★★★☆☆

A Land So Wide is dripping with the atmospheric charm Erin A. Craig does so well—fog-drenched cliffs, crumbling estates, and a touch of the eerie that makes you second-guess the edges of reality. But while the setting lured me in, the pacing and character work didn’t hold me quite as tightly as I hoped.

Greer, the main character, often felt more like a love-struck teen than a woman in her late twenties. Her voice came off as a bit whiny at times, which made it harder to fully root for her, though I did appreciate the deeper emotional struggles she faced beneath the surface. The internal conflict gave her some dimension, even when her outward choices felt frustrating.

The story unfolds slowly—almost too slowly—and while there are twists, most of them felt easy to see coming. I kept hoping for one truly shocking moment, but it never arrived. And the ending? Abrupt. I turned the last page feeling a bit unsatisfied, like there was more story to tell or more emotional payoff to earn.

All that said, fans of Craig’s previous books or readers who enjoy slow-burn gothic tales might still find something to enjoy here. It just wasn’t quite the haunting, immersive experience I was hoping for.

Note: This book does not release until September 2025