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jillmlong's review against another edition
3.0
This book will give you the chills. There is a creepiness that continues with each page. At times I felt the story was a little confusing.
seang81's review against another edition
4.0
So, where to begin with this novel - it’s a bit of a twisted tale with some spooky shenanigans happening in the present which encroach on the past. This is a novel in 2 halves, told from 2 perspectives with, for me, the first half bein the better to me. Imagine a ghost story, with the protagonist alone and disbelieved, seeing and hearing things - enough so that it put me on edge! The second half, not as much but certainly a lot more plot/world building - an ending that I didn’t see coming as well. All in all a good ghost story - recommended for a Halloween read.
zooloo1983's review against another edition
4.0
I do love a book by Cat because you do know that you will be in for a treat. I will say that this did not scare me like The Haunting of Henderson Close, however, this book completely fascinated me. You have 2 parts, 2 women and 2 separate unsettling hauntings. I loved how these women were experiencing the same things but at different times, both getting the same message You’re Next.
I found Carol’s story if any, the scariest one, it was more of a haunting one, some scenes did give me a shiver and I was internally shouting for Carol to run. I think I would have the first time I saw a girl standing outside my door. Nessa’s story was more atmospheric and more of possession but not, she knew her mind, she knew she was in the wrong time. I can not say much more about the plot because I do not want to ruin it for you. But my god, it is a story that would send chills.
It was fascinating with the throwbacks of time, seeing the old workhouse and the old asylum and just as things get interesting we are brought back to the present day. The only problem is we do not know when the present day is! It does create an interesting concept that time is not linear and that is definitely explored quite explicitly. It is not always clear to what might be occurring but I do think that the repetition of time is not linear helped explain this away. I do know one thing, I never want to say in a hospital again, and preferably not that hospital neither!! Best to stay away!
I did read this in one sitting, it was short but packed a punch. I was hooked to find out what was going to happen to Carol and Nessa and this mysterious Lydia. The fact that Cat has used her own experiences for Nessa’s stories adds another layer as the story was hard-hitting but at the same time, so brave.
I will be back with another book by Cat for sure, she knows how to reel me in and how to create a spooky setting to try and give you the terrors at nighttime. Plus who doesn’t love a good ole ghost story in a hospital?
I found Carol’s story if any, the scariest one, it was more of a haunting one, some scenes did give me a shiver and I was internally shouting for Carol to run. I think I would have the first time I saw a girl standing outside my door. Nessa’s story was more atmospheric and more of possession but not, she knew her mind, she knew she was in the wrong time. I can not say much more about the plot because I do not want to ruin it for you. But my god, it is a story that would send chills.
It was fascinating with the throwbacks of time, seeing the old workhouse and the old asylum and just as things get interesting we are brought back to the present day. The only problem is we do not know when the present day is! It does create an interesting concept that time is not linear and that is definitely explored quite explicitly. It is not always clear to what might be occurring but I do think that the repetition of time is not linear helped explain this away. I do know one thing, I never want to say in a hospital again, and preferably not that hospital neither!! Best to stay away!
I did read this in one sitting, it was short but packed a punch. I was hooked to find out what was going to happen to Carol and Nessa and this mysterious Lydia. The fact that Cat has used her own experiences for Nessa’s stories adds another layer as the story was hard-hitting but at the same time, so brave.
I will be back with another book by Cat for sure, she knows how to reel me in and how to create a spooky setting to try and give you the terrors at nighttime. Plus who doesn’t love a good ole ghost story in a hospital?
aparker89's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A mysterious entity needs you as her vessel... but will your body be able to cope with holding all her rage and thirst for blood? Jump through time with Carol & Nessa as they are shuffled between the now and Victorian England and meet monsters too close to home. Overall, a riveting read and adventure!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Body horror, Chronic illness, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Gore, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Suicide, Pregnancy, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Violence
raforall's review against another edition
3.0
Review in January 2021 Horror Review column for Library Journal: https://www.libraryjournal.com/?reviewDetail=in-darkness-shadows-breathe
Three Words That Describe This Book: psychological, time slip, unsettling
What is real, what is imagined, and what is caused by a supernatural evil are the main questions behind this harrowing, plot driven novel crafted from the stories of three women, endangered by the same ancient demon, told in two parts, over multiple time frames. Beginning with a prologue featuring two medical professionals doing dark science with the help of a powerful dark being, the stage is set for the intense dread and confusion to come. Readers are firmly established into Carol and Vanessa’s confused minds as they end up in a historically significant British hospital, in modern times, where for certain patients, ghosts bekon them into hallways where time is fluid, disorienting, and dangerous. Are these women the victims of a being set on immortality doomed to repeat the horrors of the lives of its past vessels or is it all in their heads? The answer will come to each reader differently as they make their way through this high stakes, menacing tale. Verdict: A compelling, immersive, and intense, timeslip horror novel with sympathetic characters that readers actively root for, this novel reads like The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle but if written by Sarah Pinborough.
Also UNSUITABLE by Pohlig and GREYFRIARS REFORMATORY by Lee
Three Words That Describe This Book: psychological, time slip, unsettling
What is real, what is imagined, and what is caused by a supernatural evil are the main questions behind this harrowing, plot driven novel crafted from the stories of three women, endangered by the same ancient demon, told in two parts, over multiple time frames. Beginning with a prologue featuring two medical professionals doing dark science with the help of a powerful dark being, the stage is set for the intense dread and confusion to come. Readers are firmly established into Carol and Vanessa’s confused minds as they end up in a historically significant British hospital, in modern times, where for certain patients, ghosts bekon them into hallways where time is fluid, disorienting, and dangerous. Are these women the victims of a being set on immortality doomed to repeat the horrors of the lives of its past vessels or is it all in their heads? The answer will come to each reader differently as they make their way through this high stakes, menacing tale. Verdict: A compelling, immersive, and intense, timeslip horror novel with sympathetic characters that readers actively root for, this novel reads like The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle but if written by Sarah Pinborough.
Also UNSUITABLE by Pohlig and GREYFRIARS REFORMATORY by Lee
ljwrites85's review against another edition
3.0
I read and enjoyed The Haunting of Henderson Close by this author way back in 2019, so I thought I'd see what her new book had to offer.
In Darkness, Shadows Breathe is a psychological horror that follows the stories of Carol, a troubled young woman who had spent her life in care, and Nessa, a retired lecturer who's suffering from cancer. They both seemed to be plagued by similar hauntings and visions from another time involving a woman by the name of Lydia Warren Carmody, a mysterious woman from the past.
There were plenty of spooky goings on throughout the novel, as I've come to expect from Catherine Cavendish's writing. There was an interesting theme to the novel of time being nonlinear, so in theory you could be in several time periods all at once!
I found the little flashbacks to the days of the workhouse and asylum fascinating and more than a little disturbing. It was appalling how the women were treated, half the time as nothing more than things to be experimented on.
The characters are really well drawn, flawed yet relatable. Nessa's story really got to my heart, reminding me of my mother's own battle with cancer.
For me the two halves of the didn't quite mesh as well as I would have liked, it felt for the most part two separate stories. I also would have liked to have found out a little more about the evil entity known as the one and the many, but of course that's just my opinion.
In Darkness, Shadows Breathe is an atmospheric read packed with tension and chilling moments.
In Darkness, Shadows Breathe is a psychological horror that follows the stories of Carol, a troubled young woman who had spent her life in care, and Nessa, a retired lecturer who's suffering from cancer. They both seemed to be plagued by similar hauntings and visions from another time involving a woman by the name of Lydia Warren Carmody, a mysterious woman from the past.
There were plenty of spooky goings on throughout the novel, as I've come to expect from Catherine Cavendish's writing. There was an interesting theme to the novel of time being nonlinear, so in theory you could be in several time periods all at once!
I found the little flashbacks to the days of the workhouse and asylum fascinating and more than a little disturbing. It was appalling how the women were treated, half the time as nothing more than things to be experimented on.
The characters are really well drawn, flawed yet relatable. Nessa's story really got to my heart, reminding me of my mother's own battle with cancer.
For me the two halves of the didn't quite mesh as well as I would have liked, it felt for the most part two separate stories. I also would have liked to have found out a little more about the evil entity known as the one and the many, but of course that's just my opinion.
In Darkness, Shadows Breathe is an atmospheric read packed with tension and chilling moments.
bryanhmoyer's review
5.0
A Tale to Possess the Reader
This tale is populated with rich characters that resonate off the page. You get to know and feel for them before the terrors are unleashed. Then you not only fear for them, but you share some of their fear as they are pursued an assaulted by a timeless evil. The prose is fluid and haunting and drags you down into its dark and horrifying depths, and it refuses to relinquish its death grip on you. With a story as rich as the characters and full of heartstopping moments, you dont want it to end.
This tale is populated with rich characters that resonate off the page. You get to know and feel for them before the terrors are unleashed. Then you not only fear for them, but you share some of their fear as they are pursued an assaulted by a timeless evil. The prose is fluid and haunting and drags you down into its dark and horrifying depths, and it refuses to relinquish its death grip on you. With a story as rich as the characters and full of heartstopping moments, you dont want it to end.
curiosityboughtthebook's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I didn’t care as much for the first part, which is Carol’s story, as it felt rushed and there was a lot of background information missing. Nessa’s part was a lot more enjoyable, and I find it commendable how much the author taught us about cancer treatment. You can tell she really took her time researching this to make it as life-like as possible. The author has a beautiful story telling voice, and her writing is great in itself.
The problem is that even after reading the book, I still felt lost and didn’t quite understand the story. There were too many different characters in both past and present and it was hard to keep up. I’m not sure if I missed vital information while reading, but somehow I lost the thread at some point.
Thanks to Flame Tree Press for the review copy.
The problem is that even after reading the book, I still felt lost and didn’t quite understand the story. There were too many different characters in both past and present and it was hard to keep up. I’m not sure if I missed vital information while reading, but somehow I lost the thread at some point.
Thanks to Flame Tree Press for the review copy.
itsallaboutthebooksuk's review against another edition
4.0
In Darkness, Shadows Breathe is I think the third book I’ve read by Catherine Cavendish and one of the things I’ve noticed over these books is how the author really manages to write stories that get right under your skin. I can’t relate to this story in anyway, I’ve never had any spooky experiences but as I was reading I had chills, I felt like someone was watching me and I had this real sense of unease.
In the first half of the book we meet Carol, she’s house sitting for a couple and she’s very much a loner. She doesn’t have any family and no friends and she’s had a troubled past. As we follow her story Carol starts experiencing unexplainable and frightening things and as her health deteriorates and she ends up in hospital things become worse.
The second half of the book we are introduced to Nessa who is undergoing cancer treatment. Having to stay in hospital it’s not long until strange things start occurring and due to the severity of the operation that Nessa has just had she’s stuck there, recovering.
I loved the setting, a hospital which has been built upon the ruins of an old work house, hospital and asylum. It’s creepy, gothic and very unsettling. The modern day hospital is easy to imagine and the author has written this story with so much detail that when I was reading about the Victorian times the images appear as if watching a film.
I liked how the two characters stories came together and although the ending wasn’t quite what I was expecting, it left my imagination to run riot. It’s not ending where everything is tied up neatly in a bow and I really liked that. It gave me something to think about.
In Darkness, Shadows Breathe is an eerie dark gothic story. It starts off slowly, pulling you in until you feel totally wrapped up in the words and can’t put it down. It’s very much a page turner and a story that seriously gave me chills and nightmares.
In the first half of the book we meet Carol, she’s house sitting for a couple and she’s very much a loner. She doesn’t have any family and no friends and she’s had a troubled past. As we follow her story Carol starts experiencing unexplainable and frightening things and as her health deteriorates and she ends up in hospital things become worse.
The second half of the book we are introduced to Nessa who is undergoing cancer treatment. Having to stay in hospital it’s not long until strange things start occurring and due to the severity of the operation that Nessa has just had she’s stuck there, recovering.
I loved the setting, a hospital which has been built upon the ruins of an old work house, hospital and asylum. It’s creepy, gothic and very unsettling. The modern day hospital is easy to imagine and the author has written this story with so much detail that when I was reading about the Victorian times the images appear as if watching a film.
I liked how the two characters stories came together and although the ending wasn’t quite what I was expecting, it left my imagination to run riot. It’s not ending where everything is tied up neatly in a bow and I really liked that. It gave me something to think about.
In Darkness, Shadows Breathe is an eerie dark gothic story. It starts off slowly, pulling you in until you feel totally wrapped up in the words and can’t put it down. It’s very much a page turner and a story that seriously gave me chills and nightmares.
biancarosesmith's review against another edition
3.0
This was a really interesting read and I have mixed thoughts. The premise is incredibly original and I loved the gothic undertones and creepy parts throughout. I found parts confusing but it felt like too much was going on at once.
The setting was perfection - a hospital that used to be an asylum. I have never seen this before in a horror novel. Love. The story revolves around both Carol and Vanessa who end up in the present day hospital for different treatments. Both women begin to have dark visions and realise a portal to the past is open in which the crazy Arabella Marsden and Dr Franklyn are conducting torturous experiments on patients within the asylum and are intent on doing the same to Carol and Vanessa. Sounds great, am I right?
This was all very well and quite enjoyable for a while but things started to get a bit weird and confusing with me when things were added in that didn’t really feel necessary such as demons. Personally I think the narrative would have worked better just based on a portal in an old asylum where crazy ghosts are luring present day women in to do horrible experiments. It all felt a bit confusing and messy for my liking and didn’t feel tied up in a way I could completely understand by the end.
The story switches between two time periods and this was great. I particularly loved the descriptions of the Victorian clothing and era. Plenty of eerie and unsettling moments too.
As a whole, very unique and still an enjoyable and creepy read.
The setting was perfection - a hospital that used to be an asylum. I have never seen this before in a horror novel. Love. The story revolves around both Carol and Vanessa who end up in the present day hospital for different treatments. Both women begin to have dark visions and realise a portal to the past is open in which the crazy Arabella Marsden and Dr Franklyn are conducting torturous experiments on patients within the asylum and are intent on doing the same to Carol and Vanessa. Sounds great, am I right?
This was all very well and quite enjoyable for a while but things started to get a bit weird and confusing with me when things were added in that didn’t really feel necessary such as demons. Personally I think the narrative would have worked better just based on a portal in an old asylum where crazy ghosts are luring present day women in to do horrible experiments. It all felt a bit confusing and messy for my liking and didn’t feel tied up in a way I could completely understand by the end.
The story switches between two time periods and this was great. I particularly loved the descriptions of the Victorian clothing and era. Plenty of eerie and unsettling moments too.
As a whole, very unique and still an enjoyable and creepy read.