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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
ok this was pretty good
pros:
-really nice writing
-semi likeable characters
-loved the flashback chapters and news articles spliced in
-much better than her other book that I’ve read (the bird eater)
cons:
-ending was vague as fuck, abrupt, and honestly not what I wanted for the story at all and thats kind of a big deal to me
-creepiness factor hinged on the paranormal and was therefore not that creepy
-was I supposed to root for Lucas? bc he sucked so bad
-kinda repetitive in terms of Lucas’s storyline
-not sure if the twist was meant to be obvious but it was clear immediately
pros:
-really nice writing
-semi likeable characters
-loved the flashback chapters and news articles spliced in
-much better than her other book that I’ve read (the bird eater)
cons:
-ending was vague as fuck, abrupt, and honestly not what I wanted for the story at all and thats kind of a big deal to me
-creepiness factor hinged on the paranormal and was therefore not that creepy
-was I supposed to root for Lucas? bc he sucked so bad
-kinda repetitive in terms of Lucas’s storyline
-not sure if the twist was meant to be obvious but it was clear immediately
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
In 1983, Jeffery Halcomb instigated a massacre. Living Charles Manson-like among a group of fanatical followers, he convinced eight people to commit suicide, while he murdered a pregnant woman and tore the baby from her womb. The police interrupted his bloody ritual, and now, thirty years later, he still has not said a single word about his crimes. Enter Lucas Graham, struggling true crime writer on the verge of divorce. When a strange letter arrives from Halcomb offering him the interview of a lifetime, he jumps at the chance. There’s only one small catch, Lucas must live in the house where the deaths occurred. Bringing his twelve-year-old daughter Vee along for the ride, Lucas soon discovers that sometimes, the past will not stay buried . . .
I genuinely believe that Ania Ahlborn is one of the great modern horror writers. The Devil Crept In was a phenomenally written creature feature. Within These Walls is probably best described as a haunted house story, and the story showcases Ahlborn’s superb grasp of suspense and creeps-up-your-spine horror. As usual, Ahlborn conceives her protagonists as full-fledged people. There are of course the stereotypical roles of the desperate divorced dad and moody teen, but Ahlborn manages to bring Lucas and Vee to life as more than their simple tropes.
Within These Walls is also wonderful because it is truly, deeply scary without the need to resort to disgusting levels of blood and gore. As I’ve said before, I find the torture-porn style of horror to be lazy and utterly not fun, and I’m so glad to find an author who knows that it takes more than blood and guts to make something scary. I have to say that after reading this book, it is going to be awhile before I feel like walking through my house at night without turning on all the lights.
Fans of the horror genre should definitely check out Ania Ahlborn’s (dead) body of work (heh heh heh). I really feel like she is one of the natural successors to genre legends like Stephen King. Anyone looking to find a good entre into the genre will find Within These Walls to be an example of horror in its tip-top form.
I genuinely believe that Ania Ahlborn is one of the great modern horror writers. The Devil Crept In was a phenomenally written creature feature. Within These Walls is probably best described as a haunted house story, and the story showcases Ahlborn’s superb grasp of suspense and creeps-up-your-spine horror. As usual, Ahlborn conceives her protagonists as full-fledged people. There are of course the stereotypical roles of the desperate divorced dad and moody teen, but Ahlborn manages to bring Lucas and Vee to life as more than their simple tropes.
Within These Walls is also wonderful because it is truly, deeply scary without the need to resort to disgusting levels of blood and gore. As I’ve said before, I find the torture-porn style of horror to be lazy and utterly not fun, and I’m so glad to find an author who knows that it takes more than blood and guts to make something scary. I have to say that after reading this book, it is going to be awhile before I feel like walking through my house at night without turning on all the lights.
Fans of the horror genre should definitely check out Ania Ahlborn’s (dead) body of work (heh heh heh). I really feel like she is one of the natural successors to genre legends like Stephen King. Anyone looking to find a good entre into the genre will find Within These Walls to be an example of horror in its tip-top form.
One time bestselling true crime author, Lucas Graham, is on the verge of losing everything. So when he receives a personal invitation for an exclusive interview from cult leader and murderer, Jeffery Halcomb, Lucas feels this is the ticket to get his life back on track. Jeffrey's one stipulation is that Lucas must stay in the split-level farmhouse in Washington State to write his book. The house Jeffery and his followers committed their last horrific act for their devoted family.
Lucas and his daughter move into the house and find they are not alone.
*****
"Within These Walls" is the story of a man, Lucas, who had one bestseller and then fell off the radar. His desperate search for the next big story has strangled his marriage and caused conflict with his teen daughter.
Jeffrey is basically a, insert man of your dreams, version of Charles Manson. Smooth talker who can convince those who are broken that he and his followers are the family they have longed for. After he is sentenced to death Jeffrey refuses to grant interviews to anyone.
Thirty years later, Jeffrey has decided to speak with Lucas and break his silence over what really happened all those years ago. The exclusive interview is just what Lucas needs to write his new bestseller and put his family back together but will his stay in the house be worth it?
This book has duel timelines that go back and forth between current day and the events that lead up to the horrific night of 1983.
Lucas and his daughter move into the house and find they are not alone.
*****
"Within These Walls" is the story of a man, Lucas, who had one bestseller and then fell off the radar. His desperate search for the next big story has strangled his marriage and caused conflict with his teen daughter.
Jeffrey is basically a, insert man of your dreams, version of Charles Manson. Smooth talker who can convince those who are broken that he and his followers are the family they have longed for. After he is sentenced to death Jeffrey refuses to grant interviews to anyone.
Thirty years later, Jeffrey has decided to speak with Lucas and break his silence over what really happened all those years ago. The exclusive interview is just what Lucas needs to write his new bestseller and put his family back together but will his stay in the house be worth it?
This book has duel timelines that go back and forth between current day and the events that lead up to the horrific night of 1983.
Despite reviews forewarning a disturbing read, my overwhelming feeling was boredom. Dollarstore Charles Manson was not enough to overcome a book primarily made up of repetitive, endless, banal bickering between the protagonist and his teenage daughter. The author is determined to make both characters out to be sympathetic, so be prepared for endless misunderstandings and miscommunication to drag on for pages and pages. I dragged my feet all year waiting for the story to properly start, waiting for a scare or at least some intriguing drama—I feel like my time would have been better spent. This premise was just not sufficient material for a whole novel, the prose was unremarkable and the characters are far too thin to carry a more introspective narrative.
Bottom line: every time I picked up this book and read a chapter, the status quo did not budge an inch.
Bottom line: every time I picked up this book and read a chapter, the status quo did not budge an inch.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
It ended up being an effective cult horror story, I just had a lot to get through with the main characters, and I thought it was a little misogynistic? I expect that from a cult but the main character and his best friend both have exes they really hate and the author paints the exes as horrible cheating sluts. But then again, that might just be the characters being a-holes and not necessarily the view of the author, especially since it becomes apparent that Lucas isn't the best dad and was not the best husband either. Jeanie/Vee/Vivi/Virginia was just .... really difficult and childish, I mean she is twelve but I have a difficult time imagining a real child being that shallow and petty. Angry yes. Petty no. The scenes from the past are where the book really works, the cult slowly taking over its victims life was chilling and effective, and the police reports scattered throughout the book where effective as well, and put the reader in the position of knowing far more than any other character. Except maybe the fearless cult leader. I thought we were actually going to get the interview, I was down for the book being the author slowly getting the story from the man himself but that didn't happen. But, since that was the case I thought the cult leader should remain faceless and unknowable. We never get the answers as to why, his motivation etc. Is how I personally would have ended the book, I am not in favor of too much reveal in a horror story, part of effective horror is the unknown.