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thebookdreamersalley's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
towhateverbookishend's review against another edition
4.0
I got to read this as a free arc to review & I really enjoyed this read! Chilling & emotional. I liked the writing style, the use of key themes to steer you in the direction of the plot, & the tender romance was so heart warming. I so loved the character development at the end & everything got wrapped up very well, answering the last few questions I had.
nicolecaryl12's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
Holy shit best plot twist I’ve ever encountered my mouth FELL open bro. Writing was really pretty. A very creepy and delightful horror book with a satisfying ending. Very immersive
northerngypsyblog's review
3.0
In "The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses" by L.V. Russell, we are introduced to a promising gothic novel that weaves together elements of horror, mystery, and romance. The narrative unfolds within the enigmatic Broken Oak Manor, where Theodora Corvus, a governess, embarks on a journey that plunges her into a world of secrets and darkness.
Theodora's story commences when she leaves behind her dilapidated family home and her cherished grandmother to assume the role of governess to young Ottoline Thorne. Her arrival at Broken Oak Manor sets the stage for an eerie and hushed atmosphere, punctuated only by the whispers she detects from the house and its surroundings. As Theodora acquaints herself with the manor, she unearths the deep-seated secrets that lie within, fiercely guarded by the intimidating housekeeper.
Russell's writing is undoubtedly skillful, and the author demonstrates adept pacing and a keen eye for creating an immersive atmosphere. The dilapidated corridors and hidden corners of Broken Oak Manor come to life as Theodora explores its mysterious depths, setting the stage for an unfolding enigma. The atmosphere is laden with an ominous presence that keeps readers engaged, immersing them in the unfolding mystery.
The character development in the novel is praiseworthy, with Theodora being a captivating and determined protagonist. Her quest to unearth the truth fuels the narrative, and her evolving emotions toward Cassias Thorne, the enigmatic lord of the manor, infuse a layer of complexity and romance into the story. The interactions between the characters are well-crafted and add depth to the plot.
The book excels in creating a genuine gothic atmosphere. Russell effectively captures the essence of gothic horror, successfully transporting readers into a world of eerie whispers, concealed passages, and deep-seated secrets. The sense of foreboding is palpable throughout, maintaining a tension that compels readers to remain engaged.
Nonetheless, my primary criticism of "The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses" lies in its brevity. While the pacing is well-executed and keeps the reader's attention, it left me yearning for a more extensive exploration of Broken Oak Manor and its mysteries. This desire for more depth slightly impacted my overall enjoyment.
In conclusion, "The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses" offers a promising blend of gothic elements, crafting a narrative rich in horror, mystery, and romance. L.V. Russell's writing creates an atmospheric setting that immerses readers in a world brimming with secrets and darkness. With well-developed characters and an intriguing plot, this book will appeal to fans of gothic literature. While it left me wanting more, I still recommend it and look forward to the author's future works.
Theodora's story commences when she leaves behind her dilapidated family home and her cherished grandmother to assume the role of governess to young Ottoline Thorne. Her arrival at Broken Oak Manor sets the stage for an eerie and hushed atmosphere, punctuated only by the whispers she detects from the house and its surroundings. As Theodora acquaints herself with the manor, she unearths the deep-seated secrets that lie within, fiercely guarded by the intimidating housekeeper.
Russell's writing is undoubtedly skillful, and the author demonstrates adept pacing and a keen eye for creating an immersive atmosphere. The dilapidated corridors and hidden corners of Broken Oak Manor come to life as Theodora explores its mysterious depths, setting the stage for an unfolding enigma. The atmosphere is laden with an ominous presence that keeps readers engaged, immersing them in the unfolding mystery.
The character development in the novel is praiseworthy, with Theodora being a captivating and determined protagonist. Her quest to unearth the truth fuels the narrative, and her evolving emotions toward Cassias Thorne, the enigmatic lord of the manor, infuse a layer of complexity and romance into the story. The interactions between the characters are well-crafted and add depth to the plot.
The book excels in creating a genuine gothic atmosphere. Russell effectively captures the essence of gothic horror, successfully transporting readers into a world of eerie whispers, concealed passages, and deep-seated secrets. The sense of foreboding is palpable throughout, maintaining a tension that compels readers to remain engaged.
Nonetheless, my primary criticism of "The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses" lies in its brevity. While the pacing is well-executed and keeps the reader's attention, it left me yearning for a more extensive exploration of Broken Oak Manor and its mysteries. This desire for more depth slightly impacted my overall enjoyment.
In conclusion, "The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses" offers a promising blend of gothic elements, crafting a narrative rich in horror, mystery, and romance. L.V. Russell's writing creates an atmospheric setting that immerses readers in a world brimming with secrets and darkness. With well-developed characters and an intriguing plot, this book will appeal to fans of gothic literature. While it left me wanting more, I still recommend it and look forward to the author's future works.
morticia_59's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
blankpagepanic's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the very start of this novel a lot more than the rest. The writing and the atmosphere is incredibly compelling, but unfortunately after around the 30% mark it started falling really flat. I did like the twist, though, and can see this author doing great work in the future.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
g_d_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
lanawhite's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Loss and decay have surrounded Theodora Corvus for as long as she can remember, leaving her to find reluctant comfort in the whispers of her crumbling family home and the presence of the black-eyed watchers that lurk by the lake.
Theodora leaves behind her home and grandmother, travelling north to Broken Oak Manor to become young Ottoline Thorne’s governess, and she soon realises that, unlike her home, Broken Oak is eerily silent and devoid of the watchers. Footsteps traipse the halls at night, winding through the manor until they finally stop at the only part of Broken Oak that ever seems to defy the silence: the attic. Theodora finds herself mysteriously drawn to the lord of the manor, who is bathed in secrets but reluctant to divulge them.
I absolutely adore the poetic, almost lyrical way that Russell writes. It perfectly fits the gothic horror genre and is so heart-wrenchingly beautiful. I really appreciated the use of anthropomorphism to paint such a vivid scene of a world so hauntingly lonely and help the reader picture Theodora on her journey to find her home. I would definitely read another book from Russell just for the writing style and the mesmerising atmosphere she creates. There are so many quotes I could cite to demonstrate this, and one of my favourites is, “It was a lonely farewell, but Theodora was used to being lonely; it brought a strange sense of comfort – a familiarity that nestled amongst the melancholy of leaving.”. The focus on atmospheric aspects of horror, as opposed to heavier aspects, makes this an excellent introduction to gothic horror-type books.
Whilst there are many things I admire about this book, I do have a few issues that left this book at 4 instead of 5 stars for me. One problem I had was with the pacing; the book felt slow-paced at the beginning, which I enjoyed as it allowed the suspense to build, but unfortunately, it then felt quite rushed towards the end. As the romance was mainly in the latter part of the book, this resulted in the romance feeling rather rushed and not entirely fleshed out, which almost took me out of the haunting atmosphere Russell had so masterfully created. I feel like this book could’ve benefitted from being slightly longer, with more time to properly pace and develop the romance, allowing more individual character development and fully reaching its potential as a 5-star gothic horror read.
I have seen some reviews of this book describing the ending as predictable, and to an extent, I agree, but I don’t agree that this is a negative thing. I found the ending hauntingly comforting; it wasn’t the obvious HEA that we tend to desire and have become accustomed to when reading romance, but it was the ending the characters needed. I think that there’s beauty in that predictability and knowing the characters together have found their home, even if it isn’t exactly in the way we want it. I really enjoyed the ‘simple’ and ‘predictable’ elements of this book; I found that it made it easier to sink into Russell’s lyrical gothic prose and become absorbed within the story.
Overall, I enjoyed The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses. I recommend it as a light introductory read for those new to gothic horror or avid atmospheric horror readers. I wouldn’t personally class it as a gothic romance due to the pacing issues as I felt the romance was held back, and I wouldn’t recommend it to those looking only for darker horror, but I think this could be a great first horror book for a broad audience. While it is not the same story-wise, the setting and description reminded me of Crimson Peak, so if you’re looking for a Victorian/Edwardian-feeling light gothic horror, this may be the book for you. Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Theodora leaves behind her home and grandmother, travelling north to Broken Oak Manor to become young Ottoline Thorne’s governess, and she soon realises that, unlike her home, Broken Oak is eerily silent and devoid of the watchers. Footsteps traipse the halls at night, winding through the manor until they finally stop at the only part of Broken Oak that ever seems to defy the silence: the attic. Theodora finds herself mysteriously drawn to the lord of the manor, who is bathed in secrets but reluctant to divulge them.
I absolutely adore the poetic, almost lyrical way that Russell writes. It perfectly fits the gothic horror genre and is so heart-wrenchingly beautiful. I really appreciated the use of anthropomorphism to paint such a vivid scene of a world so hauntingly lonely and help the reader picture Theodora on her journey to find her home. I would definitely read another book from Russell just for the writing style and the mesmerising atmosphere she creates. There are so many quotes I could cite to demonstrate this, and one of my favourites is, “It was a lonely farewell, but Theodora was used to being lonely; it brought a strange sense of comfort – a familiarity that nestled amongst the melancholy of leaving.”. The focus on atmospheric aspects of horror, as opposed to heavier aspects, makes this an excellent introduction to gothic horror-type books.
Whilst there are many things I admire about this book, I do have a few issues that left this book at 4 instead of 5 stars for me. One problem I had was with the pacing; the book felt slow-paced at the beginning, which I enjoyed as it allowed the suspense to build, but unfortunately, it then felt quite rushed towards the end. As the romance was mainly in the latter part of the book, this resulted in the romance feeling rather rushed and not entirely fleshed out, which almost took me out of the haunting atmosphere Russell had so masterfully created. I feel like this book could’ve benefitted from being slightly longer, with more time to properly pace and develop the romance, allowing more individual character development and fully reaching its potential as a 5-star gothic horror read.
I have seen some reviews of this book describing the ending as predictable, and to an extent, I agree, but I don’t agree that this is a negative thing. I found the ending hauntingly comforting; it wasn’t the obvious HEA that we tend to desire and have become accustomed to when reading romance, but it was the ending the characters needed. I think that there’s beauty in that predictability and knowing the characters together have found their home, even if it isn’t exactly in the way we want it. I really enjoyed the ‘simple’ and ‘predictable’ elements of this book; I found that it made it easier to sink into Russell’s lyrical gothic prose and become absorbed within the story.
Overall, I enjoyed The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses. I recommend it as a light introductory read for those new to gothic horror or avid atmospheric horror readers. I wouldn’t personally class it as a gothic romance due to the pacing issues as I felt the romance was held back, and I wouldn’t recommend it to those looking only for darker horror, but I think this could be a great first horror book for a broad audience. While it is not the same story-wise, the setting and description reminded me of Crimson Peak, so if you’re looking for a Victorian/Edwardian-feeling light gothic horror, this may be the book for you. Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
pnvangwrites's review against another edition
5.0
What a refreshing read! From page one, I was drawn into this beautiful, gothic world Russell created with its creeping shadows, ghostly whispers, and hidden secrets. Her knack for stringing together words really help to create the mood of the story. I've never read something so beautiful and hauntingly told, at least not in a long while. And that finale--I don't think I've ever gasped as much in any other book! It felt like watching a film! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and now I'm intrigued to discover what other books Russell has written.
moonlit_shelves's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0