I don't really know how to summarize this, so I am going to just say that this is mysterious and meta. There are multiple people writing and multiple viewpoints...and multiple mysteries.

I wasn't obsessed with the story itself, but I was intrigued by the writing. There were times, however, where the lack of transitions made it feel disjointed. I felt thrown out of the book and its elements (and great setting), and that didn't make me want to continue as fervently.

I would give this 3.5 stars. It felt too much like a first draft of a book.

What even is reality? Who needs it?

Honestly, I love Catriona Ward, her completely warped, twisted and mind-boggling horror just calls me out by name, and I come. Looking Glass Sound was no different.

The synopsis is about as much as anyone can say without giving away plot points that need to be revealed at certain times while reading. Go in blind, you will thank me.

Confusing, suspenseful and uniquely unsettling. This book was so wild and I loved it.

Book: Looking Glass Sound
Author: Catriona Ward
Publisher:
Pub Date: August 8, 2023

Why did I keep thinking about the Talented Mr. Ripley when I read this. No seriously why? I’ve never read this author before and was so lost. She has created a story within a story and I have no idea what is real or what even happened. I read a review that said they know they are going to be confused when they read this author but at the end it all comes together. Ummmm I still have no clue how it ended. Another review said if you are confused through 80 percent of the book you are doing perfect. So I killed this book. I finished it and looked up and said what the heck just happened. My husband said you should know you read it….and while I did read it I’m just not sure. Yet I can say it’s really good! It’s one of those that now I’ve read the whole thing I need to read it again. It’s a very moving story that will continue to haunt you after you have finished. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author. Her writing style is definitely unique and different from anything I have ever read but it’s for sure a style I enjoyed it and want to read again. My only complaint is there are really no chapters. I need chapters. It’s like checking off a chore on your list.

Thank you Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is August 8, 2023.

Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward is a twisty horror novel set on the Northeastern coast of the US. This almost felt like several horror stories in one. By the end I was unsure of what really happened and what was just the novel being written within the novel. This was my first Catriona Ward book and I definitely didn't hate it, but I am still unsure how I feel about it. I enjoy the coming of age trope for sure, but things just got so twisted when our narrators became unreliable. Which I guess is half the fun, right? I will certainly be checking out more of Ward's work before I make a decision on my feelings on the author's writing.

I’ve been sitting on this review for a while because I honestly still don’t know what I read 😂

I’m usually a sucker for a good “book within a book” plot but this was too meta for even me. That said, I’m still thinking about it weeks after reading it so I guess it has that going for it?

I’m still a #rideordie Catriona Ward fan but this one made my brain hurt! 💀

Thank you to @netgalley for my review copy (ebook and audio)

I loved this story! I am always captivated by Catriona Ward's writing style. I feel like I am completely apart of the story. It was so fun and challenging trying to depict what was real and what was the memoir. I felt this was unpredictable with a crazy ending!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Looking Glass Sound" is a suspense thriller set on the east coast and follows Wilder Harlow and the summer that changed his life. This is my first Ward and I am not really sure how I feel about her writing. This book started out strong, I think. There was some interesting stuff with Wilder, Nat, and Harper and their weird little trio and the added creepiness of a serial photographer that takes photos of sleeping children with a knife positioned for a kill. It's when the story picks up with Wilder starting college...then the story gets META. But not good meta...it's right on the side of meta where you can tell that the writer felt proud of how convoluted and pretentious their writing got because it has to show how intelligent and brilliant they are, right? RIGHT?! Yeah, absolutely not.

I really wanted to like this because everyone else seems to love Ward's writing but I just cannot see it and maybe this book just doesn't showcase Ward's writing very well. I don't know but it just didn't do anything for me. The first half is what held me; it's a compelling story of an awkward teen really being able to come out of his shell during a summer and the two other teens that help him, but then there's a break in friendships that really changes the course of Wilder's life...and my opinion of the book. The stuff with Sky/Skye and Wilder is just unbearable because then, Ward decides that the best way to tell this story and it's conclusion is to do MULTIPLE WAYS. But the best part is that the multiple retellings aren't even that different from one another. It literally felt like the retellings served no real narrative purpose other than to introduce a new character and their messed up motivations. I just wanted to DNF this book at this point. And then the ending, without spoilers, is such a massive and out of nowhere letdown. The whole last 2/3 of the book is just nonsensical and boring.

I do applaud Ward for working with such a weird narrative structure but I don't think it really worked. The first third of the novel really shows that Ward is a brilliant writer but it just didn't come together in the end.

I wish I could say unequivocally that Looking Glass Sound was a great book, but I cannot. To be completely honest, I keep trying Catriona Ward's books because so many people like her, but I haven't been successful yet at finding one I like. In part, that's why I wanted to read and review this one. The plot summary sounded promising and I thought I'd try again.

The first half or so of this book is compelling and drew me in. An old man is back at his childhood vacation spot trying to make sense of a traumatic event that occurred to him and his friends when they were all 17 years old. The event comes along quite suddenly and was both compelling and shocking. At this point, there is the story of the friendships, of the tragedy, and of its aftermath in the man's life complete with a romance with his college best friend who does him very wrong; theft of another person's work is a horror all on its own. I enjoyed this part of the book.

Then, things went sideways for me. Throughout the rest of book we're told the same basic story in multiple ways. It's not really like Rashomon (which always comes to mind with this kind of tale) because although the story is trying to appear that it's being retold from various points of view, that part of it is not terribly well done. Among other things, the story isn't appreciably different with each new retelling and while the protagonist appears to shift (who exactly is telling this story?) the protagonist's voice doesn't change much from persona to persona.

Aside from the word game that is played throughout the book (and one which I remember playing with my father when I was a little girl), this part of the book was just boring. I didn't find it interesting or compelling - it was clear what Ward was trying to do - it just didn't work for me. Finishing the book was a slog and it was a struggle to get through it. I heaved a sigh of relief when I was done.

I don't mind the kinds of alternative narrative structures that Ward is playing with here, so long as they are well-done and serve a broader purpose, but this feels more like a perfunctory attempt at being interesting. I was really disappointed to have a book I was enjoying turn into something I just wanted to end.

Read this one for the first half and skip the rest - it's a really good book until the first half ends.

Thanks for NetGalley and Tor for the advance review copy. The release date for Looking Glass Sound is currently August of 2023.

Creeping up from the shadows, Catronia Ward has become my favorite "horror" author of all right now. Her books twist and turn and cut deep into bone and memory. They're fever dreams.

Layers, layers, layers is a good way to describe this book. Many twists. Because of that, I think it's best to go into this book knowing almost nothing about it. I picked it up because I love the author. I knew nothing about the synopsis. So it made all the twists that more surprising.

3.5 stars. Wilder is kind of a weird kid, a loner. He makes new friends during his summer at Whistler Bay in Maine, but they're also kind of strange, and maybe hiding dark secrets. Returning to the town some 30 years after that first summer, Wilder is attempting to pen his memoirs, but his memory is hazy and perhaps unreliable. What actually happened? Is he going insane? Why is he seeing phantoms, and can he figure out the puzzle before they hurt him?

Gathering my thoughts on this one is kind of tough. I want to read it again, now that I understand what's going on, because my first read was more than a little bit confusing. I'm not even sure my summary above actually aligns with the plot of the book because it's — complicated. No spoilers.

I love Catriona Ward's other books, and Looking Glass Sound is similar in vibes but lacking compelling characters and story for me. It's a very lush world she's created, with plenty of creep factor but also a good bit of "what the?" and not necessarily in a satisfactory way. Again, I want to read this a second time and see if my opinion changes, but for now I think the story was just a little <b>too</b> layered and confusing.

Thank you to Catriona Ward, Tor Nightfire, and NetGalley for my advance digital copy.

After reading the summary of this book and looking at the beautiful cover, I was fascinated by it. However, when I began the journey of reading, I was apprehensive. I will say that Ward's writing is beautiful. She is a very talented writer, but the storytelling was lacking for me. It was ultimately very confusing with the book inside of a book concept. However, I do feel like it had a lot of potential, and many others may like it. I just think it wasnt for me.

Ward has done it again and delivered a twisty, psychological horror that keeps you invested to the very end. Her fucked-up brand of horror is right up my alley. So many elements I love in a book! I enjoyed the first half of the book more but I do like how everything came together in the end. It’s hard to review this without spoiling anything so I won’t say much but do recommend going in blind. Be prepared to be very confused and strap in for a ride down multiple character POVS, a non-linear timeline, and a distorted sense of reality.

If you enjoyed her previous books, you’ll love this one. If you haven’t really enjoyed her previous books but like how Stephen King or Ronald Malfi do coming-of-age horror or books within books like The Last Word by Taylor Adams, then definitely give this a chance!

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (Rounded up to 5 Stars)
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There it is, that living rent free in my head after finishing it feeling! This was what I’ve been waiting for.
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This book is told in multiple points of view and in multiple timelines? I question that because at times it can be a bit confusing. Let me explain. This is told in the perspective of our main characters Wilder’s memoir, through Wilder in the present and through Pearl.
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The atmosphere of this one was on point - right from the start I felt so drawn to this one, I couldn’t put it down. I was transferred to Whistler Bay. This is a gothic thriller, a horror, a mystery, a romance, and even a coming of age story. There are so many layers to it. There are points where you will be so confused, parts where it is absolutely riveting and parts that are a bit on the slow side. Let me tell you though, when it all comes together, and it most certainly does, your mind will be absolutely blown. Without a doubt worth the read. I wasn’t a huge fan of when Wilder began to question his sanity but how everything ties together makes it all worth it. Now that I know all of the pieces to the great big mystery of this book, I would like to venture back to this one and see what else I could pick up on!
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The narration of Christopher Ragland and Katherine Fenton was absolute perfection. They complimented one another, making this a very enjoyable and easy read! I was happy to have both the ALC and eARC to be able to utilize together because there is a lot to this story.
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Catriona Ward has a way of writing that is just so captivating, so hauntingly beautiful that you can’t help but get sucked into the story. She is so descriptive that you are transported into it and next thing you know its 5am and you have stayed up wayyyy past your bedtime.
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Calling all Catriona Ward fans, to all my horror fans, to all my gothic thriller fans - this one is great and definitely one that I will be recommending for a while. Looking Glass Sound comes out on August 8th, be sure to grab a copy!
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Huge thank you to @negalley, @tornightfire, @macmillinaudio and @catrionaward for the ALC and eARC in exchange for my honest review.
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#netgalley #netgalleyearc #netgalleyalc #electronicadvancedreaderscopy #advancedlistenerscopy #horror #thedaggerman #serialkiller #memoir #stealingstories #abookwithinabook #witchcraft #folklore #whistlerbay #maine #fourandahalfstarread #greatstory #confusingattimes #mindblowingrevelation

Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward
Well…Catriona did it again. She is the queen of the plot twist.
I LOVED this book! I was hooked while reading it and didn’t want to put it down because I just had to know what was happening. This is the type of book that would make the perfect read while staying in a cabin in the middle of no where. It’s creepy in all the best ways.
There’s not much I can say about the plot without giving away spoilers, but what I can say is you will appreciate every twist and turn. This is one of those books that after finishing I immediately wanted to pick up again so I could see all the clues that I missed during my first read. I will be buying a finished copy once this book is published.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Little Eve, so I went into Looking Glass Sound with high expectations--especially given the comp. to Stand by Me. Instead, I found the prose uninspiring and dull. Maybe other readers will love it; it just wasn't for me.

Looking Glass Sound is a tough one to talk about with saying too much.
So I'm just going to say that Catriona Ward has quickly become one of my favourite authors. The way that she has of being able to tell such multilayered stories is absolutely wild.
This is the story of Wilder and the friends he meets during a fateful summer when he's 16 years old. Now, in the present, he's writing a memoir about that time and as time goes on the fabric of what's real and what isn't becomes thinner and thinner.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about this book since I finished it.
For more info please find attached my spoiler free youtube review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL-EeraVhnE

Atmospheric and Suspenseful

This novel is so creative and darkly witchy. Experience three teens coming of age on the moody shores of the New England coast. What bonds form over a fateful Summer break will reverberate for years to come. Reality will blur with passion, pain, grief, and memory . . . the seemingly eternal echos of family, friendship, and loves lost.

Occasionally I had to re-read sections. The story became a little bumpy and disjointed, hard for me to follow . . . yet, the prose created such an eerie and compelling unease that I didn't care if I got a little lost. I'll let this author lead me anywhere and not be terribly concerned with the destination. You'll likely enjoy this one if you are a big fan of spooky fiction or horror.

I received an advanced copy of Looking Glass Sound for my unbiased evaluation. 3.5 stars

Do not take this book lightly. Pay attention, process, absorb Catriona’s words. Every single one has purpose.

The heart of this novel involves the summer friendship of Wilder, an awkward bullied outsider, Harper, a wounded lost girl who self-medicates and dabbles in witchcraft and Nathaniel, a loner, cautious and independent.

This book is a murder mystery, within a teenage love triangle, within a ghost story, wrapped in a high school witchcraft gothic tale. It is The Craft and Stephen King’s Darker Half and House of Leaves.

Beautifully written and complex. Secrets, heartbreak, betrayal, hope and desperation. Looking Glass Sound lingers on the mind and in the heart.

This is my first @catrionaward novel, although I own The Last House on Needless Street. It is a must read now.

Murder and mind-fuckery in true Catriona Ward style, Looking Glass Sound left me thinking WTF.

I don’t even know how to break it down. There’s so much going on, so much to pick up on and just when you think you’ve solved it, you’re wrong. I think the author did a great job with character development and weaving this into the complex puzzle it really became. A little bit coming of age, some trauma, mystery, murder and grief, there was a bit of everything for most horror lovers. Many thanks to the author and publisher for my eARC. Looking Glass Sound is expected to be published in the US 8/8.