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panyasan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lucyblackbirdreads's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3/5
ARC via Netgalley
I really don't know how I feel about this book, which isn't something I say often. Normally I can at least say I'm neutral to it with no strong feelings one way or the other, however with this I'm just confused.
The ghost story was solid and unique. The family dynamics were uncomfortable and really well done. I should have really loved this story, but for some reason it didn't pull me in and not let go. It didn't make me really feel anything. The only thing I can think is maybe it's because the characters were just so uncomfortable and I needed to feel some way towards them? This is only me speculating. It's been a bit since I finished it because I wanted to give myself a chance to think about it, it I still am not sure what it is. I would still suggest this, if nothing else then to hear what others felt after they read this.
Read if you like: disfunctional families, haunted objects/houses, evil spirits, toxic relationships
ARC via Netgalley
I really don't know how I feel about this book, which isn't something I say often. Normally I can at least say I'm neutral to it with no strong feelings one way or the other, however with this I'm just confused.
The ghost story was solid and unique. The family dynamics were uncomfortable and really well done. I should have really loved this story, but for some reason it didn't pull me in and not let go. It didn't make me really feel anything. The only thing I can think is maybe it's because the characters were just so uncomfortable and I needed to feel some way towards them? This is only me speculating. It's been a bit since I finished it because I wanted to give myself a chance to think about it, it I still am not sure what it is. I would still suggest this, if nothing else then to hear what others felt after they read this.
Read if you like: disfunctional families, haunted objects/houses, evil spirits, toxic relationships
emperorcupcake's review
dark
tense
3.5
I really enjoyed this, but the ending did a horror trope that drives me nuts, where a random person comes along and deals with a supernatural issue, easy peasy, despite having no experience and only reading one book. Are you telling me that none of the people who were dealing with this issue for centuries had access to this book, or it only worked for this one random woman? I guess that was the point, it was something about her, I just kind of always roll my eyes at the Random American Rolls In, Solves Problem trope.
Other than that, this was an enjoyable and atmospheric read. The atmosphere was also my favourite part of Lute, this author is so good at setting a scene. There were some genuinely creepy moments too, involving the super creepy entity on the cover. Having that cover art for reference definitely made the book scarier, picturing that thing every time it was described.
Other than that, this was an enjoyable and atmospheric read. The atmosphere was also my favourite part of Lute, this author is so good at setting a scene. There were some genuinely creepy moments too, involving the super creepy entity on the cover. Having that cover art for reference definitely made the book scarier, picturing that thing every time it was described.
lil_librarian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mathomhaus's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
yotan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
eamwilliams504's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
godfrina's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Who knew you can depict a hot summer's vacation day in Italy so convincingly, insects buzzing, hair sticking to your neck, sweat dripping down your bra, while feeling the cold rush of a violent presence in your vacation home, all while describing the most toxic family dynamic most people will be able to pick out reference points from?
Jennifer Thorne, that's who.
Incredibly realistic feeling haunted house story - the intense descriptions of family together on vacation, in the heat of an Italian summer made the haunting almost too palpable. I'd say, this is the second book next to an easy summer romcom you should take with you on vacation this summer!
Jennifer Thorne, that's who.
Incredibly realistic feeling haunted house story - the intense descriptions of family together on vacation, in the heat of an Italian summer made the haunting almost too palpable. I'd say, this is the second book next to an easy summer romcom you should take with you on vacation this summer!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Gaslighting
r_o_s_e's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
booksnooksandcrannies73's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25