Good story with decent voice acting but doesn't stick the landing

The best audio story I have EVER heard! I was addicted from the start. I love the characters, the voices, the music, and the story! THANK YOU!!!!!

As someone who lives in TN y’all nailed the accents and just the political / social climate that exists in some of the counties here. The suspense was top tier the ending of each episode left you wanting more each time . The audio along with the story telling made things very immersive. Well done!

First, great voice acting by the actors who played Finch and Tyler. Fantastic -Main character….eh. It was fine. But very presentational. “Showed” us a lot how he felt rather than feeling it and acting it out. Has a great vocal quality, but needs a few meisner classes. -Story was predictable and poorly executed. Figured out ending midway through e02, 100% certain in e03 or 04. -Lost a lot of dynamic story telling by using exposition (a LOT of exposition) instead of letting action happen to move the plot. -They also fell into one of the basic pitfalls of storytelling. Things happen to the main character, but he never makes any choices. He never is the cause of the action. Just wading through the story as more interesting things happen elsewhere. -Ultimately, this could have been condensed down to 6 episodes and switch expositional storytelling with active (they get better at it e10-e12. It gets good) and I would have given it a 4.5. -BUT THE ENDING: woof. With some refinement, E12 would have ended it perfectly. Kept an ambiguity and uncertainty that they were attempting to achieve the rest of series. But then did the “and then also this happens, too”. A clearly manufactured obstacle that was completely unnecessary. It feels like they just wanted to make it 13 episodes instead of making it quality. -Not mad I listened, but wouldn’t likely listen to a season 2.

Need another season. Please. The people beg!

I started this podcast today and literally listened to all 12 episodes back-to-back because the story was that engaging! Overall, cannot wait for season 2! *Proceed for minor spoilers in review* Although a relatively predicable unreliable narrator trope where the listener can anticipate the outcome long before the protagonist (I’m not that clever and still anticipated the ending in the second episode), the immersive audio experience was complemented with talented voice acting, Appalachian lore, and social commentary on general societal ills. However, what I found most captivating was the ~*deeper*~ elemental evil (the big bad gave me Vecna mixed with “It” vibes tbh) and I can only hope Bush follows up with a second season picking up where this left off and we dive deeper into that mythology!

Thank you for making an inter-state road trip absolutely riveting! That said, I now am jonesing for a second series and season. Greedy, I know. Thank you again and cheers!

Hope they make more episodes for these story’s they are super good

Loved this so much!!!

Kept me tuning in but in the end didn’t really finish explaining what happened.. so many “but why” moments all piled up at the end, it felt like they were cruising and then someone said ok wrap it up! And they crunched it into one big episode that doesn’t fully go into depth of the decisions and what was left at the end. Just kind felt like they pulled the plug on it… 🤷🏻‍♂️

Suspenseful and lots of twists and turns. And the theme some rocks!

My family is from the region that this story takes place and while I think the secondary characters’ accents sound somewhat believable, the main narrator sounds… not great. I understand not wanting to make the main person’s accent so thick that it’s off-putting, but this is not what someone sounds like when they have a “light Appalachian” accent. Instead he sounds more like he’s from Texas, or rather a Californian playing a Texan. It’s just a tad too forced. My other nitpick is the lack of colorful descriptors that Appalachians are known for. It’s a shame that the narrator’s descriptions are so straightforward when we could’ve heard something far more creative and wry. I’m only a few episodes in so maybe this will improve, in which case I’m happy to update my review.

So much suspense

Great story and cast. The audio quality and sound effects and editing enhance the atmospherics.

The production, the writing, and the acting are all top notch. A very well put together podcast.

The only reason I gave this 4 stars is the flood of Joe Biden ads. Why does podcasts have to wear their political heart on their sleeves. Geez!

Was Hooked from the start. But then began to drag on too long. Acting a little overboard. Predictable ending.

Honestly one of the best podcasts I’ve ever listened to. Really well put together.

This podcast is so amazing on like, every front: storytelling is awesome, sound effects are intense without being grating on the ears, acting is absolutely fabulous. It offers some foreshadowing without being too predictable, so it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way though :)) No spoilers but I will say that if you get triggered by SA then this may not be the podcast for you, because it gets about as graphic as a podcast can get in a certain flashback scene involving some of the villains and another character. Other than that scene, the crime and it’s aftermath are talked about in other episodes as well.

This could have been a two parter. Not 13. Mind blowingly lame ending. All a waste.

The production was done, good quality. I was just really disappointed in the ending.

One of the best produced podcasts I’ve ever heard. Amazing actors and sound design.

This is well written, the music choice, sound effects, storyline and more is just amazing. So suspenseful and all the little hits but then a twist to through you off. I’m on episode 8 and already hoping for season 2 if this doesn’t end I’m season 1.

Not worth it

And I am definitely a horror fan. I very much am curious if there will be a season two? After listening to some disappointing podcasts that ended up being a bit boring, this one really creeped me out in parts. That isn’t easy to do.

This was an extremely well produced podcast with talented authentic voice actors. It was very well written with suspense and intrigue so thick, it had me Hanging on every word… I also enjoyed the layering of the timeline which keeps the flow of the story telling interesting and engaging Exceptional sound design that heightened the experience.

I listen to a LOT of podcasts (of all sorts). This is one of the most well written, well acted podcasts I’ve heard in a while. There is clearly so much intention behind this podcast, from the beautiful dialogue to the spot on accents (bad accents are maddening). Thank you everyone who made this podcast happen. Please, please, please keep going! Oh, and shirts would be awesome!

I’m a steadfast Old Gods of Appalachia fan so when I heard about this podcast I had to try it. The story is gripping, the characters compelling, the pace is perfect. A really solid cast. Thank you

Show and acting absolutely stellar. Consider removing extended episodes promoting the theme song as it’s the only thing that takes away from the excellent work.

Fictional story brought to life

OK story but the mouth noises are too much!

Overly dramatic, highly predictable - don’t waste your time

Truly an exceptional piece of audio fiction

Just phenomenal. Wonderful story telling, twists, and the audio effects were just amazing.

Great story and acting, but please actors and actresses move your mouths away from the mic some. The mouth noises 😩.

I’m so wrapped up, I cannot get enough! The actors are right in my brain, I feel them and am on the rollercoaster! Great story! Tremendous actors! Sound design has me so immersed that I creeped myself out, got scared while doing dishes, when my dog brushed up against me I jumped, and that is how compelling this is! Great stories and actors live in our hearts. I love everything creepy and spooky and twisty! So dive in, keep the lights on and enjoy! Bravo!!

Such an amazing podcast!! Everything from the sound to the story engulfs you into that world. Oh the song is also really good too. Can’t wait to hear your next project. Thank you!

Wednesdays have become my favorite day of the week, amazing story, great voice actors keep up the good work guys. I don’t want it to end 😭

Great job! Voice actors are wonderful and the story is really terrific. The episodes move along at a perfect pace to inform the listener of the plot, while drawing out the excitement. Well done!!

Great content with execution to match!!!! Need season 2 or more season 1 now

Amazing!!! I need more!!!

I am a child of 1970s radio mystery radio.. This show reminds me of that quality radio. I am thoroughly enjoying this podcast and am looking forward to the next season whatever it may be.. Thank you.. James…

Just got done listening to it and the last scene had me gripping my phone so tight it almost cracked. I listen to a metric ton of fictional podcasts and this has got to be the top 5 as far as acting is concerned. Kudos to the whole cast and team ! Keep up the good work <3

Since the first episode it was a no brainer, that the Julian’s father was the killer, a complete waste of time, cheap terrible writing!

I don’t normally write reviews but this has been one of the best! Amazing actors and storyline, keeps you wanting more. Amazing music as well!

Acting, storyline was really good. Highly recommend it will get u hooked

This story has been excellently written an even better performed. Out of the hundreds of fictional podcast I listen to and are entertained by this is the only one that I wait on a bated breath for every week. I have never re-listened to anyother fictional podcast before. I just consumed and moved on. The narrative structure and writing is bar none! And then the actors and their skill. The stutters, tremors, regional dialect, EVEN THE BACKGROUND CONVERSASIONS! I am honestly confused and torn apart with cognitive dissonance. Don’t know if I want this as a AppleTv series or to stay a podcast. BTW, I have never written a review on podcast. The bar has been set.

I love the story line! I’m get so excited for Wednesdays now!

Great and entertaining podcast. Always enjoy these 3D podcasts

Very addictive!!! Waiting for another season