THE TWISTED ONES by T. Kingfisher: Discussion Thread

[Kerry]

(view spoiler)[ I also was annoyed that she fled without seeming to say goodbye to Foxy. Without Foxy, she'd have died. She was concerned about Foxy's blue lips during their exodus, but apparently not enough to even take her home after the hospital trip. That's not terribly grateful, even if she was tremendously upset by all that happened. I understand that aspect of it. But again, without Foxy, she would have died many times during the adventure. Obviously, all was forgiven in the end, since they text one another and all, so I guess I should mind my own business and allow the fictional characters to pursue their friendships as they see fit. Hahaha! (hide spoiler)]
(view spoiler)[ Oh, did anyone else notice she mentioned the dolls to the barista, but in a subsequent chapter, she mentioned them again, and both women act as though they didn't know about them? (hide spoiler)]

[Kerry]

Bark wrote: "Latasha wrote: "i'm glad to see everyone is enjoying this one."

Me too! It was so much creepy fun :)"
Glad you joined the fun!

[Kerry]

Latasha wrote: "i'm glad to see everyone is enjoying this one."

:)

[Franklinbadger]

Kerry wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

Yes, that's a good point. It's particularly annoying because (view spoiler)[ whilst I read this book last year so my memory could be faulty, my general recollection is that the depiction of the local police was pleasingly non-stereotypical. I mean, they seemed to take Mouse's report reasonably seriously and at least tried to investigate it, which is pretty rare in horror fiction!

I also agree with Kari that the book within a book was a bit of a bore, although maybe other people might be more interested in the mythology side than me! (hide spoiler)]

[Kerry]

Franklinbadger wrote: "Kerry wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

Yes, that's a good point. It's particularly annoying because whilst I read this book last year so my memory could be faulty, my general recollection is that the ..."

(view spoiler)[ Your memory is correct. (Good memory! I'm impressed.) The officer tromped through the woods with her in search of the effigy. The "book within a book" is part of the Gothic tradition and a part of the original "White People" story. It probably feels "tired" because it's been around for so long. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Kerry]

One other thing. I may be weird, but I actually felt sorry for the created "bad guys."

[Kerry]

Kerry wrote: "Franklinbadger wrote: "Kerry wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yes, that's a good point. It's particularly annoying because whilst I read this book last year so my memory could be faulty, my general rec..." (hide spoiler)]

[Kerry]

Kimberly wrote: "I just finished this last night. [spoilers removed]"
Indeed, I agree

[Kerry]

Bark wrote: "Such a great read. Thank you everyone for choosing it and making me reading sooner rather than way later!" Yippee!

[Kelly]

Finished it. Still trying to process...

[exorcismemily]

I started this today & I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I am struggling with the narration style & I may not last for this one.

[Amy Dozal]

Ok, so I’m almost half way with the book. I’m freaked out! Good thing I’m reading this during day time.

[Kimberly]

Emily wrote: "I started this today & I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I am struggling with the narration style & I may not last for this one."

I had trouble with the style as well, but the ending paid off (in my opinion).

[Amy Dozal]

I finished it and I loved it! My first 5🌟 read! 🥳

[Karmen]

Finished today! This was the first folk horror I've read (seen plenty of films), and truthfully it was a bit of a slow-fast burn for me. I just made that up now. It wasn't slow in terms of its readability, the style is nice a quick, but I wasn't too keen on Mouse. I don't know if it's because I'm a freelance editor myself (any others in the group who felt the same?) or if it was the amount of repetition with her narration. But once Foxy got more involved in the last third I started getting more into it. I'd say three stars from me. I'm looking forward to exploring more folk horror.

[Kari]

Karmen wrote: "Finished today! This was the first folk horror I've read (seen plenty of films), and truthfully it was a bit of a slow-fast burn for me. I just made that up now. It wasn't slow in terms of its read..."

I agree with your assessment. Truthfully Mouse was the weakest of the characters for me; I loved Foxy, Thomas, Skip, and Enid. Even Anna was really interesting.

I wrote a longer review of this but here are some random spoilery tidbit thoughts I had.

(view spoiler)[--If you're going to name a character Mouse, there should be a reason for that. Maybe I just missed the symbolism entirely, but I didn't find it.
--I get that in real life sometimes people are just horrible and there's no reason, but that's not satisfying in a story. I needed more about why Grandma was the way she was.
--This is just a tribute to how well Kingfisher does characterization, but I wanted so much more of Thomas, Skip, and Enid. It's also possible I'm just bitter because I shipped Mouse and Enid and that didn't turn out.
--Still debating on whether I liked the end. It was abrupt, and not entirely satisfying. The trauma and questions Mouse was left with is definitely realistic, but I just felt like it was a bit too open? I don't know.
--The deer head effigy is the pokemon Cubone and you cannot change my mind. (hide spoiler)]

[Kimberly]

Karmen wrote: "Finished today! This was the first folk horror I've read (seen plenty of films), and truthfully it was a bit of a slow-fast burn for me. I just made that up now. It wasn't slow in terms of its read..."

This is exactly how I felt! (view spoiler)[ I loved the last third, and of course Foxy and friends, but Mouse's repetition and interrupting her OWN thoughts with other thoughts was driving me crazy. I had to start this one over because I stopped the first time, but I am glad I finished, as I feel the ending really paid off! (hide spoiler)]

[Mikey]

is this,, is this where I rave about this book? because, holy moly, I love this book. I live on the other side of the smoky mountains so it hit close to home and I was thoroughly spooked. I didn't know what folk horror was, but now ill be reading everything in that genre.

[Iva]

I finished today, I'm still trying to decide how I feel about it.

[Alison]

Finally finished. I absolutely loved it.
(view spoiler)[Did NOT see the twist of the deer effigy coming, but it makes so much sense. Were there hints of the house effigy?
For those of you who didn't like Mouse, did you read the book or listen to the audio? The audio was fantastic, and I wonder if that made a difference or if she just didn't bug me as much. I did notice the repetition, especially with the "better not let the vet know I'm feeding my dog cheeseburgers!" stuff, but it was minor to me. (hide spoiler)]

[Kimberly]

Alison wrote: "Finally finished. I absolutely loved it.
Did NOT see the twist of the deer effigy coming, but it makes so much sense. Were there hints of the house effigy?
For those of you who didn't like Mouse, d..."

The ending (view spoiler)[was fantastic! So much I didn't expect!! (hide spoiler)]

[Latasha]

@Mikey- I’m in Tennessee, which state are you in?

[Laurie (barksbooks)]

Alison wrote: "Finally finished. I absolutely loved it.
Did NOT see the twist of the deer effigy coming, but it makes so much sense. Were there hints of the house effigy?
For those of you who didn't like Mouse, d..."

I read the book (not the audio) and I really liked Mouse as our main character. I like the relationship between Mouse & Foxy, both had my kind of humor/sarcasm and I've read so many serious books lately that the humor here was an unexpected pleasure.

[Iva]

I'm finished and I'm still trying to decide how I feel about this one.

[Iva]

I also just realized I already said that a few days ago when I finished, but I am still trying to figure it out. I'm not sure if I like it or not. I think it's going to be rated a 3 for me.

[Alison]

Bark wrote: "I read the book (not the audio) and I really liked Mouse as our main character."
Thanks, good to know! I was curious.

[Alison]

Lilyn G. | Sci-Fi & Scary | "Empathy" - Look it up. wrote: "40% mark and Hoooly crap there's the spooky I had been waiting for!"
YES I know exactly where you are

[Angel]

Alison wrote: "Bark wrote: "I read the book (not the audio) and I really liked Mouse as our main character."
Thanks, good to know! I was curious."

I also read the book (well, kindle version technically lol) and enjoyed Mouse as the MC as well.

@Kari - I also would have loved to know (view spoiler)[the background of the grandmother, what made her the way she was but I loved the thought of someone so awful that they would keep such things away. (hide spoiler)]

[destiny ♡]

I finally started the audiobook today!

[Karla]

I'm on chapter 4 and really intrigued!

[destiny ♡]

Kari wrote: "It's also possible I'm just bitter because I shipped Mouse and Enid and that didn't turn out"

I'm reading back through everyone's thoughts since I finally finished the book and SAME, I'm so glad I'm not the only one who was shipping them lol!

[destiny ♡]

Some final thoughts:

1) I LOVED Mouse as a narrator, though I see that's not a totally common sentiment bahaha! I can 100% see how she could be grating. Something about her just worked well for me. She reminded me of my ADHD brain on a really unfocused day so I felt like I could relate, but also, I read it via audio and it didn't feel as disjointed as I think maybe it would have visually.

2) I read a crapload of horror and always have, so I don't scare easily, but even with that said, (view spoiler)[the effigy staring in through the window gave me chills. After finishing the book, I went for a quick late-night drive — I live in a VERY woodsy, rural area — and I kept thinking I was seeing things in the woods, so clearly it got to me a little bit haha! (hide spoiler)]

3) I would do anything for Bongo. 😂

[Karla]

Kelly wrote: "Just as a heads up, if you are listening to the audiobook, change the speed to 1.2 or 1.5. Imo, it helps. Especially chapter 6.

Back to your original programming :)"

i agree!

[Karla]

Lilyn G. | Sci-Fi & Scary | "Empathy" - Look it up. wrote: "Karla wrote: "I'm on chapter 4 and really intrigued!"

How are you doing on it, Karla?"

I'm on chapter 12 and listening to it on audio and mostly at work. I really like it. It's starting to ramp up. Bits of it were a little boring but it's hard to get into it when i'm at work listening lol.

[Karla]

destiny ♡⚔♡ wrote: "I finally started the audiobook today!"

What did you think of the Audiobook format? Did you find it easy to follow. I'm struggling a little bit with it.

[destiny ♡]

Karla wrote: "destiny ♡⚔♡ wrote: "I finally started the audiobook today!"

What did you think of the Audiobook format? Did you find it easy to follow. I'm struggling a little bit with it."

I really liked it, but Mouse's thought processes work SO similarly to my own (it made me wonder a few times if it was just a coincidence or if she has ADHD that manifests similarly to mine, maybe? probably a coincidence lol!) that it just worked for me — I can honestly see how it might not mesh with every reader! I hope it gets better for you!

[Kerry]

destiny ♡⚔♡ wrote: "Karla wrote: "destiny ♡⚔♡ wrote: "I finally started the audiobook today!"

What did you think of the Audiobook format? Did you find it easy to follow. I'm struggling a little bit with it."

I reall..."

That's an interesting thought. The story is so much inside Mouse's thoughts. Everyone's mind works differently, and to be within someone's thought process is strangely intimate and sometimes alarming.

[Kerry]

destiny ♡⚔♡ wrote: "Some final thoughts:

1) I LOVED Mouse as a narrator, though I see that's not a totally common sentiment bahaha! I can 100% see how she could be grating. Something about her just worked well for me..."

Glad you found no effigies on your drive! :)

[destiny ♡]

Kerry wrote: "destiny ♡⚔♡ wrote: "Karla wrote: "destiny ♡⚔♡ wrote: "I finally started the audiobook today!"

What did you think of the Audiobook format? Did you find it easy to follow. I'm struggling a little bi..."

Yes and yes!

And I'm glad I found no effigies, too. 😂