Scan barcode
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
1.0
I'm so disappointed. I saved this longer read for a nice October read. I was so excited to dive in before I watched the movie so I started and - right off the bat, I was confused. There is no way a girl who has been threatened by her landlord AND has heard midnight rape in the room next door is going to slip down to her underwear to sleep. SO many things just didn't make sense.
And THEN we get to part 2. I was just sticking with it to say I'd read to the end. I was no longer invested and was completely done with whatever was happening. It never got better and continuing to read never paid off. I just didn't enjoy this one at all. Not for me.
And THEN we get to part 2. I was just sticking with it to say I'd read to the end. I was no longer invested and was completely done with whatever was happening. It never got better and continuing to read never paid off. I just didn't enjoy this one at all. Not for me.
ohhveronica's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
penquelen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5
vedat9's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most terrifying books I’ve ever read. I loved it. Genuinely felt like I was going crazy with the main character, and it feels like we went through a war together. Next on my list is to check out the movie adaptation, though I know it can’t possibly come closer to the book.
booksonawire's review against another edition
4.0
Even though the chapters were very short, this book took me forever to get into, so much so I had to resubscribe to Audible just to get access to the audiobook. It wasn't until about 40-45% that I got invested - well past my normal DNF point - but several horror reviewers swear by this book so I stuck with it. When the back of the book says "Britain's answer to Stephen King" I had to laugh. I regularly take a star off of him too because his books are longer than necessary.
But once I finally got invested, it took off and I didn't want to put it down. It took like a month to get to 40% and then like two days to finish. And it was scary - both the paranormal and human monsters are creepy and there is an extended scene on the first floor that still gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. I could easily see this adapted into a movie by Mike Flanagan (aka director The Haunting of Hill House/Bly Manor/Doctor Sleep). So good job Mr Nevill for clawing this back from a 2-star review into a 4-star. I will check out more from him in the future.
But once I finally got invested, it took off and I didn't want to put it down. It took like a month to get to 40% and then like two days to finish. And it was scary - both the paranormal and human monsters are creepy and there is an extended scene on the first floor that still gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. I could easily see this adapted into a movie by Mike Flanagan (aka director The Haunting of Hill House/Bly Manor/Doctor Sleep). So good job Mr Nevill for clawing this back from a 2-star review into a 4-star. I will check out more from him in the future.
joanneburns's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
hauntedorchid's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book. For a start, it's one of the scariest books I've ever read (probably only Nevill's The Ritual even comes close). Stephanie is an ordinary working-class girl fallen on hard times, who takes a room in an unsavoury lodging house out of sheer desperation. What follows is a descent into hell as the friendless Stephanie is manipulated and coerced into remaining in the house despite her misgivings, by her repellent landlord, Knacker McGuire (a brilliant, vividly drawn villain, in true Dickensian style). This book brings together gut-wrenching real life horror and a sense of the hopelessness of poverty, with a creeping supernatural dread that refuses to be shaken off. Undoubtedly a new all-time-favourite of mine.
uggy90's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Violence, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief, Rape, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking