"Mothtown" by Caroline Hardaker is a haunting and unsettling novel that weaves together elements of horror and literary fiction, creating a story that will captivate fans of eerie and atmospheric narratives. With illustrations from acclaimed illustrator Chris Riddell, the book offers a unique visual and narrative experience.

The story revolves around David, a young man haunted by his childhood memories and the unsettling rumors that plagued his hometown. As a child, he sensed that something was amiss as people went missing and eerie stories circulated. With his sister's secrets and his parents' attempts to shield him from the truth, David grew up with a sense of unease and unanswered questions. When his beloved grandfather, who had shared snippets of forbidden knowledge with him, disappeared, David's world was further shattered.

Now an adult, David's past resurfaces with the arrival of a mysterious package containing strange instructions. As he delves deeper into the enigmatic contents of the package, David is drawn into a world he had tried to forget—one of secrets, dark discoveries, and the realization that his past might hold the key to understanding his present.

Caroline Hardaker masterfully crafts an atmosphere of unease and tension throughout "Mothtown." Her prose is evocative, painting vivid images and emotions that linger long after the last page. The blending of horror and literary fiction adds layers of depth to the narrative, exploring both the external and internal struggles of the characters.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, particularly David, who grapples with the weight of his past and the revelations that threaten to upend his understanding of reality. The pacing of the novel keeps the reader engaged, steadily revealing secrets and building a sense of dread.

The inclusion of illustrations by Chris Riddell enhances the reading experience, adding a visual dimension to the story's unsettling atmosphere.

In "Mothtown," Caroline Hardaker creates a narrative that goes beyond traditional horror, delving into the complexities of memory, family secrets, and the blurred line between reality and the supernatural. This novel will resonate with readers who enjoy atmospheric storytelling and psychological exploration. With its unique blend of genres and expertly crafted prose, "Mothtown" is a gripping and thought-provoking read that lingers in the mind long after the final page.

I requested this one because it might be an upcoming title I would like to review on my Youtube Channel. However, after reading the first several chapters I have determined that this book does not suit my tastes. So I decided to DNF this one.

This was an okay read for me, I was really intrigued by the concept initially and I did end up enjoying the story. The writing style was really good and I really enjoyed the beginning, it set the atmosphere and tone right away and definitely made you want to continue reading.

The book got more boring the further you read, and especially the middle was just really slow. I don't think this was really a horror novel but more literary fiction, but more horror moments could have really made the story more interesting. I wish the vibes from the beginning would have been continued throughout the story, but that didn't really happen, unfortunately. It was still overall enjoyable though.

4 stars

I really fell in love with this book, as others have said it is quite genre bending. It’s full of loss and hope. And it is beautifully written. Though there aren’t many, the art pictures are beautiful and add a little something extra to the story.

David is 10 years old when his grandfather, who is his best friend, disappears and that will mark his whole existence with an obsessive search.
Mothtown manages to unite dystopia, fantasy and horror in a book that speaks of loss, transformation and hope. The illustrations that accompany the reading contribute to create the perfect unsettling atmosphere. It is not a usual story and not for all tastes but knowing this, it is worth reading.

This is a novel that defies genres but delivers a creepy mysterious story that is both hauntingly beautiful and horrifying at the same time.

David is our main protagonist and he is devastated by the loss of his grandfather, a university professor who studied alternate realities, black holes, and hidden doorways to other dimensions.

David believes his grandfather is still alive and is just missing. There's an epidemic of "missing" people in his world and he's convinced his grandpa actually found a door to another world. And, now, he wants to follow in his footsteps.

This book explores David's mindset and experiences as his life appears to unravel around him. Strange extremely disturbing events seem to happen which he can't explain and, perhaps, nobody else is aware of.

This author leads us down the path of a speculative/science fiction/horror hybrid of a narrative and she holds the secrets of what's really happening until the very end. And that revelation makes you realise that the things you thought throughout might not be reliable.

This is a fantastic novel about identity, mental health, and how society functions as seen through the eyes of someone who suffers with these mental health issues.

It's a wonderfully written book full of disturbing imagery and mystery. You'll want to keep reading to find out the truth and, once you do, you'll feel like you've been punched in the gut. In a good way of course.

I highly recommend this novel.

Readers looking for conventional fiction, look elsewhere. This is most unusual story that defies genres, combining fantasy, mystical realism and dystopian horror. Beautifully written with haunting illustrations