Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Release Day Review: The Suffering by Rin Chupeco

Title: The Suffering
Author: Rin Chupeco
Series: Book Two in the Girl From the Well Series
Published By: Sourcebooks (September 8, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Horror/Thriller
My Rating: 5 Stars!!


Book Description:
Over the last year I've gone against faceless women, disfigured spirits, and grotesque revenants. Some people keep dangerous hobbies; skydiving and driving at monster truck rallies and glacier surfing. Me? I cast my soul into the churning waters of potential damnation and wait for a bite. 

It’s been two years since Tark Halloway’s nightmare ended. Free from the evil spirit that haunted him all his life, he now aids the ghostly Okiku and avenges the souls of innocent children by hunting down their murderers. But when Okiku becomes responsible for a death at his high school, Tark begins to wonder if they’re no better than the killers they seek out.

When an old friend disappears in Aokigahara, Japan’s infamous ‘suicide forest’, both must resolve their differences and return to that country of secrets to find her. 

Because there is a strange village inside Aokigahara, a village people claim does not exist. A village where strange things lie waiting.

A village with old ghosts and an ancient evil – one that may be stronger than even Okiku…










Having loved the richly dark and creepy Japanese lore from the first book, it was without a second thought (other than if the lights were on, it was daylight out, and someone else was home with me) that I picked up The Suffering.

I was so ready to be on that scary roller coaster ride with Tark and Ki once again and couldn't wait to strap in, hang on tight, and get the ride of a lifetime, or at the very least, be scared silly by the thought of the creepy possessed dolls and monsters that seemed to lurk around every corner or rather, persons, from the first book. 

I was not disappointed.

This time told in Tark's point of view, the story was not only ramped up in every way possible, but so much fun coming from a male (sarcastic)  point of view. I didn't realize how much I loved Tark until getting inside his head and seeing things the way he does.

And yes, in case you were wondering, the fear factor is definitely ramped up as well. Chuleco knows how to write and write well. This story was completely captivating and wonderfully done. 


The lore, the monsters, the curses, possessions, ghosts, demons, I just loved all of it. The ending was very satisfying as well. I am so happy I took a chance and gave this series a try. It really was entertaining and creepy in all the right ways.





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

54 comments:

  1. I plan to read a whole bunch of Japan-inspired books before my trip there in November, so this one is definitely on my list. Japanese horrors are so fascinating to me! This book series sound seriously wonderful.

    Aentee at The Social Potato

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  2. Oh wow. 5 stars! I wish I were in the mood for thrillers right now. I'll keep this in mind though. Brill review, Ali!

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  3. Awesome to see the follow up was great and still really creepy - Great review!

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  4. I love the sound of the male POV! And yay for this being even better than the first, Ali!
    Great review! :)

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    1. It really was fun getting a male POV, we really do need more of them in all genres!

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  5. Ah! I didn't know there was a sequel! I really enjoyed The Girl from the Well too, and I love that we get Tark's POV in this one. Definitely going to make time for this one:)

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  6. This sounds super creepy. I wonder if it's something I'll enjoy. I do like that it's told from a male perspective and a sarcastic one at that. Nice review, definitely one to think about.

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    1. I think you would, it really was so much fun and the creep factor was perfect, especially for this time of year. ;)

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  7. Wow, this sounds awesome!! So creepy!!! Perfect to read in the Fall. :)

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  8. Oh, there's a sequel!! Squeeee :D The awesome keeps on coming!

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  9. Wow! Five stars. I should read this series. I haven't read anything super creepy in awhile. I am glad you enjoyed this!

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    1. You need to read this Heidi, I just know you will like it. ;)

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  10. I am so into creepy horror these days! Especially now that it's getting closer and closer to Halloween :D I am going to put this one on my list. Japanese lore is something that has always fascinated me! :)

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    1. Yay! I hope you love it! I have really been into the creepier reads as well and this really was perfect for that.

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  11. Dang Ali, you've been on a creepy book kick lately! I actually just started a Good Marriage by Stephen King. It must be the time of year for spooky stuff.

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    1. It really must be, something is definitely in the air!
      I hope you love your read Tyler! :D

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  12. Nope, skipping this. It's too scary, the Japs knows terror and a book that echoes that is a hard limit! True confession, when I saw The Ring (Jap version), I was sleepless for TWO WEEKS and my TV was shrouded because it faced my bed. Nope, reading this series vicariously through you guys

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    1. LOL, I don't blame you but really, I have read worse things by King than this. ;)

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  13. I didn't even know it was a series! I already put the first book on my wishlist after your review, now I'm just even more certain I need to move it up up up.

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    1. Yes! Do it! I can't wait to see what you thought about it.

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  14. Gosh Ali, the way you wrote this review, (and pretty much all of your lovely reviews) just made me want to drop everything and read this book RIGHT NOW. I'm def adding this one to my tbr because I need to be thrilled and I'm craving the suspense! Thanks for sharing this girl.♡

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    1. Aww thanks so much Keionda, you are so sweet!

      I hope you love this as much as I did. :D

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  15. Yike Ali, a five star that you can't read alone or with the lights off. Wow!
    This is going on my, have to be in the right mood pile :)

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    1. You definitely need to be in the right frame of mind for this one. ;)

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  16. Damn it, Ali ... see, you keep posting about this series and it's making me twitch. I'm the type that likes read creepy books in the dark by an open window.

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    1. Do it do it do it. And why does that not surprise me?

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  17. Good Gads..this sounds creeptastic Ali. So it's the same story but from his perspective? I love the Japanese lore..needs!!

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  18. yay another great creepy book! So curious!

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  19. I am so glad to see you enjoyed The Suffering too, Ali! I should have been smart and read it during the day instead of the middle of the night (not a good idea btw, I was creeped out as heck)

    I loved being inside Tark's head again (although I did miss Callie) and I totally agree that Chupeco know show to write really well.

    I hope she'll be putting out more books so we can read them ALL

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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    1. I really hope so too Rashika. I will definitely be buying them up!

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  20. This sounds amazing! I don't recall ever seeing this series, but would love to give book one a go for an October read.

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  21. You are a brave lady! I don't think I'd touch this with a ten foot pole. WAY too scary! Glad you loved it though!

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  22. oh this looks perfectly creepy, have the first book, really need to dig into it.

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  23. You are seriously adding to my list of creepy books to read for the up-coming fall months when I love some good old fashion scare time. I'm super excited about this one being from Tark's POV!!
    Great review, Ali :)

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    1. Yay! I'm excited for you to read these Kim and I can't wait to see what you think about them both!

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  24. This sounds like an awesome thriller, and I can never find decent ones glad you loved it!!

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    1. This whole series was so much fun. I hope you like it as well if you decide to try it. :D

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  25. Once they got to the suicide forest I was so hooked with this one. LOVED IT. I'm glad you enjoyed it too. :)

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    1. So you did read them, yay! Glad you loved them too. And yeah, that whole village was super creepy! I loved it too though.

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