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cviii's review
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Gore, Child death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Vomit, Blood, Murder, Body horror, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Homophobia
dustghosts's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
As many reviewers have said, this is not a horror book and marketing it as such is a misstep! What it is, though, is a pretty impressive work of craft that digs its heels in as Darnielle plays with timelines, and interlocking stories, and points of view, and— and, and. Absolutely, some of these experiments are less successful than others, but thinking about the story as a work in fragments thrown into a cardboard box… Form and function are pretty beautifully combined here.
My primary critique is that there were sections in the middle that really did feel like they dragged, and the pacing was a bit meandering at times. In the end, it felt juuust a little too long, and I could see why others had trouble finishing. Still, really worth the engagement if you are a critic or an enjoyer of true crime, and maybe especially if you’re a nonfiction reader looking to sink your teeth into some fiction.
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Violence, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Alcohol, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Murder, Vomit, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, and Violence
vixenreader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Grief, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Classism, Child death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic friendship, Blood, and Mental illness
Minor: Bullying and Physical abuse
This novel delves into the subjects of poverty and there is a murder that involves chopping up an entire body into small pieces after committing murder in self defence.ctip99's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse
felofhe's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Cursing, Gore, and Mental illness
Moderate: Drug use
whatellisreadnext's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
We follow Chandler, a true crime writer, who has just started his latest project, moving into a house that the locals call 'The Devil House'.
I may sound like a broken record if you follow my stories, but the first thing I want to say about this book is that it isn't a haunted house novel, and I'm so glad I knew this going into it initially. This is a study on true crime and how it affects the people left behind.
I personally thought this was brilliant, it was weird and messed up and surprisingly emotional towards the end. It went to so many places I didn't think it would, and I found myself so engrossed in this story even though whilst reading I wasn't entirely sure it had a point, I just enjoyed being in it. And when it came to the ending, I felt full on bamboozled in the best way.
The only reason this didn't get a 5 star rating was because it took a lot of brain power at times and was pretty dense writing wise. It just didn't have that effortless 5 star feeling, but it came pretty damn close. I think if you enjoy all things macabre, you'll definitely enjoy Devil House.
Thanks so much to @scribe_uk for the gifted copy!
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Vomit, Murder, and Blood
wrestleacademic's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Blood, Toxic friendship, Violence, Child death, Murder, and Addiction
Moderate: Torture, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Vomit
davidrb's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Gore, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Grief, Alcohol, Death, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
alylentz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Blood