The Changeling

by Victor LaValle
The Changeling cover
Good Books rating 4.2
Fantasy
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 7740
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781786893833
  • Publisher: Canongate Books
  • Published: 2018-07-05
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

The Changeling is an epic novel that delves into the raw and brutal aspects of parenthood and love. When Apollo Kagwa's wife, Emma, commits an unthinkable act, he embarks on a wild and fantastical quest through an otherworldly New York to find his wife and child. The story explores themes of anxiety, humanity, and the lengths one will go to protect their family. /n/n Winner of multiple awards, including an American Book Award and a Locus Award for Best Horror Novel, The Changeling is a tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The novel's unique blend of fantasy and reality, along with its exploration of the human condition, makes it a standout in contemporary literature.

Reviews
Reddit - r/horrorlit · u/UnknownUser · 2024-09-03
good 3.50

The twists are enjoyable, and the antagonists are well-crafted to evoke strong feelings. However, some readers found the ending disappointing.

Many readers on Reddit appreciated the creativity and the well-executed twists in the novel. They found the antagonists particularly compelling, making them easy to hate. However, there was a mixed reaction to the ending, with some feeling it fell short of expectations. Overall, the novel is seen as a fun and engaging read, despite its flaws.

Quick quotes

    The twists were fun, and they did a great job of making the antagonists people you wanted to hate

    I couldn't put it down but the further I got the more disappointed I was

    It's a thrilling and emotionally devastating journey

Tarvolon · 2023-12-11
excellent 4.50

The book is a fabulous piece of literary horror with strong themes. It effectively blends contemporary and ancient elements to create a unique narrative.

This review highlights the book's strong themes and its blend of contemporary and ancient elements, making it a standout piece of literary horror. The reviewer appreciates the depth and creativity in the storytelling, which makes it a compelling read. They also note how the book taps into both modern parenting issues and age-old fears, creating a rich and engaging narrative.

Quick quotes

    A fabulous bit of literary horror novel with strong themes.

    Plenty of depth and creativity in the storytelling.

    A unique blend of contemporary and ancient elements.

Cynthia June Long's Blog · Cynthia June Long · 2019-11-09
fantastic 4.80

The book is a stunning achievement in literary fantasy, full of suspense, emotion, and wit. It is well-crafted and folklore-infused, making it a memorable read.

Cynthia June Long describes the book as a stunning achievement in literary fantasy, praising its suspense, emotion, and wit. She highlights the book's well-crafted nature and its folklore-infused elements, which make it a memorable and engaging read. The reviewer also appreciates the book's unique storytelling approach, which sets it apart from other works in the genre.

Quick quotes

    A stunning achievement in literary fantasy.

    Full of suspense, emotion, and wit.

    Well-crafted and folklore-infused.

The Guardian · 2018-09-01
great 4.00

The book is a punchy cocktail of modern parenting and ancient magic. It taps into contemporary unease and age-old fears, making it a captivating read.

The reviewer praises the book for its blend of modern parenting and ancient magic, which creates a captivating narrative. They highlight how the book effectively taps into contemporary unease and age-old fears, making it a compelling read. The reviewer also notes the book's unique storytelling approach, which makes it stand out in the genre.

Quick quotes

    A punchy cocktail of modern parenting and ancient magic.

    Taps into contemporary unease and age-old fears.

    A captivating and unique narrative.

Appears in Lists