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kimberlyf's review against another edition
3.0
If an author truly must revisit the world that is Hill House, my only wish is that the author would honor it with the same brilliant gothic writing that Jackson gave it. As I had expected, that was not the case here.
I would like to applaud the author because it takes guts to take something so iconic and include it as a central part of your book—it’s a huge risk. Including the famous house in her story almost felt like a ploy, though, just to get readers to the book. And, I mean, hey, brava because it worked on me, as I know it will for many other readers who have adored Jackson’s Hill House.
It is important to note that this isn’t a retelling of Jackson’s story or even a sequel. Rather, it is more of an appreciative nod towards it. That said, you don’t need to read [b:The Haunting of Hill House|89717|The Haunting of Hill House|Shirley Jackson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327871336l/89717._SY75_.jpg|3627] to benefit from reading this story. In fact, I think readers who haven’t read Hill House will probably enjoy this book more than readers (and lovers) of the classic. As a lover of the original work, I found it impossible not to draw comparisons between the two and I think that is where a lot of the problem lies. For me, at least.
✺ What I liked:
-Colorful, haunting cover.
-Paranormal happenings and supernatural beings, duh.
-The action in the second half of the book.
-Evadne’s witchy vibes.
✺ What I didn’t like:
-Short chapters are normally a win for me but a lot of these chapters were cut short for the sake of creating a false sense of suspense when the story could have just continued on.
-The characters. For a group of adults, they sure acted like a bunch of adolescents.
-Hand never got to the nitty gritty about WHY the house is haunted which is, dare I say, essential for a haunted house story.
-The whole “actors gather in a house to rehearse a play” thing was a miss for me. It just wasn’t very interesting.
✺ Nods to the OG:
-Set in the town of Hillsdale.
-Brief mention of how Eleanor died (though it didn’t mention her by name).
-I don’t know if it was the author’s intention but one could argue that the LGBT+ MC was inspired by Theodora’s often-speculated sexuality.
-Each room had a color (which is easily overlooked in this book if you haven’t read Jackson’s rendition), but Stevie is staying in the “yellow room” which was our good old friend, Dr. Montague’s room.
-Melissa, the housekeeper, and her husband do not stay at the house after dark, same as Mrs. and Mr. Dudley from Jackson’s story.
-The use of the name Nell in Holly’s first play.
-Cold spot in the nursery is the same.
(I’m sure that I missed some but these are the ones that stood out to me.)
Overall, this book wasn’t great but it wasn’t terrible, it’s just kind of… there… existing. It was tolerable but nothing to write home about… Ultimately, my love for The Haunting of Hill House overshadowed my enjoyment. 2.5 stars.
I would like to applaud the author because it takes guts to take something so iconic and include it as a central part of your book—it’s a huge risk. Including the famous house in her story almost felt like a ploy, though, just to get readers to the book. And, I mean, hey, brava because it worked on me, as I know it will for many other readers who have adored Jackson’s Hill House.
It is important to note that this isn’t a retelling of Jackson’s story or even a sequel. Rather, it is more of an appreciative nod towards it. That said, you don’t need to read [b:The Haunting of Hill House|89717|The Haunting of Hill House|Shirley Jackson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327871336l/89717._SY75_.jpg|3627] to benefit from reading this story. In fact, I think readers who haven’t read Hill House will probably enjoy this book more than readers (and lovers) of the classic. As a lover of the original work, I found it impossible not to draw comparisons between the two and I think that is where a lot of the problem lies. For me, at least.
✺ What I liked:
-Colorful, haunting cover.
-Paranormal happenings and supernatural beings, duh.
-The action in the second half of the book.
-Evadne’s witchy vibes.
✺ What I didn’t like:
-Short chapters are normally a win for me but a lot of these chapters were cut short for the sake of creating a false sense of suspense when the story could have just continued on.
-The characters. For a group of adults, they sure acted like a bunch of adolescents.
-Hand never got to the nitty gritty about WHY the house is haunted which is, dare I say, essential for a haunted house story.
-The whole “actors gather in a house to rehearse a play” thing was a miss for me. It just wasn’t very interesting.
✺ Nods to the OG:
-Set in the town of Hillsdale.
-Brief mention of how Eleanor died (though it didn’t mention her by name).
-I don’t know if it was the author’s intention but one could argue that the LGBT+ MC was inspired by Theodora’s often-speculated sexuality.
-Each room had a color (which is easily overlooked in this book if you haven’t read Jackson’s rendition), but Stevie is staying in the “yellow room” which was our good old friend, Dr. Montague’s room.
-Melissa, the housekeeper, and her husband do not stay at the house after dark, same as Mrs. and Mr. Dudley from Jackson’s story.
-The use of the name Nell in Holly’s first play.
-Cold spot in the nursery is the same.
(I’m sure that I missed some but these are the ones that stood out to me.)
Overall, this book wasn’t great but it wasn’t terrible, it’s just kind of… there… existing. It was tolerable but nothing to write home about… Ultimately, my love for The Haunting of Hill House overshadowed my enjoyment. 2.5 stars.
readerkat727's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
the_epi_reader's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
After visiting friends in Hillsdale, Holly stumbles upon Hill House and cannot think of a better place to rent for two weeks to get some work done. Holly, and three others, move into Hill House in the hopes to focus on bringing Holly’s play, “Witching Night” to life. Not only do the four bring the play to life, but other entities in Hill House. Voices are heard but not seen, shadows are visible with no source; No one is safe from the influence of Hill House.
Overall Hand captured the unsettling power Hill House has over its occupants and brought Hill House back to life from its 1959 debut. While I enjoyed the moments of the book that focused on Hill House, I felt the story was too focused on the “Witching Hour” play and the characters’ drama. At times it felt as if Hill House was an afterthought and the novel’s focus was for readers who enjoyed theater, not the horror/gothic fiction reader. Moreover, the chapters were super short, 3-6 pages each, which I’m not the biggest fan of due to choppiness. If you’re a fan of haunted house stories with a modern twist, this book is for you!
Overall Hand captured the unsettling power Hill House has over its occupants and brought Hill House back to life from its 1959 debut. While I enjoyed the moments of the book that focused on Hill House, I felt the story was too focused on the “Witching Hour” play and the characters’ drama. At times it felt as if Hill House was an afterthought and the novel’s focus was for readers who enjoyed theater, not the horror/gothic fiction reader. Moreover, the chapters were super short, 3-6 pages each, which I’m not the biggest fan of due to choppiness. If you’re a fan of haunted house stories with a modern twist, this book is for you!
andiwin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
bulletsandstories's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
janettecorral's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
2.5
The audio book narrator was good. The story became exhausting.
jennshelfishlife's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
akevaa's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Solid 3. I think i was looking for more of the creepiness that Haunting of Hill House gave, but it's hard to beat an original. I did enjoy how Hand wove in elements from various Jackson works, not just Hill House, to place the house itself as the epicenter of all the horrors that Jackson wrote about. Those nods were well done. I just didn't like the characters enough and don't find myself envisioning a re-read at any point, hence the 3-stars.