Even when wearing the mask of a man, they are monsters to the eye.
Book review of The Watchers is actually the debut novel of an Irish writer named A.M. Shine. I believe he’d written some short stories prior to this, but this is his first full-length one, and it came out in October 2021.
The Watchers is definitely a horror novel. It’s kind of based in Irish folklore a little bit, and it’s kind of like a monster-in-the-woods type of story. It’s really detailed, really descriptive, very atmospheric. It’s more creepy than scary, but I did really like a lot of the folklore behind it, like the introduction of the monster. This story takes place in Ireland – or possibly Scotland. It’s a land with lots of greenery and woods. But I’m pretty sure it’s Ireland. Discover more about our literary journey on our homepage.
“The Watchers” book summary
The Watchers is the story of a woman named Mina, whose car breaks down outside of a mysterious, unexpected forest in Connemara, Ireland—which isn’t supposed to have any forests. So she’s a bit surprised when there are trees in front of her. She was driving across the country to deliver a yellow parrot for a friend and had gotten lost along the way. Knowing that there is nothing for miles and miles behind her, she decides the best thing to do is to keep moving forward. So she gets out of the car and walks into the forest, and it turns out that was a big mistake.
She walks all day, and as night starts to fall, she stumbles upon a weird cabin occupied by a woman who is desperately yelling at her to get inside because they’re coming. Then there’s unearthly scream behind her, and she runs inside. It turns out she has stumbled into the ancient home of mysterious creatures that the characters in the book end up calling “The Watchers,” who stalk and hunt these people every night.
There are now four random people in the forest: Mina, Danny, Ciara and Madeleine. The only safety they have is in this little cabin, which has a lot of strong locks and strong walls and is made of concrete. They lock themselves into it every single night.They spend all night in a room dominated by mirrored reinforced windows on one wall and an irrationally bright light that looms over them all night long. They cannot see outside, so they remain unaware of the creatures stalking them; they can only hear the screams in the night and witness the destruction left behind when the creatures retreat to their burrows the next morning.
“The Watchers” book review
I actually enjoyed The Watchers quite a bit. The book is very atmospheric and creepy, and I really like the Irish folklore aspect because it features a monster that is unique and not commonly seen.This book has a serious problem with characters constantly switching between hating each other and singing each other’s praises, often within the span of a single page. Sometimes, this shift is prompted by events that cause them to change their opinions, but other times, it’s abrupt. For example, a chapter might start with Mina complaining about how useless Ciara is, then shift to her spending two pages praising Ciara’s kindness as the strength of their group, only to end with her going back to criticizing her.
The Watchers is overly written. If I were to edit it, I’d likely cut it down to half its current length. However, it’s not a case of sentence-by-sentence overwriting. The moments of flowery writing, with detailed descriptions and extra adjectives, are rare and actually work well. In horror, it’s often about painting vivid pictures with words, so those slightly exaggerated descriptions are fitting.
I spent a significant portion of this book wondering why the others never attempt to physically overpower the abusive and tyrannical Madeleine. Despite being described as frail and stick-like, no one ever tries to confront or attack her. While the twist at the end could potentially explain this, the author never actually delves into that reasoning. The book is folk horror. It’s not something that would likely happen in real life, but I enjoyed the story. It was suspenseful and creepy at times. While it wasn’t the scariest thing I’ve ever read, it was still intriguing. The feeling of being trapped and trying to escape something that literally wants to eat you is frightening enough for me.
What is “The Watchers” about?
“The Watchers” is a chilling horror novel set in the mysterious forests of Connemara, Ireland. It follows Mina, an artist who becomes trapped in a concrete bunker with three strangers after her car breaks down. They’re seeking refuge from the Watchers – ancient, supernatural creatures that hunt at night. The story explores their struggle for survival, dealing with limited resources and the constant threat outside. Inside the bunker, tensions rise as they face sleepless nights under bright lights, mysterious rules, and the domineering presence of Madeleine, who seems to know more than she reveals. As they search for a way out, they uncover dark secrets about their situation and the true nature of the Watchers.
Meet the main characters of “The Watchers”
Mina: The protagonist, an artist who becomes trapped in the forest while delivering a rare yellow parrot. She’s described as single, somewhat of a drinker and smoker, but generally content with her life.
Daniel: A 19-year-old who ran away from home to escape his strict, berating father. In the bunker, he feels trapped again under Madeleine’s harsh leadership. He’s described as somewhat cowardly and beaten down.
Ciara: The wife of John, who went missing after leaving the bunker to seek help. Ciara is depicted as sweet and naive, still holding out hope for her husband’s return. She’s described as childlike and somewhat simple.
John: Ciara’s husband, who is missing and presumed dead after leaving the bunker to find help.
Madeleine: An older woman who has been in the bunker the longest, about two years. She’s portrayed as a stern, authoritarian figure who enforces strict rules for survival. Madeleine is secretive and seems to know more about the Watchers than she reveals.
Books like “The Watchers”
- “The Ritual” by Adam Nevill: A survival horror set in Scandinavian forests, featuring ancient creatures and folklore.
- “The Hunger” by Alma Katsu: A historical horror novel blending real events with supernatural elements.
- “The Twisted Ones” by T. Kingfisher: A modern horror story rooted in folklore, set in isolated woods.
- “The Ruins” by Scott Smith: A claustrophobic survival horror about a group trapped by a malevolent entity.
- “The Cabin at the End of the World” by Paul Tremblay: A tense, confined thriller with apocalyptic themes.
Author: A.M. Shine
Date Published: October 14, 2021
Pages: 310 pages, Hardcover
Goodreads Rating: 3.9/5
Also Read: Book Review – Demon Copperhead – Barbara Kingsolver
“The Watchers” book ending
In conclusion of The Watchers, we’ve reviewed the book without giving away too much, but here’s what we know. Near the end, there’s a major turn of events that may surprise some readers. It appears to have to do with Madeleine and her relationship to the Watchers. The characters discover something that gives them hope for an escape around two thirds of the way through the novel, setting up a dramatic conclusion. While we don’t know exactly how it all wraps up, it’s hinted that there’s an attempt to flee the forest. The ending doesn’t reveal all the secrets about the Watchers, leaving some mystery intact. So, expect a mix of revelations and lingering questions. If you like neat, tidy endings, this might frustrate you. But if you enjoy a bit of post-book pondering, “The Watchers” ending might be right up your alley.
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I’m John Stauffer, a Harvard professor and book lover. Here at John Stauffer Books, I share my thoughts on the books I read through honest reviews and recommendations. I cover everything from well-known classics to lesser-known works that deserve more attention.
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