Reviews

What Walks These Halls by Amy Clarkin

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. 

caitlinbramwell's review

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

lanaglennon's review

3.0

This was my first ghost story, or thriller. I liked the characters very quickly, and felt like they were well fleshed out. For me, this story was believable, and mildly scary. It wasn’t something that haunted me at night, which was good. However, if you’re looking for something that will scare the crap out of you, this book is not for you. The elemental of fear was for sure present, but not overwhelming. All in all, it was decent. I won’t read it again, but I’m happy that I read it once.

pewterwolf's review

4.0

3.5 stars, so rounding up to four stars.

Slow start but picks up around the halfway mark to a edge-of-your-seat conclusion.

RTC

***Physical proof sent by publisher, The O’Brien Press, in exchange for honest review/reaction***

As this is a short, mini-review, let me keep this short. It was a fun read, once you get over the slow start.

I get why the first half of the book is much slower pace than the latter half: for us to know the characters, to build up the creepy, the family history, us to be on the same footing as our characters. But it did, at times, drag. There were times I just wanted something to happen so the plot would get moving, something creepy to happen so the characters would do something.

Once we got past the half-way mark, things moved quickly and I couldn't put the book down. It was a fun, entertaining and I couldn't put it down.

Plus, this book had disability rep, queer rep, found family and two romances at its heart.

So, this was a book of two halves: slow first half but an entertaining second half. I would be intrigued to see what happens next to these characters if a sequel is on the cards...

whatnolareads's review

4.0

I am a horror story/paranormal girlie and this book didn't disappoint from the first chapter you were pulled in. I read this with my younger son and we both loved it. He had a couple of jump scares thanks to mom lol but we both loved it. I loved how the Author developed the characters and environment giving them their own little part in the book. It was a very interesting read and we enjoyed it.

emz2708's review

adventurous dark 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? No

5.0

loandbeholdx's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

alongreader's review

5.0

Oh my gosh. Completely terrifying. Amy has managed to tap into a few different kinds of terror here. I'm definitely in for some sleepless nights. (And, if you've read this you'll understand, I was reading it in Tramore!)
The characters are all wonderfully Irish without being over the top, and I love the idea of PSI ... I'd love to work for them myself, but they'd probably fire me for being a complete scaredey cat!
I sincerely hope this isn't the last book we read from Amy...more PSI would be great, but anything by her will be fantastic!

jkjoy_books's review

4.0

Thank you to the publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC.

The characters are all superbly crafted, and the plot moves along quickly. In general, I thought it was a fairly good book. Teens who enjoy a good scare will love this fascinating book!