Jenny Kiefer‘s This Wretched Valley centers around the mysterious disappearance of Dylan and the death of three other climbers. The novel is a thrilling and suspenseful experience which we enjoyed with only a one caveat.
The book centers around four climbers venturing into the wilderness, with the intention of climbing an untouched cliff face. While this might seem like a simple premise, Kiefer’s writing is detailed and intricate, immersing readers into the plot and landscape.
Twists, turns and the overarching kept us engaged and pushing towards the end. However, we feel the pace may be too slow, and the plot may seem stretched out. It is important to note that this is Kiefer’s debut novel, and with this in mind, we can have high hopes for future novels. Yet, despite this slight drawback, This Wretched Valley still carries the mark of a promising debut.
One of the book’s highlights is how Kiefer explores the wilderness, portraying it as a persistent and unstoppable force that can create both beauty and horror. The description of the natural surroundings is a refreshing reminder of the beauty of nature and the power it possesses. The imagery and the cinematic quality of the writing are noteworthy, bringing the wilderness to life through the pages.
Although we feel it was a bit slow moving, This Wretched Valley is definitely worth the read. This debut novel by Jenny Kiefer shows great promise for future works, despite its few limitations. The characters, landscape, and overall tone of the book are well-crafted and engaging for any reader willing to dive into the wilderness and solve a mystery.
This Wretched Valley is available at bookstores everywhere. Check out the audiobook narrated by Megan Tusing on Libro.fm!
