Kosa is a captivating and thought-provoking tale that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, rebellion, and the pursuit of truth. This book has complex characters. However, I felt the characters to be somewhat uninteresting, and they failed to excite or engage me. The plot did not captivate me as I had hoped; it was too slow for my taste. And I didn't much enjoy the plot.

Thank you netgalley and darklit press for the Arc

This book really surprised me. I went into it open minded and I’m happy I did. I highly recommend it for something different than the norm

If you’re interested in fairytale retellings, you may enjoy this one. It seems to be a mashup of Rapunzel and Hansel and Gretel, with the central old woman as a witch theme.

Lots of family involvement and heartbreak included.

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Well, I just finished Kosa by John Durgin overnight. A little backstory to set the stage. The fairy tales of old weren't always the Disney darlings we've come to know and love. They were gritty, dark, cautionary tales fraught with beasts, witches, and other beings that go bump in the night.

Durgin returns one such fairy tale to its horrific roots with Kosa, a young girl kept secluded from the world by 'Mother' - an old woman with a unique fascination with young Kosa's hair.

If that sounds familiar, you guessed it. In Kosa, we get to see what happens when you take Rapunzel, and add 50 CCs of creeping dread, gallons of blood, and set it in the world of today.

The story is set up in four parts, and, in a way, serves as a coming of age tale for young Kosa. While I didn't fully understand what was happening in part 1, at first, by the end of it I had experienced masterfully crafted set dressing.

The POV is told through Kosa and several others who become integral to the plot along the way.

The way Durgin is able to give voice to characters of every age and demeanor certainly impressed me, second only to some of the descriptions of violence and pain.

I actually used the ending to make me work on some writing last night! I said, D.B., you don't get to read these last chapters until you write. Let me tell you, I busted out my minimum word count so fast. I just had to know how it all ends.

The only lagging point for me was a tiny plot hole revolving around a GPS, that was more of a redirect, I suppose. It did give us more time with other characters and let the suspense build ever higher.

All in all, this is a fantastic story and a return to form for fairy tales. 4/5

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

✩Book Review: Kosa by John Durgin✩

𝔚𝔥𝔢𝔫 𝔶𝔬𝔲'𝔯𝔢 𝔡𝔦𝔤𝔤𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔰𝔠𝔯𝔞𝔭𝔰 𝔣𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔤𝔞𝔯𝔟𝔞𝔤𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔰𝔲𝔯𝔳𝔦𝔳𝔢, 𝔶𝔬𝔲'𝔩𝔩 𝔡𝔬 𝔞𝔩𝔪𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔞𝔫𝔶𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔬 𝔪𝔞𝔨𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔩𝔦𝔣𝔢 𝔟𝔢𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔯. 𝔗𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔦𝔰 𝔴𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔰 𝔤𝔬 𝔴𝔯𝔬𝔫𝔤 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔪𝔢, 𝔎𝔬𝔰𝔞

For Lovers of:
🧶 Slavic Folklore
🧶 Witches
🧶 Fairytale-esque Horror
🧶 Compelling MC
🧶 Creepy Rituals
🧶 Horror containing hair 😱

𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔦𝔱'𝔰 𝔞𝔟𝔬𝔲𝔱:

There's a huge house in the middle of the woods, inhabited by an old lady and her cats. When a desperate man breaks into her home and takes something he is not supposed to have, hell breaks loose for him and his pregnant wife. Soon, nobody is safe in the woods.

𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 ℑ 𝔱𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔥𝔱:

This story features a croatian witch and I loved that aspect! My fiance is croatian and I know from his family, that some people in their hometown practiced witchcraft. Slavic folklore in general is very interesting to me and I didn't expect it at all.

There were many well done disturbing elements like cats with human eyes and lots of body horror involving hair ( the phantom pain I had ... 😅) but surprisingly also a very compelling MC. Kosa is such a tragic character and I truly rooted for her! Seeing her suffer was heartbreaking. If you try to avoid reading about child abuse, you might want to not pick this one up. ⚠️

This book is told in several parts over the span of many years with different families. While I would have preferred to focus on Kosa, all other characters were well written and their stories were engaging as well. There were moments were I personally felt like the pace was rather slow, especially because there were some repeating elements that could have been shortened.

This is a great horror story and I'd definitely recommend to read it around winter in a cabin in the woods 🪵🌲 It also gave me some gothic horror vibes, especially when Kosa introduced her toys. 🦴

I wanted to like this book so bad.
Overall, it was doing too much and just not enough to back it up.
There were moments of brilliance where the story kept me engaged, especially after the 60% mark, but it would often end up dragging and did not keep me interested in it for very long.
There were many high highs and a lot of low lows, but it never really seemed to hit its stride.
My overall impression is meh, but I think people who enjoy retellings would really enjoy the spookier aspects of a horrifying interpretation of Rapunzel.
This doesn't put me off the author, again there were many moments that I loved, but the overall project just did not come together.

Thank you so much for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Kosa is dark, Kosa is riddled with nightmare fuel, Kosa is unpredictable. But perhaps, the best thing to say about Kosa, is it's the third novel by an author who's found their storytelling voice, and the confidence with which Durgin writes allows him to take narrative risks that not every horror novel would dare venture toward.
There is a certain formula to writing a horror novel, and Durgin knows it. Yet, Kosa breaks from traditional molds to showcase a story that feels truly unsafe. Like all the best fairy tales.
With a dash of Grimm Brothers, a sprinkling of Ronald Malfi's Bone White, and devices that belong to Durgin alone, Kosa will keep you up nights and out of the woods.

Oh man! This one was so fun! Part fairy tale, part horror, all EXCELLENT! This is a dark and captivating story that leads you in a way you think you might expect, and then takes a turn you couldn’t have imagined. There are some gory moments, some shocking moments, and some deliciously fun moments- but maybe my mind is a bit twisted. The characters are developed perfectly, and the story line is flawless. Absolutely love Durgin’s work, and this is no exception.

I'm going to try to make this review while leaving things out, so this will be shorter than my normal reviews. I went into this book blind, and I think it really added to the experience!

Just from the cover alone, I knew I was going to be creeped out and disturbed, I just didn't know how. This book really packs the punches in creepy. The scenes are described so well, the disturbing appearances of the villains in the book. I got my first book related literal jumpscare, one to the point where my husband asked if I was ok because I gasped so loudly and moved back in my seat.

I didn't know what to expect since I didn't read the synopsis. The book started off one way, and then by part 2, I saw where it was actually heading, and it was done SO well. I liked how each part had its own story, but they all connected by the end.

I've heard variations of this story since I was a child. Disney holds my favorite childhood version, and John Durgin now holds my favorite adult version. Thank you to John Durgin and NetGalley for an arc of this story!

Kosa pulled me in from the beginning. The characters and situations felt real; I was there with them, and when things get real, things get real! Stakes are intense, and responses are messy and realistic. There are cops, but this is not a procedural, and I love it for that. We've got stories from the perspectives of the perpetrator and victims, the people who live the story. We love a return to the creep factor of original fairy tales and Kosa gives all those vibes!

"Kosa" is a disturbing and brutal retelling of Rapunzel. Durgin pens a tale that projects off the page cinematically, as if Wes Craven had gotten his hands on Disney's Tangled and set out to destroy all childhood wonder with grief, abuse, grisly horror, and one heck of an epic climax.

Thanks to Net Galley and DarkLit Press for the free download in exchange for my honest opinion.
Overall, I enjoyed the story.
I would recommend the story for people who like horror and who like dark fairytale retellings.
This was based on Rapunzel, which is a decent fairytale, but not one of my favorites.
I also was not immediately pulled in. I had some real issues with the beginning of the book. The father was completely unrealistic. His addiction - unrealistic. If he was that hooked, then he would not have been able to function as he did. But that issue moved the plot along, so ok.
I am glad that I stuck with it, though, because the story really picked up steam when Kosa was introduced.
I read the main part of the book in only 2 sittings - so you know that means it moved quickly and held me captivated.
I give 3 stars because this is a quick, easy read. It kept my attention, and it was gruesome. However, it was not as dark as it could have been, and it stayed very surface horror. We never do a real deep dive into any of the characters or situations.
I usually like my horror a bit deeper and more psychological, but this was still good.
I would recommend giving it a shot.

I have been on a quest for Baba Yaga and bog witch type of books lately, so when I saw the description of Kosa, of course I had to read it. This book did not disappoint!!! This one was a little more fast-paced than I typically read, but I loved it. It had good elements of fairy tale and horror. Check trigger warnings, but this is a Baba Yaga type of story. I do want to note that this is more of plot driven atmospheric story. Most characters are not in it long enough to get any strong character development. Overall, this was one of the better horror stories that I read in a long time.

A witch. Creepy cats. Cannibalism. Missing children. Lots of dread. What more could you ask for? Recommend!

I enjoyed this book and how he turned the Rapunzel/Tangled story into something a lot different and better in my opinion. This is the first time I have read anything by John Durgin but look forward to reading more by him. Thanks alot to DarkLit Press and Netgalley for providing this copy to me to read and review.

This is a horror retelling of Rapunzel and if that idea grabs you then you should definitely read this book!

The main plot follows Kosa who has some strange rules and rituals to keep Mother happy and healthy, As time goes on, Kosa begins to question whether Mother has anyone's interests but her own in mind.

I liked this book. It was okay. It was very linear, that is to say there were not really any twists and the plot points I could see coming a mile away, but that wasn't a bad thing. It was predictable and easy to read. It is also very horrific and pulls no punches. There are trigger warnings and I do appreciate how John Durgin put them in the back of the book so that reads to check them if they wanted too but nothing was spoiled for readers who wanted to go in blind. This is a happy median for trigger warnings.

Overall this was a 3 star for me John Durgin continues to improve in his writing which each book he puts out.

(I received this book from the editor and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Kosa is not just a dark fairy tale, but several in one. Let me explain: at first, I thought it was a twisty retelling of Rapunzel (Kosa means Hair in different languages), but, as the story went on, I started to see some elements of other tales as well, all coming together in a nightmarish novel that is very hard to put down and almost impossible to forget for a while.
I really enjoyed the changes in rhythm throughout the reading. The reader may think they just met the main character, but Kosa is the only aspect that prevails, because this is her story. She may be outside and looking into it ―ironic, bearing in mind she cannot escape both her situation and the house she lives in― but everything happens around her whether she likes it or not.
I especially liked the darkest scenes, because I was waiting for them and they still managed to surprise me. There are a couple of things at the end that were just too convenient plot wise, but it did not affect the general satisfaction. This is my first John Durgin, but it will definitely not be the last.

Kosa was absolutely fun to read! A creepy Rapunzel retelling. This would be great as a movie! You better not stay at the little rental house in the woods.. There’s a witch with strange pet cats, kids often go missing, and you might end up captured! Poor sweet Kosa, I felt so bad for her. I love the author’s spin on this tale! Perfect read to cuddle up with some blankets over the weekend.

KOSA
By: John Durgin
-A ruinous and horrifyingly macabre fairytale that will haunt you long after you read the last words.
-The kind of fairy tale that is every horror lovers dream.
John’s new novel had everything that you want in a great horror book, great scenery setting, horror, evil, gore, animals, cannibalism, occults, folklore. A dark and twisted telling of Rapunzel that will have you thinking twice about the woods and your beloved cats. Yo ugh do not want to miss this book!