Reviews

House of Furies by Madeleine Roux

cosmicrusalka's review against another edition

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3.0

It was just okay. The plot was interesting enough, but just barely. Nothing against the book itself, I just think it wasn't my thing, not a read that really grabbed me or pulled me in to deeply. I just sat on the surface of this book letting it take me down its river rather than feeling like I could dive deep into it. Probably won't read the next one.

heartwithpaper's review

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3.0

I read the book twice, once when it came out and the second time right now. I remember enjoying it the first time because I happened to like discovering the MC's thoughts (because she doesn't take people's word for it and keeps believing in what she believes) and what was going on although not much answers were given throughout the book.

Second time reading in 2023, it was a mild read for me, still unique in its own way but still mild. I do still recommend anyone interested to read it. I just bought book 2 right now and am planning to finish the whole series till book 3. It seems to pick much more after book 1.

geenahnola's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

thecanadianbookworm's review against another edition

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3.0

A fun read, especially around Halloween!

moonchildthereader's review

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4.0

4.5 stars.

What I liked about this book:

1. The main character wasn't a dumbass.
When Louisa discovered some crazy shit going on at Coldthistle House, she did her best to GTFO (I mean, she didn't succeed, but it's the thought that counts).

2. The romance wasn't rushed.
The 'romance' was really a sweet friendship with some attraction. I really love Lee and Louisa's relationship and hope they get more development in the sequel!

3. The main character's personality and background were fleshed-out and believable.
In a lot of YA fantasy and sci-fi, the main character doesn't get a detailed backstory unless it has something to do with the plot of the book. This wasn't the case here. Louisa describes her old friends, old school, and relatives; and the effect they had on her, making her character much more realistic.

ladynightwolf's review against another edition

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4.0

A wonderful and imaginative escape from the world. Though the end felt a little rushed, the overall story was intriguing.

idkatie's review

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4.0

very interesting and quick read!!! I cant wait for the next one!

catwolfswritings's review against another edition

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3.0

В „Къщата на фуриите“ на Маделин Ру се запознаваме с Луиза Роуз Дитън – момиче, избягало от училището, в което е била оставена от баба си и дядо си, за да се отърват от грижите за нея. Но я оставят на ужасно място, на което наказанията са най-честият метод на образование и тя се чувства по-сама от всякога. Затова е принудена да започне да търси прехраната си на улицата като гадателка… и както иначе намери за добре, за да оцелява. Животът е труден, но е за предпочитане пред онова, от което е избягала.

Именно така я намира стара мистериозна жена, която й предлага работа и подслон. Може да започне още веднага като камериерка в пансион „Ветровала“ и въпреки, че предложението звучи малко съмнително, точно в този момент Луиза не може да откаже, защото в противен случай я очаква бесилото. Само че „Ветровала“ се оказва мистериозно място с много тайни, които те първа предстои да бъдат разкрити.

„Не е толкова труден живот, ако човек е като мен. Отхвърлен, дошъл от другаде, за по-смелите в изказа – копеле. Всички ние във „Ветровала“ сме чудати и прокълнати и това у нас се засилва с всеки изминал ден. Единственото изискване, за да работиш тук, е да вършиш старателно работата си и да не се оплакваш. Аз изпълнявам роля на икономка и камериерка. Посрещам гостите ни. Подреждам стаите им. А щом срещнат безвременната си и неминуема кончина, справям се с бъркотията.
Дяволът се грижи за нас, а в отплата вършим каквото ни е поръчано. Готвим, чистим, метем, кърпим и наплашваме до смърт бандитите, злодеите и измамниците, които посмеят да се мернат пред вратата на „Ветровала“.“

Историята ни връща назад, в началото на 19 век, и ни оставя едно много готическо, мрачно усещане. „Ветровала“ е място, което събира създания с различни способности. Господарят на дома е господин Морнингсайд, или по-известен като Дявола, който не напуска покоите си освен при много наложителни ситуации, а госпожа Хейлъм се грижи за домакинството. Луиза бързо осъзнава, че нещо дълбоко не е наред в този дом. Птиците, които са навсякъде, й правят бързо впечатление, но те далеч не са най-странното. Едно от момичетата, което работи там, е всъщност въображаемата й приятелка от детството. Но има и още. В този дом хората идват, за да умрат… и това я ужасява искрено. Но бързо осъзнава, че е раздвоена в решението си какво да прави, защото един от посетителите, Лий Бримбъл, й е твърде симпатичен, за да го остави в дома, след като знае какво го очаква.

По стил и усещане „Къщата на фуриите“ на Маделин Ру напомня, от една страна, „Домът на Мис Перигрин за чудати деца“, а от друга, книгите от младежката поредица на Карлос Руис Сафон – „Мъглата“.

rkiladitis's review against another edition

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4.0

Teenage runaway Louisa Ditton tries to avoid life on the streets in 1800s England, telling fortunes for a the cost of a meal and a night's lodging, when she's offered employment as a maid at Coldthistle House, a boarding house in Northern England. She gratefully accepts the offer, but very quickly realizes that Coldthistle House is a strange place; from Mr. Morningside, the owner, down to Mary, a fellow maid who reminds Louisa of someone from her past, everyone is... different. When she discovers that Coldthistle House is more than just a boarding house - it's a house of judgement, where the staff wield their own judgement on their guests, Louisa decides she needs to act: she's convinced that Lee, a lodger traveling with his uncle, is an innocent. Is Lee as genuine and blameless as Louisa thinks he is? Can Louisa trust anyone at Coldthistle House? And who are the mysterious Residents?

I gobbled up Madeleine Roux's Asylum books and was excited to see a new book from her. House of Furies doesn't disappoint. Louisa is a conflicted Gothic heroine, stuck in a situation she's terrified of but committed to the friends she's made there and keeping her potential love interest, Lee, safe from harm. The cast of characters is rich, from the handsome, mysterious Mr. Morningside, to Gram, the crone-turned-head of Coldthistle who rescues Louisa and brings her to the boarding house. Similar to her Asylum series, the author includes photos and excerpts from a supernatural text that figures heavily into the plot. The ending leaves the possibility of a sequel open, and while I was left satisfied - not a lot of loose ends dangling - I wanted to find out more about everyone at Coldthistle, and to see what Louisa planned on doing next.

Think Penny Dreadful for this audience: have the graphic novels out; display and booktalk with Ransom Riggs' Miss Peregrine's series and Libba Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty. There are an incredible number of resources on Pinterest that will help you create gothic displays and give a nice, creepy feel for any events or booktalks you plan for this one. Could be a great summer reading program!

marie_reads16's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

2.0