You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
This was an enjoyable story, I enjoyed the premise and the way that the writer uses his characters. It just didn't blow me away, either. It's a fun book that looks at the concept of ghosts and how we perceive haunted houses. I wouldn't consider it a scary book, but it does have some creepy sections, and there are lots of nice tid bits relating to well-known hauntings and some great pop culture references.
I’m a little surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Sure I had my issues- the pacing was too slow, and I’m disappointed by the big secret- but I loved Felix( yes even at the end).
His character was so intriguing and I’m a little scared by how much I seen myself in him.
I am starting to think psychological horrors are my genre. I did enjoy the haunted house aspect of this one also, it made everything more fun.
His character was so intriguing and I’m a little scared by how much I seen myself in him.
I am starting to think psychological horrors are my genre. I did enjoy the haunted house aspect of this one also, it made everything more fun.
I’m not 100% sure how I feel about this book. It’s terrifying, and more than a little fucked up, but I didn’t love the resolution and the pacing is off. I came to this book through the author’s nonfiction writing, which I love, and the best parts of this novel reminded me of Ocker’s nonfiction: detailed, vibrant, nuanced. It’s a bit meta, but I loved the parts of this book when the two main characters are comparing their haunted house to haunted house tropes in books and movies. I love the stories behind the ghost stories, and Ocker knows his stuff here.
But as a novel, the book needed a less abrupt, or at least a more congruent ending. All the work taken to build up the haunted house plot is undermined by the ending.
But as a novel, the book needed a less abrupt, or at least a more congruent ending. All the work taken to build up the haunted house plot is undermined by the ending.
This would probably be a five star read if the ending had been done a little bit differently. I did NOT see the plot twist coming, regardless of what other reviewers said, I thought that part was a real twist. However, the ending just left me feeling a bit confused.
spoilers
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
the whole he was alone the whole time and actually just insane reminded me a lot of i’m thinking of ending things, but iain reid did it better.
spoilers
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
the whole he was alone the whole time and actually just insane reminded me a lot of i’m thinking of ending things, but iain reid did it better.
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did enjoy the premise of this novel--the idea of horror fans in a haunted house.
I liked some of the meta aspects of it. I liked some of the banter between Felix and Thomas, though it did kind of get to be a lot. I found myself skimming at times.
I feel like the main "emotional" beat was poorly paced. My interest didn't truly catch until I was a little more than half way.
The reveal of what ruined their friendship occurred too late to really lend itself to the plot--as well as what writing a successful book really means to Felix.
I also agree with some other readers that there's some strange undertones in regards to race. I'm unsure what the author was attempting to do.
The twist as the end was just like---eh. Looking back over the beginning it makes sense, and with that in mind--the ouija board was the coolest part.
I liked some of the meta aspects of it. I liked some of the banter between Felix and Thomas, though it did kind of get to be a lot. I found myself skimming at times.
I feel like the main "emotional" beat was poorly paced. My interest didn't truly catch until I was a little more than half way.
The reveal of what ruined their friendship occurred too late to really lend itself to the plot--as well as what writing a successful book really means to Felix.
I also agree with some other readers that there's some strange undertones in regards to race. I'm unsure what the author was attempting to do.
The twist as the end was just like---eh. Looking back over the beginning it makes sense, and with that in mind--the ouija board was the coolest part.
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-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
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
3.5??? maybe??? i have complicated feelings. the plot and execution of most of this book was really really good. the end lost me a little bit but it wasn’t a bad ending??? my rating might change i gotta let this one sit
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this book overall! The story was at times too slow, at other times felt too fast paced. But overall a quick and interesting read!