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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
A very slow burn, atmospheric story. Just not the right fit for me.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Trigger warning: it may be obvious from the title, but there is hanging/lynching episodes and noose imagery throughout the book. The book is not set in the American South where the history of racial violence makes such imagery extremely unsettling, but as a reader from there, it put me off a bit. The end tries to make up for it, and honestly would be some good advice for cities across the American South, but it was all very unsettling.
I really like Darcy Coates, and I was thrilled to read this to start off September. Gallows Hill has all the hallmarks of gothic fiction: a decaying house with a dark past, an orphan young woman, mysterious deaths, and pretty much anything else you might want from a book to start spooky season. Margot, the protagonist, returns to her childhood home after inheriting it from her deceased parents, only to find herself expected to run a business and to deal with a curse. Everyone is cagey about the mysterious bells and locks throughout the house, and it almost costs Margot her life.
About halfway through the book, I figured out the twist, but it didn't detract from the rest of the story. I sat on pins and needles waiting for Margot to figure it out. I didn't know the second part of the reveal (no spoilers), and that made up for the wait.
One part of the story drove me crazy. I once broke my wrist and had a cast for three months. The things one character was able to do with a broken arm in a cast are probably not possible. That aside, I really enjoyed this book.
I received an ARC through Netgalley for an honest review.
I really like Darcy Coates, and I was thrilled to read this to start off September. Gallows Hill has all the hallmarks of gothic fiction: a decaying house with a dark past, an orphan young woman, mysterious deaths, and pretty much anything else you might want from a book to start spooky season. Margot, the protagonist, returns to her childhood home after inheriting it from her deceased parents, only to find herself expected to run a business and to deal with a curse. Everyone is cagey about the mysterious bells and locks throughout the house, and it almost costs Margot her life.
About halfway through the book, I figured out the twist, but it didn't detract from the rest of the story. I sat on pins and needles waiting for Margot to figure it out. I didn't know the second part of the reveal (no spoilers), and that made up for the wait.
One part of the story drove me crazy. I once broke my wrist and had a cast for three months. The things one character was able to do with a broken arm in a cast are probably not possible. That aside, I really enjoyed this book.
I received an ARC through Netgalley for an honest review.
It was fine. Spooky? Yeah I guess. Horror? No. It’s a haunted house. There’s “zombies”? The twists were predictable and the writing dragged a bit in the descriptions. So much so that the action also felt boring. It does have a “happy?” ending of that’s what you’re looking for. Fairly tame as far as horror/thrillers go TBH.
medium-paced
As always Darcy Coates knocks it out of the park with Gallows Hill. The eerie imagery and uncomfortable descriptions make this book an exciting and tense read throughout. The story does start out a little slower than usual, but once it hits the ground running it doesn't stop. I particularly enjoy the ending and I felt like the pacing was great during the middle and end of the book. A solid plot line and an enjoyable and strong female lead, Darcy Coates never fails to hook me!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The first horror book of the year that I have read that has actually spooked me a little. Margot has to return to her hometown that she barely has any memories of after both of her parents pass. She inherited the house and their winery, but there is a deeper, darker secret that has her questioning her decisions. Coates does a fantastic job at bringing the characters, setting and even the paranormal to life throughout this book. At the end I was rooting for Margot and the ghosts. Overall a fantastic read.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes