Dnf after reading 3rd of it

It took me a while to realise why i couldn't like this book - as other reviews said, it's an homage to Stephen King's style.

Now i grew up reading King, it was fine back in the time. But i can't enjoy him anymore due to it's bloatedness and meh level horror.

This story i found interesting, and would have loved to finish, but it became a chore to pick up once i realised it's stretched beyond reason. It's overly detailed and it dilutes the story to the point that i don't care about the actual plot anymore.

I can't say it's a bad book, if you don't mind a leisurely read, than it's definitely a cool book to pick up.

I read a lot of excellent reviews of Chuck Wending's novels but this is the first I read. I'm late to the party but there will be more of his novel in in my TBR because I loved this one.
This is a creepy story that makes you fall into the novel and live into the small town and face the darkness that is coming.
Well plotted and gripping.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This book is in the running for one of my favourite books of the year. My first taste of Chuck Wendig’s work but certainly won’t be the last, this book hooked me from the first page. Somehow this book made me want to try all the different varieties of apple while simultaneously never wanting to see another apple ever again!
This is a claustrophobic, deeply unsettling tale of addiction, power and corruption. The writing is beyond compelling and the atmosphere is dark and sinister. This is a psychological horror but still has enough moments of gore to make you squirm. The characters are well crafted and distinct, some you’ll love, some you’ll hate. This is a long book but it is well paced and keeps the tension high throughout. The worldbuilding and immersive writing style is reminiscent of Stephen King (the highest compliment I could give) and I can’t wait to start reading this authors back catalogue.

With thanks to Random House Uk and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this incredible book in exchange for an honest review

A small town becomes obsessed with a new type of apple, but like no other you have ever heard of. They make people feel stronger and healthier than they thought possible. When an outsider threatens to uncover the town's secrets, the residents are driven to take extreme measures to protect their community.

This book is easily one of my favourite reads of 2023.

I'll start out by saying that if you haven't read anything by Chuck Wendig yet, you need to fix that as soon as possible. His writing is of the highest quality and Black River Orchard is no exception. The entire book was so atmospheric and I loved the dark idea behind the plot. To take something as mundane as an apple and make it the source of the horror in this story was incredibly clever.

I was thoroughly invested in the characters and I enjoyed that the story was told from different perspectives. The small town setting was the perfect setting and gave a real sense of claustrophobia.

I honestly can't recommend this enough, it's definitely a must-read if you enjoy horror books.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I really liked the characters progression and the way the story evolved, i just think it could of been a bit shorter.

I love everything about this book. It’s the perfect spooky read. The setting, the characters, the descriptions. Chuck Wendig’s style reminds me a lot of Stephen King but with a more modern twist.

You can read a lot into this: colonialism, the effects of social media, class, heritage, addiction. But even as a straight up horror it’s a fantastic read. It’s grotesque, gory, shocking, and creepy with bits of action and thriller sprinkled in for good measure.

I really enjoyed the ending too. I was gasping at points and the climax was really pacy without feeling rushed. All in, it’s a romping horror that’s a must read this Halloween!

This was a really well done horror, with plenty humor thrown in. I just felt it was way too long, and could have been a third less long. It took away from the story.

Dark and sinister on every page.

I felt a sense of unease and tension reading this. Like a rollercoaster climbing the hill and then just teetering on the edge, waiting to drop you, plummeting down, then around and upside down.

Wendig has managed to craft together a story told from the perspective of various characters giving each chapter its own voice and allowing each of the characters room to breathe and develop. Yes they are flawed, but that’s what makes them interesting. It’s what makes them human and relatable.

Parts of it made me wince and squirm, ready to throw the book down in horror at what I had just read (there’s a part where something happens to eyes and I had to stop, take a deep breath and just get past it). There really are some really gruesome moments here.

I don’t want say too much about it as I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say it is dark, gruesome, tense, funny, and bloody good. Oh, and I can tell you now, I’m never eating apples again.

This is a great “spooky season” read. Perfect for those autumnal evenings.

Thanks to Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderfully twisted and engrossing story about a magical apple and the town that becomes totally obsessed with it. The atmosphere this tale creates is amazing, with it's crazy cultists and some very, very disturbing body horror imagery. An absolutely perfect autumnal read to devour, whilst eating an apple or two.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for this ARC. I’ve been wanting to read a Chuck Wendig book for a while and this one really peaked my interest.

This is a horror novel following multiple different characters who live in a town that starts to change when Dan Paxson starts selling his mysterious apples at the local market. Spoiler alert, the apples are not good for the town.

So before I start my review I want to tell you all about Costco apples. So at the beginning of this year my sister got a Costco membership and I tagged along with her because I’ve always been interested in what exactly Costco sells (a lot it seems) and she grabbed this tray of apples to put in our trolley. She said that her mother in law is obsessed with these apples and can’t find anything like it in any other supermarket so I’m like “hmmm interesting let’s give it a go”. My GOD. It’s the best apple I’ve ever tasted in my life so she tries it and then I get my husband to try it and she gets her husband to try it and now we’re all freaking obsessed with the Costco apples. Not sure if the US Costco apples are the same, I live in the UK but wow. They are mind blowing.

Anyway, I’ve kept my synopsis of the book vague because I think the less you know going in, the better. This was an absolutely incredible novel, it reminded me a lot of Salem’s Lot by Stephen King (my favourite book of all time might I add so this is a massive compliment) in terms of storytelling and the way everything slowly devolves into madness. Chuck Wending is an excellent writer, I never found myself bored reading this despite it being just over 600 pages long. The pacing was great, delivering action packed scenes were needed and slower paced scenes to balance them out. There is a LOT of body horror in this, it was extremely gory in places which I think really expanded on the actual HORROR of what was going on in the book. Every time I feared a “fade to black” scene the author just kept going which I really appreciated as a horror lover.

At first I found some of the characters to be extremely unlikeable and was left wondering how on earth I was ever going to connect with them and care for whatever fate they had. Well by the end of this book I had tears in my eyes because these characters were so REALISTIC and by realistic I mean they had flaws, they were morally grey and they were human. The book discusses good and evil at great length and these characters really illustrate that no one is all good or all bad, we are all a mix of both. I particularly liked John’s character, I have a real soft spot for him and I think he illustrates this book’s message perfectly.

This is a must read for horror lovers, don’t let the length put you off, I can assure you it’s worth it! If you like Stephen King then I think you will love Chuck Wendig’s writing, it’s absolutely brilliantly atmospheric and descriptive. I highlighted many a quote let me tell you. All in all I haven’t read a horror book this good in too long and you need to read it when it’s released on 28th September or better yet preorder it!

P.S. yo Chuck what is up with that note you found in the sofa? I would be burning that thing! 😂

Absolutely compelling, this was so creepy and disturbing. A perfect autumnal read, with some wonderfully descriptive writing. I could almost feel myself biting into an apple, although thankfully I don’t like them much, I’m not sure I could eat one again. The lyrical writing style made for a beautifully insidious horror story, I really think that this is Wendig at his best.
I really enjoyed learning about apples too, the history element was fascinating, who knew that there were so many varieties of apple. Also the idea of the apple being the fruit that bore sin in the garden of Eden, yet also being the staple fruit of most homes. Some interesting ideas, brilliantly and horrifically executed.

"Black River Orchard" by Chuck Wendig is a mesmerizing and chilling tale that masterfully blends elements of horror, mystery, and small-town dynamics. Wendig's writing style, reminiscent of Stephen King's, immerses readers in the eerie atmosphere of Harrow, a town forever changed by the enigmatic apple orchard.

The slow transformation of the townsfolk, driven by their insatiable craving for the magical apples, is portrayed with an uncanny realism that tugs at the reader's emotions. The depiction of the characters' descent into darkness and the struggle of a few to resist the orchard's allure are both captivating and haunting.

Wendig's inclusion of scientific tidbits and historical lore adds depth and intrigue to the narrative, enriching the overall reading experience. Despite a large cast of characters, the multiple points of view are expertly woven together, creating a cohesive and engaging story.

While some may find the narrative's length a tad extended due to the numerous characters, the payoff is worth it. The conclusion is both satisfying and leaves a lingering sense of foreboding, making "Black River Orchard" a must-read for fans of atmospheric, autumnal horror. This book delivers an unsettling and unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness hidden within a deceptively tranquil town. Highly recommended for those seeking a unique and eerie tale to savor during the fall season.

I'm a huge fan of the current horror renaissance, but reading Black River Orchard, my first Chuck Wendig, has made me realise that I've read relatively little classic horror. This one definitely feels more Stephen King or Stranger Things than, say, Julia Armfield or Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Dan Paxson is down on his luck when he unexpectedly inherits his father's old orchard in Pennsylvania and discovers the heritage apple that he names the 'Ruby Slipper', but which we later find out has had a range of other names, from Harrowsblack to Vinot's Allegresse to pkwësu. This ancient apple is delicious and compelling; people can't stop eating it once they taste it, and feel that they are becoming perfected versions of themselves, with old wounds healing and afflictions like poor eyesight melting away. But what is the story behind this apple? Do its gifts have a cost, and who will pay it?

Black River Orchard is beautifully atmospheric, weird and original. I loved the way Wendig uses apple imagery throughout the novel, as well as the way he weaves in his research on heritage apples and the darker history of the apple in America - imported from Europe, it was grown on Native American land which was then stolen from indigenous peoples, their skills belittled. However, it is very much a traditional horror novel, and I think I'm just not that into traditional horror - which means that many readers may enjoy this more than I did. For me, the problem with this kind of horror narrative was summed up by one of the characters at the end of the book: 'True evil is real. But it's still a human evil. Even if it comes from outside of us, I think at the end of the day, it only wins when we let it in.' One, I'm just not interested in books that deal with the 'battle between good and evil', full stop. But two, and more importantly, I find these kind of stories morally simplistic: this book is literally about 'bad apples', people who are 'monsters' and who corrupt others because they have 'holes in [their] soul.' Yeah, I just don't think that's a good way to think about humanity, or why things like genocide, dispossession and repression happen. A few other readers have noted that Wendig's asides on social issues in this book are jarring; I agree, but I usually wouldn't bother to mention it because his heart is in the right place. However, in this novel, I do think this is a symptom of a bigger issue: ultimately, we can divide these characters into 'good' and 'bad', we know the right things to believe, and that's it.

For me horror has huge and exciting potential because of the ways it allows us to talk about things that are otherwise hard to voice. The horror that works best for me is the horror that works its way into my head because it is genuinely unsettling, saying something unspoken about the world, whether that's about the personal horror of grief (Our Wives Under The Sea) or the geopolitical horror of a country's past (Our Share of Night , Build Your House Around My Body). So the good/evil binary in Black River Orchard is not just frustrating on a moral level, it actually makes the book less scary. Wendig relies largely on gory imagery and body horror, which is disturbing but not actually frightening. I don't want human villains in horror, to be quite honest - I want weird supernatural entities, things that are totally unexplained.

So, much of this is about what I am seeking in a horror novel rather than about this particular book itself. However, I do think that, even taken on its own terms, Black River Orchard has weaknesses. The first half is incredibly slow, and the book as a whole is far too long. A genuinely gut-wrenching midpoint resets the novel, accelerating into a gripping second half, but it could have lost about two hundred pages. The characterisation is uneven: I loved Dan's daughter Calla, her boyfriend Marco, libertarian, sexually-experimental Joanie, and apple hunter John Compass, but the rest of the cast fell flat for me. Emily, whose wife Meg falls under the thrall of the apple, never rang true to me, partly because the reasons she's with Meg in the first place are never established, making Emily feel weak, and Meg abusive, even before she eats the apple (Wendig describes Emily as a 'sparky lesbian' late in the novel, which, sorry, no, she is not). Dan is a frustrating cipher, and I actually got quite confused by the end, as it seems we are meant to read him as irredeemable even before the apple came along, but this is not well-written at all, so his badness seems to come out of nowhere. Maybe this is Wendig's point - that the potential for evil hides within us all - but if so, this is totally undercut by the fact that some characters instinctively reject the apple.

This review has dwelt on the negatives, but I do think this is a great Halloween read that will appeal to a lot of horror fans. I enjoyed reading it, although it just wasn't quite my thing in the end - and it's definitely helped me clarify some of my ideas about horror, which is a bonus. 3.5 stars.

Devoured this in a weekend, like a particularly delicious apple…

I don’t know the last time I read a book so quickly, the definition of unputdownable. It’s a relatively long book and a couple of sections dragged a little but overall it was a treat.

One for those who are fans of body horror, body snatching, trees, small-town America gone wrong, apples, demons and teen angst.

Thank you to Random House UK and NetGalley for the ARC!

Firstly...I would love to know how many times the word 'apple' is used in this book. It must be a ridiculously high number.

Secondly, this was certainly a wild ride! I felt it started a little slow, and I struggled to stay hugely interested in it. Calla, one of our POV's, was very much a stereotypical, self absorbed teenager. But once I pushed passed that, I found Black River Orchard was a great horror book.

It had cults, body horror, brainwashing, and much more. All centered around a mysterious apple, that seems to change people when they eat it. They get stronger and better, illnesses cured and more. But they also become obsessed and fanatical.

Our POVs are Calla, a teenager who aspires to be an influencer and to go to Princeton. Dan, her father, who wants to do his own dad proud and make money off this new apple he's grown. Emily, who has moved to the area with her wife and is struggling to find herself. Joanie, who is unapologetically herself and comfortable in her own skin. John, an ex-sniper who has become a Quaker and is trying to find out about his friends death.

Side characters include Marco, Calla's boyfriend, Graham, Joanie's husband, Meg, Emily's wife.

The middle of this book (the winter months) are a little bit slow, but it speeds up towards the end. By the time you're at the last 20%, it's rocketing by and you're fully in the throes of weirdness. Wendig did a great job of making it seem creepy and yet plausible, and I loved the character development our main group (excluding one of them) had.

Overall, I think I need to check out his other works!

A new author for me and I will definitely be reading more of this very talented author's work. A fantastic horror story and so much more. A brilliant story, with great and believable characters and apples. Yes I did say apples but these are the devil's apples. I was completely immersed in the tale that was unfolding and did not want this book to end. It was a brilliant read. Atmospheric, chilling and horror that was bloody and at times terrifying. Highly, highly recommended and a well deserved five stars. Loved It!!!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the Arc in return for an honest review.

DNF at 15%

Wending trying to write teen characters is so cringe worthy I cannot keep reading.

I'm looking for a decent story, not a shopping list of the latest trends, brands and marginally outdated slang from an author trying too hard to tick boxes.

As an apple-enthusiast (seriously, put an apple in a baked good and I’m eating it immediately), I absolutely loved Black River Orchard. In terms of plot, all you really need to know is that it’s about a farmer, Dan Paxson, growing an apple orchard that produces scarily addictive fruit. Chuck Wendig’s various descriptions of apples—which were sometimes mouth-watering and, given that it’s a horror novel, sometimes stomach-churning—were so evocative.

Along with the strange and scary apple orchard, this book offers a fantastic cast of characters and a small town with dark secrets. Things get weird in a way that might not be for everyone, but it worked brilliantly for me!

Chuck Wendig is an author I'd read a bit of licensed fiction by, not enjoyed it, and thought I'd never read again. Black River Orchard, however, is a different beast: Small town America, a setting used to great effect many times by Stephen King; apples, so many ruby red apples, and considering what they cause, if you loved the fruit before you may not now... and if you weren't keen before you'll be even less so now; the endless struggle between good and evil; a disparate, and largely likeable, bunch of characters brought together by events; and lots of body horror. Did I mention Stephen King? That's because this has almost all the hallmarks of King at his finest. Do I have any complaints? One or two of the characters are superfluous. Non-binary Esther, for instance, appears in a few scenes, one memorable, and then they (Or should that be she, because they/she vacillates between non-binary and binary.) is quickly dismissed off-page in a sentence. I've read other books recently which have featured LGBTQ+ characters that were well developed and a natural part of the narrative, but Esther just seems like a case of box ticking by the author. All this being said, I think it's safe to say I'll probably be looking out for Wendig's next horror, while still avoiding his licensed fiction. Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an advanced copy.

Strange but Excellent story. Lots of action and twists and turns.
Great characters well described.
Reminded me of early Stephen King books which is a great compliment to the author.

Makes me worried about trying new apple varieties :)

Looking forward to more from Chuck Wendig
Many thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC and opportunity to enjoy this wonderful book