Stolen Tongues

Let me preface my review by saying that it has been a long time since I've not only read a full novel, but devoured it in 3 days, staying up late and waking up early to do so. I used to be an avid reader but with adulthood comes responsibilities, and there is often little time to get invested in a book. In addition, I am very critical and particular with what I read, and a lot of the books today are boring, they don't hook you immediately, or they drag on without purpose or payoff. So this brings me to my point - THIS BOOK HOOKED ME! The entire 300+ pages, I was fully invested the whole time and could not wait to find out more. It was like a really good horror mystery, trying to figure out the clues and what it all meant. So very good - I cannot express how much I loved this book and how good it felt to be hooked by a story again. The author's writing style is simple but beautiful - easy to follow but artfully crafted. A lot of his phrases are highlight-worthy and quotable. The characters were very relatable. In fact, a story he told about himself in the book was a direct experience I had myself, and his quote about how he categorized people into two groups - those who value politeness over honesty and those who do the opposite - rang very true to me as well. And the scare factor was real - I legitimately was frightened and put on unease during this entire read. I got scared at night after reading it, I couldn't look outside my sliding glass door into the darkness without wondering if something was there...looking back.If you want a solid story that keeps you interested and delivers on the scares and some gore, then please read this book!**Now for some potential spoilers (not really, but kind of)...****This book is definitely for fans of Reddit/nosleep and CreepyPasta. The author even says in his bio that he "came from the bowels of reddit". He was also featured on the No Sleep Podcast, so I'm assuming he has been part of that scary story community for awhile. This story specifically reminds me of "Anansi's Goat Man" featured on CreepyPasta - possibly my favorite scary short story. Once you read both, you'll see why. It also reminds me of The Blair Witch Project and a little bit of The Conjuring (both amazing horror movies), in the whole way that they unearth clues about the incident. It follows a lot of the horror tropes but in a fresh way that I think many like myself find intriguing.As a history major, he really does his research on the subject of Native cultures without belaboring with too many extraneous details. He pays respect to the culture, and I appreciated the way he handled the topic. I'm really interested in this topic as well, so it was nice to see it explored tastefully.The ending had a good payoff and was well done. A lot of the time, the ending of a horror story is the worst and the build up falls short, but this was not the case in this book.Overall, a must-read!

When I started this book, I made a critical mistake: I was in bed, lights out, ready to relax. Big mistake. If you’re planning to read this, do yourself a favor—don’t start it in a dark room.The prologue alone was enough to give me chills. The narrator’s imitation of Carrot the parrot was unnervingly realistic, and the sheer terror Felix felt in those moments was palpable. It immediately set the tone for the kind of psychological and supernatural horror I was about to dive into.<b>What I loved about this book:</b>* The pacing was brilliant. The way the horror escalated from one level to the next kept me hooked. Just when I thought I’d seen the scariest thing, the story would throw something even more unnerving at me.* The scenes at the cabin, especially Faye’s sleepwalking and the bizarre things she would say, were the epitome of creepiness. Her actions blurred the lines between reality and the supernatural, making the reader question what was really happening.* The atmosphere was top-notch—isolated, eerie, and full of tension. It felt like the setting itself was alive, working against the characters.<b>What didn’t work as well for me:</b>* Toward the end, I found the pattern a bit repetitive. Faye’s sleepwalking became overemphasized, and I kept waiting for something monumental to happen. While it built tension, it started to feel drawn out, leaving me anxious for a resolution that didn’t completely satisfy me.* The ending left me torn. I wanted something more conclusive—whether it was a final confrontation, a revelation, or a twist that tied things together more neatly. Instead, it felt a bit open-ended and left me craving more closure.<b>Final Thoughts:</b>Despite my mixed feelings about the ending, this book was a phenomenal read and a much-needed jolt to pull me out of my reading slump. The vivid descriptions, unnerving atmosphere, and constant tension made it impossible to put down. If you’re a fan of psychological horror with a supernatural twist, this book is worth every moment of dread it brings.

The beginning had me hooked, so much that I was even scared to read it at night alone. Then it went stagnant, then forced and then ended with so many questions for me. I still don’t understand what the ending was about, how it came to that, and I’m honestly disappointed that it ended with that kind of ending when there are so many holes and questions left unanswered.It’s hard to explain w/o giving away anything and spoiling it. But, for the beginning the book is captivating, has your heart racing, and wanting you to turn the lights and not sleep. But then the ending felt forced, rushed, and had me questioning the whole story. Overall, I’m still torn on what to rate it.

Felix and Faye struggle with dealing with fayes sleep disorder which causes her to walk and talk in her sleep. They go on an engagement getaway to her parents mountain cabin and strange scary things start to happen. Faye keeps talking to somebody outside. Soon enough Felix starts hearing voices in the woods and they find mysterious dream catchers made of possible human bones. When they leave the cabin abruptly and return home to California they learn that the forces that scared them in the mountains have followed them home. Native American folklore is intertwined in this story. It was a very good, creepy read.

What a creepy ready I was hooked right away and couldn’t put it down. I wish I could read it again for the first time. Amazing book

If youve ever wondered "how can people even be scared by reading a BOOK", then this one is for you. As an avid horror reader, I thought nothing of it at first, just something to keep my mind occupied. But after a few pages, I was hooked, and only stopped reading to eat and sleep.

This was a powerful work of art, piece of story telling. This was my first experience of Felix Blackwell and I would definitely try another novel from them.The characters were strong and interesting, with great depth. The settings were descriptive, making it so you felt you were right there with them.The theme of the book was different and super interesting. The under currents of grief, fears and relationships (love) were extremely powerful and just added strength to the tale.Please read this.

It is a spine-chilling journey into the depths of horror that left me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The book is a masterclass in the art of suspense, delivering an experience that lingers long after the final page. From the very first chapters, Blackwell sets an ominous tone that permeates the entire narrative. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter building upon the last, creating a relentless sense of dread. The author skillfully uses suspense and unexpected twists to keep the reader guessing, all while maintaining an underlying sense of unease.The horror elements in "Solen Tounger" are not simply about jump scares; they are psychological, atmospheric, and deeply unsettling. Blackwell taps into the darkest corners of the human psyche, creating an experience that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of the horror genre.I found myself captivated by the intricate web of terror that Blackwell weaves, and the book's ability to elicit genuine fear is a testament to the author's skill. "Solen Tounger" is not just a horror novel; it's a harrowing exploration of fear itself, making it a must-read for those who appreciate the genre.

Entregue em bom estado, sem qualquer estrago.Ainda não li, mas pelas recomendações, dizem ser muito bom.