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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Atmospheric but predictable and formulaic
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What to say about this one? Has a bit of everything -- gothic in tone it has some some romance, some nostalgia, a lot of family drama, and a dark, foreboding house that ties it all together. Strong start. Gets a tad off track in the middle, echoing V.C. Andrews a la "Flowers in the Attic," but rights itself and finishes strong. My chief complaint -- it's tied up too neatly and has a happy ending, which doesn't quite seem to fit with the overall story, but it wasn't enough for me to dislike this one. I'd visit another book by Chase.
Very similar to Kate Morton or Sarah Waters, Chase's Black Rabbit Hall was nevertheless a compelling gothic mystery. I'm a sucker for murderous family secrets (the body count is appealingly high) and crumbling manors, but have to admit the predictability of the plot. The past storyline was more engaging for me than the present storyline, but they wove together nicely for just enough suspense to keep my momentum going.
Not the best family saga I've ever read.
I could not care or relate less to Lorna.
I'm glad it ended the way it did
I could not care or relate less to Lorna.
I'm glad it ended the way it did
An enormous house in Cornwall is filled with love and laughter during lazy seasons of the 1960s when Hugo Alton and his nontraditional American wife vacation with their brood: teenaged twins Amber and Toby, lively 5-year-old Barney, and the youngest, sweet and chubby Kitty. Over thirty years later, Lorna and Jon discover the nearly hidden estate on their search for a wedding venue. Lorna is enchanted, her love of old clothes and houses something she shared with her recently deceased mother. Jon is more wary - and he hasn't even met the owner yet. Compelled by a force stronger than mere curiosity, Lorna is determined to learn the house's secrets - story that holds unspeakable tragedy for the Alton family.
Through parallel narratives, debut novelist Eve Chase creates a haunting tale in a gothic setting, building suspense slowly and inventing a distinctive cast of characters.
Readalike: Similar in tone and atmosphere to The Thirteenth Tale by Dianne Setterfield but slightly more hopeful.
Through parallel narratives, debut novelist Eve Chase creates a haunting tale in a gothic setting, building suspense slowly and inventing a distinctive cast of characters.
Readalike: Similar in tone and atmosphere to The Thirteenth Tale by Dianne Setterfield but slightly more hopeful.
Reviewed on: Ashes Books & Bobs.
Eve Chase is a vastly underrated author in America, in my opinion. Her haunting stories centered around large estates in England with hidden secrets never fail to capture my heart and imagination. Now I'm wondering why it took me so long to finally check this book off my list!
A few years ago I discovered Eve Chase's The Wildling Sisters on Netgalley and absolutely fell in love with her gothic writing style. Summer seems to be the perfect time to read these stories when time seems to slow down and anything seems possible. I love the idea of escaping to a slightly derelict house on the coast of England with a history begging to be uncovered for the summer holidays. The idea alone fills me with childhood wonder and excitement.
This story was slow at certain times, but I felt entirely swept up in the atmosphere as if I was there myself. I especially loved how the alternating perspectives began to bleed together as the story drew on. The allure of history, mixed with the mystery of the present created a dynamic story that I simultaneously couldn't read fast enough, and yet didn't want to end. This was truly my favorite kind of book. It had a fantastic setting, intriguing characters, a bit of romance, history, and a melancholy tone. My heart ached for the family's story that was trapped in the walls and in the heart of one cranky old woman. The sad magic hidden of Black Rabbit Hall spoke straight to my soul.
If you're a fan of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, I highly recommend checking out Eve Chase's books. I'm eagerly hoping I will be approved to read her upcoming summer release, The Daughters of Foxcote Manner, by her publisher! I can't seem to get enough.
Eve Chase is a vastly underrated author in America, in my opinion. Her haunting stories centered around large estates in England with hidden secrets never fail to capture my heart and imagination. Now I'm wondering why it took me so long to finally check this book off my list!
A few years ago I discovered Eve Chase's The Wildling Sisters on Netgalley and absolutely fell in love with her gothic writing style. Summer seems to be the perfect time to read these stories when time seems to slow down and anything seems possible. I love the idea of escaping to a slightly derelict house on the coast of England with a history begging to be uncovered for the summer holidays. The idea alone fills me with childhood wonder and excitement.
This story was slow at certain times, but I felt entirely swept up in the atmosphere as if I was there myself. I especially loved how the alternating perspectives began to bleed together as the story drew on. The allure of history, mixed with the mystery of the present created a dynamic story that I simultaneously couldn't read fast enough, and yet didn't want to end. This was truly my favorite kind of book. It had a fantastic setting, intriguing characters, a bit of romance, history, and a melancholy tone. My heart ached for the family's story that was trapped in the walls and in the heart of one cranky old woman. The sad magic hidden of Black Rabbit Hall spoke straight to my soul.
If you're a fan of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, I highly recommend checking out Eve Chase's books. I'm eagerly hoping I will be approved to read her upcoming summer release, The Daughters of Foxcote Manner, by her publisher! I can't seem to get enough.
Great atmosphere and villain, but the slow pace and the oppressive feeling of doom that settled over the narrative like a shroud was something I wasn't in the mood for. Did like the ending though.
Another winner! I clearly picked some great books to bring to the beach with me! (And Priest just went into production at amazon so I have THAT to close out my week long vacay!)
Ahem, anyway....I really loved the storytelling in this story. I liked the characters, I felt for the children when they lost their mother, and everything that came after it. I was worried we wouldn't have a happy ending, but I think it was as happy as it could possibly be.
It had a great gothic feel to it, very atmospheric, some romance - and I loved everything about it - and I loved Lorna and how committed Jon was to her. Highly recommended if you're looking for something to take you away for a bit!
Ahem, anyway....I really loved the storytelling in this story. I liked the characters, I felt for the children when they lost their mother, and everything that came after it. I was worried we wouldn't have a happy ending, but I think it was as happy as it could possibly be.
It had a great gothic feel to it, very atmospheric, some romance - and I loved everything about it - and I loved Lorna and how committed Jon was to her. Highly recommended if you're looking for something to take you away for a bit!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes