DNF. I rarely leave a book unfinished, and I regret I could not get into this book even though it won the Shirley Jackson literary award and the August Derleth award for Best Horror Novel when it was first published in 2018. It will be published in North America on October 11, 2022. I loved the Last House on Needless Street (5 Stars) but was disappointed in The Sundial (2 Stars), although I finished it. This is my 3rd book by Catriona Ward and confirms my suspicion that her books are not for me. I regret not finishing it, as the majority rated this book highly. It is described as a Gothic Horror which is a category that appeals to me, but I had no connection with the characters or the writing style. Conversations seemed opaque and hazy, and I wasn't feeling a sense of horror or suspense.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the opportunity to read an advance copy, and sorry for giving up.

Little Eve by Catriona Ward is uniquely creative. She has done the damn thing again!
Surprising me with this unforgettable story.
In this one, I feel like Ward's writing is on a whole new level! I was impressed.
It’s unputdownable. This novel is intensely-gripping.
Such an awesome read! I was anxious and on the edge of my seat for the majority of this novel.
Every single page was gripping, atmospheric and suspenseful.
This was one of the most binge-worthy, unputdownable books I’ve read in a while!
Catriona Ward is at the TOP of Her Game!

Exciting - Shocking - Unbelievably Clever! Read it - you won't be sorry

I can't wait to read Looking Glass Sound!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Tor Nightfire,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

A deep dark gothic tale perfect for the season of haunts. It begins with the discovery of murders on an island with a single surviving victim and the killer has gone. Each victim lacks an eye which the killer appropriated for religious power. After the discovery, the reader learns what came before, a religious cult dominated by a delusional man who convinces the females in his orbit to aspire to acquire his delusions as fact. Each word is measured until you feel the fog, the chill of the island and its inhabitants and the pull and frustration of the leader’s manipulative control of their environment and their beliefs.

3.75 stars- Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a free copy of this eARC. Although I am not usually drawn to gothic settings, the strange and gory cult-like mystery at the center of this story took hold of me. I really liked the detail with the honey that was revealed in the second halls of the book (no spoilers). And of course the twists in the middle and end of the book that recontextualized things. One thing I would wish to have more detail on was John’s motivations and intentions for his “family“. Although I love Catriona award, this would probably be my least favorite of her three books that I’ve read, just due to personal preferences.

On an isolated island off the English coast a small group of people are living an unusual life that culminates in an unspeakable crime. Little Eve and her "sisters" were gleaned from orphanages and now live with the Adder following his cultist lifestyle. It is all Eve has ever known but as she grows older and ventures off the island more she begins to question their choices. After an unusually strong storm a local butcher discovers five mutilated bodies inside a stone circle and there is no sign of Little Eve. Part historical fiction blended with gothic horror and crime thriller this novel is disturbing and engrossing. The author's character development is strong and the isolated, haunting atmosphere is chilling. Trigger warning the prose is graphic and explicit with details of child abuse and neglect as well as sexual immoral depravity. The novel is related across different timelines and from multiple points of view as we visit the characters impacted by the events.. Ms Ward's entry onto the horror novel arena has resulted in many well deserved awards. A must read for fans of dark gotthic horror.

Book Review

Little Eve by Catriona Ward
@CatWard66
Pub date: October 11, 2022

“𝘞𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘮𝘺 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯. 𝘐𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦. “

What a darkly strange story this is and I loved every gothic eerie second! I’d expect no less of Cat Ward!

Set off the coast of Scotland, in a village with a strange castle lives a very strange ‘family’, if you will …. The two most important characters are the narrators, Eve and Dinah, and their dynamic amidst this cult like group.

They are children who’ve been taken in by a man called Uncle along with two women; their practices are occult-like; preparing for the end-times. Isolated in the decrepit castle of Altnaharra, they have very little contact with the village outside of orders left at the gates. This is an important fact because all the children know is learned by this cult like setting being controlled by Uncle. This isolation can cause rifts and insecurity but it can also be the bond in the closest of friendships.

When the local butcher makes a delivery for Hogmanay and comes across a horrific discovery, the story starts in earnest – telling the story of what has come to pass and then, travelling a bit further into the future. Set in the early 20th century during WWI, this is rich with history and descriptive prose of the remote Scottish coastline that is captivating on its own but add in a cult like story with gruesome murders at its heart and you’ve got a hit. Although this is horror, it’s more on the side of psychological horror and the trauma that is endured in the name of a belief.

Twisty, for sure, horrific, yes, but at heart, it’s an exploration of how far a belief system will go and those that are willing to pay the ultimate price for this belief and those that would exploit it.

My thanks to @TorNightfire for this gifted DRC!

This Gothic thriller will ultimately have you jumping through hurdles of horror! Not sure how to categorize it. I enjoyed the thrill of The House on Needless Street and thought this author is brilliant but this one didn’t quite live up to that one.
The opening scene is horrifying enough and I couldn’t get that out of my mind. It opens with brutal murders laid out in a sacred ceremony. It is very atmospheric off the coast of Scotland in a huge castle during The Great War. Women had their place in the world limiting them to the home. In a house full of girls there are disturbing scenes and they encounter abuse by a manipulative uncle with complete control.
I didn’t even like the characters as they prepare for the end of the world and take over powers. It is suspenseful and an impeccable twist. This was released in 2018 overseas and now in the US by this talented author. Some of you Gothic horror lovers are going to enjoy it.
Thank you NetGalley and Nightfire for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a different type of book for me. I enjoyed the Gothic feel as well as reading about a cult. It was slow at the beginning but it led to a big twist and shock. Who doesn't love a good murder, cult vibe in a book!

This is probably a 3.5 star book. I really like this author's writing style. It was interesting getting an inside glimpse inside a cult, even cooler to see the veil of the cult start to fall away. The author had a great way of describing things in a way to convince you that they truly believe the Adder is real, and they do. I did wonder at certain points if there was a supernatural element to the book, or whether their belief was just that strong.

"From Catriona Ward, the international bestselling author of The Last House on Needless Street comes Little Eve, a heart-pounding tale of faith and family, with a devastating twist.

Winner of the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel.

"A great day is upon us. He is coming. The world will be washed away."

On the wind-battered isle of Altnaharra, off the wildest coast of Scotland, a clan prepares to bring about the end of the world and its imminent rebirth.

The Adder is coming and one of their number will inherit its powers. They all want the honor, but young Eve is willing to do anything for the distinction.

A reckoning beyond Eve's imagination begins when Chief Inspector Black arrives to investigate a brutal murder and their sacred ceremony goes terribly wrong.

And soon all the secrets of Altnaharra will be uncovered."

Shades of The Wicker Man anyone?

Super creepy - cult, murder, drug-induced visions - what's not to love? This is the second book I've read by Catriona Ward and I've enjoyed them both. Seriously disturbing subject matter, but the kind that keeps you turning the pages for sure. Will definitely look for more by her.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan-Tor/Forge for the ARC!

Haunting and thrilling, this one will live rent free in my head for a while. From its utterly terrifying opening scene to the shocking twist (what???), this kept me on the edge of my seat. I do wish the ending had wrapped up a little more concisely, and I found myself sometimes needing a break to contemplate what was happening or just scratching my head. Overall, it was an okay experience I will not soon forget!

I liked this. It wasn't what I expected, and I found it a bit slow and oftentimes confusing (which I think was part of the point). But it was interesting. (That sounds like faint praise, but I don't mean it patronizingly.) I was expecting a twist and I guess there was one, but I predicted it from the very beginning.

Little Eve is actually the second novel written by Catriona Ward (of Last House on Needless Street and Sundial fame). Little won the Shirley Jackson award for best novel as well as the British Fantasy Award for Best Horror Novel. Now it's coming to the US on October 11 and it’s a perfect gothic fall read.

Ward delivers a very bleak gothic novel centered on two orphan girls living in a cult, led by “Uncle” aka The Adder (yes, there are snakes). The cultists are living in poor conditions, ostracized by the public, in a dilapidated mansion located on the remote coast of Scotland. I didn't know much beyond that - and I'd recommend going in as blind as that as well - because this one is a really fascinating read and has several mysteries to unfold. You’ll be guessing and second guessing everything as you go. If you've read Ward before you know that unusual voices and narrators are her jam and she's fantastic at it, but this book is very different from Needless Street which felt quirky despite the grimness. There is no cat narrator here - this book goes full dark. The narration bounces between Dinah and Eve's perspectives - keeping it propulsive as you learn more. Ward is masterful at giving enough information for you to make assumptions only to change your perspective with a change in narrator and perception of the same events. Her prose flows and the descriptions will make you feel like you are on the rainy Scottish coast. It is a horror book - and this book contains a lot of triggering content both physical and psychological, as well as a lot of food related issues – starvation and food control. I had expected the previous (because it's a horror book about a cult) but was surprised by the latter. If you've had issues with ED, I'd steer clear of this one for sure. Most of the worst things actually happen off-stage, so to speak, so the brunt of the triggering stuff comes indirectly but there are some gory passages If you enjoy horror - this is a great gothic cult tale and I'd highly recommend it in your creepy fall reads. Just know thyself gentle reader. #LittleEve #NetGalley #tornightfire #catrionaward

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

I typically like creepy novels, even more so if the setting is Scotland, but I could not get into this book at all. I didn't connect with any of the characters and the cult beliefs/behaviors were just too far out there for me. There was not nearly enough description of the landscape to keep me interested and the pace was painfully slow.

I can understand why this book was awarded the Shirley Jackson award for best novel in 2018. This story was beautifully written and both mesmerizing and disturbing. The characters were complex and emotionally challenged.

An outstanding gothic horror novel that will finally be available for U.S. readers to enjoy and be terrified by. LITTLE EVE tells the story of an ostensible family isolated on an island off the Scottish coast, practicing strange rituals and often speaking in sentences (to outsiders and one another) that seem initially like even stranger riddles. They are all clues, of course, and will reveal themselves in time. When they do, some readers will wish they never knew the truth because of its sheer horror, while others may be slightly disappointed if they expected a more overtly supernatural work.

Catriona Ward is an outstanding storyteller, one who knows the right pace at which to reveal her tricks. It's the right fusion of page-turn and creeping dread, though it may not move fast enough for some. Also, some people will find Ward's choice to adopt an archaic prose and dialogue voice taxing (I occasionally did myself, despite knowing it was most likely period-accurate and, more importantly, steeped in the melodramatic tradition of most gothic horror).

Ward walks a fine line between homage and pastiche at times, but ultimately tells the exact story she wants to tell and honors the tradition of Shelley, Jackson, Lovecraft and Radcliffe. The creeping dread of Altnaharra will not soon be forgotten by those who tread its soil.

Little Eve by Catriona Ward
Publishing Date - 10/11/22
Rating (4/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Special thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge publishing for this electronic arc.

Little Eve was my first read by Catriona Ward. A creepy, gothic, supernatural read! I couldn’t put this one down! Finished it in less than 24 hours! It’s a perfect haunting read for Fall 🍁🎃! I will definitely be checking out more of her books.

At first, I DNF'ed this book, but I finally read through this, albeit extremely slowly. It's a hard one to get into because of the writing, but the twists are fantastic. It's definetely a gothic mystery, not so much horror. The idea of the clan was creepy enough to keep me up at night.

I received an advanced copy of this ebook from the publisher for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. This book is set in Scotland. It definitely gives you the creepy vibes of fall. It makes you wonder why she did what she did for the power. This book will give you creepy vibes for the fall season. This book will be in stores October 11, for $27.99 (USD). This book was pretty good. I would recommend reading this book to anyone and everyone.