Mini-Review! - The Wooden Heart by Daniel Abrahams

Title: The Wooden Heart

Author: Daniel Abrahams

Genre: short story/novella, contemporary, horror*, fantasy* (*ish) 

Amazon: UK - USA

Verdict:

I received a free review copy of this book via The Review Chain. This does not affect my dedication to providing a fair and honest review (as always!)

The Review Chain is an awesome group, run by the lovely Olivia from Olivia's Catastrophe, which connects reviewers with authors.

The premise here is simple: dude keeps finding pieces of wood under his skin. (I know, right?)

Oddly enough, he'd like to fix that. It's the sort of medical problem you can't really ignore.

OK... this book... welp, it's weird. (FYI, from me, that's a good thing.)

There's also some definite potential from this author - dude has something. He's got a way with words, and a penchant for very strong imagery.

I especially liked the gothic-y tint to the imagery (you know I like me some gothic-y-ness!) which was done quite well.

Unfortunately, Abrahams' execution needs work. (No, not the capital punishment type of execution - the doing stuff one.)

I know it's hard for indie authors to get, or pay for, editors sometimes, but this book could've done with one.

This is not least because of the large amount of typos and errors (honestly, I wouldn't mention it, but this was like fanfiction levels of errors, which you don't expect from published works.)

There was also more than one section which was just... unnecessary? Clumsy? Both? I don't know, I can't quite put my finger on it.

Our main character, Dale, was an a**hat. 

(The fact that he rated women on how doable they are just added to my dislike. #He'sAButtFace.)

Also, the author used sp*st*c*ted as a description.

And no. Just no. That's hugely ableist, and this is a British author, so he can't fall back on the 'it's less offensive in America,' sh**.

Sort out your act, dude.

Much swearing all around, and a few things to watch out for distressing-content-wise: 
- drinking/being drunk
- gore
- injury
- self-harm (horror/fantasy-like, but VERY strong/disturbing imagery)
- death (with a potential interpretation of suicide)

Overall, it was an interesting read.

It could definitely do with some improvement, but the author clearly has some talent, and is one to watch.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads

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