When I Arrived at the Castle Paperback – April 16, 2019

The artwork is surreal and grotesque, though I didn't like the aesthetic of the anthropomorphic main character. The majority of Carroll's stories tend to involve human characters who succumb to horrors unspeakable, while this story turns the tables on the antagonist and reads like the author's working through some issues. This is great for Emily Carroll, though not so much for the reader. The story doesn't end with an unknowable existential horror, or sinister conclusion, but something akin to self-empowerment. The story and art tells a very abstract tale of vampires, erotica, and death. The bold art uses black and white with flourishes of red, which unnerves through nightmarish imagery while also being gorgeous in a grotesque way. Emily Carroll is easily on par with the likes of Junji Ito in conveying a sense of creeping dread. As she evolves and grows as an artist/writer I only hope she doesn't lose what makes her work truly shine: Endings which are pitch-black and unknowable.

On top of having the level of art you'd expect from such an experienced and powerful artist, the level of layering in the story, the background details on the pages, it all comes together to make a story that's both eerie and intriguing. I enjoy especially a horror story that leaves to with puzzles to muddle over, and ideas to untangle. I also enjoy when an author writes in such a way that the second reading is entirely different from the first--that a twist makes it so you can't help yourself but have to flip back to the beginning again and experience it in a whole new, equally intriguing way

I love this author and have read most of her works. This one was very good at capturing a feeling of confusion and dread. There's also a six page spread that should be shown to people to explain how to use jump scares effectively. I don't think a comic has had me on the edge of my seat like that except for some of Junji Itou's work.It was so well done, but it was a little short. I could have read about this surreal castle stay for much longer.

I bought this book for my 14 yr old who loved Emily Carol's other book, Through the Woods. Probably should have previewed it first. Has some nudity. The two main characters are topless in about 5 pages. Other than that, the book is creepy with the same color scheme (red, white, black, & grey) as the other book. We're both still trying to figure out the story, though. It's unclear, kind of confused about the body swapping and the evil the characters talk about. In some ways, it's much darker than Through the Woods.

I love other works by this author. Sexy, creepy story that I like to pour over again and again; each time learning something new from the story and pictures. Great addition to my collection! Check out her website for more of her work and buy the books to support great comic book artists and writers!

Really prettyCool lookingBut hard to figure out what the story was aboutMaybe I’m dumb, maybe it’s abstract, but had to go back on it a couple more times to understand what was going on

Art is beautiful but the story is almost too short to enjoy and understand the story. I love the author’s other book and when trying this i was so excited to read this. When the book came in and was thinner then the other i was worried. The book feels like you are jumping into the middle of the third book in a trilogy. Like i said, the art was amazing but i wish there was more to read and explore in this story.

Emily Carroll never disappoints in her interpretation of horror. Beautifully illustrated and a delightful and refreshing sense of creepy.I would agree with the comments that the price point seems a little high for such a quick read and print quality, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

A few years ago, purely by accident, I stumbled across a book by Emily Carroll called "Through the Woods." I read it on the New Year's Eve night, just before going to sleep. And I still remember the pain of the large graze I discovered the next morning, at the base of my spine. I'm not sure what, exactly filled my dreams that night, but I also remember waking during the night, and finding myself on the floor, by my bed. Something clearly spooked me, and I think why the book had such a powerful effect on me was partly because it was illustrated; the addition of Carroll's illustrations to the stories gave the tales she told something more; it made them more visceral, in a way. Since then, I have longed for her to release another collection. So, when I found that she had released "When I Arrived at the Castle," I eagerly ordered it.Well, this time, I have read it during daylight hours! In some ways, I'm not quite sure what I have read. The tale is a strange one, to be sure. There seems to be a woman, who lives in a castle, and there is a female cat, who walks on hind legs, and goes to the castle with the intention to spill blood.For this volume, the colour palette is simple black, white, with splashes of red. As ever, the illustrations are beautiful, and sometimes nightmarish. Just as I remember with "Through the Woods," the tales are sparse from prose. You are given some details, but you have a sense that you are not being told everything. This means that, when you finish the book, you may have more questions than when you started. But, it is certainly a tale that stays with you.

I bought this on a whim, and while it is a little short (around a 15 minute read) i have reread it multiple times just to admire the absolutely incredible art. A touch on the expensive side, but a good story none the less.

Beautifully illustrated, with a dreamlike story, with horror dripping throughout.

& brilliant, more Emily Carroll books please!

Absolutely fantastic comic. Stunning artwork and an immersive and haunting storyline - would 100% recommend to any horror or comic fans.