A.C. Hessenauer

📚👀👏 Full review for Turn, by @meganstocktonauthor 🫠 My goodness, this is my first book by Stockton, and it won't be my last. This is a hefty one; I think the print version clocks in at around 500 pages. I was forewarned that it was a gruesome read, and there's certainly body horror and gore in abundance. Turn follows a couple on their honeymoon during a stay at a remote cabin in the woods. Werewolves are obviously involved, and the title was well chosen. This novel is the most detailed, most complex and complete description of what it would (probably, I can't speak from personal experience) feel like to endure the process of turning into a werewolf. But, the novel is so much more than that.

Stockton gives us pain and transformation, mixing hunger with love, and investigates the intersection of hunger and consumption with desire. The main characters are extremely well done, with the novel alternating between the POV of the couple, one of whom is slowly changing while the other does everything he can to save him, and to still see him for who he is. The alternating POV, occasionally showing the same experiences/same scenes from two different sets of eyes was a fun element.

The fact that the main characters share a love of horror allows for copious references and humor mingled throughout the novel, as they navigate being thrust into their own horror story.

Stockton is a master at one liners and scenery depiction. I found myself underlining descriptions that were just so deliciously delivered and spot on ... that which may sound simple on the surface, captured so smoothly in words that the scene becomes visible instantly in the mind's eye. You can imagine what that sort of capability conjures for the more gory scenes. Thankfully I've found I have a strong stomach for gore, and was unaffected, but let this be a warning if you're not a fan of devouring human flesh. 😂

In short, Turn is excellent reading, and you should add it to your TBR for spooky season. 🪾🍂🍁