It Rides a Pale Horse

"The Larkin siblings are known around the small town of Wofford Falls. Both are artists, but Peter Larkin, Lark to his friends, is the hometown hero. The one who went to the big city and got famous, then came back and settled down. He’s the kind of guy who becomes fast friends with almost anyone. His sister Betsy on the other hand is more… eccentric. She keeps to herself. When Lark goes to deliver one of his latest pieces to a fabulously rich buyer, it seems like a regular transaction. Even being met at the gate of the sprawling, secluded estate by an intimidating security guard seems normal. Until the guard plays him a live feed: Betsy being abducted in real time. Lark is informed that she’s safe for now, but her well‑being is show more entirely in his hands. He's given a book. Do what the book says, and Betsy will go free. It seems simple enough. But as Lark begins to read he realizes: the book might be demonic. Its writer may be unhinged. His sister's captors are almost certainly not what they seem. And his town and those within it are... changing.
This story is all over the place, but it does all tie together very well with for our characters of Peter Larkin..."Lark", and his sister, Betsy. We have to include their hometown of Wofford Falls as it's almost another "character" by itself. The story has a lot of different twists and turns, some that are shocking and dramatic, and others more stretched out in a very slow-burn manner.

The story is mostly told from Larkin's view, but we also get occasional points littered throughout, featuring a surprising and somewhat mysterious character. This author seems to have a "way with words" and can paint incredibly vivid and captivating images. Everything from the awe-inspiring to the really grotesque and disconcerting. Goose-bump material at its best.

I actually really enjoy horror novels that are slow-paced and take their time with things, but there were a few times where I just wanted this to move on a little faster. That being said, I really did appreciate the slower pace. Things also sometimes became really, really weird...or "weirder", and there were moments where I felt like I had maybe missed something important. Other than those little things, I really did enjoy reading this. Overall, I loved this authors style of writing and will certainly look for more of his offerings.

If you choose to read It Rides a Pale Horse, be prepared to be slowly led to the gradual deterioration of both the characters and the town...but I can promise you that it will be well worth the ride. This one has more than earned a 5-star rating. show less

One of the most original horror novels I’ve read, It Rides A Pale Horse delivers the goods and more.

Lark is an artist living in upstate NY with his sister Betsy, a painter with strange artistic talents. As Lark is delivering his new sculpture to an unknown buyer, he’s shown a video of his sister being kidnapped. Lark is informed that, in order to save his sister’s life, he must crate a sculpture in three phases based on an 18th century psalter. As he progresses unwillingly with this piece, strange things begin to occur in his town, and the events form the core of the book, leading to an unexpected conclusion.

Well plotted and paced, with characters that are alive and that I cared for, It Rides A Pale Horse is unique, well written show more and an incredible addition to horror literature.

My thanks to Redhook and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this fabulous book. show less

One of the most original horror novels I’ve read, It Rides A Pale Horse delivers the goods and more.

Lark is an artist living in upstate NY with his sister Betsy, a painter with strange artistic talents. As Lark is delivering his new sculpture to an unknown buyer, he’s shown a video of his sister being kidnapped. Lark is informed that, in order to save his sister’s life, he must crate a sculpture in three phases based on an 18th century psalter. As he progresses unwillingly with this piece, strange things begin to occur in his town, and the events form the core of the book, leading to an unexpected conclusion.

Well plotted and paced, with characters that are alive and that I cared for, It Rides A Pale Horse is unique, well written show more and an incredible addition to horror literature.

My thanks to Redhook and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this fabulous book. show less

Solid concepts for folk and cosmic horror, with a great integration of upstate NY culture and rural ruin. Original and colorful! I genuinely liked the main characters. It introduced me to new artists that I could have happily gone my whole life not knowing about.

There was way too much exposition dialog between characters. We know the main character's thoughts. They don't have to express them to someone else. The pages of oration between Asha and Lark fell flat because they were simply conveying information that both characters most likely already had, and, frankly, the audience didn't need most of it.

The end was abrupt.

DNF at 48%, this book just didn't pull me in.

YAY! Goodreads Giveway Win! Thank you!!
I plan to read this during my all Horror October! I am so excited!

Fiction, Horror, Read