If you've been following my blog for any amount of time you will know that primarily I am a crime fiction blogger. However, when my reading mojo deserts me I turn to the horror genre to kickstart it. Creature by Hunter Shea was one of the first books I turned to when that happened at the end of last year. I had seen some cracking reviews and I wanted to see for myself what the book was all about. I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher but that has in no way influenced my review. Creature was like nothing else I've read in the horror genre before. Yes, this is horror fiction but in a different unexpected way. It's also a very important love story which ultimately broke my heart. Packed with raw emotion and bucketloads of feeling this book is one we should all read - whether you regularly read horror novels or not. Having finished the book it also became blatantly clear what a personal book this is to the author. Kate and Andrew are very much in love but Kate is terribly ill suffering from a number of chronic debilitating autoimmune diseases. Knowing that the future isn't looking too bright Andrew books a three-month break taking Kate from the four walls which imprison her on a daily basis to the peace and tranquillity of a lake-side cabin in Maine's vast woodlands. What starts out as a dream come true for the couple soon turns into a nightmare. The four walls of their home are quickly replaced by another prison, but this one is altogether more terrifying than they could have ever imagined. I instantly liked both Kate and Andrew. I admired Kate's determination to do as much as she could for herself but really felt for Andrew when that determination manifested itself in Kate damaging herself even more. This a slow burn of a read and Shea spends significant time at the start of the book ensuring the reader knows what a struggle life is for this couple. I appreciated that as when the horrors start you feel totally invested in Kate and Andrew. The only other character I should mention at this point is Kate's dog, Buttons, who is just gorgeous! His dedication to Kate shines through, no matter what. This is a horror novel though and a horror novel wouldn't be so without something scary. And oh boy, this is a BIG scary. The writing is tense, taut and descriptive and I found myself holding my breath at certain parts. It's a little on the gory and gruesome side but you'd be surprised if it wasn't, right? What I love about Creature is what exactly Shea has achieved here. This is a carefully thought out and well-planned plot and one which I admire greatly. I can't really say any more without giving away a few spoilers but this book made me want to punch the air with my fist and shout 'YES!'. Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. It's something completely different to everything else I've read in the horror genre, and I expect if I were to read another of Mr Shea's books that would still be the case. Deeply emotional, totally unexpected and honest. If you don't tend to read books in the horror genre but have always been intrigued then I suggest you start with this one. A heartbreaking love story and a tale of how chronic illness can tear peoples lives apart. I chose to read and review Creature. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher but that has in no way influenced my review. Creature was like nothing else I’ve read in the horror genre before. Yes, this is horror fiction but in a different unexpected way. It’s also a very important love story which ultimately broke my heart. Packed with raw emotion and bucketloads of feeling this book is one we should all read – whether you regularly read horror novels or not. Having finished the book it also became blatantly clear what a personal book this is to the author. Kate and Andrew are very much in love but Kate is terribly ill suffering from a number of chronic debilitating autoimmune diseases. Knowing that the future isn’t looking too bright Andrew books a three-month break taking Kate from the four walls which imprison her on a daily basis to the peace and tranquillity of a lake-side cabin in Maine’s vast woodlands. What starts out as a dream come true for the couple soon turns into a nightmare. The four walls of their home are quickly replaced by another prison, but this one is altogether more terrifying than they could have ever imagined. I instantly liked both Kate and Andrew. I admired Kate’s determination to do as much as she could for herself but really felt for Andrew when that determination manifested itself in Kate damaging herself even more. This a slow burn of a read and Shea spends significant time at the start of the book ensuring the reader knows what a struggle life is for this couple. I appreciated that as when the horrors start you feel totally invested in Kate and Andrew. The only other character I should mention at this point is Kate’s dog, Buttons, who is just gorgeous! His dedication to Kate shines through, no matter what. This is a horror novel though and a horror novel wouldn’t be so without something scary. And oh boy, this is a BIG scary. The writing is tense, taut and descriptive and I found myself holding my breath at certain parts. It’s a little on the gory and gruesome side but you’d be surprised if it wasn’t, right? What I love about Creature is what exactly Shea has achieved here. This is a carefully thought out and well-planned plot and one which I admire greatly. I can’t really say any more without giving away a few spoilers but this book made me want to punch the air with my fist and shout ‘YES!’. Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. It’s something completely different to everything else I’ve read in the horror genre, and I expect if I were to read another of Mr Shea’s books that would still be the case. Deeply emotional, totally unexpected and honest. If you don’t tend to read books in the horror genre but have always been intrigued then I suggest you start with this one. A heartbreaking love story and a tale of how chronic illness can tear peoples lives apart. I chose to read and review Creature. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

Firstly, many thanks to Netgalley and Flame Tree Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I'm particularly grateful as this was the first time I had read anything by this author, but, definitely won't be the last. I really enjoyed this book. I liked the writing style and the slow build of tension. Kate is really ill (she suffers from auto immune disease and a host of related health problems) and her husband Andrew is her saviour. It's heartbreaking to read about Kate's illnesses and you must, must, must read the author's 'Afterword' at the end of the book as you then fully understand the reasoning for his in-depth knowledge. The detail is incredibly moving and you do feel such empathy for both characters and their relationship. This isn't a typical horror story, although, I'm sure fans of Stephen King and James Herbert will enjoy. It is a slow burn and, in my opinion, the better for that. There were elements I didn't like (and I'm cautious here as I don't want to spoil anything) suffice to say, it's a visceral read that gets gruesome and for me, a little silly at times. However, that did not take away from my overall enjoyment and fixation with this fascinating, heart wrenching read.