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bbartkow's review against another edition
1.0
I had a hard time finishing this book. I started to really hate it around 2/3 of the way through but I really wanted to know how it ended (abruptly, as it turns out) so I kept going. I’m so glad to be done with it.
I’m neither a strong believer in the supernatural nor a non-believer. I enjoy both fictional and purportedly true stories of the supernatural so when I say this book was completely unbelievable, I don’t refer to the demonic possession, I refer to the the reaction of nearly every character in the book to what they were experiencing. The parents were willfully oblivious to their surroundings and truly horrible to their children, who, on multiple occasions, ran to them in complete terror. I also found it hard to believe anyone would stay in a house after experiencing the extreme demonic torture that they all claim to have experienced. I understand the expense involved in moving but they were renting the apartment and never even considered casually looking for a new apartment during their months and months in this house? And finally, I found the landlords demands when they moved in to be wholly unbelievable. This family moved in to the apartment even after the landlord told them not to move any of the instruments of the former occupants of what used to be a funeral home because they were “interesting” (or some such description; can’t recall the exact wording) and not to move, touch, or even clean the tarnished silver crosses hanging over the doors in the basement? I considered that their reactions might be due to the demonic presence but that was never even floated as a theory so I can only assume they were simply awful people...right up the end when they briefly pondered the condition of their son, by then in a mental institution. I totally understand why the son would not wish to see or speak with them but they apparently hadn’t even spoken with his doctors and received a cursory update on his progress.
A truly awful book occupied by awful people.
I’m neither a strong believer in the supernatural nor a non-believer. I enjoy both fictional and purportedly true stories of the supernatural so when I say this book was completely unbelievable, I don’t refer to the demonic possession, I refer to the the reaction of nearly every character in the book to what they were experiencing. The parents were willfully oblivious to their surroundings and truly horrible to their children, who, on multiple occasions, ran to them in complete terror. I also found it hard to believe anyone would stay in a house after experiencing the extreme demonic torture that they all claim to have experienced. I understand the expense involved in moving but they were renting the apartment and never even considered casually looking for a new apartment during their months and months in this house? And finally, I found the landlords demands when they moved in to be wholly unbelievable. This family moved in to the apartment even after the landlord told them not to move any of the instruments of the former occupants of what used to be a funeral home because they were “interesting” (or some such description; can’t recall the exact wording) and not to move, touch, or even clean the tarnished silver crosses hanging over the doors in the basement? I considered that their reactions might be due to the demonic presence but that was never even floated as a theory so I can only assume they were simply awful people...right up the end when they briefly pondered the condition of their son, by then in a mental institution. I totally understand why the son would not wish to see or speak with them but they apparently hadn’t even spoken with his doctors and received a cursory update on his progress.
A truly awful book occupied by awful people.
ngroeling's review against another edition
5.0
Great book on some paranormal experiences of a family in CT. First time I have ever read about evil spirits raping humans, however. Not that I didn't think it was possible, but that no one ever talks about. I think this book was a bit too dark for what many people would want to tolerate and therefore, it's one of the Warren's experiences that may never become a movie. Can't wait to read their other 5 books soon.
luca97's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
2.0
I can only give this story 2 stars. This rating is not due to the writing even though there were some grammarical and technical errors. I think the author had written the story in a compelling way that was successful in making the reader uncomfortable and fearful. However, I LOATHED the parents in this story. Carmen and Al are absolutely awful. Not only did they harp on their sick kid (Stephen) and their other kids for being scared, they openly lied and gaslighted them. Both rhe parents were having strange phenomina happen to them but kept blaming Stephen for every little thing, making him out to be the crazy one. And THEN they got mad at him for shutting down and for refusing to come to them. Also, there were so many instances when Carmen and Al finally came to the conclusion (a ridiculous amount of time anf denial later, might I add) where they could have helped but just stood by and watched. For instance, they could have taking their kids out of the house when both their kids and themselves were being sexually attacked, but just stood there. I have never hated two people more. Also, I'm surprised that they didn't choose to exercise Stephen? Obviously there were drastic changes in his personality, might that be something to pursue and look into?
This book just makes me angry.
This book just makes me angry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
hope_thesillybookworm's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Alcohol
audriecorrea's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very well-written retelling of a horrifying story. It was paced very well and incredibly descriptive. I do wish there was a bit more description or elaboration at the end as the majority of the book (~75%) was the family’s experience prior to the exorcism. So much more could have been covered about their son Steven or the following occupants. Overall, still a nice book!
mikel_pfeiffer's review against another edition
4.0
I'm giving this book 4 stars because it was one of the few horror novels that have actually scared me. I've read that some people don't like that Ed and Lorraine Warren play a smaller role than expected in the book but it's probably closer the role they play vs. the movies they are in. Also, some people mark it down because it's most likely not true. I read this book as a fiction by Ray Garton, one my top horror writers and even if fiction, the book still frightened me. In a dark Place is relentless with the amount of scary things that happen to the Snedekers throughout the book. The parents are truly terrible to their kids and then invite their nieces to stay with them knowing their house is haunted. I didn't like the way heavy metal and having dark interests was condemned but as a story devise it didn't bother me that much. I haven't read many haunted house books but after enjoying the Haunting of Hill House and In A Dark Place so much I think I'll read more in the future. I'll also be watching The Haunting in Connecticut, which was made from the book (or inspired) very soon.
kayla_dyson's review against another edition
5.0
I was hearing music when there wasn’t any two separate nights after reading this book. Some nights I was shaking, sweating... my heart pounding hard and fast. It absolutely terrified me. I’m a huge horror fan, The Conjuring being my favorite series, but this is another level.