Alan is in a depression of his own making, no job, addicted to painkillers and all the savings spent. With a pregnant wife at home he decides to break in and steal from an old lady in an isolated mansion but all does not go to plan.

Meanwhile Kosa grows up isolated under the rule of her overpowering mother, she becomes curious about the world but mother needs Kosa and will do anything to keep her closeted and hidden away.

A chilling retelling of Rapunzel but make it a deviant twisted fairytale! This is loaded with tension and atmosphere, it is creepy as hell! A dark tale of power, control and a journey into the haunted world of shadows. Go in blind, it travels to places you do not see coming and is totally compelling. John’s writing has such a beautiful flow to it that you are pulled into the story, invested before you realise and soon become lost in the story, wonderful!

While this was an overall good retelling of a dark fairy tale, I had trouble getting through the writing style with choppy sentences. I am also not a huge fan of fairy tales so that's another reason I struggled through this which is a shame as I've enjoyed other work by this author.

DNF at 17% the writing is really bad and full of errors. Short choppy sentences without a lot of variation. Needs a lot of work before being ready for readers.

This book goes heavy on the dark fairy tale vibes and I did like that about it. It was a bit Hansel and Gretel and a bit of Rapunzel tied up in a dark fairytale. Lots of hair raising, and munching, moments. Kosa is introduced to us in utero and we go from there. While I've enjoyed John's other books they had a slight YA feel, to me at least, where this one seems to be a bit darker and even though many of the POV sections do come from children it seems more my speed. It's hard to explain what I mean by that, again it's more just the feel of it.
Definitely wish we had a bit more of a backstory on our antagonist, but that is the only thing I felt this could have used. Strongly recommend

A skillfully retold fairy tale that will make your blood run cold and haunt your dreams.As a collector of dark fairy tales this ended up being an ideal read for me. I really enjoyed the authors writing style, it flowed well and was very readable. The action was fast but still left time to build some excellent characters. The conclusion of the story was very satisfying but with the possibility (hopefully) of a continuation of the story.
Thankyou to NetGalley and DarkLit Press for providing me with a copy of this novel free of charge. I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

Allen Brock has recently been unemployed due to his recent drug addiction his work has been affected and now with no income he used all the money and he and his wife Tabatha‘s Bank account so while driving around their town he sees an old Victorian nestled in the wood line with the only resident being an elderly lady thinking she’s an easy touch he robbed her house and brings the strange loot back to his apartment. His wife finds a glass sphere in the box and put it on top her baby bump in soon goes into labor while Tabatha is recovering from giving birth to the daughter Elizabeth at the hospital Alan goes to see the newborn baby this is when he sees the elderly lady he robs daughter in the infant and newborn area where his new daughter is. He finds it weird and ask the nurses and doctors about it but no one claims to have seen her. When something else strange happens at the hospital he feels the need to come clean to his wife and she isn’t happy about it at all. They’re broke he’s unemployed and they have a newborn baby when Alan finally brings his wife and baby Elizabeth home for the first time he just wants to talk about what he did and how sorry he is and get used to having a new baby before they enter their apartment it’s trashed and someone has broken in. He tries to convince his wife this has something to do with the elderly lady he robbed and at first she doesn’t believe it but when they find a talisman type ornament in the trashed apartment she’s more open to the idea but when baby Elizabeth wakes them up that night they are not prepared for the elderly lady in her black cat to be in their bedroom, but she is. She wants payback for Alan stealing from her home she says he stole something very precious from her and so she is going to teach him how that feels she wants their baby and she gets it! OK I’m going to stop here because this is just the first five chapters of the book and although the story involves Alan and Tabatha they’re only mentioned briefly here and there in the story as a past tense and if you think that is an OMG opening to a story you’re absolutely right! This book was very good! The whole book is an OMG and I can’t believe that tight book and it even continues in the authors note because it when I read it I was like oh I can’t believe that oh that makes sense! I love horror stories and I absolutely loved this one I don’t know what else to say this is a great book if you like horror with the para-normal, witch’s, their familiar, in a very well done plot then you definitely need to read Kosa by John Durgin. I have read his beach body anthology and some other short story anthologys with him and his stories always stand out I learned about him from another author and so this is a good example of why you should always consider recommendations I truly love this book and I’m so glad I read it it was awesome! I want to thank dark lit press and Net Galley for my free ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.s

Author John Durgin describes Kosa as a retelling of Rapunzel. This isn't your mother's fairy tale version. It's a brutal,horrific, violent, bloody fairy tale. The way they couldn't be told when we were growing up.
Young Elizabeth is taken from her parents, as a newborn, by a witch who needs the girl in order to live. The girl, now named Kosa, lives with Marta in a huge, run down mansion in the middle of the woods near a small town.
Rather than going into the actual story, just know that this book contains many horrific images and descriptions in telling its story.
It is well written and it's action is non stop. Just when you think you know where it's going it slaps you hard and you end up veering of in a different direction.
If you like classic horror, witches, cannibalism, body horror, creature stories, family loss horror, and childre in peril then you will love this book. Be warned though, all I included and more are in this book.
A damn good read.

Every review I spotted for this one mentioned Rapunzel, but the similarities feel fairly surface-level. Witch. Girl with hair.

I did enjoy the premise of the witch in the woods and her insidious misdeeds. She was grotesque and despicable in every way possible. I like a truly evil character with absolutely no redeeming qualities.

The story moved along nicely and the atmosphere was crafted well. I enjoyed most of my read.

I do think the blurb for the book gives too much away. The first 20% of the book tells a different story that you know the end of because the blurb tells you something else. It felt like too much time invested in something that blurb ruins for you or like the blurb itself would be best if it told a different story.

My other concern is the ending. So many things aren't explained. What part of Kosa's knowledge is true, if any? What was lies? What was the mysteries source of power anyway? Non-endings aren't my favorite though I do understand their place in storytelling.

I'd certainly read more of Durgin's work. He's excellent at bringing wicked monsters to life.

Really enjoyed this retailing of Rapunzel! There were a few areas I would have liked a bit more detail on but overall it was great and by the time I got to the 2nd act couldn't stop reading!

I’ve been trying to break out of my typical genre and explore more. This sounded like a quick and easy horror read. A twisted retelling of Rapunzel, how could I resist. But I am disappointed to say the least. I was unable to get into the book, I was unable to care about the characters, I was unable to be devoured by the darkness the book presented itself. This was not for me and that is okay. Thank you NetGalley, publisher and author for allowing me to read this advanced readers copy!

John Durgin does it again 😀 This book was amazing and so hard to put down. It was a great the mix of fairytale and horror.

Kosa is a captivating and thought-provoking tale that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, rebellion, and the pursuit of truth. This book has complex characters. However, I felt the characters to be somewhat uninteresting, and they failed to excite or engage me. The plot did not captivate me as I had hoped; it was too slow for my taste. And I didn't much enjoy the plot.

Thank you netgalley and darklit press for the Arc

This book really surprised me. I went into it open minded and I’m happy I did. I highly recommend it for something different than the norm

If you’re interested in fairytale retellings, you may enjoy this one. It seems to be a mashup of Rapunzel and Hansel and Gretel, with the central old woman as a witch theme.

Lots of family involvement and heartbreak included.

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Well, I just finished Kosa by John Durgin overnight. A little backstory to set the stage. The fairy tales of old weren't always the Disney darlings we've come to know and love. They were gritty, dark, cautionary tales fraught with beasts, witches, and other beings that go bump in the night.

Durgin returns one such fairy tale to its horrific roots with Kosa, a young girl kept secluded from the world by 'Mother' - an old woman with a unique fascination with young Kosa's hair.

If that sounds familiar, you guessed it. In Kosa, we get to see what happens when you take Rapunzel, and add 50 CCs of creeping dread, gallons of blood, and set it in the world of today.

The story is set up in four parts, and, in a way, serves as a coming of age tale for young Kosa. While I didn't fully understand what was happening in part 1, at first, by the end of it I had experienced masterfully crafted set dressing.

The POV is told through Kosa and several others who become integral to the plot along the way.

The way Durgin is able to give voice to characters of every age and demeanor certainly impressed me, second only to some of the descriptions of violence and pain.

I actually used the ending to make me work on some writing last night! I said, D.B., you don't get to read these last chapters until you write. Let me tell you, I busted out my minimum word count so fast. I just had to know how it all ends.

The only lagging point for me was a tiny plot hole revolving around a GPS, that was more of a redirect, I suppose. It did give us more time with other characters and let the suspense build ever higher.

All in all, this is a fantastic story and a return to form for fairy tales. 4/5

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

✩Book Review: Kosa by John Durgin✩

𝔚𝔥𝔢𝔫 𝔶𝔬𝔲'𝔯𝔢 𝔡𝔦𝔤𝔤𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔰𝔠𝔯𝔞𝔭𝔰 𝔣𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔤𝔞𝔯𝔟𝔞𝔤𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔰𝔲𝔯𝔳𝔦𝔳𝔢, 𝔶𝔬𝔲'𝔩𝔩 𝔡𝔬 𝔞𝔩𝔪𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔞𝔫𝔶𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔬 𝔪𝔞𝔨𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔩𝔦𝔣𝔢 𝔟𝔢𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔯. 𝔗𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔦𝔰 𝔴𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔰 𝔤𝔬 𝔴𝔯𝔬𝔫𝔤 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔪𝔢, 𝔎𝔬𝔰𝔞

For Lovers of:
🧶 Slavic Folklore
🧶 Witches
🧶 Fairytale-esque Horror
🧶 Compelling MC
🧶 Creepy Rituals
🧶 Horror containing hair 😱

𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔦𝔱'𝔰 𝔞𝔟𝔬𝔲𝔱:

There's a huge house in the middle of the woods, inhabited by an old lady and her cats. When a desperate man breaks into her home and takes something he is not supposed to have, hell breaks loose for him and his pregnant wife. Soon, nobody is safe in the woods.

𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 ℑ 𝔱𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔥𝔱:

This story features a croatian witch and I loved that aspect! My fiance is croatian and I know from his family, that some people in their hometown practiced witchcraft. Slavic folklore in general is very interesting to me and I didn't expect it at all.

There were many well done disturbing elements like cats with human eyes and lots of body horror involving hair ( the phantom pain I had ... 😅) but surprisingly also a very compelling MC. Kosa is such a tragic character and I truly rooted for her! Seeing her suffer was heartbreaking. If you try to avoid reading about child abuse, you might want to not pick this one up. ⚠️

This book is told in several parts over the span of many years with different families. While I would have preferred to focus on Kosa, all other characters were well written and their stories were engaging as well. There were moments were I personally felt like the pace was rather slow, especially because there were some repeating elements that could have been shortened.

This is a great horror story and I'd definitely recommend to read it around winter in a cabin in the woods 🪵🌲 It also gave me some gothic horror vibes, especially when Kosa introduced her toys. 🦴

I wanted to like this book so bad.
Overall, it was doing too much and just not enough to back it up.
There were moments of brilliance where the story kept me engaged, especially after the 60% mark, but it would often end up dragging and did not keep me interested in it for very long.
There were many high highs and a lot of low lows, but it never really seemed to hit its stride.
My overall impression is meh, but I think people who enjoy retellings would really enjoy the spookier aspects of a horrifying interpretation of Rapunzel.
This doesn't put me off the author, again there were many moments that I loved, but the overall project just did not come together.

Thank you so much for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Kosa is dark, Kosa is riddled with nightmare fuel, Kosa is unpredictable. But perhaps, the best thing to say about Kosa, is it's the third novel by an author who's found their storytelling voice, and the confidence with which Durgin writes allows him to take narrative risks that not every horror novel would dare venture toward.
There is a certain formula to writing a horror novel, and Durgin knows it. Yet, Kosa breaks from traditional molds to showcase a story that feels truly unsafe. Like all the best fairy tales.
With a dash of Grimm Brothers, a sprinkling of Ronald Malfi's Bone White, and devices that belong to Durgin alone, Kosa will keep you up nights and out of the woods.

Oh man! This one was so fun! Part fairy tale, part horror, all EXCELLENT! This is a dark and captivating story that leads you in a way you think you might expect, and then takes a turn you couldn’t have imagined. There are some gory moments, some shocking moments, and some deliciously fun moments- but maybe my mind is a bit twisted. The characters are developed perfectly, and the story line is flawless. Absolutely love Durgin’s work, and this is no exception.