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libraryofaryn's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. It had the combined feel of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, The Haunting of Hill House, and Jane Eyre.
I enjoyed that all three of the houses in this book had a distinct feel and aura that seemed to influence character behavior. Old buildings, in my opinion, have a life of their own and I liked that that idea was touched upon in this book.
I was constantly trying to figure out what was going on and if Theodora, the FMC, was losing her grip on reality or if the strange, unexplainable events were actually happening. The author kept me guessing and in suspense until the very end. I do like that everything was explained and there weren't any dangling plotlines that were thrown in just for the sake of being creepy.
This book has an excellent gothic atmosphere and just enough paranormal activity in it to make this a perfect spooky season read.
I enjoyed that all three of the houses in this book had a distinct feel and aura that seemed to influence character behavior. Old buildings, in my opinion, have a life of their own and I liked that that idea was touched upon in this book.
I was constantly trying to figure out what was going on and if Theodora, the FMC, was losing her grip on reality or if the strange, unexplainable events were actually happening. The author kept me guessing and in suspense until the very end. I do like that everything was explained and there weren't any dangling plotlines that were thrown in just for the sake of being creepy.
This book has an excellent gothic atmosphere and just enough paranormal activity in it to make this a perfect spooky season read.
scynth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kirilee94's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a super original, thrilling and entertaining read!
Things I liked:
- I loved Ottolina. What a little sweetheart. Such a great portrayal of the desperation for love.
- The relationship between Cassius and Theodora is a perfect balance of compassion, longing and understanding. They are just gorgeous!
- The gothic elements are great. I love a gothic novel, and this one delivered. The perfect amount of creepiness, romance, suspense and mystery, with a great twist!
Things that didn’t really get me:
- It was pretty slow at the beginning…I think one chapter would have been sufficient to introduce the world.
- That’s it really! 4.5 ⭐️
This was a super original, thrilling and entertaining read!
Things I liked:
- I loved Ottolina. What a little sweetheart. Such a great portrayal of the desperation for love.
- The relationship between Cassius and Theodora is a perfect balance of compassion, longing and understanding. They are just gorgeous!
- The gothic elements are great. I love a gothic novel, and this one delivered. The perfect amount of creepiness, romance, suspense and mystery, with a great twist!
Things that didn’t really get me:
- It was pretty slow at the beginning…I think one chapter would have been sufficient to introduce the world.
- That’s it really! 4.5 ⭐️
lshadowlyn's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting gothic horror read. The story moves along at a smooth pace, and the biggest twist came towards the end (I certainly didn't see it coming). I enjoyed exploring Broken Oak with Theodora, it was a delightfully creepy estate. The romance between Theodora and Cassias developed fairly quickly, but the book isn't very long, so that's to be expected. If you enjoy classic gothic style stories, you're going to enjoy this.
rwhite_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely love a gothic novel and this one checked all the boxes. I don’t like romance usually but when it involves things that go bump in the night, sign me up.
I thought all the characters in this book were intriguing and had depth. Some of the lines of this story were so beautifully and eloquently written it was like reading poetry. While about half way through I did pick up on what the twist was, it was still executed in an interesting way. But I don’t read gothic for the shock value. I read it for the poise, the haunting, the heart and this novel delivered on all of that.
I thought all the characters in this book were intriguing and had depth. Some of the lines of this story were so beautifully and eloquently written it was like reading poetry. While about half way through I did pick up on what the twist was, it was still executed in an interesting way. But I don’t read gothic for the shock value. I read it for the poise, the haunting, the heart and this novel delivered on all of that.
tputeniswrites's review against another edition
5.0
It’s not often that I’m surprised by a book, particularly the twists and turns of a Gothic romance, but L.V. Russell managed to do just that. I was engrossed, unable to put this book down, and incredibly impressed by the well-thought out plot and ending. Truly brilliant.
Merged review:
It’s not often that I’m surprised by a book, particularly the twists and turns of a Gothic romance, but L.V. Russell managed to do just that. I was engrossed, unable to put this book down, and incredibly impressed by the well-thought out plot and ending. Truly brilliant.
Merged review:
It’s not often that I’m surprised by a book, particularly the twists and turns of a Gothic romance, but L.V. Russell managed to do just that. I was engrossed, unable to put this book down, and incredibly impressed by the well-thought out plot and ending. Truly brilliant.
hannahislost's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
meigothic's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free via BookSirens, but I am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Many thanks to the author for the opportunity!
I enjoyed the writing style of this one, but I do wish we got some more horror vibes throughout. The vibes that definitely reminded me of Jane Eyre worked REALLY great here though! I liked the cast of characters here, but I unfortunately was kind of so-so on the romance between Theodora and Lord Thorne, mostly because I didn't quite enjoy the pacing of that.
What REALLY worked for me was the main plot twist though. That actually surprised me, and I hadn't been super surprised like that in a while.
I enjoyed the writing style of this one, but I do wish we got some more horror vibes throughout. The vibes that definitely reminded me of Jane Eyre worked REALLY great here though! I liked the cast of characters here, but I unfortunately was kind of so-so on the romance between Theodora and Lord Thorne, mostly because I didn't quite enjoy the pacing of that.
What REALLY worked for me was the main plot twist though. That actually surprised me, and I hadn't been super surprised like that in a while.
catsbooks_uk's review against another edition
5.0
I love gothic literature. Not necessarily romantic fiction, but more in the ghostly, creepy house, mad-wife-in-the-attic sense.
I'm so happy, then, that there seems to be a resurgence in this style, a 'modern gothic' that hearkens back to what has gone before, while breathing new life (pun intended) into an older genre.
This books ticks many boxes. A creepy house - more than one! A young governess. A reclusive old lady. A single father with a daughter in need of care. A crotchety housekeeper. Lots of storms.
But 'Quiet Stillness' is so much more than this.
If you combined the atmosphere of 'Silent Hill', 'Rebecca' and most of the Bronte's catalogue, you'll have an idea; and of course, 'The Haunting of Hill House', which is even quoted here and there. The mood of the book is as thick as the mist and damp surrounding Broken Oak manor, but it isn't necessarily threatening - more mysterious. What secrets are we going to find? Is this all an illusion, more 'Jane Eyre' than 'Wuthering Heights' - and does it really matter?
The characters sometimes seem like ghosts themselves, and then suddenly turn to become much more real. The scent of hot tea in a warm kitchen, the first crocus in a late-winter garden, the feel of a human touch... all part of this evocative tale.
The magic of the book is in its flow, I think, as it turns away from any unnecessary dramatics or purple prose in favour of simple and beautiful storytelling. As we follow our narrator exploring her inner and outer worlds, we wander the corridors of house and mind too - but in a manner so natural and unforced. There's nothing pretentious here; just a sense of humanity, of people trying to find their place of contentment.
It's so hard to put into words the feel of this lovely book. It doesn't outstay its welcome, so pick it up and step inside. Your visit to this world will stay with you, the spirit of a remarkable book.
I was kindly sent a review copy of this book, but the above opinions are entirely my own.
I'm so happy, then, that there seems to be a resurgence in this style, a 'modern gothic' that hearkens back to what has gone before, while breathing new life (pun intended) into an older genre.
This books ticks many boxes. A creepy house - more than one! A young governess. A reclusive old lady. A single father with a daughter in need of care. A crotchety housekeeper. Lots of storms.
But 'Quiet Stillness' is so much more than this.
If you combined the atmosphere of 'Silent Hill', 'Rebecca' and most of the Bronte's catalogue, you'll have an idea; and of course, 'The Haunting of Hill House', which is even quoted here and there. The mood of the book is as thick as the mist and damp surrounding Broken Oak manor, but it isn't necessarily threatening - more mysterious. What secrets are we going to find? Is this all an illusion, more 'Jane Eyre' than 'Wuthering Heights' - and does it really matter?
The characters sometimes seem like ghosts themselves, and then suddenly turn to become much more real. The scent of hot tea in a warm kitchen, the first crocus in a late-winter garden, the feel of a human touch... all part of this evocative tale.
The magic of the book is in its flow, I think, as it turns away from any unnecessary dramatics or purple prose in favour of simple and beautiful storytelling. As we follow our narrator exploring her inner and outer worlds, we wander the corridors of house and mind too - but in a manner so natural and unforced. There's nothing pretentious here; just a sense of humanity, of people trying to find their place of contentment.
It's so hard to put into words the feel of this lovely book. It doesn't outstay its welcome, so pick it up and step inside. Your visit to this world will stay with you, the spirit of a remarkable book.
I was kindly sent a review copy of this book, but the above opinions are entirely my own.
sydnienovareads's review against another edition
4.0
This is a wonderful and eerie atmospheric and Gothic story perfect for fans of Jane Eyre and Crimson Peak. The characters were extremely well flushed out and the setting was superb. It was a short, but quick read that was highly enjoyable and one I will definitely recommend to others.