4.5 stars

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for allowing me the chance to review this book!

This was a really great horror! Straight from the start we were into the creepy atmospheres and haunting scares. I think the buildup was paced very well. I love this type of horror, folky, cult-y, in the woods, some cosmic horror mixed in as well.

I also really liked the ending. It was slightly ambiguous, which I know some might not care for, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My only big complaint is that there were a few grammatical and spelling errors that I think should be looked into before official publication, as there were quite a few. Not bad enough to hinder enjoyment, but definitely noticeable.

All in all this was an EXCELLENT horror!!

Many thanks to the author and Netgalley for the free digital arc.
I was always a sucker of isolated cabins in the wilderness where things go wrong ... The book is a great reminder of The Ritual, or even more so Stolen Tongues. The native American theme was interesting, and i enjoyed the atmosphere. It maybe a tad slow in places but still an enjoyable read

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

three men are off to a remote cabin for some hunting and bonding, they are friends since childhood and are very close but each have been touched by tragedy in one form or another

but a storm is coming and the woods arent as friendly as they use to be.....

a strangely creepy horror book

I recently was given an early copy of "The Broken Places" by publishers to review. It comes out on March 24th, so if you enjoy folk horror, haunted forests, and evil cultists, here are my complicated thoughts.

Overall, this book was a slog. I love folk horror, but it took mental energy to finish this one. It involves 3 friends who go to a cabin in the Alaskan wilderness, and are targeted by an ancient spirit of the forest.

Think "The Ritual". It basically is "The Ritual". I mean, you could just go and watch "The Ritual". It has local cultists who worship the forest spirit. Like "The Ritual". The three protagonists are plagued by horrible visions, like "The Ritual".

Unlike "The Ritual", we get the Magical Native American trope.

So that's awful.

On the good side... the writing is actually very impressive. Daigle's style is moody, atmospheric, and poetic.

The three main characters - Noah, Shawn, and Ryne - aren't very distinct. All broody, angry, straight men, who love to hunt, think about their trauma, and glare at each other. None of them are very likeable. That's OK, I am fine with not "liking" characters, if they can still be interesting

But I might have been low key rooting for the evil forest spirit to take them all out, though, by the time I got to the end.

So if you enjoy a beautifully written folk horror about three alpha male friends who you simply cannot wait to see get torn to pieces, this might be the book for you.

Over all, I really enjoyed this book! The author created solid characters with unique backgrounds, and I found myself caring what happened to them! The suspenseful build up was artfully done and maintained... I found myself tense until the end. I read it very quickly because I NEEDED to know what was going to happen 😂 If I gave it a con, I feel like it could have been a bit more fleshed out as far as the main character's family history went -- however, that did not detract from my enjoyment of it. If you like the horror that is more existential dread (but still has some bloody moments), pick this one up!

4.0/5.0

An unrelentingly chilling story which I could not put down despite being completely creeped out the entire way through.
Author Blaine Daigle managed to create a very unsettling atmosphere throughout the book which left me hiding behind my covers in horror along with the characters.

A great folk-horror tale.

Many thanks to Netgalley and author Blaine Daigle for supplying me with an e-copy of this arc.

The book is good, but there wasnt anything newly invented here. Book with a similar trope such as The Ritual, Stolen Tongues, for example, were both better stories. I didnt dislike the book at all, and would recommend to anyone that likes this type of trope in a book.

ARC by NetGalley and the publisher.
An inherited old family cabin in the woods sounds like the perfect getaway for our main character, Ryne and his three friends. Nothing could go possibly wrong even with a storm on the horizon… the synopsis of this book alone had me itching to read it and not to mention the cover is equally intriguing as well. This terrifyingly scary read was just what I needed! This book had everything I look for in the horror genre, a creepy and secluded location and unexplainable events that just get progressively worse and more gore as the story goes on. The descriptions of the Yukon really helped to picture the environment which the characters are enduring. I was fully invested and found myself looking forward to turning the next page to see what was going to happen. While I would say that some may find the pacing to be a tad on the slower side true fans of the folk horror genre will not be bothered by this in the slightest and will find that it only increases the unsettling feeling of dread as events unfold. This book was easily a 4 star read and I will definitely be recommending it. I can not wait to follow this author on their writing journey and read more of their works in the future!

The Broken Places comes out March 24, 2023.

Thank you again NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Everything in this book is absolutely interesting: the plot, the setting, the writing, the voices, the ending. Everything that makes a good horror novel is included: great dialogue, creepy situations, mysterious family history, a cabin in the woods, and lots, lots of snow! In other words, this book is MARVELOUS! Blaine Daigle reads like a seasoned writer, with terrific narrative skills, giving us a book with fantastic imagery, and just the right amount of suspense! It is complex, deeply insightful on family trauma and male friendships, intricately multilayered, and pulls no punches on loss, love, and TERROR. Looking forward to reading everything from this author. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing (whose published horror books are simply amazing!) for giving me the chance to review this book!

Fans of folk horror will love this book. It was creepy and mysterious. I devoured it in one sitting.

When Ryne was a child, he remembers seeing his uncle naked in the snow praying to something.
His father never explained to him what happened. Years later, he inherits the cabin where it happened and takes friends there to get away from the tragedy in his life. Unexplained occurrences happen and Ryne learns the horrors of his family line. This is a book that will definitely stay with you.

this is a story I’d have to be in the mood to pick up and read, and I’m glad I read this on lazy Sunday when the temperature just dropped 50-60 degrees.

there’s a lot of emphasis on the cold (extreme cold), desolate town/ isolated cabin, and strangeness of the woods but it’s necessary to help create the right mood and pacing of the story.

for the most part this is your typical, snow horror story with a folk horror approach. I could see for the most part where this was going, but I still enjoyed it enough to see it through.

this one is definitely worth checking out for fans of the ritual, the terror and the only good indians.

thank you to wicked house publishing for my arc via net galley. the broken places is officially available, March 24,2023.

The Broken Places by Blaine Daigle is a horror novel about a cabin in the woods.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Wicked House Publishing and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Ryne Burdette has had a tough year, losing all of his family, his job, and his love for life.

When he inherits his family's old hunting cabin deep in the Yukon forest, he plans a weekend trip with his two best friends, to start fresh.  Wolf's Bone may be the answer.  He often came here on trips with his father and uncle, though these visits were often wrought with tension between the brothers.   Although the cabin doesn't actually have great memories for him, Ryne needs to do something to get back on track.  Hopefully his friends will understand when he tells them the real reason for this trip.

His friends have not had it easy either.  Ryne's friend Noah Stratton was in a horrific accident that actually had him pronounced dead for a little while.  Normally optimistic, his anxiety now often takes over, and sometimes his memory fades.  Their friend Shawn Ackerman's baseball career ended with a horrible knee injury, and he is still having surgeries trying to repair it.  He has not yet accepted defeat, but his knee often gives out, and his anger flares.   The three friends have been there for each other every step of the way.

These three may have set out on the weekend to help each other heal, but it isn't long before they realize that there are other things to worry about.  Between the strange reception in town, the approaching storm, and the weird actions of the animals, something is not right in these woods.  Then the voices start.  But by then it is too late to leave.


My Opinions:
An incredible debut horror novel that sucked me in and when I finally got spit out again, I was still under its spell.  Perhaps I shouldn't have read this one during a very cold and snowy March! 

It is a very dark and creepy atmospheric novel set in the cold and remote forest of the Yukon, where folklore and legends abound.

The book is about a broken place in the middle of forest, but it is also about three broken friends, who each finds strength in their own way.  I loved the characters.

The plot was good (although not really unique), and the writing excellent - very descriptive.  I'll be watching for more from this talented author!

Which is more terrifying? An isolated cabin in the woods or a snow storm Or something dark than the woods?
Ryne Burdette inherits a cabin in the woods from his late uncle and decides to take his two best friends; Noah and Shawn for a winter hunting trip as a way to start again after his life. But when bad memories start becoming more than an echo from the past and strange things start to happen in the woods, Ryne starts regretting his decision.
Because there's this sing-songy voice coming from all around them, at odd hours.There's something evil in the woods. what does this has to do with the cabin? You have to read this to get answers.

Just Wow! The author’s descriptive writing style will transport you to the Yukon woods and the cabin inside it to the point that you won't be able to put the book down until you get some answers. Because it’s that curious! The story itself it’s not a revolutionary tale with a brand new idea about the horrors of the woodlands, but it definitely is a good spin on a classic type of tale that we all love.

Folk horror is a genre I really enjoy. This book was really well written. It was so good that I finished this book in a day. Right from the first chapter I was intrigued. The setting was an old cabin in the woods. Then include an indigenous tribe that had rituals to follow and when the white men came, they changed the rituals to fit their agenda. Sacrifices are made to keep the spirit in the woods happy. Ryne was kept in the dark because his father wanted to keep him away from the woods. Due to circumstances beyond his control, Ryne cannot resist the lure of the cabin. What he does not know is that something evil awaits Ryne and his friends and they are in for an unforgettable weekend. I thought the ending was really good too. Read this book to find out more about his book with folk horror vibes.

A beautiful and haunting atmospheric read. The setting of the tale of a cabin in the woods with winds and trees and creatures and unseen forces heightened the tension in this novel. Incredibly readable, hard to put down and also very convincing as a horror tale, a great read. I look forward to reading more of Blaine Daigle.

The Broken Places was a really good horror read!
It was well written and i was invested in the main characters.
While the story did start a little slow it definitely became worth it.
I would definitely recommend this book especially if you love horror!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was honestly one of the best horrors I’ve read in a while.

We start with Ryne and two of his best friends, who decide to head to Ryne’s family cabin located in Yukon wilderness. They’re all dealing with some heavy things in their personal lives so a couple of days getaway to spend time with your boys and shoot things seems like a perfect idea.

Things start to get very strange even before they step a foot in the cabin and only get progressively worse. The author really did such an amazing job at describing all the details and building the creepy atmosphere! I felt like I was standing there with the characters, felt stuck in the woods with them, during a snowstorm, with no way to escape. I felt the fear and anxiety they were experiencing.

I also felt so connected to the three men, I genuinely liked them, worried and rooted for them. You could really feel the depth of their friendship and how much they care for one another. And yes, there were even times it made me tear up.

Definitely recommend this one for folk horror fans – from the creepy woods, strange animals, folklore and local legends to family secrets, friendship and dealing with trauma, this book has got it all. It kept me at the edge of my sit the whole time, it made me ridiculously scared at times but I just HAD to keep reading to find out how it ends and I completely devoured this book in a couple of days. I will definitely be keeping an eye on this author!

This book was an imagery painter. It was so descriptive and it also stayed consistant with the plot.

Three men, Ryne, Noah, and Shawn travel out to Ryne’s old family cabin for a weekend hunting trip only to find out dark secrets lay in the woods from the past. The boys have to work together to get out of the woods and to the safety of town to figure out what is haunting the woods.
This was a very fun spooky read and had me hooked from the first page, I wouldn’t call it horror, more like a mystery novel.

Thank you NetGalley, Blaine Daigle and Wicked House Publishing for the ARC.

I didn't know what to expect going into this book but the cover drew me in. Ryne and his 2 friends are going on a hunting trip to his family's cabin. All of their initial interactions in town are strange, a storm in coming and shit is about the hit the fan. This book started out slow but I was hooked about 50% of the way through. There was a lot happening where you were not sure if it was real, or a figment of the character's imagination. It was gripping until the end.

I received an ARC of The Broken Places from netgalley. I enjoyed the story. I liked the cover. I would recommend picking up this book. I'd give the book 3.5 Stars (round up to 4 for GR and Amazon)