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kikireads999's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Unfortunately, much like my experience with Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero, I like the concept more than I like the execution. The focus on the neighbour, Rolph, never really led anywhere. I'm still not sure what the point of his character was beyond establishing that creepy things happened in James and Julie's house in the past and that his sister might be haunting them. Or was Rolph haunting them? See, I'm still not sure because it just wasn't that clear to me. Also, the horror surrounding the house's design and the potential person/ghost/creature living inside isn't explored in great depth beyond a few key creepy moments.
Additionally, the story culminates in Julie being hospitalized, which I found rather anticlimactic and uninteresting. I can picture an alternative scene where James and Julie become lost in the walls, trying to find each other and/or a way out, and are confronted with/chased by whatever haunts them. Something like that, in which the main scary features of the book are examined in more detail, would have been much more satisfying.
One thing I did like, although this may just have been my interpretation, was the couple's refusal to simply abandon the house. In many horror or thriller books, the question of why the characters don't simply leave is frustrating. However, I think in this book it makes a lot of sense. The characters felt very sick to me, very ill from the haunting and clearly not in their right minds. In my experience, when family members are sick or hurting, they don't make great decisions regarding their health. They can't grasp the severity of the situation and decide against getting help, or they can't think clearly enough to even make a decision. So, James and Julie's decision to stay put and live through the horror made sense to me for once.
I enjoyed but was also puzzled by how the author made James so useless. Julie was so competent and had to baby James constantly. I thought that might come to a head eventually, but it never came up. It's just a character fact.
In all, I'm disappointed in how the ideas that made the book interesting to me weren't explored. Nothing was followed through with; these fantastic concepts chilled me to the bone, but the final strike that would have truly scared me never happened. However, I really did enjoy the audiobook experience! It was a fun time, honestly. So I'm glad I read it. It introduced me to a fantastic spin on a haunted house, which I am always keen to explore.
One thing I did like, although this may just have been my interpretation, was the couple's refusal to simply abandon the house. In many horror or thriller books, the question of why the characters don't simply leave is frustrating. However, I think in this book it makes a lot of sense. The characters felt very sick to me, very ill from the haunting and clearly not in their right minds. In my experience, when family members are sick or hurting, they don't make great decisions regarding their health. They can't grasp the severity of the situation and decide against getting help, or they can't think clearly enough to even make a decision. So, James and Julie's decision to stay put and live through the horror made sense to me for once.
I enjoyed but was also puzzled by how the author made James so useless. Julie was so competent and had to baby James constantly. I thought that might come to a head eventually, but it never came up. It's just a character fact.
In all, I'm disappointed in how the ideas that made the book interesting to me weren't explored. Nothing was followed through with; these fantastic concepts chilled me to the bone, but the final strike that would have truly scared me never happened. However, I really did enjoy the audiobook experience! It was a fun time, honestly. So I'm glad I read it. It introduced me to a fantastic spin on a haunted house, which I am always keen to explore.
cdblev's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emmanotfrost's review against another edition
3.0
When I first read the synopsis, I knew this book would be my cup of tea. I just love a haunted house.
As I read the book, it was pretty interesting in the beginning. But as I turned the pages, I don't understand the plot anymore.
I mean, I get it. The house is haunted but there's no explanation whatsoever. What's with the bruises? What is the truth about the two houses? What's going on?
I like an open ending, but this time it sucks.
As I read the book, it was pretty interesting in the beginning. But as I turned the pages, I don't understand the plot anymore.
I mean, I get it. The house is haunted but there's no explanation whatsoever. What's with the bruises? What is the truth about the two houses? What's going on?
I like an open ending, but this time it sucks.
kir3n's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It felt like the haunted house storyline was just a vessel to explore stress responses and communication in relationships. The pace, story, and writing style didn’t seem to match with each other until decently after the halfway mark. The ending was an unsatisfying decrescendo after the (soft, loopy medical gore) climax around the 80% mark. I’m not mad for having read it, but I was definitely missing other authors while reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Gore, Sexual content, Medical content, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Blood and Vomit
kayastray's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
gemi1y's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
abbuelita's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
2.5
I appreciated the short chapters and how they revealed the POV of both the husband and wife. The writing style of short staccato sentences in many of the chapters definitely grated on me after awhile. Maybe it was intentional but it became difficult to read. The ending was also pretty anti-climactic and unsatisfying.
mindwinder's review against another edition
3.0
In the ambiguous and esoteric way it's written, The Grip of It shrouds the reader in this feeling of being haunted, of having one's reality completely warped around them. Your mind will be muddy and reeling by the diction, left second-guessing your thoughts and doubting the world around you like James and Julie themselves. I definitely recommend it for anyone interested in being immersed in horror.
jessdonaldson84'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5