Goodreads Monday Pick
A Haunting in the Arctic by C.J. Cooke comes out this week and is one of those books on my TBR that I’m not sure will get the attention that it deserves, so I wanted to show it off here. I’ve had to put it back on my shelf numerous times since it was sent to me, but that was not by choice. (Publication dates scream at me sometimes, and I’m forced to change up what I’m planning on reading.)
Book Blurb
A deserted shipwreck off the coast of Iceland holds terrors and dark secrets in this chilling horror novel from the author of The Lighthouse Witches.
The year is 1901, and Nicky is attacked, then wakes on board the Ormen, a whaling ship embarked on what could be its last voyage. With land still weeks away, it’s just her, the freezing ocean, and the crew – and they’re all owed something only she can give them…
Now, over one hundred years later, the wreck of the Ormen has washed up on the forbidding, remote coast of Iceland. It’s scheduled to be destroyed, but explorer Dominique feels an inexplicable pull to document its last days, even though those who have ventured onto the wreck before her have met uncanny ends.
Onboard the boat, Dominique will uncover a dark past riddled with lies, cruelty, and murder—and her discovery will change everything. Because she’ll soon realize she’s not alone. Something has walked the floors of the Ormen for almost a century. Something that craves revenge.
Currently Reading:
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Progress on my 2024 Goodreads Reading Challenge:
I’m 26 books and 8,976 pages into my goal of 150 books and 50,000 pages for the year. That’s 3 books and 1,462 pages ahead of where I need to be.
17% (26 books) & 18% (8,976 pages)
19 responses to “Goodreads Monday| A Haunting in the Arctic by C. J. Cooke”
A Haunting in the Arctic didn’t turn out to be anything like I’d expected, so I’m anxious to hear what you think.
I have now finished it. I loved the writing. The imagery and atmosphere are amazing. I also loved the twist at the end. I knew there was a twist but I never even thought for a minute what did happen would happen. I think there is a beauty to the end and how the story is constructed. Now, that being said, it’s incredibly hard to read because it’s just so brutal. I skimmed a lot of the hard scenes.
What did you think?
The twist at the end was something I’d just assumed from nearly the beginning, so I was surprised it was a twist. No matter how hard I squinted, I couldn’t make the ending pieces fit in a semi-logical way (knowledge of social media?). I felt cheated and angry over those brutal scenes (so many) because nothing like that was even hinted in the description and was such a large part of the story. Setting all that aside (phew!), I completely agree about the imagery, atmosphere, and beautiful scene at the end.
I think the end should have been explained better since it’s so contrary to typical beliefs. It confused me at first then the resolution came to ahead and I got lost in that. But now that I’m thinking about it, I have loads of questions.
And I shouldn’t admit this because it makes me look stupid, but the reason it was such a twist for me was because I read Dominique as Dominic and since it was first person, no pronouns were used that I noticed anyway 🤦🏻♀️. I misread myself into a better story 😂
I thought she was a guy at first also, lol! The name Dom was used, but then one of the other characters said something that made me think Dom was a female.
It sounds like a great book. I haven’t read many books based in Iceland.
Amazing to be 3 books ahead of schedule!
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2024/02/26/goodreads-monday-add-your-links-in-the-comments-section-for-all-to-see-the-deep-end-by-julie-mulhern/
I’m happy to be ahead by a bit!
It takes the pressure off – not that pressure is necessarily there but you know what I mean 😂
Happy reading, Tessa!
I’m really curious about A Haunting in the Arctic!
It is creepy and full of lore of Selkies.
Well, that sounds intriguingly creepy! Thanks for highlighting, Tessa💜
It does!
Oh, yessss I am also looking forward to this one! I discovered this author last year and I love her writing style~
She has a great way with descriptions
Sounds interesting.
I think so too!
It does!
Oooh.. That book sounds chilling! I do hope you get to read it, Tessa. It sounds like a worthwhile dive.
[…] to Tessa @ Tessa Talks Books for featuring this in her Goodreads Monday post. I’m not a big fan of the horror genre but this […]