4 stars for the first half of the book. 1 star for that shitty second part.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

Loved this thriller! I don’t think I have read anything else by this author before so this was a great introduction. I will recommend this to all thriller lovers.

Catriona Ward is an expert at intricate and difficult-to-guess plots. Looking Glass Sound is no exception. In fact, this may be Ward's most layered and mysterious novel yet. Looking Glass Sound features several distinct and immersive perspectives. Ultimately, though, Wilder's youthful point of view is the one that readers spend the most time with. And his characterization is unparalleled. Wilder's outsider status is painfully palpable; I often felt as though I could have been reading one of my own teenage diaries.

For a significant portion of Looking Glass Sound, I was wary about the length (352 pages). I found myself getting so invested in one narrative that I couldn't imagine what Ward would do next. Luckily, I decided to trust the process and eventually, it was all tied together in a surprising way - just like I'd hoped. This is the fourth book of Ward's that I have read and I have come to expect character-driven unsettling tales that burn slowly and conclude in an explosive way. Looking Glass Sound definitely met those expectations! I can't wait to see what Ward publishes next.

This novel contains books within books about a serial killer and someone taking polaroids of sleeping children, teenage love, and the life of authors. Confusing and creepy, atmospheric and witchy, I wondered what on earth had happened once I finished, yet did not want to stop. If ambiguity is not a deal-breaker, this makes a great read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for my review copy.

Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Format: ARC courtesy of Tor Nightfire and NetGalley
Pub Date: August 8

Last year, I read The Last House of Needless Street by this Ward and absolutely loved it- I even read it three times and chose it for my local book club to read! I was SO excited when this book was announced, and ecstatic when my request for an ARC was approved!

Like Needless Street, Looking Glass Sound is a reality and perspective bending novel, the kind where it is hard to fully comprehend what is happening within until after it is over, like trying to assemble a puzzle without knowing what the final image will resemble.. Sections of this book are written as if they are the “real story”, then later are revealed to be works of fiction (within the fictional book, lol). Grab your highlighters and sticky notes for this one, because you will want to take notes!

I read another review of this, in which the reviewer wrote “I am not smart enough for this author”, and I laughed because it’s true. Reading this may possibly hurt your brain. I would not recommend the audiobook for this, though I have heard that the performances are good, because I know that I have a hard time retaining all the detailed information if I am listening over reading. You will also want to take your time reading this one- it is not a book that you can skim through, and you may find yourself rereading some sections for extra clarity. The end result was unsettling and I loved it.

You may be wondering why bother reading a book that is more difficult than average to comprehend, and I hear you, this book may not be for everyone. But if you like a puzzle, especially of the dark and twisted variety, this book will not disappoint. It is more than worth the effort, and in my opinion creating the twisted, complex story and writing it in such an artistic style speaks to Ward’s talent as a horror writer.

Thank you to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Looking Glass Sound publishes this Tuesday, August 8th.

It's been a while since I finished a book in less than three days (I'm a quick reader but my free time is not fruitful) but Looking Glass Sound was a quick read because the pace was great.

It's very the type of book you think you know what's going on and then you're absolutely wrong, which is a DELIGHT. Oh, 15% to go? No, there are at least three more twists coming actually.

Looking Glass Sound is a sort of (fictional) half memoir, half fictionalized true crime about a boy who meets the first friends of his life in a small Maine coastal town in that way that summer friendships burn so hot and bright and short as autumn and school and home roll around again. (Honestly I think my only 'gripe' was that I was very sure these kids were like 8 in the early chapters so finding out they were around 16 was a wild sort of revelation, but, as it's set in 1990, things were VERY different for kids back then than they are today... speaking as someone who was 8 in 1990.) But more than strange friendships, it seems an urban legend may actually be true... and much worse than any of them could imagine, both now and for the rest of their lives.

I feel like saying too much will give away some of the truly interesting and surprising things here so I don't want to, but it was good, it kept me thinking, and I'm very appreciative to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group/Tor Nightlife for the borrow in exchange or my free and honest review.

Another DNF for Catriona Ward (at 50%). Doubt I will read any more books by her. The scene in the hotel ended it for me.

I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. My brain hurts…in a good way. Looking Glass Sound is incredibly hard to review because I don’t want to accidentally spoil anything. I’ll do my best.

Catriona Ward is easily one of my favorite horror writers. The way she builds her worlds and makes you constantly second guess where the story is going is unmatched. I finished this book and stared into space for a solid 10 minutes, trying to grasp everything that just happened. Just thinking about this story again is giving me chills.

A story about identity, friendship, writing, love, grief, and so much more, Looking Glass Sound is one of my favorite horror books I’ve read so far this year. I don’t re-read books often but I can definitely see myself picking this up again because I am sure I missed things. Add it to your TBR!

Looking Glass Sound:⁣
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Thank you Tor and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copies.⁣
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Sighs deeply. I love Catriona Ward. She’s one of my favorite authors, of all time. Looking Glass Sound was just not for me.⁣
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I will say, the lore of the Dagger Man had me gripped y’all. I was so into it. This Stand By Me x Candyman vibe was it. Once Wilder went off to school, I lost interest. I kept with it until 75% and by then I was just not there. I really wasn’t a fan of the characters, so it made it harder for me to keep my interest. ⁣
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The audio was decent. Christopher Ragland and Katherine Fenton give it justice. I think it’s a great audiobook if you’re looking for a new one. ⁣
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There are some books that I feel like maybe I’m just not smart enough to get, and that’s ok. This was one of them. I will always wait in anticipation for what Catriona Ward writes next, but for now, this one wasn’t for me. (Hopefully it is for you!)

This book was not for me. It was not what I expected, I just couldn't get into the story and I did not care for the characters either.. DNF

I went into this book blind, and I’d suggest you do the same. The plot is intriguing and when you think you know where the story is going, Catriona Ward throws a curveball at you that keeps you guessing and wanting more. I couldn’t put this book down. Thank you netgalley and Tor for the e-arc.

This book should be divided into two halves, the first being the better book. This novels opening hooked me with its mystery of the Dagger Man, and the friendship between Wilder, Nate and Harper. Then we jumped the shark...What?!?!?!?

I literally have no idea what happened. Skye is a women, well I thought she was a guy. Who's Pearl? There's magic, spells??? Then there's books about books about books. This stories layers blurred too much resulting into massive confusion.

Thank you Tor Publishing Group for the complimentary copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC. I’ll start by saying, I should’ve loved this book. It has everything I’m looking for—a creepy setting, a serial killer, and unreliable narrators galore. I also really enjoyed the writing style. So the only thing I can come up with for why I didn’t love this is twofold: 1, I seem to be in a bit of a slump. Nothing is grabbing my attention. And 2, the layout of the digital ARC was near impossible to read. It was definitely missing paragraphs, and the layout in general was a nightmare. This may be one that I buy and give another go, because I really want to love it.

The Looking Glass Sound means different things to different people with the folklore, the rumours and different stories. The folklore and rumours were not all made up, and each person has a special connection to the place and each other.

The initial 1/4 of the book was atmospheric, and the bond between Wilder, Nat and Harper was interesting. As the book progressed it got confusing to differentiate what was happening. Towards the end, it started to kind of make more sense, but was still confusing as heck. I think it was a chance for each person to explain their connection to the place, and their connections to each other.

I am choosing to not complete this book (made it to 50%) as it has content I am not personally comfortable reading. As far as mysteries go, it seems tangled and interesting (feels like Stephen King but the prose isn’t as arresting), and the mood/atmosphere of the book will appeal to many.

I love ambitious books. In this one, Catriona Ward swung for the fences and knocked it into another dimension with this stunning piece of metafiction. I thought I was in for some summer vacation horror about another weird kid, but this one ended up being way more. The plot alone is killer, making it a thrilling ride through trauma and the power of shared experiences. This is far and away Ward's best, and she's written many incredible stories before this one. I highly recommend this and would not be surprised if this title took over TikTok upon its release.

4.5 rounded down

Really engaging but equal parts mind bending and wtf.

If you liked the last house on needless street, definitely pick this one up.

I find Ward’s writing engaging and her characters so interesting.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of Catriona Ward’s latest, Looking Glass Sound. I loved Last House on Needless Street, so I was anticipating some twists and turns with this story. This book was completely mind-bending. I think it’s best to go into this one without knowing too much. This book has A LOT going on. I was absolutely confused up until the very end. And if I’m being honest, I feel like I need to reread it to grasp more of the meta concepts. Overall, it took me a minute to get into the story, but by 30% through I really was digging it. I would recommend reading for a bit of a brain exercise, definitely not light reading. I loved the horror and witchy aspects for sure. Those were the best parts. I gave this book a three because I feel like it could have been slightly less confusing, but I did really enjoy the ride.

Well, this book definitely delivered on the “mind bending” promise! This is my 2nd book by Ward, and both of them have been strange and atmospheric, with the story not making total sense until basically the end.

This book has multiple POV, which I always like. It was a little confusing at times to follow the story in each POV and keep track of who was who. The book within a book sections also got a little confusing, but overall I followed it enough to understand what was happening.

I’d say this isn’t an “in your face” horror, but rather a slow and sinister one. There are some creepy elements sprinkled throughout, but especially in the last quarter of the book. I liked the addition of witchcraft in the plot, but wish it was explained a little more. The ending was great and wrapped up/explained things nicely, and I felt like my (many) questions were answered.

If you’re in the mood for a mindf*ck of a book, look no further!

I feel like I can’t delve too much into the details of this book without giving things away, but it’s about a boy named Wilder and the two friends he makes while summering in a small New England town where a serial killer is on the loose.

LOOKING GLASS SOUND by Catriona Ward was my first read by her, but it sounds like her other books include some of the same fuckery…

The first half of this book was really strong for me! It was atmospheric and eerie, and the mystery surrounding the Dagger Man had me hooked!

BUT it took a turn (many if I’m being honest) that had me thinking way too hard and tunneled me into a confusion spiral that I have yet to fully come out of.

This book felt like a million books squished into one book (iykyk) and my brain still feels a little fried from the information overload.

I thought I’d know how I actually felt about this book by the time I finished writing this review, but “This book is great, I hated it!” is all that’s running through my head 😂

I think this one will be divisive for sure!

Thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing, and Tor Nightfire for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: August 8