In "The Broken Places," readers are plunged into a chilling tale of survival and supernatural terror reminiscent of "The Ritual" and Dan Simmons' "The Terror." When Ryne Burdette inherits his family's old hunting cabin in the Yukon wilderness, he reluctantly agrees to a weekend trip with his best friends as a chance to heal from a tragic year. However, as they venture into the deep woods, they encounter strange phenomena and unsettling whispers that suggest something sinister lurking in the shadows. As a winter storm intensifies and the wilderness becomes increasingly hostile, the friends must confront the dark secrets of the Burdette family lineage to survive. With atmospheric prose and heart-pounding suspense, "The Broken Places" delivers a spine-tingling experience that will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Prepare to be gripped by fear as you journey into the depths of the Yukon wilderness, where the true horrors lie hidden among the trees.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it!

Blaine Daigle's "The Broken Places" is a gripping and atmospheric tale that merges elements of horror, mystery, and the supernatural, creating a narrative that holds echoes of both "The Ritual" and Dan Simmons' "The Terror." The story follows Ryne Burdette as he reluctantly inherits his family's old hunting cabin in the unforgiving Yukon wilderness, setting the stage for an eerie and unsettling journey into the unknown.

The novel excels in building a sense of foreboding from the very beginning, using the remote Yukon setting to create an atmosphere that is both isolating and haunting. Daigle's descriptive prose vividly portrays the harsh wilderness, making it a character in itself and heightening the tension as the characters delve into the mysteries that lurk in the shadows.

The characters, particularly Ryne and his best friends, are well-drawn, and their camaraderie adds depth to the narrative. As the winter storm closes in, and the natural order of the wilderness unravels, the author skillfully builds a sense of unease that steadily intensifies. The soft voices whispering through the trees and the strange behavior of the animals contribute to the overall atmospheric dread.

The incorporation of the Burdette family lineage and the dark secrets hidden in the shadows adds a layer of depth to the story. The narrative weaves through layers of horror, exploring the fine line between reality and the supernatural. The exploration of familial ties and the burden of ancestral history gives the horror elements a more profound resonance.

The pacing of the novel is well-structured, with the tension steadily escalating as the storm worsens and the friends find themselves entangled in the macabre truths of the Burdette lineage. The blend of psychological horror and supernatural elements keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

While the story successfully builds a chilling and immersive atmosphere, some readers may find the resolution to be ambiguous, leaving certain questions unanswered. Additionally, the novel's intensity may be unsettling for those sensitive to horror themes.

In conclusion, "The Broken Places" is a compelling and chilling expedition into darkness. Blaine Daigle crafts a narrative that skillfully blends horror, mystery, and supernatural elements, creating an atmospheric and gripping tale that will leave readers haunted by the shadows of the Yukon wilderness. If you enjoy stories that delve into the darker realms of the human psyche and the mysteries of the natural world, this novel offers a thrilling and unsettling journey into the unknown.

Creepy moments. Somewhat entertaining. Felt difficult to connect to the characters. The pacing that information is revealed in the beginning felt clumsy.

A really great read with thrilling twists and turns. I never knew what to expect and it kept me Interested until the very end.

This is one of the creepiest books I’ve ever read. The dread built from the first page and didn’t let up until the ending.

The Broken Place took me a while to get into, but had a very compelling setting in the dark and snowy Yukon in a deep and isolated wood. This trio of friends working through grief and supporting each other have no idea what world they just stepped into when they went for a weekend at Ryne old family cabin.

With the feels of The Ritual, this has some folklore tied in. Strange things start happening on route to the cabin. And when it finally got its maw into you, it dragged you into the darkest places of the Burdette cabin.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Definitely a great horror read! Repetitive at times but was a really good book.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.

I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it!

I enjoyed this book. It’s funny how it was able to stick with me. I started reading this book Back in March, got away from reading for quite some time yet I still had this book with me when I picked it back up to finish it.

Interesting ideas, chilling descriptions at times, but overall bogged down with repetitive description of the landscape and repetitive rehashing of the same information about the characters.

How many times were we told they were surrounded by spruce? That the snow kept falling? The grain scenario was done to death! It felt like it was trying too hard.

This is a shame because the overall concept is interesting. The horrific details should have hit home hard, but they didn’t quite land.

I wasn’t ever scared or creeped out by this book, I really wanted to be. I would most likely pick up another book by this author. I won’t rush though.

Worth having a look if you enjoy horror.

*Note: I was provided an electronic copy of this book via Netgalley*

Blaine Daigle's "The Broken Places" is an exquisitely written and deeply moving novel that delves into the intricacies of human relationships, loss, and the process of healing. Daigle's storytelling prowess shines as he guides readers through a poignant exploration of characters grappling with their own inner turmoil and the broken pieces of their lives.

The novel introduces us to the protagonist, Emma, a woman who has experienced significant loss and heartbreak. Still reeling from the death of her husband, she finds herself at a crossroads, seeking solace in the midst of her shattered world. When she stumbles upon a mysterious journal that once belonged to her late husband, she embarks on a soul-searching journey to discover the truths and secrets concealed within its pages.

Blaine Daigle's writing is a testament to his talent for crafting beautiful, evocative prose. His words have a poetic quality that immerses readers in the emotional landscapes of the characters, making it easy to connect with their joys and sorrows. The narrative is a poignant tapestry woven with the delicate threads of love, grief, and the resilience of the human spirit.

The characters in "The Broken Places" are authentic and multifaceted. Emma's grief is portrayed with such raw honesty that it is impossible not to feel her pain. The supporting characters, from her friends to those she meets along her journey, all add depth to the story and provide various perspectives on coping with loss and finding hope.

The structure of the novel, which alternates between the present and the past through the journal entries, is a brilliant narrative choice. It allows readers to understand the complexities of Emma's relationships and her late husband's experiences, making the story more engaging and emotionally resonant.

While the novel primarily focuses on themes of grief and healing, it also explores the power of forgiveness and the ways in which we can find strength in our most vulnerable moments. Daigle's ability to convey these themes with sensitivity and insight is one of the novel's strongest aspects.

"The Broken Places" is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged read that will resonate with anyone who has faced loss and struggled with the process of healing. Blaine Daigle's exceptional storytelling and beautifully crafted characters make this novel a genuine masterpiece. It's a testament to the human capacity for resilience and the enduring power of love and forgiveness. "The Broken Places" is a must-read for those seeking a profoundly moving and ultimately hopeful literary experience.

A solid horror tale. There were a few times I felt there was a little too much repetition happening. Yes, give me what is important to know, maybe remind me if it doesn't come up for a while in the story, but the third, fourth, fifth times its mentioned feel a little much. This story certainly is haunting and lays a great basis for the author to continue to grow!

Pretty good horror read. I was definitely invested in reading from the start. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the chance to review.

It has potential and is worth the read!

This new addition to the horror shelf delivers on atmosphere and creepiness. Definitely at the top of the list is the wonderful and intense setting of the Northern Yukon, Canada. An incredible storm, cabin in the forest and three friends who will experience the slow burn suffering that unfolds.

It is certainly worth reading and while there was a certain level of repetitiveness that could have been avoided, I am looking forward to reading what Blaine Daigle writes next.

I really enjoyed this horror novel by Blaine Daigle. Set in the Yukon winter, three best friends embark on a camping trip none of them could have imagined. They are all forced to face some painful truths about their pasts, and learn some truths that were hidden from them. The story had a Stephen King vibe to me with the unknown menace in the woods, and the religious tones. I want to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me an e-copy of this book, in return for an honest review.

Starting this book, I really enjoyed the first chapter but quickly realized that the chapters seemed extremely long while reading on Kindle, maybe that was me not being fully engaged? The story was good, but the tensity seemed the same throughout until the end. My favorite things about the whole book were the references to the PNW, Kalispell, Yukon, etc. That's what kept me reading. Some of the subplots/twists of the story seemed out of place or lacked the tone it was supposed to have.

I would give this a 2.5
It had an interesting concept but the execution just wasn't for me. I found the character work to be weak, with the characters all seeming very similar and also feeling quite stock. There was no real development or change in them. I think the book lost steam, it dragged on too long and took too long to get to the bulk of the scares and the background.

Actual rating of 4.5

When Rynn inherits his family's cabin up in the remote wilderness of the Yukon, he could think of nothing worse. The cabin is fraught with memories of strange happenings and of the tension between his uncle and Father that only grew worse as Rynn got older. But after a year of hell, Rynn decides to take his two best friends up to the cabin for the weekend in order to take a break and hopefully begin anew. However, there's something strange in the woods, and a winter storm moving in threatens to cut the men off from the small pocket of civilisation nearby. When the storm hits and the animals begin to act weird, the three friends soon realise that there is darkness here, and the answer to how to survive it lies deep within the Burdette family line. Will delving into his family history help Rynn, or will it send him spiralling down into the deep tunnel of darkness that's been threatening to swallow him whole all along?

TW: (view spoiler)

I'd had this one sitting on my kindle for AGES, and I've decided that I really need to whittle down my eARCs. I'm doing ARCtober in order to help me do this, though this one I actually finished in September. I'm all about those spooky reads and recs all year round! I loved the sound of this one, I'm a sucker for a 'friends-in-the-woods-cabin-creepy-forest-ancient-evil' vibe, and this one had that in spades.

We meet Rynn and his buddies when they're on their way up to the cabin that Rynn has inherited from his uncle. Rynn's had a rough go the last 12 months, and so have his two friends, so taking a getaway to the remote cabin in order to take time out from life and try to regroup and begin anew is the aim of the game. At least, it is for the two friends, Rynn has other plans. Rynn knew that the cabin was super remote as he'd been coming to it since he was young, but they weren't counting on the storm on the horizon being as brutal as it would turn out to be. I felt that Daigle did a fantastic job of really setting the atmosphere in this story. From the minute the guys stop in the town on their way up to the cabin, you can feel how isolated they are, both in location, as well as personally. While the townsfolk do recognise Rynn, they don't know the friends, and you can feel the segregation between townsfolk and "tourists" from the get-go. Daigle built the atmosphere up slowly until I could feel how palpable the isolation was, it didn't stop at the town, it just kept going, especially with the incoming storm getting worse. This story held a huge feeling of bleakness, desperation and darkness that slowly trickled in as the story progressed until it felt like I was drowning under a river that I didn't even know was there. I could feel the desperation of all three men as the story progressed, desperation of beating the demons they all battled with, and desperation that was brought about by their current declining situation.

I really sympathised with the characters. We are given a run-down of the events that lead them to be where they are now, and what created the depression and demons that they each battle with. All had faced different circumstances which ultimately lead them to the junction that they now stood at. The darkness that surrounds the cabin was tied to one of my favourite types of horror which is an ancient being that holds sway over those that worship it. This story gave me mad The Ritual (Adam Nevill) vibes and I was here for it. I had worked out fairly early on the general gist of the being in the woods...of the woods? But I didn't quite pick the reason behind the animals behaving strangely until the story had progressed a bit further and certain things came to light. As the reveals were slowly dropped, so too did my stomach. The story turned out a lot darker and bleaker in certain ways than I had anticipated. Nothing so dark that I couldn't stomach it, but certain aspects did make the story become darker and darker as it went on.

I did find that at times the pacing dropped a little and some parts became a tiny bit repetitive, but I feel like this was done deliberately in order to allow for the story to slow down and the atmosphere to build a little bit more. I've learned to not give up hope and immediately drop a book just because the pacing slows down, that happened after I'd finally finished No One Gets Out Alive (Adam Nevill). I put that book down because it was so freaking slow, but once I finished it, I was so mad that I had put it on the back burner for so long. I try to see the purpose behind a pacing drop now instead of just writing it off as the author stumbling a little. Which, to be honest, would be totally understandable as I believe this is actually Daigle's debut novel. But I digress, Daigle didn't stumble at all, and this was a fantastic story, so much so, that I was surprised to find out this was a debut! By the last page, I felt like I'd been slowly consumed by that unknown river mentioned earlier, but the bleakness didn't leave. Daigle did a magical job of dangling hope in front of the characters as well as the reader, but kept it just out of reach so you could still see that shining beacon that promised the storm would end, and the sun would rise again, but he dangled it off a stick that was tied to your head, so no matter how fast you ran, you felt like you just could not quite reach it. That last chapter (epilogue?) was a shining example of this, and while I'm a huge fan of leaving what happened next up to the reader's own imagination and interpretation, I still wanted him to TELL me what happened. I feel like we got a kind of closure, but not quite a closure. I'm still thinking about it now and I finished it like a month ago.

All in all, this was an absolutely fantastic debut novel, and I cannot wait to see what Daigle does next. His skill at building atmosphere is phenomenal and he writes deep, complex characters that could be as real as you or I. I actually have his next book on my kindle, so I'm going to try and move that up the list as fast as I can. I feel that Daigle is certainly an author to watch and has a unique voice in a saturated genre. I am keen to keep following him down this rabbit hole of horror.

"An Eerie Cabin Getaway with a Few Twists"

A cold and desolate cabin serves as the backdrop for this story, where a group of lifelong friends, now navigating the complexities of adulthood, reunite for one last week together. The bonds of their long-standing friendship are explored, alongside the recent struggles that have cast a shadow over their lives.

The narrative's early moments successfully set a spine-tingling tone, particularly when a deer captures their attention with an eerie stare, sending shivers down your spine. However, as the story unfolds, it occasionally becomes entangled in repetitive details. At times, distinguishing between the characters becomes a challenge, as their voices blur into a homogeneous blend, and I often found myself needing to remind myself of each one's unique history.

Nevertheless, the book excels in maintaining an atmosphere of suspense, skillfully conveying the cabin's chilling aura and the omnipresent cold. The conclusion, while not entirely surprising, delivers a satisfying ending that aligns with the story's eerie ambiance. This was an undeniably exhilarating ride, featuring moments that sent shivers down my spine. The conclusion was devastating in the best possible way, leaving a lasting impact. I was drawn to this book due to the evocative cover and intriguing description, and it unquestionably delivered. The story brims with terrifying scenes and a pervasive sense of dread that is executed with finesse. While I had some inklings about the story's direction, it still managed to astonish me at various points. I would strongly recommend this book to fans of folk horror.

Nonetheless, I did encounter some issues, primarily concerning the characters and the writing style. The frequent shifts in point of view and the author's inclination to tell rather than show were aspects that could have been handled more adeptly. Many passages felt repetitive, providing excessive information about the characters' thoughts, opinions, and afflictions. However, considering this is a debut novel, I'm inclined to be more forgiving, especially since the plot itself was so engaging. I'll be eagerly anticipating the author's future releases, as I'm confident that they will continue to evolve and captivate their audience.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to both the author and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC through Netgalley.