Okiku ist eine einsame Seele. Seit Jahrhunderten wandert sie durch die Welt und befreit die Geister der Ermordeten. Einst selbst ein Opfer, nimmt sie nun den Mördern mit der Vergeltung, die sie verdienen, das Leben. Doch das Erlösen unschuldiger Geister aus ihren ätherischen Fesseln bringt Okiku keinen Frieden. Sie treibt weiterhin rastlos umher. So verläuft ihr Dasein – bis sie Tark begegnet. Unter der Haut des launischen Teenagers windet sich das Böse, gefangen durch eine Reihe kunstvoller Tattoos. Während seine Nachbarn ihn fürchten, weiß Okiku, dass der Junge kein Monster ist. Tark muss von der Bosheit befreit werden, die an ihm haftet. Es gibt nur ein Problem: Wenn der Dämon stirbt, stirbt auch sein Wirt. — „The Girl from the Well“ verspricht eine düstere Atmosphäre im Stil japanischer Horrorfilme, bleibt am Ende aber leider hinter den Erwartungen zurück. Wer auf echten Grusel hofft, wird hier enttäuscht. Trotz der vielversprechenden Prämisse kommt keine wirkliche Horror-Stimmung auf. Das Buch schafft es nicht, den Leser das Fürchten zu lehren. Die Geisterdame agiert eher als stille Stalkerin. Sie beobachtet viel, tritt aber wenig aktiv in Erscheinung, was der Spannung deutlich schadet. Positiv hervorheben muss man allerdings die Einblicke in die japanische Folklore – die waren interessant und haben dem Ganzen zumindest etwas Tiefe gegeben. Das allein reicht nur eben nicht, um den fehlenden Gruselfaktor auszugleichen. Die Geschichte ist insgesamt okay, aber eben auch nicht mehr. Für Folklore-Fans und YA-Leser einen Blick wert, für Horror-Liebhaber jedoch zu harmlos. Das Potenzial der japanischen Geisterwelt wurde hier leider nicht voll ausgeschöpft.

I haven't really been in the mood for reading anything at all lately ... however, I do wanted to get back into reading again and because it's October already (Halloween, yay!) and the only genre that remotely interested me was (YA) horror, I just had to start this book. I devoured the first 50% in one sitting and read way past into the night - actually it was morning already, oops - and even though I took a break of a week or so before I continued, I was as fascinated and excited about it as at the beginning. I've already read a few YA horror books and have a few favorites and The Girl From The Well is definitely gonna join this list! It's creepy and scary and feels like a really well-made movie back when they still scared the crap out of me, oooh yes! How about I share what I liked most? Sounds good? So here we go! 1. Okiku: She's such a great character and even though she did terrible things, I adore her. Maybe I shouldn't but in this case I can't look at it any differently - I'm like Tark here. #sorrynotsorry I liked that she's not this typical ghost that just seeks revenge or is just friendly and good. She's both of this and I liked the balance between being good and evil. 2. Okiku being "bad": I have to mention this seperately because I really ... liked? enjoyed? - that sounds so wrong - those scenes. I don't wanna spoil anything in case you want to read the book too but they just felt satisfying. They deserved it. 3. The mind games: Like, there's so much I didn't understand at first - I assumed I know what's going on but most of the time I was wrong and fooled, which I liked a lot! Yes, sometimes it really is predictable but there are definitely a few things you won't see coming. Anyone who's familiar with the movies The Ring and The Grudge and actually liked them will love this book! It's equally frightening and has brilliant characters that handle all of this "ghost stuff" accordingly, in my opinion. I would freak out, to be honest, but I'm a whimp so that's to be expected. I'd definitely recommend reading it and already can't wait to dive into the second book! www.aworldbetweenfoldedpages.blogspot.com

This would be exactly the kind of horror movie I would love to see. Ideally made by the same people that did Haunting of Hill House ripe with great casting and atmosphere. And the actress playing Ki would have to be outstanding. I loved her and her whole quest for vengeance while trying to free the souls of kids that were hurt like she was, all while not being able to do so herself. I do love me some righteous killing of evil people... The writing took some getting used to because the perspectives keep shifting in a kind of fairy tale telling style while Okiku was still the main perspective we follow. However, I came to appreciate the format, since spending time in Okiku's head the whole way through would be very jarring. It actually helped to add to the eeriness and otherworldly aspect of Okiku's existence, the different perspectives really drove home the point that she's been a ghost for a while and isn't on the same level as alive humans. Really enjoyed the book and the sequel from the boy's perspective just as much.

I've been loving Japan and Japanese culture for almost twenty years and so my expectations for this book were pretty high. Sadly it didn't live up to them, among other things because the portrayal of Japan was so clichéd - I mean, vending machines selling used underwear? Japan is so much more than that! The story itself was quite plain, graphic at points but not nearly as scary as I had hoped it to be. Also the reference to the tragic case of Junko Furuta didn't sit right with me. Junko deserves better than to be portrayed as some tormented teenage ghost in a mediocre horrorbook.