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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I absolutely loved this book. I read halfway through the physical copy a while back, but recently completed the audiobook. Firstly, I’m glad I gave it a second chance. While the first 1/3-1/2 of the book is a slower-burn, I was still very much engaged with the premise of exploring an old and newly inherited house. The introduction and subsequent development of the side characters’ personalities also kept me involved.
Coates did a fantastic job in weaving an overall eerie, unsettling feeling of anxiety into the story from the very start. I as the reader, felt my own anxiety intensifying as it did for Margot as the plot unfolded. Coates’ use of deep and disturbing description (along with an excellent narrator) evoked vivid imagery that truly made listening to the audiobook feel like watching a horror movie.
I appreciated how all of the different storylines (Margot’s arrival and adaptation to living at Gallow’s Hill, the history of the family business and dark secrets, the overall local lore surrounding the property, and the side characters’ relationship individual relationship with the house) all tied in together at the end, leaving no question unanswered. The twist at the end was no exception (though definitely creepy as Hell)!
I would highly recommend this book to any horror fan looking for a good scary story that ventures far from the typical haunted house trope and can be enjoyed in any season!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content, Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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:
No
3.75 stars
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TW: Death of a parent, Gore, Murder, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Alcohol, Child death, Animal death
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After the tragic death of her parents, Margot returns to her family home after inheriting Gallows Hill Winery. Being back shakes up a lot of emotions for Margot who was sent away as a child by her parents, never to hear from them again. She's spent her entire life wondering why her parents didn't love her and why they wanted her as far away as possible.
There's so much dread in this book, from Margot having to come to terms with what happened when she was a child, to odd things happening to Margot and around the house. This one was a slower start for me and the action picks up around the 65% mark - knowing that no matter what our group does, the outcome doesn't look well for any of them.
Everyone knows that something's not right with Gallows Hill, there are rumours of dark presences and of the souls who were hung decades ago. The land is cursed, and its trapped souls won't stop until they get their revenge. I think the ending was a bit cliche, I had guessed the twist early on since it does take inspiration from a fairly popular urban legend, but the ending was a bit too cookie-cutter. I would have liked to see an epilogue as to what happened after the aftermath of Margot's discovery.
Overall, this was a fun read! There were scary moments, including the VHS tape that Margot's parents made for her, and the creatures that walk the land looking for revenge. I'm a huge fan of Darcy Coates but overall not my favourite.
-
TW: Death of a parent, Gore, Murder, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Alcohol, Child death, Animal death
-
After the tragic death of her parents, Margot returns to her family home after inheriting Gallows Hill Winery. Being back shakes up a lot of emotions for Margot who was sent away as a child by her parents, never to hear from them again. She's spent her entire life wondering why her parents didn't love her and why they wanted her as far away as possible.
There's so much dread in this book, from Margot having to come to terms with what happened when she was a child, to odd things happening to Margot and around the house. This one was a slower start for me and the action picks up around the 65% mark - knowing that no matter what our group does, the outcome doesn't look well for any of them.
Everyone knows that something's not right with Gallows Hill, there are rumours of dark presences and of the souls who were hung decades ago. The land is cursed, and its trapped souls won't stop until they get their revenge. I think the ending was a bit cliche, I had guessed the twist early on since it does take inspiration from a fairly popular urban legend, but the ending was a bit too cookie-cutter. I would have liked to see an epilogue as to what happened after the aftermath of Margot's discovery.
Overall, this was a fun read! There were scary moments, including the VHS tape that Margot's parents made for her, and the creatures that walk the land looking for revenge. I'm a huge fan of Darcy Coates but overall not my favourite.
3.5 stars rounded up. I like this trope of inherited haunted house, but this one was not a quick and easy read. It was a pretty dark and oppressive read for me. I do appreciate that Coates had such variations in her writing, it makes it easier to read several of her books in a row, since I picked up two from the library, but both were heavier reads, so I think I’ll pick up something lighter next. This one has a very haunted house, with a very dark and tragic past. The land is cursed, and everyone who has close ties to it becomes cursed as well. This had an odd (and gross) twist that left me with questions. Certainly not one I’d read again, so I’m glad I didn’t buy this one.
A quick creepy read that kept me on my toes, but there were some things I really didn’t like in the story.
3.5 stars. This was a great story that moved sooooo slow! The first half of the book really fought to keep my attention. The ending was great though and really tied it all together.
Gallows Hill" is the second book I have read by Darcy Coates, and I really engaged with both the plot and the setting.
The plot is both intriguing and distinct. Usually, when reading a horror novel, I can bring two or three similar stories or movies to mind, but I found that wasn't the case with "Gallows Hill".
Rather quickly, I found myself genuinely caring for the supporting characters, though it took to the end of the story for me to warm up to Margot.
There are several scenes and images that really stand out, and that the horror fan in me absolutely loved. (Wine, anyone? 😉 )
Unfortunately, I felt the pacing and, on occasion, the writing didn't do the story justice.
The pacing, in particular, let down the story and actively worked against it at times, especially at the end. The story gains momentum but then peaks prior to the climax. There's a substantial lull between the two that made me so impatient that I reverted to speed reading just to get to the conclusion of the story.
One thing I felt the story failed to do was cement the house and Gallows Hills as a character in its own right. I think that would have given the story a much greater depth and atmosphere.
I also felt that the story was weakest at the start and gained strength as it went. I think if I hadn't previously read a book by this author, I may have stopped reading.
I'm glad that I did stick it out, though, because despite my personal annoyances and the couple of shortcomings, "Gallows Hill" is a good horror novel with a great premise.
The plot is both intriguing and distinct. Usually, when reading a horror novel, I can bring two or three similar stories or movies to mind, but I found that wasn't the case with "Gallows Hill".
Rather quickly, I found myself genuinely caring for the supporting characters, though it took to the end of the story for me to warm up to Margot.
There are several scenes and images that really stand out, and that the horror fan in me absolutely loved. (Wine, anyone? 😉 )
Unfortunately, I felt the pacing and, on occasion, the writing didn't do the story justice.
The pacing, in particular, let down the story and actively worked against it at times, especially at the end. The story gains momentum but then peaks prior to the climax. There's a substantial lull between the two that made me so impatient that I reverted to speed reading just to get to the conclusion of the story.
One thing I felt the story failed to do was cement the house and Gallows Hills as a character in its own right. I think that would have given the story a much greater depth and atmosphere.
I also felt that the story was weakest at the start and gained strength as it went. I think if I hadn't previously read a book by this author, I may have stopped reading.
I'm glad that I did stick it out, though, because despite my personal annoyances and the couple of shortcomings, "Gallows Hill" is a good horror novel with a great premise.
Listening to the audio of this was creepy as hell. It gave me so much anxiety, I literally loved it. The voice actor was top tier in hyping the stress up.
Really appreciate the social commentary and capitalist critique here. Also good and spooky! Will be picking up another from Darcy Coates later this week.