*I was given access to an ebook to review by Tornightfire in exchange for an honest review*

So let me say, I’ve now read all three of Catriona Ward’s books published in the US and Ward can. Not. Miss. I have loved all three. There is always the concern with thrillers that they will begin to feel repetitive and overdone, but Ward always seems to circumvent this concern. Unlike her other books, Little Eve is based in the UK (in Scotland I believe? Don’t quote me on that) and is has distinctive cult behavior going on. The story itself is told through a dual POV that both move forward in time with each switch back. It centers around this pseudo “family” living on an island in a crumbling castle. They perform strange rituals centered around snakes and godlike worship of “Uncle.” The story begins with a murder of the entire family and we get to puzzle out what happened from Eve’s POV prior to the murder and working up to the event itself and from Dinah’s POV in the aftermath of the murder.

It took me a good long time to guess the twist. I literally made note at 87% that I had figured out the twist. Do I think that I should have recognized it earlier? Perhaps, but I was just having too good of a time reading to stop and try to puzzle it out. It was the kind of book that you just devour because the actions of the characters are just so bizarre and intriguing. Couple this with Ward’s immaculate use of descriptors. The scene is set beautifully, but it’s clear that the façade is cracked and you can’t escape the insurmountable dread. Even though you know what has ultimately occurred in the story, the desire to piece together how it went from point A to point B is intense.

Little Eve touches on themes of spirituality and the detrimental effect of blindly believing what you’re told despite being shown evidence to the contrary. It makes you pause to consider what you can really believe and if the truth they’re all being told really is the truth. You know that certain things aren’t true, but others were so carefully blended into the narrative that you don’t even stop to consider what they could really mean.

Now, even the best books have their problems and this one isn’t immune (although Ward could publish her grocery list and I’d still be surprised to see what’s waiting at the bottom). My initial problem with the way the book is set up is that Eve’s chapters felt too long, especially at the beginning. I’m talking chapters that would span like 15-20% of the book without stopping. It made it hard to take a break. Then, Dinah’s chapters would only span like 2-5%. It made the narrative feel unbalanced and sometimes it dragged. Like I said, this was mostly a problem at the beginning, as it really picks up at the end. Another issue I had was that, even though I appreciated the twist and the Killer’s identity, it felt like a cop out. I’ve read both The Last House on Needless Street and Sundial and they both felt so carefully done, like intentional misdirection. This one felt more like the killer was chosen out of convenience more than for their actual vendetta. Elements of it felt forced and less purposeful than I’m used to with Ward’s writing. (Though my understanding is that this is one of Ward’s early works, so it makes sense that her style has only developed)

In all, just read this book. If you like thrillers with a historic bend and have a thing for cults (even in passing), this book will check all your boxes. It’s just such a sharp, engrossing story that it’s hard to put down. This book will be in my top 5 for 2023, I can feel it already.

A great read by this author. I definitely recommend checking this one out!
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Little Eve will do whatever it takes...

An end-of-days clan living on an isolated isle in Scotland diligently prepares for the return of the Adder. They desperately try to prove themselves through dangerous acts of faith and cruel practices. When a sacred ritual goes horribly wrong, an investigation ensues and the hunt is on for Eve, the most devious member of the family and perhaps the most power hungry...
I was so excited to read this novel as I loved the first Catriona Ward novel that I read, but this one just was not for me. The writing was impeccable but I wasn't invested in the story, mostly because of the time period this novel is set in. I can see how others would enjoy this book a lot, and I will say that I found the conclusion thrilling. I will still be reading more of Catriona Ward's work as I absolutely love her writing.

Catriona Ward does not miss. She is a master storyteller and her twisty, twisted horror novels are expertly constructed. The characters, the plot, the language, and the pacing work so well together and Little Eve is no exception.

I love Catriona Ward and as always expect lots of plot twists. I really enjoy that the author sends the reader down one train of thought only to sweep it out from under your feet and send you spiraling down a whole new terror. As always Ward writes excellent characters that feel real, and her settings are always written so detailed that you feel a certain familiarity with it. I loved the gothic undertones, and could not put the book down!

Gothic horror comes to northern Scotland in Little Eve, Catriona Ward’s terrifying second novel. Originally published in 2018, Little Eve is winner of the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel and the British Fantasy Award for Best Horror. Little Eve has recently been republished by Tor Nightfire.

I have read two books by Catriona Ward previously, and absolutely loved them! I was expecting to love this one too but felt detached from everything.

It has the same atmosphere as I’ve come to expect, so I appreciate that. It wasn’t very surprising, and I managed to guess everything that happened.

I enjoyed the book, but it has not been my favorite from this author.

“Little Eve”, by Catriona Ward, is a creepy cult novel. I am always desiring a good cult story.

“Little Eve” is about a ‘clan’ that lives in a castle on the island of Altnaharra. This island is off the coast of Scotland, which connects to the mainland via a causeway.

The book’s opening was great. It set up the mysterious aspects of Altnahara. Then the book turned into a slow burn. I normally enjoy slow burns, but those one felt a bit disjointed. That failed to capture my attention.

The characters did not come to life for me. Eve, the main character, paints a very atmospheric picture of her time on this island. She was the one who popped off the page a little. I followed her as the narrative moved between the past, with Eve managing the cult and the present where she is suspected of the cult member murders. The timeline jumping was hard to follow.

Although the novel was well written and had its creepy moments, I could not get my bearings in the first half of the work. The story came together for me at the 60% mark. Ward’s books have a way of throwing the reader off until the end. Her endings always does an impressive job at bringing the book together. Gothic horror fans might enjoy this one.

2.5
Super sad to have this be the second Catriona Ward book that didn’t work for me.
I found this to be an extremely typical and predictable cult book.
I guessed the twist very early on, which made the experience a little less exciting.
The writing is confusing at times, some things are never clarified or even expanded upon, which left me feeling underwhelmed.
Most of the book is very repetitive and that came across as boring and was a drag to get through the majority.
I think there is definitely an audience for this type of horror story, but I am not that audience.

LITTLE EVE is a backlist title being rereleased through Tor Nightfire and I am so happy they did. Isolation horror or psychological horror or better yet, cult horror, is a trope I can never get enough of. I enjoyed everything from the gothic Scotland setting to the brilliant characterization (and there are some terrible people in the Adder family). And like everything with Ward, she keeps you in suspense until the mystery is revealed. I cannot wait to read her next book, LOOKING GLASS SOUND (sadly we have to wait until April 2023).

Sisters Eve and Dinah are youthful members of a cult, led by a man known only as "Uncle," living in an old stone castle on a remote island off the coast of Scotland. Uncle promises his wards, his followers, all young girls, that the future holds something profound, something they've never seen before. One of the girls will inherit tremendous powers and Eve is willing to do anything to be the chosen one.
But even on a remote island in Scotland, just after the war to end all wars, a cult with young girl followers catches the eyes of the law. Chief Inspector Christopher Black investigates a brutal murder, which derails a sacred ceremony on the island, and he desperately wants to get Eve away from Uncle's control. But no matter how bad things get, Eve is devoted to Uncle and his teachings.

It is quite appropriate that this was a Shirley Jackson Award winner (2019) because this feels so much like a Shirley Jackson book - it is a dark, Gothic horror novel, heavy on character.

Author Catriona Ward plays fast and loose with time here and it's important to pay attention to the date at the beginning of a chapter. We bounce around a bit but rest assured, the story does come together.

I especially appreciated the character of Inspector Black. He seemed the most complex character. While the focus is on Eve, she doesn't seem to be in control of her own actions through most of the book and her wants and desires seem pretty straight-forward. Black on the other hand is highly conflicted. He is suspicious of Eve, but he also wants to get her out of her situation (being in a cult), but he also knows he has no direct action he can take other than trying to convince her it's in her best interest - which is typically not enough to get someone out of a cult.

There are layers of horror here, sometimes subtle, sometimes in your face, but overall it definitely has a gothic horror feel to it, and as I've already mentioned, it sings of Shirley Jackson.

Author Catriona Ward notes that while this is only just being published by her current publisher, she actually wrote and had this published in 2018 (it received the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel in 2018), making this her first novel. I've now read two books by Ward and she is definitely an author to seek out.

Looking for a good book? Little Eve by Catriona Ward is solid, spine-tingling, Gothic horror and worth reading if you like a little shiver in your reading.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I see the name Catriona Ward on a book and I am there. Ultimately this was not my favorite of hers, but it was still one of the best reads of 2022. She does not miss! A perfect period Gothic chiller.

What a fantastically creepy story this was! I'm not typically a fan of gothic horror, but I could not help but to love this book, mostly because the character of Uncle is so darkly memorable. It was captivated and could not put this book down. I highly recommend this to fans of Gothic horror. You cannot go wrong with anything written by Catriona Ward.

Thank you to NetGalley, Catriona Ward, and Tor Nightfire for the opportunity to read this marvellous book in exchange for this honest review.

This was to horrory for me. i am not a huge horror fan and should have read the description better before requesting this one.

This was creepy! Which is to be expected from Catriona Ward, in this gothic historical, blood soaked tale set in 1917-1921 Ireland. Ward opens the story in 1921 when the local butcher brings his delivery to Altnaharra house, and discovers everyone dead, murdered, except for one girl, Dinah.

Ward takes us back to 1917, and tells us through Eve's eyes how Eve and Dinah, orphans, were taken In at Altnaharra house by “Uncle”, who uses a variety of bizarre rituals, isolation from the outside world, and physical, mental and sexual abuse to prepare the group for the time when they bring the world to an end, so.....death cult.

Uncle ensures that even though things are pretty bizarre and frankly awful in the house, to all outward appearances the people of Altnaharra House are relatively normal, so no one ever decides to ask any probing questions.

Except for Chief Inspector Christopher Black, who becomes interested in the goings on in Altnaharra House, and specifically in Eve's wellbeing. Eve is both fascinated and repelled by the possibilities he and the outside world represent...though this doesn't last long, and eventually, we end up in 1921, and all the dead bodies.

To reiterate, this was creepy! And chilling, and nightmarish, thanks to awful Uncle and his horrible cult, and how downtrodden and brainwashed everyone in Altnaharra were. Catriona Ward plays with reality and has the reader constantly questioning what is actually happening, as Eve's understanding of people and events around her are fractured and twisted, thanks to Uncle.

Eve is incredibly compelling, nonetheless, and I found the story impossible to put down, even with its oppressive situation and the certainty that everything ends in murder.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Macmillan-Tor/Forge for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Eve has been raised on the island of Altnaharra, her Uncle the Adder in a cultish religion that predicts the end of the world by giant serpent. For Eve and her family, it’s very real, and Eve would do anything to inherit the Adder’s power. When Chief Inspector Black arrives to investigate a murder in the nearby town, he puts doubt in Eve’s heart for the first time. When their sacred ceremony goes badly wrong, her sister Dinah is the only one left standing to tell the story. I received a free e-ARC through NetGalley from the publishers at Macmillan-Tor/Forge. Trigger warnings: character/family death, drowning, rape, pedophilia, child abuse/abusive households (graphic, on-page), cults, eye horror, body horror, starvation, severe injury, violence, drugging, manipulation, snakes, sexism, guilt, strong religious themes.

I realized a while back that I was hardly ever making use of two stars in my reviews, instead lumping most books into three stars for various reasons, so I decided to change my strategy a little. When I finish a book, I ask myself the simple question, “Did you enjoy it?” If the answer is “No,” then it’s not a three-star book, no matter how well-written it might be. I didn’t enjoy this book. It is well-written. My rating is a reflection of my enjoyment, not necessarily its goodness, so take that with a grain of salt.

Ward is excellent at layering mysteries so that we think we know what’s going on, only for her to pull the rug out from under us at the end and show us what we should have been looking at all along. The answers were there, but with a little sleight of hand, she managed to misdirect us into looking somewhere else. I enjoyed that aspect of the novel and, indeed, the mystery of what happened and how it happened was one of few things that kept me going throughout the novel. The discrepancies in the past and present accounts were an itch in my brain. I had to know who was lying.

But goddamn, is it hard to read. I don’t enjoy historical novels, and I don’t enjoy novels about cults, and Little Eve is both. The thing about cults is that they only make sense from the inside, so any outsider (like the reader) is going to look at it and go: that is batshit crazy, why are you staying? And since I’m on the outside, I could never shake that question as I was reading. It’s not that Ward doesn’t do a good job of putting us in Eve’s mindset, because she does. It’s completely understandable why she thinks and acts the way she does, having such limited experience with the outside world.

But wow, that’s a lot of abuse for a lot of pages, and it’s an absolute drag to get through her chapters with her family. Her conversations with Chief Inspector Black were the only reprieve, and I couldn’t summon a lot of feelings for any of the other characters besides horror or pity, depending. Black is a breath of fresh air, and I enjoyed his Sherlock Holmes-style appeals to reason, and all the little cracks he puts in Eve’s belief in her family’s magic. The novel does an expert job in walking the line between real or not-real, and for once, the answers are as satisfying as the questions. I’ll never be tempted to pick it up again though.

I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.

“It is a lonely thing to be a monster.”

Reading Little Eve reminded me that I shouldn’t ever put off reading a Catriona Ward novel as long as I did this one.

I went into this one mostly blind. I think I read the synopsis once a while before reading. I think that’s the way to go into this one because it made events even more surprising.

I was so focused on the characters and the setting that I didn’t always stop to think where this was going. It was a slow burn that really sucks you into this world that’s dark, gothic, and incredibly unsettling. You’re really kept guessing when it comes to where the story is going and what this group believes.

There were a lot of emotions that surfaced throughout. It was hard not to feel nervous at Eve’s progression and Uncle’s teachings or angry at the treatment Eve and others received.

I recommend listening to this on audio as the narrator was amazing and it’s a really bingeable read. Even if you can guess one of the twists coming, there are still plenty more that will shock you and leave you thinking about Little Eve long after you’ve finished.

As with past Catriona Ward novels, this book scared the pants off me. I don't read a lot of horror but her stories intrigue me so I requested it. This is a gothic horror and does not disappoint. The setting and pace are really good. I could not put this book down! But I have to say that I wanted it to end because I didn't think I could take much more of it. LOL! Recommend!

I tried so incredibly hard to keep going and enjoy this. I am a huge Catriona Ward fan and this being a piece she felt so close to her home and her heart meant I really knew it would be special. I don’t think it was a bad plot or anything like that I just think it wasn’t for me. I can appreciate the story and see why it’s a piece to be praised. Ward’s writing is beautiful and atmospheric. She paints this haunting and gothic piece that is hard to not believe. It is dark because if there is one thing about this author it’s that she does not hold back when it comes to redefining the line. As a horror fan that is one of the main things that keeps me coming back to her work.
Thank you NetGalley for the copy for a review!

I’m really disappointed to say that I couldn’t get into this read. I tried several times because I had heard so many great things about this author and this read. I absolutely love dark, gothic narratives but found my thoughts wandering every time I tried to immerse myself in this story. I will try again at another time as I know the premise has great potential. It just wasn’t right for me at this point in time.