The first thing that struck me about Root Rot was its cover—it’s visually stunning and
undeniably the highlight of the book for me. Unfortunately, as for the story itself, it didn’t quite hit the mark. While I appreciated that it was a short read—I managed to finish it in just over six hours—it ultimately wasn’t my cup of tea.
The novella follows a group of young people who visit their grandfather’s lake house, embarking on adventures through the woods, rivers, and surrounding countryside. As they explore, strange and unsettling events begin to unfold, most of them involving fungi and mushrooms. It’s a unique premise, and there’s definitely a creepy atmosphere, but I struggled to connect with the characters.
One major issue for me was the lack of character development. None of the characters are given proper names; instead, they are identified by descriptors such as “The Liar,” “The One with the Pretty Voice,” and “The One Who Always Runs Away.” While this choice might have been intended to add a layer of mystery or abstraction, it left me feeling detached from the characters and unable to invest in their fates.
Additionally, the narration felt disjointed at times, making it challenging to follow who was speaking or what exactly was happening. The story itself isn’t bad—it’s eerie and could appeal to fans of short horror novellas with a focus on fungi and nature’s darker side. Unfortunately, the lack of clarity and connection meant it just wasn’t for me.
That said, I’m grateful to NetGalley, Creature Publishing, and Saskia Nislow for providing me with an advanced copy of Root Rot. If you enjoy atmospheric, experimental horror, you might find this book worth exploring.
