The Girl from the Well

I LOVE anti-heroes, and Okiku, as a vengeful ghost who horrifically kills child murderers, is perfect.

A lot of books end with a character’s trauma as if surviving is the only important part of the story. But Okiku didn’t survive her trauma-—and she is furious, taking out all her pain and rage on people who prey on the weak. When Okiku makes a connection with a lonely, cursed boy, she starts to wonder if she can help prevent tragedy instead of cleaning up after it. Through an unlikely friendship, Okiku and Tark come together and show that it’s never too… show more.

This story didn’t waste any time grabbing my attention. From page one it had me intrigued, by the middle I was captivated, and at the end I was at peace with how the story concluded.

The storyline played in my head for days to follow, but I always came back to the same conclusion. Everything in life happens for a reason, and in the end we have to look for the most sensible solution. I love that The Girl from the Well is based off of a Japanese legend.

There is something about an old legend that peaks my curiosity,… show more.

I read this book assuming it might be a bit of a tough read, content-wise. It was, but it was worth it. I don’t always like a vengeful spirit book, in fact, it is almost never my first choice. But Rin Chupeco weaves together ancient tales, contemporary vibes, and ties it all together with the voice of the vengeful spirit. This is the kind of book that will stay with you long after you set it down. There’s no end to the gory horror here.

Based on the chilling Japanese legend of Okiku, TGFTW is told from the perspective of a vengeful ghost who kills those who have hurt or killed children—like the man who threw her body down a well three hundred years before. And when a strange boy bearing stranger tattoos moves into the neighborhood and she is unable to protect him, she begins to wonder if she is losing her touch. And then something else moves into town. Something darker. This book had a dose of everything I like: eerie doll rituals, vengeful females, Shinto exorcisms, and travel to Aomori, Japan.