Plot
The book is set on the remote Scottish island of Altnaharra, and the narrative, which begins in 1921 and develops over several time periods, deals with a close, quasi-religious community of six referred to as The Children, led by a character called Uncle. This cult worships a snake deity called the Adder, who they believe will pass on its powers to the most worthy follower. Uncle is abusive and exploitative, and the Children are deliberately kept apart from the outside world. The two protagonists, Dinah and Eve, are as close as sisters, but very different in outlook; Eve loves the island life, and Dinah longs for something more. When a young man delivering food to the community finds four of the Children ritualistically murdered, and Dinah the sole survivor, claiming that Eve is the culprit, an investigation ensues to discover the truth.
Narrated by both Dinah and Eve, the story spans decades, and reveals the horrors within the religious group, the relationships between the Children, their ambitions and dreams, and the abuses committed by the controlling but charismatic Uncle.
Reception
The book was well received by critics, and was given a starred review in Publishers Weekly . [2] Lacy Baugher Milas, in a review for Paste, wrote that it was emblematic of Ward's work in the horror genre. [1] Gabino Iglesias, writing for Locus, similarly felt that it was "one of Ward's best books", praising the atmospheric setting and storytelling. [3] John Mauro of GrimDark Magazine described it as "dense but absorbing, with a hypnotic quality akin to staring in the unblinking eyes of a giant snake." [4] The book won the 2018 Shirley Jackson Award and the 2019 British Fantasy Award. [5] [6]
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