🏚☠️Book Review:
Title: Withered
Author: A.G.A Wilmot
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/3 stars

Description from Netgalley: A queer paranormal horror novel in the style of showrunner Mike Flannagan, showing the complex real-life terror inherent in grief and mental illness.

When 18 years old, Ellis's father passes away, they move with their mother, Robyn, back to her childhood hometown, Black Stone. The home that they move into on Cherry Lane is repudated to be haunted and will put a curse on anyone who resides there. In fact, 25 years ago, a lady named Tara Sweet attempted to "kill" the house before it could spread more evil to her and her family. She now resides in a mental health facility.

What is very strange, though, is that the death rate in Black Stone is oddly very low, while the towns surrounding it, rates are abnormally high. Ellis is determined to find out what the house wants, the true nature of it. It's the only way they can save their family.

Published: April 16th, 2024

Thank you, @netgalley and @ecwpress, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you for writing Withered. I appreciated the story and the representation. It was a meaningful read.

I got pulled into Withered by A.G.A. Wilmot with its haunting, atmospheric small-town vibe and real emotional depth. Ellis’s journey—recovering from an eating disorder and grief while uncovering a decades-long ghost war in their new home—hit me like a gut punch . The way the house seemed alive (pulsing veins in the walls!) and the bond with Quinn pulled me deeper into Black Stone’s eerie mystery .

This one matched my favorite psychological horror with queer, trans rep—no tokenism, just lived experience woven into the scares . Grief and mental health weren’t sidelined; they were the haunting—and it left me trembling long after I finished.

Withered scratched that itch for emotional, character-driven horror—grounded, haunting, and heartbreakingly unforgettable.

Requested this one on the cover alone and it was creepy and fun, but not the most memorable of reads. Still a good time though

I loved the queer and fat representation, the Mike Flannagan vibes, and the unique use or subversion of some classic horror tropes.

Great book! It had all the fears of growing up. Make a choice. Turn the page or close the book. Enter the darkness if you wish!

Thrilling story of love, loss, and how to deal with ones grief. I recommend to those who love horror!

Thank you Netgalley and ECW Press for the eArc of Withered.

A G A Wilmot writing style has produced an atmospheric mystery. I really liked the MCs Ellis and Quinn and the dynamics between the two of them.
Overall, I loved the premise of this book. The pacing of the narrative is sloew to medium paced and the writing is great. I did take a little time to fully submerse and engage in the writing style due to the writing style being in third POV and with the pronouns of them and they. As this book is written from the POV of a teen who is non binary, It did feel little awkward. Saying that, you soon get used to it and you are submersed into a mystery thriller with horror elements. Please read trigger warnings.

3.5 for storygraph around to 4 for other review sites.

I absolutely love thrillers where a family with a somewhat tragic backstory move into a haunted house in a creepy small town and this book was no different. Without spoiling too much, I felt like this was a unique take on the traditional haunted house concept which I liked. I loved how dark and creepy this book was, and I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to read it. This book has great queer and trans representation layered into the story as well as other topics such as grief, eating disorders, fat-shaming and mental health. I really enjoyed reading this book and the only reason I dropped a star is because I feel like it could’ve been a bit faster paced at times. I feel like it would work so well as a movie, and I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.

Thank you so much to the author, Netgalley and ECW press for proving me with an ARC in return for a voluntary review. All thoughts expressed here are my own

Thank you to ECW Press and Net Galley for giving me an e arc to read.
At first glance this is a pretty typical haunted house story. It has a house that people keep moving into because "they just know it's for them". However, this is all that is typical about this. This is about parent and child who move to a small town after some hardships. Settling into a new town is hard at the best of times but when Ellis is approached by local teens and is warned about the house they have just moved into... they are immediately dismissive. As time goes on though, things change and with elements of found family, and beautifully done queer and plus size rep, balanced with creepy experiences and mystery... this was an immersive experience I can recommend to those either new to the horror genre or those that like a sweet and even cosy (at times) mixed in with their spooky vibes. Beautifully descriptive and even the ghosts are believable!!

Withered is a haunting and beautiful story about grief, loss, and revenge. We have an extremely diverse cast of characters that are incredibly fleshed out and so easy to get attached to. The atmosphere of the town was written in such a way that I could picture it as if I were looking through the eyes of the main character.

The author wrote a character that is one of my very favorite to see in books, Death. Not only was Death written in such a way that it embodies the delicate balance of what it is, but it was also given a graceful beauty that leaves you feeling a bit forlorn.

While not a very scary horror book, it’s one that lingers and focuses on more real life horror such as eating disorders, self-identity, self-worth, and mental health issues. It was tasteful, and left me feeling so full of emotion.

Withered is absolutely one of my new favorite comfort reads, and I’m so honored to have gotten the chance to read it. ☺️

I really enjoyed this book. While I had some issues with it, overall it was a satisfying read. Before I dive into the good, I want to bring up a few of the drawbacks. This book read much more YA than I expected. I think a book can have a young MC and not read YA, but this wasn't the case. The dialogue was young. Also, I felt that the interludes from the perspective of the...house...were not tied together very well, especially at the end. I had a lot of trouble visualizing what was happening, even with the suspension of disbelief and entertaining a supernatural element. It just felt like it didn't coalesced.

That being said, it was a fun ride. I thought Ellis was a likeable MC, and I loved the LGBTQ+ representation. I thought that was handled well. And while the relationship between Quinn and Ellis was juvenile, I loved them together. I think the concept of the book was really solid, and it certainly kept me entertained.

3.5 stars rounded up

Thought this was a fantastic haunted house horror! It feels very intimate but adventurous. The characters are lovely and relatable and bracing, and I loved the flashbacks interspersed with the main plot, which I felt gave it a great suspenseful undertone, like watching a car crash happen live in front of you!

A Great sorry about a haunted house but it actually also touches on real world themes and gives readers a feel for what we experience in reality. The characters were very likable and easy to get along with so I left this read feeling like I had a good time.

Thank you NetGalley and ECW press for the E-Arc.

This was a haunting tale of death and horror, but yet beautiful as well.

**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A Haunting and Atmospheric Read**

A.G.A. Wilmot’s *Withered* offers a hauntingly atmospheric journey into a world of decay and suspense. The author’s evocative prose and vivid imagery create a compelling and immersive experience, drawing readers into a narrative filled with tension and intrigue. The novel’s exploration of themes such as loss and transformation is both poignant and unsettling. While the pacing can be uneven at times, the book’s atmospheric depth and emotional resonance make it a memorable and engaging read for fans of gothic and psychological fiction.

I loved this idea. I really liked the queer paranormal vibe of this book. I loved the main character and following their storyline. The symbolism present in the book and the mental health representation were something else that I really enjoyed. I just wish that I could experience the horror a bit more. It read more YA than adult horror.

As a queer reader with a penchant for the strange and macabre, "Withered" by A.G.A. Wilmot immediately piqued my interest. The premise of a haunted house story intertwined with themes of grief, queerness, and recovery from an eating disorder felt both unique and deeply relatable.

Wilmot's writing is evocative and atmospheric, effortlessly transporting me to the eerie town of Black Stone and the unsettling house that Ellis and their mother call home. The descriptions of the spectral presence within the walls are chilling yet beautifully rendered, creating a sense of unease that lingered long after I finished reading.

Ellis, the protagonist, is a complex and well-developed character whose struggles with grief and body image resonated deeply with me. Their journey towards healing is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and their budding romance with Quinn adds a tender counterpoint to the book's darker themes.

While the horror elements are certainly present, "Withered" is ultimately a story about the enduring power of love and connection in the face of loss and trauma. The nuanced exploration of mental health issues, particularly eating disorders, is handled with sensitivity and care, making this a book that I would recommend to anyone who has experienced similar struggles.

My only minor critique is that the pacing felt a bit uneven at times, with some sections dragging while others felt rushed. However, this didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.

"Withered" is a haunting and heartfelt novel that explores the depths of human resilience and the enduring power of love. It's a book that stayed with me long after I finished reading, and one that I won't hesitate to recommend to fellow fans of queer horror and anyone looking for a story that delves into the complexities of grief and recovery.

A.G.A. Wilmont’s “Withered” is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of human emotions and relationships. This book is a gripping blend of mystery, drama, and psychological insight, making it a captivating read from start to finish.

The strength of “Withered” lies in its richly drawn characters. Each character is meticulously developed, with their own distinct personalities and intricate backstories. The protagonist’s journey is particularly engaging, as we see them navigate through a web of secrets and lies. Wilmont’s ability to create nuanced, believable characters makes the story deeply immersive and emotionally resonant.

The plot of “Withered” is well-crafted, with twists and turns that keep the reader on edge. The pacing is generally well-balanced, maintaining a steady rhythm that builds tension and anticipation. There are moments of intense suspense that are skillfully interwoven with more reflective, character-driven scenes, creating a dynamic and engaging narrative.

Wilmont’s writing style is both elegant and accessible, with descriptive prose that brings the settings and scenes vividly to life. The atmospheric descriptions add depth to the story, enhancing the overall reading experience. The author’s exploration of themes such as loss, betrayal, and redemption is handled with sensitivity and insight, adding layers of meaning to the plot.

While “Withered” is a compelling read, there are a few moments where the pacing slows, and certain plot points feel slightly predictable. However, these minor issues do not significantly detract from the overall quality of the book.

Overall, “Withered” by A.G.A. Wilmont is a well-written and emotionally engaging novel that offers a satisfying blend of mystery and psychological depth. It’s a story that stays with you long after the last page is turned, and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy thought-provoking and character-driven narratives.

Rating: 4 stars

Well written but not really for me.

Dark and creepy in all the right places. Felt like a slow burn. I struggled being gripped and staying at the pace.

A great queer paranormal book though about mental health