a great job bringing it to life !!
I wrapped up this book a few days ago, and honestly, I cannot get this story and its unique, well developed characters out of my mind.
I don't usually dive into the PNR/Sci-Fi genre, but wow, this book has completely captured my imagination and left me wanting more.
It also falls into the thriller/horror genre. I recommend reading the trigger warnings, also a little gore in this one, but those parts move fast.
There are some slow parts in the middle, but nothing that went on too long.
I recommend listening to this story, as the narrators do a great job bringing it to life !!
December 17, 2023
Nina Treadway is the lady of Lute, but she’s only lived there for seven years, since she got married to Hugh. As a foreigner, she doesn’t believe in the island’s day of the tithe, but as things start going wrong all around her, she wonders if it might be more than a superstition.
Folk horror! A mysterious day of human sacrifice as an island extracts the price of its bounty from its residents! An American abroad! And that cover is so very beautiful, and so very haunting. Alas, Lute didn’t really live up to my expectations.
This is quite an atmospheric read, and the author does a good job of painting a picture of Lute, an isolated, idyllic island that has sinister undertones at times. There’s a lot of talk of Lute “wanting” things, and the author convinced me enough that the island was alive enough to have a will of its own. The close knit community is vivid, the characters both minor and major who populate the island well-sketched.
However, I did think there were some odd choices made in the framing of the plot and setting that felt unnecessary and impacted my enjoyment. For example, there’s a lot made of Nina being unlucky, but her backstory when revealed was underwhelming. There’s apparently a third world war raging in this setting, but it has pretty much no impact on the story. I didn’t really feel Nina’s affection for her children and husband, which decreased any sense of urgency the reader might feel about their welfare.
I read the audiobook version of this book, which is narrated by Victoria Blunt. I thought she did a good job as Nina’s voice, sometimes soothing and sometimes direct. She elevated the story for me – I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much as I did had I read a physical version.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Folk horror! A mysterious day of human sacrifice as an island extracts the price of its bounty from its residents! An American abroad! And that cover is so very beautiful, and so very haunting. Alas, Lute didn’t really live up to my expectations.
This is quite an atmospheric read, and the author does a good job of painting a picture of Lute, an isolated, idyllic island that has sinister undertones at times. There’s a lot of talk of Lute “wanting” things, and the author convinced me enough that the island was alive enough to have a will of its own. The close knit community is vivid, the characters both minor and major who populate the island well-sketched.
However, I did think there were some odd choices made in the framing of the plot and setting that felt unnecessary and impacted my enjoyment. For example, there’s a lot made of Nina being unlucky, but her backstory when revealed was underwhelming. There’s apparently a third world war raging in this setting, but it has pretty much no impact on the story. I didn’t really feel Nina’s affection for her children and husband, which decreased any sense of urgency the reader might feel about their welfare.
I read the audiobook version of this book, which is narrated by Victoria Blunt. I thought she did a good job as Nina’s voice, sometimes soothing and sometimes direct. She elevated the story for me – I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much as I did had I read a physical version.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
January 9, 2023
This really is midsommer meets final destination! This book is not only my first of the year, but a gift from my husband for Christmas! So I was really hoping that even if it wasn’t perfect, I would enjoy myself and have fun. And guess what? I absolutely did.
Granted it was a bit hard to get into almost in a similar way to “it rides a pale horse” by Andy Marino, because it does start in a sort of disorienting way where it feels like it expects you to already know things. But the difference between this and that book, is I did end up falling into it because it was a lot more interesting.
This is a book about community and sacrifice (whether you want to sacrifice or not), and while the deaths weren’t all that unique, I still found it really engaging so it didn’t matter. I also wanted to see how the MC, who has never experienced this event that takes place every 7 years, would handle it being she was totally ignorant to it. She was annoying at first but I do feel she ended up pulling through.
It was just a really fun time. Not every character or decision was likable or ideal. But like that was part of the enjoyment for me. Sometimes I like messiness in my books if it works well, and for me in this case it did.
I thought the history of lute was interesting and the overall concept fascinating. It’s essentially an island that keeps you completely safe from any troubles, as long as it gets seven lives every seven years. It was a nice thought of “would I chance living there or not?”.
There was an interesting side plot of the MCs husband kinda going off his rocker a bit too, which was interesting considering he was supposed to be the one leading community. He was really just a butt cheek though, and while I sympathize with him a little, I didn’t like him. So when another romance possibility popped up while the MC was still with him (no major cheating) I was actually all for it despite it not feeling like it made total sense.
I did end this feeling satisfied with the story, though I could see it being polarizing. I just don’t think it’s that deep. This story was fun, and honestly in some ways felt like a warm hug, despite being dark at points.
So not overly horrific. It’s more so a semi culty community vibe, but surprisingly…. One you’re actually rooting for. Along with discussion on the impending death thah of course everyone faces!
It could be dark at times, there is a decent amount of talk about self harm in here actually. But if you don’t think that will bother you, I think this could be a good read for either new horror readers, or horror readers who want something that’s not AS dark, but still dark, in some areas.
I believe this is a debut “horror” for this author, and I do think if they wrote another, I would read it. It was just such an interesting ride!
Granted it was a bit hard to get into almost in a similar way to “it rides a pale horse” by Andy Marino, because it does start in a sort of disorienting way where it feels like it expects you to already know things. But the difference between this and that book, is I did end up falling into it because it was a lot more interesting.
This is a book about community and sacrifice (whether you want to sacrifice or not), and while the deaths weren’t all that unique, I still found it really engaging so it didn’t matter. I also wanted to see how the MC, who has never experienced this event that takes place every 7 years, would handle it being she was totally ignorant to it. She was annoying at first but I do feel she ended up pulling through.
It was just a really fun time. Not every character or decision was likable or ideal. But like that was part of the enjoyment for me. Sometimes I like messiness in my books if it works well, and for me in this case it did.
I thought the history of lute was interesting and the overall concept fascinating. It’s essentially an island that keeps you completely safe from any troubles, as long as it gets seven lives every seven years. It was a nice thought of “would I chance living there or not?”.
There was an interesting side plot of the MCs husband kinda going off his rocker a bit too, which was interesting considering he was supposed to be the one leading community. He was really just a butt cheek though, and while I sympathize with him a little, I didn’t like him. So when another romance possibility popped up while the MC was still with him (no major cheating) I was actually all for it despite it not feeling like it made total sense.
I did end this feeling satisfied with the story, though I could see it being polarizing. I just don’t think it’s that deep. This story was fun, and honestly in some ways felt like a warm hug, despite being dark at points.
So not overly horrific. It’s more so a semi culty community vibe, but surprisingly…. One you’re actually rooting for. Along with discussion on the impending death thah of course everyone faces!
It could be dark at times, there is a decent amount of talk about self harm in here actually. But if you don’t think that will bother you, I think this could be a good read for either new horror readers, or horror readers who want something that’s not AS dark, but still dark, in some areas.
I believe this is a debut “horror” for this author, and I do think if they wrote another, I would read it. It was just such an interesting ride!
October 11, 2022
3.5 stars
The nitty-gritty: Slow burn suspense, mystery and an atmospheric setting make Lute a thoroughly compelling read, despite uneven and puzzling world building elements.
This is one of those books that completely sucked me in, but after I had some time to think about it later, I started to have a lot of questions. Like many of the reviewers on Goodreads, I’m finding this difficult to rate. On one hand, I loved the set up: a remote island community cut off from the rest of the world, where people live idyllic lives, safe from the outside world. But every seven years, a tithe must be given to the land in the form of seven lives. I also loved Jennifer Thorne’s writing style and the sense of urgency and danger she conveys through her main character Nina. But there were some world building elements that felt off, for lack of a better word, elements that puzzled me and pulled me out of the story. Ultimately this was a mixed bag for me, but I’m still recommending it for the mystery/suspense/horror elements that were so well done.
Nina Treadway lives on the British island of Lute with her husband and two young children. Nina is an American, but she met her husband Hugh on a cruise and fell madly in love, leaving her life behind to start fresh. For seven years, Nina has enjoyed peace and happiness on Lute, raising Emma and Charlie on the Treadway estate, Hugh’s family legacy. A world war rages beyond the shores of Lute but never seems to touch them. Lute is blessed by good fortune, and Nina is about to learn the reason why. As “the Day” approaches—-the summer solstice and the longest day of the year—the people of Lute become more cautious. Nina has heard rumors about the Day, but she doesn’t really believe them. The townsfolk’s stories about seven random people dying every seven years seems more like a myth or a fairy tale, not something to take seriously.
When Hugh’s attempts to get his family off the island fail in every possible way, the family hunkers down to prepare for what’s to come. Nina isn't sure what to expect, but as her friends keep reminding her, she will soon understand, once the Day is over.
We know going in what will happen—seven people are going to die—but it’s the way Thorne’s story unfolds that makes Lute such a compelling read. I loved the subtle tension that builds as Nina begins to witness the horrors of the Day for herself, and because the reader sees the entire story through her eyes, we are witnesses right alongside her. Lute is a fairly short book to begin with, but the suspense and pacing made it an even quicker read, as I found myself glued to the pages.
There are also several mysteries that are drawn out over the course of the story, and these added to the suspense. Why would Nina drop everything to move to a foreign country with a man she barely knows? What is the meaning of Hugh’s secret journal with its list of Lute’s families? And why is Nina having strange dreams about rituals and sacrifices in the woods? I wanted to find out the answers, and that’s one reason I had a hard time putting the book aside. Thorne also touches on some weighty themes, like the fears of motherhood, the feeling of being an outsider, and the responsibilities of being part of a close-knit community with plenty of secrets. I loved that these themes added depth to the story and made the characters more relatable.
The eerie atmosphere also added a great deal to the mysteries of Lute. Usually the island is bright and warm and beautiful, but on the Day it turns ominous. People hide in their homes, hoping to avoid unnecessary risk. Nina’s dog Max gets out of the house and Nina decides to go after him, even though Hugh tells her not to. The feeling of dread is palpable, since you never know exactly where the danger is coming from. Thorne also delves into the history of Lute and describes how the rituals and beliefs came to be, an ancient pact involving Druid priests that adds to the sense of mystery.
But as I mentioned earlier, there are some very odd elements that tripped me up. My biggest issue was trying to slot Lute into a particular genre and not being able to do it. The idea that there is a world war going on made this feel like a dystopian (“The press dubbed the past four years of global conflict the Water Wars, not World War III, like they’re holding out that name for another worse conflict to come.”) Because Lute is “safe” from the war, the story has a fantasy vibe as well, as if magic was responsible for Lute’s good fortune. Then you have the more contemporary story about Nina, who was born and raised in Florida, but met a British man and decided to leave her country to be with him. It turns out Hugh is Lord Treadway, from a titled family, and now Nina has become a “Lady” because they are married. This “Lord and Lady of the manner” storyline gave it a historical fiction vibe. And finally, you have the horror aspects on top of all this, with sudden, random and violent deaths that felt almost like a slasher film. That’s a bunch of different genres, and I’ll admit the combination sometimes gave me whiplash.
And I’m still puzzling over the whole war backdrop, which just felt odd to me. In Thorne’s future, America and Russia have become allies, and the UK is now an enemy. That idea just didn’t make sense to me, and the way the islanders talk about their loved ones “away at war,” having to ration food and supplies and talking about the draft made me think I was reading a story about WWII. And one more thing. We’re told there aren’t any horses on Lute (more than once, so it felt important). I don’t think that was ever explained, and it’s still bugging me. If you’ve read the book and understand why, please let me know!
For me, the best parts of Lute were those focused on the characters and how they deal with everything that’s happening, their tangled relationships and the imminent sense of danger that threatens to ruin them. The bloody finale did not disappoint, and the build-up was worth the wait.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
The nitty-gritty: Slow burn suspense, mystery and an atmospheric setting make Lute a thoroughly compelling read, despite uneven and puzzling world building elements.
This is one of those books that completely sucked me in, but after I had some time to think about it later, I started to have a lot of questions. Like many of the reviewers on Goodreads, I’m finding this difficult to rate. On one hand, I loved the set up: a remote island community cut off from the rest of the world, where people live idyllic lives, safe from the outside world. But every seven years, a tithe must be given to the land in the form of seven lives. I also loved Jennifer Thorne’s writing style and the sense of urgency and danger she conveys through her main character Nina. But there were some world building elements that felt off, for lack of a better word, elements that puzzled me and pulled me out of the story. Ultimately this was a mixed bag for me, but I’m still recommending it for the mystery/suspense/horror elements that were so well done.
Nina Treadway lives on the British island of Lute with her husband and two young children. Nina is an American, but she met her husband Hugh on a cruise and fell madly in love, leaving her life behind to start fresh. For seven years, Nina has enjoyed peace and happiness on Lute, raising Emma and Charlie on the Treadway estate, Hugh’s family legacy. A world war rages beyond the shores of Lute but never seems to touch them. Lute is blessed by good fortune, and Nina is about to learn the reason why. As “the Day” approaches—-the summer solstice and the longest day of the year—the people of Lute become more cautious. Nina has heard rumors about the Day, but she doesn’t really believe them. The townsfolk’s stories about seven random people dying every seven years seems more like a myth or a fairy tale, not something to take seriously.
When Hugh’s attempts to get his family off the island fail in every possible way, the family hunkers down to prepare for what’s to come. Nina isn't sure what to expect, but as her friends keep reminding her, she will soon understand, once the Day is over.
We know going in what will happen—seven people are going to die—but it’s the way Thorne’s story unfolds that makes Lute such a compelling read. I loved the subtle tension that builds as Nina begins to witness the horrors of the Day for herself, and because the reader sees the entire story through her eyes, we are witnesses right alongside her. Lute is a fairly short book to begin with, but the suspense and pacing made it an even quicker read, as I found myself glued to the pages.
There are also several mysteries that are drawn out over the course of the story, and these added to the suspense. Why would Nina drop everything to move to a foreign country with a man she barely knows? What is the meaning of Hugh’s secret journal with its list of Lute’s families? And why is Nina having strange dreams about rituals and sacrifices in the woods? I wanted to find out the answers, and that’s one reason I had a hard time putting the book aside. Thorne also touches on some weighty themes, like the fears of motherhood, the feeling of being an outsider, and the responsibilities of being part of a close-knit community with plenty of secrets. I loved that these themes added depth to the story and made the characters more relatable.
The eerie atmosphere also added a great deal to the mysteries of Lute. Usually the island is bright and warm and beautiful, but on the Day it turns ominous. People hide in their homes, hoping to avoid unnecessary risk. Nina’s dog Max gets out of the house and Nina decides to go after him, even though Hugh tells her not to. The feeling of dread is palpable, since you never know exactly where the danger is coming from. Thorne also delves into the history of Lute and describes how the rituals and beliefs came to be, an ancient pact involving Druid priests that adds to the sense of mystery.
But as I mentioned earlier, there are some very odd elements that tripped me up. My biggest issue was trying to slot Lute into a particular genre and not being able to do it. The idea that there is a world war going on made this feel like a dystopian (“The press dubbed the past four years of global conflict the Water Wars, not World War III, like they’re holding out that name for another worse conflict to come.”) Because Lute is “safe” from the war, the story has a fantasy vibe as well, as if magic was responsible for Lute’s good fortune. Then you have the more contemporary story about Nina, who was born and raised in Florida, but met a British man and decided to leave her country to be with him. It turns out Hugh is Lord Treadway, from a titled family, and now Nina has become a “Lady” because they are married. This “Lord and Lady of the manner” storyline gave it a historical fiction vibe. And finally, you have the horror aspects on top of all this, with sudden, random and violent deaths that felt almost like a slasher film. That’s a bunch of different genres, and I’ll admit the combination sometimes gave me whiplash.
And I’m still puzzling over the whole war backdrop, which just felt odd to me. In Thorne’s future, America and Russia have become allies, and the UK is now an enemy. That idea just didn’t make sense to me, and the way the islanders talk about their loved ones “away at war,” having to ration food and supplies and talking about the draft made me think I was reading a story about WWII. And one more thing. We’re told there aren’t any horses on Lute (more than once, so it felt important). I don’t think that was ever explained, and it’s still bugging me. If you’ve read the book and understand why, please let me know!
For me, the best parts of Lute were those focused on the characters and how they deal with everything that’s happening, their tangled relationships and the imminent sense of danger that threatens to ruin them. The bloody finale did not disappoint, and the build-up was worth the wait.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
March 11, 2024
"The gods stand beside me, two bright columns, and I weep for joy, even as they raise the rock over me, even as it smashes down and down and down into my skull, and I feel fierce pain, nothing but light bleeding from me, such beautiful obliteration."
Wicker Man with a Midsommar like feel. Twisted to the core.
Beware the Island of Lute. You wouldn’t want to be caught dead here…
The seventh summer is upon us and seven people on the Island of Lute must die. This is the way that the Island has always worked and it's time to shed the blood to help the Island thrive.
The concept was intriguing and very peculiar. That's what drew me to this book. It was worth the read but one I won't reread. Knowing the ending kind of ruins the atmosphere of this book.
Wicker Man with a Midsommar like feel. Twisted to the core.
Beware the Island of Lute. You wouldn’t want to be caught dead here…
The seventh summer is upon us and seven people on the Island of Lute must die. This is the way that the Island has always worked and it's time to shed the blood to help the Island thrive.
The concept was intriguing and very peculiar. That's what drew me to this book. It was worth the read but one I won't reread. Knowing the ending kind of ruins the atmosphere of this book.
December 30, 2022
Good grief, halfway through I was hoping Lute would pick ME to be a sacrifice so I wouldn’t have to finish this abysmal attempt at “horror”
June 11, 2023
4.5 stars
August 10, 2022
This is a difficult one to review. The story had a lot of potential but ultimately fell flat with its predictableness and lack of fresh content. This is most definitely not horror, more of a slow to medium paced thriller with an occasionally slightly graphic scene. I was hoping this was going to be folk/cult horror like Midsommar but you don’t really get much folk at all, more just a small tight knit odd community where every 7 years 7 people die to maintain the protection placed on the isle. If I could compare it to anything it would be a slow paced Final Destination. There’s a lot going on at the beginning (too much), and so many of these things aren’t really explained, such as the “war” or Nina’s relationship with her mother. My overall dislike of the book was added to by a morally bankrupt decision the main character makes that really was unnecessary and didn’t add much to the book. The plot was extremely predictable and the book ended exactly as I thought it would.
The narrator did a great job, however I did want to note that it is a British author doing an American accent for 80% of the narration. The vast majority of her speech is unaccented American but the little 10% of British accented slips that came out were slightly distracting to me. Overall she did a great job with the story she was given and it was nice to hear very well done British accents for the British characters.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced listening copy!
The narrator did a great job, however I did want to note that it is a British author doing an American accent for 80% of the narration. The vast majority of her speech is unaccented American but the little 10% of British accented slips that came out were slightly distracting to me. Overall she did a great job with the story she was given and it was nice to hear very well done British accents for the British characters.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced listening copy!
to-read-maybe
April 7, 2022that cover is intriguing...
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