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ilaxaria's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death, Grief, and Child death
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol
irenemarie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Mental illness, and Classism
Moderate: Racism, War, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence and Death of parent
flying_monkeys's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Eric, Dess and Stacy Ross are such loveable characters, it's impossible to not connect with them and root for their safety and success. The Texas setting felt real and scary. But, if you're reading The Spite House strictly for the horror, then the star of this story is the Masson House, a deeply haunted house built for vengeance in a place cursed by its terrible history. A ghost story with heart and history. 3.5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping, Murder, Child death, Gun violence, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Suicide and Fire/Fire injury
maryellen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Confinement, Grief, and Child death
Moderate: Death of parent and Child death
archaicrobin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
The Spite House is not your usual haunted house story and that’s one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much. Eric is on the run with his teenage daughter Dess and his youngest daughter Stacy for reasons we do not know until much later. Struggling to make ends meet from motel to motel Eric sees a very generous offer in the paper to stay in a haunted house and prove that spirits are real. Thinking it’s too good to be true he interviews and is immediately given the job. However, upon entering the Spite House it becomes clear that this house is not only haunted, but that the haunting is not your typical bumps in the night type of phenomenon. The houses rich and dark history makes the slow unraveling of what’s really going on an intriguing mystery.
In addition to the unique plot, what also really struck me about this book was the strong family dynamic that propels this story. I loved the characters, especially the eldest daughter Dess and could relate to the connection she had with her dad and sister. Every decision made in this book stems from personal choices to protect each other, giving it another element entirely. This story is a southern gothic with an interesting twist on the haunted house narrative and also a look at the strength of love and what we’re willing to do for those we care about.
While I did enjoy this book, I do recognize it is not for everyone. The writing can be repetitive at times and it is the definition of a slow burn horror. I also didn’t find this novel
scary, so if you’re looking for a terrifying read this one will fall flat for you.
If you love haunted house stories, especially those that differ from the norm, and enjoy strong characters, The Spite House is one I would reccomend!
In addition to the unique plot, what also really struck me about this book was the strong family dynamic that propels this story. I loved the characters, especially the eldest daughter Dess and could relate to the connection she had with her dad and sister. Every decision made in this book stems from personal choices to protect each other, giving it another element entirely. This story is a southern gothic with an interesting twist on the haunted house narrative and also a look at the strength of love and what we’re willing to do for those we care about.
While I did enjoy this book, I do recognize it is not for everyone. The writing can be repetitive at times and it is the definition of a slow burn horror. I also didn’t find this novel
scary, so if you’re looking for a terrifying read this one will fall flat for you.
If you love haunted house stories, especially those that differ from the norm, and enjoy strong characters, The Spite House is one I would reccomend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Classism, Grief, War, and Death
chris_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Kidnapping, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Child abuse and Murder
Minor: Gaslighting, Grief, and Racism
doomluz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
I loved this. It took a while to build up, but the plot was interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: War
blacksphinx's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
Although I felt the ending was missing something, Johnny Compton knows how to puts words in front of each other and I eagerly await for whatever he does next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gore, Terminal illness, Grief, Racism, and Child death
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: War and Fire/Fire injury
carissa230's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Eric and his girls are on the run from something. When the chance to stay at the spite house for a large sum of money comes up, he can't pass it up. He knows that there has to be something wrong with the spite house for the owner to pay him so much money, but he brings his girls along anyway. He has experience with the supernatural and he thinks he can handle it.
As soon as they arrive at the house it's clear that something otherworldly is going on there. The house itself seems to want to keep them forever. There are also children and an old man stuck there that are very mean and will do anything to capture the people that come along.
Eunice the owner of the house will do anything it takes to learn the secrets of the house. She believes that there is something in there that will help her survive longer than any other member of her family. If only she can figure out how the house works.
As soon as they arrive at the house it's clear that something otherworldly is going on there. The house itself seems to want to keep them forever. There are also children and an old man stuck there that are very mean and will do anything to capture the people that come along.
Eunice the owner of the house will do anything it takes to learn the secrets of the house. She believes that there is something in there that will help her survive longer than any other member of her family. If only she can figure out how the house works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Child death, and Death
itsalina's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Grief, Gaslighting, and Death
Minor: Gun violence