A town divided keeps it’s secrets close.
A monster hides beneath the turmoil and chaos.
And one woman becomes a catalyst that opens the floodgates on decades of hatred.
I’m so grateful to have won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway, which has in no way effected my review.. These are one hundred percent my own thoughts and opinions.
September always means it’s almost Halloween!
Now’s the perfect time to tuck into the darker, creepy, and undeniably twisted tales.
Cedar Dolls is a chaotic and disturbing psychological thriller full of unappealing characters.
I’m stuck somewhere between Why not? and What’s new?
I’ve noticed that a cast of unlikeable characters actually suits this (and similar) genres really well. It leads you to constantly question the very thin line between what makes a victim.. and villain.
This is one of those.
Spoiler Alert!
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Cedar Dolls by Clarke Wainikka
First line: This is an island of witches.
Once upon a time there were two sisters.
The first was Helen: Strong in her faith to God.
But the second took a far different path. You see, Lucille, well. She was a witch.
Beaten and cast out by her deeply religious family for having an ability with spirits.. The actions made by these two women will create a divide between the town that will touch the lives of generations to come.
In Cedar Bell: Choose your side wisely.
Christian or Wiccan.
Us or Them.
Now Gwen’s father is dying and she’s been summoned back home to be by his side one last time.
Back to Circle Bell and the dark past she left behind.
Three and Half Stars!
Where do I even begin?
Right.
At the beginning.
About the Book:
Gwen: Main character. There’s a lot going on with her.. but she keeps moving forward.
Stephan: Lover? His character is actually kind of pointless.
Mrs. Rabey: Mother. She’s a terrible person.
Mr. Rabey: Father. He’s a horrible man.
Theo: Brother. Has serious anger issues
Ruth: Sister. Seemingly untainted by their parents and the towns issues.
Julie: Friend? Frenemy? She’s just not likeable.
Clarissa Hoft: Leo’s lover and Eddie’s fiance.
Eddie: Clarissa’s fiance. Complete douche-bag.
Daisy: Gwen’s friend. Disappeared.
Pete: Former boyfriend.. Doesn’t really have a big part to play.
Pastor Benjamin: Beloved by the town.
Celeste Keller: Crazy ex-con killing her way across the country.
A religious town. A religious family.
The book begins with a short look into that circumstances that caused a major divide between the people of Circle Bell. Two sisters, one accepted for her faith and easy manner, and the other tossed aside.. shunned for a ‘gift’ she did not choose.
This introduction felt a little unnecessary for the whole of the story..
Ten years ago Gwen fled the town, and her family, with no plans to ever return. Leaving behind her already quick tempered brother, Theo, and sweet younger sister, Ruth, was never what Gwen wanted. She just needed out.. to get away from this crazy town and their contempt of her.
Now that she’s back, she didn’t exactly count on a happy reunion but, I doubt that she expected that her arrival would light the fuse on a town ready to blow.
Girls have gone missing, it’s happened before, but now that it’s one of their own? Blood is in the water and the sharks are circling.
Gwen has to wonder.. is it all connected?
Secrets. This whole damn island was full of secrets, liars, and sinners.
Overall:
The hatred and contention between those of the faith and the wiccan population in this community has the potential to make or break the book.
20%: Not a lot of depth this early in the book, the characters all appear to be unpleasant, and I wasn’t really invested in them but.. I was curious. The story chugs along at a steady pace.
There seems to be something just a little off with everyone.
30%: Where are these wiccans everyone speaks of?
When Gwen begins seeing things, hallucinations that she explains away with the usual stress and exhaustion, but she knows.. she knows they’re leading her towards something. And in a violent conclusion that will uncover more than just the secrets and lies.. Gwen discovers that evil has made it’s home in Circle Bell, and beneath the rising aggression and discontent, it has thrived.
Something wicked is going on and too many people, for far too long, have turned the other way.
Intolerance towards witches, even still, has a disturbing amount of popularity in religious groups. It’s been proven throughout history that those who experience the unexplained, believe in something ‘other’, or simply don’t agree with an ‘accepted’ or ‘approved’ belief system are judged poorly. We see a a lot that here.
Nothing is more great or terrifying.. than the power of of faith.
Liked: I appreciated how human the author made her characters, they’re well fleshed out and, I think it gave the book a sense of realism that isn’t typically expected. The author did a wonderful job of weaving most of the elements she concocted into a pretty interesting whole. Subtle touches of the paranormal lend a haunted, yet believable, feel..
There are also some rather hilarious and relatable quotes throughout that sent me chuckling.
I think the author did a really good job of creating this dark atmosphere, so full of trauma and turmoil that makes it a disturbing, but engrossing, read.
Gwen took out her phone which on the no-service peninsula was just a $1000 flashlight so that’s exactly what she used it for.
Disliked: First: I know that seems odd to be a little annoyed with but.. what’s with the title? It just doesn’t appear related or suitable (to me) at all. Another small complaint was that several characters basically took up space.. they just weren’t essential to the story. If this were a series, and they could have played a bigger role later on, it may have been different. But it’s not.
The author did a great job of making an entire town of unlikeable people and merging them into a whole that I actually found decently interesting. Now, it wasn’t a five star read but, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing more from Wainikka down the road.
What do you think:
Books that are more realistic or stretch the imagination?
There seems to be a lot of unlikable characters here, but to the author’s credit, you were curious enough to move forward with the the plot. That’s a sign of a good book. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve noticed that it’s pretty common with this genre, unsavory characters, but it always depends on the story.. (and the reader) on whether it works well. I’d say this one was a so-so for me.
You are right, though, any book that can hold your interest until the end did a good job!
Interesting book, Sheri. Not sure if it is for me, as I do not enjoy stories with witches. I am glad it was a decent debut book and that you enjoyed it enough to keep reading.
It was certainly different.. But I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re looking for witches. This is more the blind superstitions of a close minded, blindly “religious” community.. Very little of what could be considered “magic” or “witchcraft” is present. Maybe if that interests you?
Thank you! And thanks so much for reading and commenting, Carla!
This is one I will pass on (not my cup of tea), but your review was excellent and very insightful, Sheri!
That’s a shame.. but understandable! Thank you for stopping by and commenting, I really appreciate the kind words!
There is so much about this book that intrigues but, yeah, that title is not one of them. Wonderful review, Sheri! I’ll definitely be taking a closer look at this one. And am in awe that you actually won a Goodreads giveaway.
Usually after you read the book the title makes more sense but.. not this time.
Thank you, Tessa! I hope you enjoy it if it’s something you’re interested in and thank you so much for reading and commenting!
(I was pretty surprised, myself, I would definitely recommend trying it!)
Wonderful review Sheri! I couldn’t help but think hey at least it’s a whole town instead of the neighborhood thrillers I seem to keep picking up.🤣
I guess it’s something in the water because I keep getting the small town ones!
Wonder what will be next? 😋
A lot of mine take place in small towns but I had a serious streak of neighborhood thrillers lately, some of which were in larger cities but just based on the neighborhood.
Well, things tend to come in groups, right? Maybe this is just the book version.. Are they at least good?
They all have been completely different in what happens and I’ve liked them, just weird they all sound the same before reading.
Lol, got it! Even when it seems like you’re reading the same story, somehow, they’re all a little different. Which is good and bad.. I do really enjoy finding the unique ones, though!
Hope you’re enjoying your current read!
Actually my current one is another neighborhood type and it’s dragging like crazy.😢
Ah, that sucks.. I’m sorry to hear that. 😱
Can I ask what book?
It was The Mother Next Door that I just reviewed, just kind of slow and dare I say boring compared to others I have read in my opinion.
Got it. That sucks. It’s always disappointing when you get into a good rhythm reading and then, bam, one just slows everything down. I don’t know if that’s one on my Tbr or not.. I’ll check it out.