The Girl from the Well
"[A] Stephen Kinglike horror story...A chilling, bloody ghost story that resonates."-- Kirkus
From the highly acclaimed author of the Bone Witch trilogy comes a chilling story of a Japanese ghost looking for vengeance and the boy who has no choice but to trust her, lauded as a "a fantastically creepy story sure to keep readers up at night" (RT Book Reviews)
I am where dead children go.
Okiku is a lonely soul. She has wandered the world for centuries, freeing the spirits of the murdered-dead. Once a victim herself, she now takes the lives of killers with the vengeance they're due. But releasing innocent ghosts from their ethereal tethers does not bring Okiku peace. Still she drifts on.
Such is her existence, until she meets Tark. Evil writhes beneath the moody teen's skin, trapped by a series of intricate tattoos. While his neighbors fear him, Okiku knows the boy is not a monster. Tark needs to be freed from the malevolence that clings to him. There's just one problem: if the demon dies, so does its host.
Suspenseful and creepy, The Girl from the Well is perfect for readers looking for
- Spooky books for young adults
- Japanese horror novels
- Ghost stories for teens
- East Asian folklore
Praise for The Girl from the Well
"There's a superior creep factor that is pervasive in every lyrical word of Chupeco's debut, and it's perfect for teens who enjoy traditional horror movies...the story is solidly scary and well worth the read." -- Booklist
"Chupeco makes a powerful debut with this unsettling ghost story...told in a marvelously disjointed fashion from Okiku's numbers-obsessed point of view, this story unfolds with creepy imagery and an intimate appreciation for Japanese horror, myth, and legend." -- Publishers Weekly STARRED review
"It hit all the right horror notes with me, and I absolutely recommend it to fans looking for a good scare. " -- The Book Smugglers
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Community Reviews
Confession: I don't like horror movies. There was one I saw about 8 years ago that freaked me out enough to ward off the whole genre. Books however, are slightly different. There aren't many that I have read, and few less that STUCK and freaked me out. THE GIRL FROM THE WELL is one of those books.
The Girl From the Well is based on a Japanese Ghost story - the famous Okiku. There are many versions from what I understand, all very intriguing. In the book, she is a vengeful ghost that kills those who have murdered children. And she is ruthless. I loved it.
The story doesn't just follow Okiku, but Tark and his cousin Callie as well. There is something dark haunting Tark, and for reasons unknown to Okiku, she is drawn to him and this darkness. This is where things get really interesting. With exorcisms, demons and the like. I don't want to spoil TOO much, so vague. :)
The writing has its strong suits and some.. not. Normally, when a narrative voice changes without a chapter break, it bothers me. However, I do think that it worked out well enough in The Girl From the Well. It's primarily from Okiku's POV, but it will switch from third person narrative to get a broader outlook on what's going on. If this can be overlooked, the book will have a much larger impact on the reader. It did for me, anyway.
The good stuff. Rin has a knack for writing ruthless, creepy characters. It's dark and gory. Which is what I loved about it. Liked I mentioned above, Okiku is ruthless, and you really get to see HOW ruthless she is, because Rin does NOT hold back. I read a few scenes out loud to my husband and oldest son, and they were both O_O. There was also the mythology and lore of the Japanese culture that I loved.
Since I am sure a huge character driven person, I was hoping for more from the other characters. Yet, I feel as if the story wasn't necessarily about them, as it was what was happening to them. Make sense?
My Peeve -
It's not really a peeve, but the writing took a little bit to get used to.
Overall -
I loved it! Such a disturbing, creepy book. If you love horror, or want to read a well written (and CREEPY) ghost story - I HIGHLY recommend it!
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