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mariyavd's review
2.0
I don't have much to say, because there was nothing happening in this book. Conversations, feelings, insecurities. That's it. At the 95% of the book there was a little of action and it lasted for 10 min.
harpbrat's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
swalk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Hyacinth House is one of the most haunted places in Ireland. Set back in the Wicklow Mountains, it's surrounded by strong fences to contain what reside there. For YouTuber Jack Gallagher this little-discussed mansion with a history of accidents is the perfect place to visit for his livestream…
This was a fun spooky jaunt with some great characters and interesting relationships. I did find some of the characters a little predictable, but for a YA book this was an entertaining read and definitely one to check out for teens who enjoy hauntings and stories including LGBTQ+ relationships.
As the start of a series, this made a good grounding to build on and it was clear who each character was and their backstory. The narrator did a good job and had a soothing voice which worked well with the text.
wisecraic's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
**I was provided an audiobook of this work post-publication by the publisher through NetGalley.**
Amy Clarkin presents What Walks These Halls, a YA horror centered on a family run paranormal investigation service. Or at least, it was family run until Raven and Archer O'Sullivan's father died at an investigation at Hyacinth House. Five years have passed since then and both Archer and Raven are adults looking to make their way in life. Archer has decided there is nothing he wants more than to restart the family business. Raven wants nothing to do with it, but is committed to being the voice of reason for her brother and the team. This only becomes more necessary when Raven learns that Archer has been hired by a realtor to investigate Hyacinth House. Archer wasn't there the night her father died, but Raven is pretty sure what happened was her fault and the entity of Hyacinth House remembers.
Full disclosure: I had purchased a copy of this book for myself from Unplugged Book Box prior to receiving this audio copy. This is my first read through of the book and I intend to keep my physical copy :)
Narrator Róisín Rankin really contributed to my enjoyment of this book. Clarkin is an Irish author and this novel takes place in Ireland. As such, it was only appropriate to have an Irish narrator and Rankin's lovely accent really contributed to the atmosphere of the story. Rankin also has a lightness in both tone and pitch that gave voice to Raven's youth without sounding child-like. I was pleased to learn that there are more books with this narrator and would be more inclined to pick up a book if I saw Rankin's name attached.
Of course, Rankin's performance could not have been what it was without the foundation of Clarkin's words. YA horror can admittedly be hit or miss for me, but Clarkin really leaned into simply letting the scary parts be scary. There is a sense of dread that grows throughout the book with moments of higher tension that build upon each other. The atmosphere was a big strength for this book, but the book could not have been a success without the characters.
Clarkin provided a team that was easy to root for and was full of found family vibes. There is also some queer representation in this book, though it is a casual queerness that is not the focal point of the story. I actually really liked that being queer was not a highlighted character trait, but was merely a part of the character for this type of horror story.
I would not hesitate to recommend this novel in a similar vein to fans of the Jackaby series by William Ritter or Lockwood & Co series by Jonathan Stroud with the understanding that What Walks These Halls has a more modern setting.
Suffice it to say, I am very much looking forward to future works by Clarkin as it seems our team of investigators has more trouble heading their way.
Amy Clarkin presents What Walks These Halls, a YA horror centered on a family run paranormal investigation service. Or at least, it was family run until Raven and Archer O'Sullivan's father died at an investigation at Hyacinth House. Five years have passed since then and both Archer and Raven are adults looking to make their way in life. Archer has decided there is nothing he wants more than to restart the family business. Raven wants nothing to do with it, but is committed to being the voice of reason for her brother and the team. This only becomes more necessary when Raven learns that Archer has been hired by a realtor to investigate Hyacinth House. Archer wasn't there the night her father died, but Raven is pretty sure what happened was her fault and the entity of Hyacinth House remembers.
Full disclosure: I had purchased a copy of this book for myself from Unplugged Book Box prior to receiving this audio copy. This is my first read through of the book and I intend to keep my physical copy :)
Narrator Róisín Rankin really contributed to my enjoyment of this book. Clarkin is an Irish author and this novel takes place in Ireland. As such, it was only appropriate to have an Irish narrator and Rankin's lovely accent really contributed to the atmosphere of the story. Rankin also has a lightness in both tone and pitch that gave voice to Raven's youth without sounding child-like. I was pleased to learn that there are more books with this narrator and would be more inclined to pick up a book if I saw Rankin's name attached.
Of course, Rankin's performance could not have been what it was without the foundation of Clarkin's words. YA horror can admittedly be hit or miss for me, but Clarkin really leaned into simply letting the scary parts be scary. There is a sense of dread that grows throughout the book with moments of higher tension that build upon each other. The atmosphere was a big strength for this book, but the book could not have been a success without the characters.
Clarkin provided a team that was easy to root for and was full of found family vibes. There is also some queer representation in this book, though it is a casual queerness that is not the focal point of the story. I actually really liked that being queer was not a highlighted character trait, but was merely a part of the character for this type of horror story.
I would not hesitate to recommend this novel in a similar vein to fans of the Jackaby series by William Ritter or Lockwood & Co series by Jonathan Stroud with the understanding that What Walks These Halls has a more modern setting.
Suffice it to say, I am very much looking forward to future works by Clarkin as it seems our team of investigators has more trouble heading their way.
esmewasreading's review
5.0
What a great Paranormal horror! I love books that feature a creepy haunted house and add a paranormal investigator element on top of it and you basically have my perfect book. Every single character in this book were so extremely lovable. The plot was easy to follow and full of creepy situations that had me huddled under my blanket wishing I had read this during daylight. I really loved Eabha's story line, I loved watching her grow and stand up for herself and set strong boundaries.
Such a great atmospheric read with LGBTQIA vibes set in Ireland that would be perfect for Halloween!
The narrator did such a fantastic job bringing the characters and the story to life!
thank you Netgalley for giving me access to the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
Such a great atmospheric read with LGBTQIA vibes set in Ireland that would be perfect for Halloween!
The narrator did such a fantastic job bringing the characters and the story to life!
thank you Netgalley for giving me access to the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
book4grace's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bookwormalley's review
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Title: What Walks These Halls
Author: Amy Clarkin
Page Count: 383
Dates Read: 4/1-4/2
Format: Audiobook
Length: 10Hrs 57Mins
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: This was an Arc given from Netgalley for an honest review. Book releases April 1st. I listened to this on audiobook.
1st point of view is Raven, who her and her brother own PSI and work to help people who are or who think they are experiencing paranormal incidents.
Second Point of view Eabha is who can see, feel, and hear things no one else can.
Hyacinth House is an extremely haunted house in Ireland. The MC both have ties to the house, more than they even realize.Eabha and Raven have to work together to bring the past to rest.
This was an interesting story, but I felt the pacing quite slow. The characters have some development. I enjoyed the relationships that were formed.
This will not be a reread for me.
Author: Amy Clarkin
Page Count: 383
Dates Read: 4/1-4/2
Format: Audiobook
Length: 10Hrs 57Mins
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: This was an Arc given from Netgalley for an honest review. Book releases April 1st. I listened to this on audiobook.
1st point of view is Raven, who her and her brother own PSI and work to help people who are or who think they are experiencing paranormal incidents.
Second Point of view Eabha is who can see, feel, and hear things no one else can.
Hyacinth House is an extremely haunted house in Ireland. The MC both have ties to the house, more than they even realize.Eabha and Raven have to work together to bring the past to rest.
This was an interesting story, but I felt the pacing quite slow. The characters have some development. I enjoyed the relationships that were formed.
This will not be a reread for me.
asims723's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
cassiecat's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
🎧4.5⭐️
I had the audiobook of this YA Paranormal mystery read by Róisin Rankin. The Irish narrator was my reason for choosing this book. She does a good job infusing emotion although I’d have liked more infused tension in the end section.
Archer and Raven grew up helping their parents with their paranormal investigations. Their dad died 5 yrs ago at Hyacinth House during an investigation. Archer couldn’t resist an opportunity to investigate Hyacinth House.
Éabha has grown up seeing and hearing things that no one else does, she reaches out to Archer as she wants a better understanding of what’s happening to her.
There is emphasis on the characters and their relationships which are well developed, includes love interests giving it a slow burn. It had enough going on to hold my attention throughout. The protagonists are all likeable, I was rooting for them all. There’s a really dark evil presence that’s very menacing and threatening.
We get flashbacks to the past to learn what happened to their dad as well as the modern investigation. It’s got some good creepy elements with the tension building well for the finale with a feeling of jeopardy.
Although there’s mention of the equipment used by the investigators, don’t go thinking this is a modern day version of ghost busters.
I’d say it’s more creepy than full on horror. It’s right up my street. I loved it with the narrator adding to my enjoyment. An impressive debut, I look forward to the next instalment.