I was excited when I requested and received an advance reader copy of Eynhallow from NetGalley. I received a free digital copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

I studied Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in university and I love other gothic fiction authors like Charles Dickens, Edgar Allan Poe, and H.P. Lovecraft. When I read the synopsis for Eynhallow and saw that it was a revisitation of Frankenstein I wanted in!

The narrator, Agnes Tulloch, lives on the island of Eynhallow, which is a real place in Orkney, Scotland. The tiny village of Eynhallow is bleak, foggy, and windswept. The atmosphere is described so vividly that you can feel the dampness in your bones. The bright spots in Agnes’ life are her precious children and her one best friend, but aside from that, her life has been rough until now, and she hopes for an opportunity to change her circumstances. When the mysterious Victor Frankenstein arrives on the island, we wonder whether he will be a blessing or a curse for Agnes.

The main characters in Eynhallow are fully fleshed out. It is easy to get caught up in Agnes’ joys and fears for herself and the ones she loves. In the typical gothic novel style, the monstrous and grotesque elements of the story are described in just enough detail to allow one’s imagination to roam. The themes of ambition, isolation, and arrogance, that Frankenstein was famous for, are some of the main themes in this novel, too.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to gothic horror fans. I hope that you make yourself a strong hot toddy and read it on a dark and rainy night.

Even though we are warned in the prologue that the island has been abandoned and only allowed visitors once a year, we quickly forget this as we are caught up in the first person narrative of Agnes, the main character.
Eynhallow brings all the horror I would expect, but it was also full of suspense and family drama. It is interesting to read another perspective of the well-known Frankenstein story, but it is through empathy and sympathy with Agnes that the work really shines.
Horror and sadness fought for top billing in the last quarter of the novel as we continue to experience events through Agnes' eyes, and it is this that makes this a five-star read for me.

Agnes leads a very dreary life on an isolated Orkney island in the late 1700s. Married to a selfish and mean man, and raising their four children the best she can while living in abject poverty, her joys in life are far and few between.

One day, the island’s twenty inhabitants are shocked when a gentleman from the Continent comes to stay for the season on the tiny island. The mysterious man moves in to a decrepit cottage, and introduces himself as…..Victor Frankenstein.

I loved the atmosphere of this book. The isolation of being stuck on this island, surrounded by the rough sea. I also loved the character of Agnes, who was resilient, and did the best she could under the circumstances. It’s a very compelling and well-written novel.

Absolute shocking out-of-nowhere home run of a story, EYNHALLOW takes the lore of Frankenstein and his creature to new heights by tying them to an island with its own unique history. Set towards the end of the 18th century, EYNHALLOW is also the name of the island in Orkney where the story is set and, as rich as the world building and locale visuals McGregor introduces you to, very little will prepare you for the downhill rollercoaster the last third of the book roars you down.

Much of EYNHALLOW is historical fiction, but with a contemporary feel to it. Our protagonist, Agnes, is surrounded by folk that belong in the 1790s, yet she and her children have a very contemporary thinking and feel to them, enough that a reader can connect and even relate to as they navigate their relationships. The relationship between Agnes and Victor struggles with improbability as much as the question as to why the dice would not fall into place like this in the first place? The pages turn even faster as the obvious gives way to the real question as to what’s next for Agnes? Eynhallow, the book and the island, never let up. If there was one key takeaway, it’s that EYNHALLOW could have been 100 pages longer to spread the shock and awe of the later pages, and there would still be plenty of momentum for a real hit.

Tim McGregor has written a real good story here, one I recommend, and can see as a potential series. You cannot help but root for Agnes and her kids (her husband, Mr. Tulloch, well…), they have been written with such care. If you are a fan of Frankenstein’s monster, EYNHALLOW will be the first book on my lips to recommend as a follow up.

This was a solid novel. I was sucked in from page one and I did not leave disappointed. I'm weary with retellings, but this stood on its own while also respecting the source material. It's incredibly well written, without being too simplistic or pretentious. I definitely wouldn't mind picking up a physical copy of this and will be looking out for this author in the future.

This blew me away. What a great story. Fantastic writing and a plot that actually surprised me while reading. Unexpected but well done. The ending was a tough pill to swallow but I expected no less after reading the whole book. Honestly the writing was so good I just can’t stop thinking about it.

Thank you to Tim McGregor, Raw Dog Screaming Press, and NetGalley for the eARC of Eynhallow - a beautifully bleak reimagining of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

The lyrical prose of this novel made it an absolute joy to read, regardless of the horrors it was describing. I've never seen anything quite like it and don't know if I will again. Stunning and well deserving of 5⭐️ by anyone's standards.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Eynhallow.

I'm always up for horror and the premise of Eynhallow was intriguing so I was pleased my request was approved.

It's 1797 and Agnes Tulloch isn't living her best life. The Orkney Island is a desolate place filled with stark beauty and deep loneliness for a woman, wife, and mother of four.

She's not married to the love of her life and finds herself lost in daydreams especially when gazing at the sea as she struggles to provide for her children.

When a stranger comes to the island, Agnes and the locals are buzzing with excitement and gossip. Soon, Agnes is drawn to this peculiar, intelligent man who is hiding a dangerous secret.

But what will this relationship cost Agnes?

This is an atmospheric retelling of Frankenstein but with a twist, featuring the Bride. Kind of.

The writing is beautiful and sad, describing the islands in its natural beauty but also the painful isolation, the lack of friends and family as Agnes has always been an outsider, in her own family and now on this island.

She's not a local and she feels like it in more ways than one.

The author does a great job capturing the fear and terror of Agnes after her transformation, though I wished the author had elaborated more on the transition from human to creature.

I would have liked more exposition on Victor, further development of the relationship between Agnes and Victor, as it felt too fast, which I get since the novella is less than 200 pages.

This is my first book by the author but it won't be the last!

To start, I absolutely loved this novel. Devoured it. I didn’t realize it was a Frankenstein retelling because I had just seen the author and had to have it. I loved The Wasps in the Ice Cream. This author is now an auto buy for me,

The writing style is captivating. The storytelling keeps you wanting more. I would’ve read this in one night if I didn’t need sleep.

Loved!

I went into this blind, enchanted by the cover and trusting the author. I loved the writing, the plot, the characters, the setting, and, of course - the iconic creature and its creator. The mere name of "Frankenstein" gives me chills. And it was a nice surprise to find out afterwards that Eynhollow is a real place off the north coast of Scotland, with its own folklore. The writing is to be admired: it combines gritty realism with a claustrophobic atmosphere, to create a well-paced narrative with a very strong ending. Admittedly, not much happens: the story takes place in between Victor Frankenstein's exploits and does not really change much in the original novel. But McGregor shows a side of the story well worth exploring: heavy on emotion, grief and regret, it allows a glimpse into both Frankenstein and his "monster" otherwise unavailable. The real treat, however, is the female lead herself: her story is very simple, her life very familiar, but McGregor's stellar storytelling skills turns it into an absolutely immersive tale that pits science and motherhood against love and violence. Highly recommended!

Wow. This book was nothing short of amazing. I already know it will be in my top ten for the year.

Eynhallow follows Agnes Tulloch, a resident of the small and desolate island of Eynhallow. Agnes struggles to get through her days with her abusive husband and taking care of her four children. One day, a wealthy stranger arrives on the island and rents out one of the abandoned cottages on the island. This causes a stir among the four families that live there. Who is this man? When Agnes’s husband unwillingly volunteers Agnes to be his cook and washerwoman, Agnes eventually befriends the stranger, changing her life forever.

Every single character is beautifully created and has so much depth, especially Agnes. The novel being through her POV, you get to know her so intimately, feeling like you are looking through her eyes every step of the way.

It is so beautifully written, it feels like I’m reading classic literature. I think mostly because of the historical accuracy of the novel itself. The language matches how someone would talk during the 1790s, as well as how a woman would think and act based on the culture of that time period.

The setting is creepy, depressing, mysterious, dark, yet has a certain beauty to it. It enhances the entire plot, making the story all the more terrifying and heartbreaking.

I know one thing for sure; I’m a new fan of Tim McGregor and will be reading more of his work.

“How entitled is the man who can treat another soul like a tool to be employed and then discarded when it breaks?” -Agnes

What if you take a snapshot of a scene in a classic book and write a story around it? Keeping true to the original, yet expanding and not adulterating it. This is what Eynhallow has done with Frankenstein, and it is a blessing for those of us who can never get enough of this classic. Here we have a story on an intersecting timeline that picks up on Frankenstein's story from a different POV and presents a "what-if" scenario without altering the original.
All I will say on the plot is it follows Agnes and her family on the small island of Eynhallow when the stories collide. This presents a special experience for the reader, knowing what is happening from the original timeline while the characters are trying to figure it all out. We know what is happening but the characters are talking about possible ghosts, trolls, or ogres. Their ignorance adds an extra level of tension and excitement. You have the advantage over the folk of Eynhallow, they know not what lurks in their midst, but if you know Shelley's Modern Prometheus, then you are aware of the lengths the monster with go to make his creator a miserable wretch.
The story telling is just amazing in Eynhallow, with a bleak and desolate setting creating a somber mood throughout. Life and times are hard on a windy island in Northern Scotland in 1797, and being a woman means raising the kids, taking care of the house and the meals while having no say in how the household is run. It truly is a window into a difficult life. Incredible characters, with heartache, fortitude and fear on every page.

Is it necessary to have read Frankenstein in order to enjoy Eynhallow? Absolutely not, but it certainly will enhance the experience, but I strongly encourage you to read Frankenstein if you haven't anyway. Find out who the horrible monster really is.

💀🖤| REVIEW: EYNHALLOW BY TIM MCGREGOR

Historical/Gothic/Literary Horror

🧟‍♀️Hands up if you love a Frankenstein retelling 🙌
This book is every gothic lovers dream and has definitely reignited my love of gothic fiction. Set in the 1700s, in Eynhallow itself (an island in Scotland), this book follows the POV of Agnes our MC and her family. New to the island, they relocate there for a better lifestyle and work opportunity. Her husband doesn’t treat her that well and she finds herself often taking care of their four children while running the household. It’s a fairly quiet life as the island is not home to many residents, which is why the residents become curious when a new arrival makes his way to the island. Especially because he is a strange character with an unusual name… “Frankenstein”.

I can’t praise this book enough. The prose was stunning, the vibes were immaculate. I definitely felt like I was really on the island while reading this book. If you don’t know anything about this island, I would recommend reading the book first and then looking into the history of the island after.

This is a fairly short, steady paced read so if you are after your next gothic fix then look no further! Defintiely up there with one of my faves of the year so far 🖤

“Do I not know my own heart? Did I ever?”

I honestly don’t want to say too much to spoil anything, but Evynhallow was absolutely wonderful. McGregor not only succeeds at retelling such an iconic horror story, he excels at infusing it with new life and mystery. Heart-wrenching and emotional at times and you truly feel for Agnes. I devoured the story in one sitting and was left thinking about it for days afterward. 5 stars

This is an incredible addition to Frankenstein lore told from a female POV. It ticks many of my favorite boxes including:

-historical/gothic horror
-atmospheric writing
-desolate, claustrophobic small town
-strong female lead

I felt that I was truly whisked away to Eynhallow and all of its desolation. The plot twist was completely unexpected and heartbreaking and only took Anges’ character development to an entirely new level. Tim McGregor shows that you don’t have to drag a novel on for hundreds of pages to pack a punch. This book was everything!

Wow, I don't even know how to begin describing my thoughts about this book but I should start by saying I immediately want to read all of Tim McGregor's other books.

Knowing this was a Frankenstein retelling, I had a general inkling on where things were headed. They did indeed take the turn I expected but somehow it was all even more twisted, darker, and heartbreaking than I could have imagined. The story follows Agnes, a mother of 4 residing on Eynhallow (population 20). She's stuck in a loveless marriage with a sorry excuse of a husband, and her mundane uneventful life takes a turn for what initially appears to be excitement when a mysterious stranger, Frankenstein, shows up. Bringing the town's population to whopping 21, his arrival also brings a sense of unease and strange sightings to the residents of Eynhallow.

Agnes is tasked with bringing meals to Victor and the two start building a friendship that turns into...more. In ways you expect and in ways that will horrify you. The writing style in this book was fantastic, it was so easy to read, funny and witty, and still conveyed so many emotions. You really feel like you are Agnes as you read this. The setting was amazing. Gloomy, eerie, mysterious, and weirdly cozy.

I would maybe knock off half a star because there were a few instances of repetition (something would be explained, an observation would be made and then rehashed a few pages later as new knowledge). Rounding up to a 5 because I'm a sucker for a good Frankenstein retelling and this one nailed the horrors and twisted nature of the original!

Thank you to RDS Publishing and Netgalley for the eARC!

Eynhallow by Tim McGregor #ninthbookof2024 #arc

CW: death during childbirth, talk of previous baby loss, murder and death, body horror

Agnes lives a lonely life on an isolated island that holds her family and three others in 1797. It’s not the paradise she was promised by her older husband and she’s miserable. So when a stranger comes to the island for a temporary visit, she is conscripted to prepare his meals. As she gets to know the man, she finds herself drawn to him but nervous about his secret work. The man is Victor Frankenstein.

I cannot tell you more than that without ruining the book, but I devoured this novel. Agnes’ point of view is super appealing to me, and I would have read a book just about her life on the island, but once Victor appeared, it was off to the races. It becomes haunting and heartbreaking, and I want more like this. I’m also dying to talk to someone about it!

(I learned that Eynhallow is a real island off the coast of Scotland and it’s completely isolated except for one day per year when the Orkney Heritage Society organizes a trip to visit. Now I’m dying to go!)

It’s my favorite book so far this year. I absolutely loved it. If you enjoy the classic Frankenstein, I encourage you to go into this book blind. Some have called this a retelling, but I think it’s more of a side quest story.

Thank you to @netgalley and RDS Publishing @rdspress for the advance copy. (Pub date 2/22/24)

#frankensteinadjacent #eynhallow #frankenstein #fivestarread

After reading and loving Wasps in the Ice Cream last year, I jumped at the opportunity to read Tim McGregor's newest novel. Unfortunately this one fell flat for me. The overall tone was just dreary and miserable and I was ready for it to be over before I even hit the halfway mark. Better luck next time I suppose.

Something is amiss in Eynhallow. A monster lurks in the shadows at night. A strange visitor shows up to a desolate town. Who is he? Explorer? Nobleman? Mad Scientist?

Agnes is strong, she is a matriarch holding her family together. She will do anything to provide for her children, including stay married to a man she wouldn't have chosen to love. Tired of the mundane, a mysterious stranger peeks her interest. Almost free from her boring, labored life, Agnes runs into trouble. Something dark is lurking in her town, Eynhallow, and Agnes can't help but wonder if the mysterious stranger is tied to recent events.

I absolutely devoured this book! Tim McGregor's has a way of putting you directly into the story. I could feel everything Agnes experienced. I love when an author creates a world that feels real, filled with dynamic characters and real world problems amongst fantastical elements. It's hard to find Creature Feature books that give you genuine terror, Eynhallow delivered. A modern day Frankenstein.

Eynhallow might just be one of the best retellings I have ever read. The writing consumes you, brings the characters to life. The atmosphere is immaculate and it's impossible to find a fault within the story. A perfect example of a true gothic fiction book.