Book Review: Corpse Creek by Vincent Ralph
Corpse Creek is the third book in Vincent Ralph’s Bleak Haven series, but one of the things I really like about this series is that you don't necessarily have to read the books in order. Each story can stand on its own, while there are still little pieces and connections to the other books that are fun to recognize if you've read them.
This one felt a little different from the first two books to me. It still had that dark horror feel, but there were more psychological thriller vibes woven throughout. I wouldn't say I liked it quite as much as the others, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. It was still a good, dark story with characters that were easy to get invested in.
Ethan was probably the biggest reason for that. You could really feel his pain, anger, and sorrow, and it made it easier to understand how he got to the point he did. Watching his downward spiral and seeing how far he was willing to go made for an interesting story.
And I think that really gets to the heart of the book: How far would you go for someone you love?
What would you do if you had the chance to bring someone you loved back? How far would you be willing to push the boundaries between life and death? And at what point does love become something darker?
Those questions stayed with me throughout the story, and I think they are what made Ethan's journey work so well.
I also enjoyed seeing little pieces of the other books woven into this one. Since the books can be read as standalones, those connections aren't necessary to understand the story, but if you've read the previous books, they're a nice little bonus.
I will admit that I was a little unsatisfied with the ending. At the same time, I completely understand what the author was going for, and in a strange way, that feeling of being left a little unsettled probably fits the story.
Overall, Corpse Creek wasn't my favorite of the Bleak Haven books so far, but it was still a dark and entertaining horror story with some psychological thriller elements and plenty to think about. If you're looking for something creepy that explores love, grief, and just how far someone might go to get back what they've lost, this one is worth picking up. Make sure you get your copy on September 15th!
You can see my review for Goodreads here:
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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