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shadylane_00's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
baybooks's review against another edition
3.0
This book was just okay for me. I felt that the atmosphere was well written, however at times long winded. The twist at the end was not what I expected and kind of a let down. It was entertaining enough.
vesybele's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
kimberlyhof's review against another edition
It was a fun easy read. The mystery aspect came at you quick with little explanation but overall an interesting read
sea_su's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly this book was not my cup of tea, BUT I actually really liked the authors writing so that is why I rated it 3 stars.
I made my predictions at the beginning and both ended up being correct. The first one was that they (Doyles) were putting something in the food and second was that the mushrooms had something to do with the craziness. I just did not guess anything with Howard's immortality bs. It wasn't until 60% into the book where anything really started to happen. I don't know why it was dragged out so long. The first part was Noemi walking around the house, running into people, or having weird dreams/memories, or being denied entry to see her cousin. None of it was scary and I did not care about the dreams/what was going on in the gloom. The dreams/memories honestly confused the fuck out of me, especially when we began having memories of other characters in the story. I don't get the whole cannibalism thing going on but ok.
I really don't like how the author kind of left the ending open, like are the mushrooms actually gone? Can it still control Francis?
I will say that at least the story was original and...weird, but I was not a fan.
I made my predictions at the beginning and both ended up being correct. The first one was that they (Doyles) were putting something in the food and second was that the mushrooms had something to do with the craziness. I just did not guess anything with Howard's immortality bs. It wasn't until 60% into the book where anything really started to happen. I don't know why it was dragged out so long. The first part was Noemi walking around the house, running into people, or having weird dreams/memories, or being denied entry to see her cousin. None of it was scary and I did not care about the dreams/what was going on in the gloom. The dreams/memories honestly confused the fuck out of me, especially when we began having memories of other characters in the story. I don't get the whole cannibalism thing going on but ok.
I really don't like how the author kind of left the ending open, like are the mushrooms actually gone? Can it still control Francis?
I will say that at least the story was original and...weird, but I was not a fan.
veronikar's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
clockworkchapters's review against another edition
3.0
About the book:-
Noemi Taboada is a young socialite who lives in Mexico City in the 1950s and enjoys flirting a little too much. One day, while she is at a costume party, her father calls and demands she come home right away to deal with an urgent family situation.
Noemi's father has received a very disturbing letter from Catalina her cousin. Catalina who has married a mysterious man named Virgil Doyle a year ago but she hasn't been seen or heard from since her marriage.
Catalina's letter consist of disturbing information about ghosts, voices and mysterious creatures in the walls of decaying house. This makes Noemi's father suspicious and he asks Neomi to visit her cousin as a bribe in exchange for him to finance her further education.
Doyle family and their ancestral home is full of mysteries and dark secrets.
My thoughts:-
Neomi's character is very vibrant and well developed. She is the obvious protagonist who is on a mission to unearth Doyle family secrets and save Catalina at any cost. At first Neomi is shown as shallow and flighty but as the story progress her character is well developed. The other characters were not as impressive they serve a purpose but I found them underwritten in some way or the other. The Doyle's are very eccentric bunch and are a great source of substance in the story.
Another good detail in the book is the motifs which are often scary and creepy. The back story about the Doyle family history is very disquieting and unsettling.
The story moves in slow pace and I got frustrated with the characters and especially Neomi when the most obvious conclusion takes her too long to realise. The romantic sub plot between Neomi and Francis was not impressive. Most of the book is not even scary, creepy and disturbing yes but not enough scary. I expected bit more from the book and it had the potential. There are some triggers and disturbing themes like intermarry, eugenics and assault.
Overall it was a average read but the story has potential and worth reading if you like horror gothic genre.
Noemi Taboada is a young socialite who lives in Mexico City in the 1950s and enjoys flirting a little too much. One day, while she is at a costume party, her father calls and demands she come home right away to deal with an urgent family situation.
Noemi's father has received a very disturbing letter from Catalina her cousin. Catalina who has married a mysterious man named Virgil Doyle a year ago but she hasn't been seen or heard from since her marriage.
Catalina's letter consist of disturbing information about ghosts, voices and mysterious creatures in the walls of decaying house. This makes Noemi's father suspicious and he asks Neomi to visit her cousin as a bribe in exchange for him to finance her further education.
Doyle family and their ancestral home is full of mysteries and dark secrets.
My thoughts:-
Neomi's character is very vibrant and well developed. She is the obvious protagonist who is on a mission to unearth Doyle family secrets and save Catalina at any cost. At first Neomi is shown as shallow and flighty but as the story progress her character is well developed. The other characters were not as impressive they serve a purpose but I found them underwritten in some way or the other. The Doyle's are very eccentric bunch and are a great source of substance in the story.
Another good detail in the book is the motifs which are often scary and creepy. The back story about the Doyle family history is very disquieting and unsettling.
The story moves in slow pace and I got frustrated with the characters and especially Neomi when the most obvious conclusion takes her too long to realise. The romantic sub plot between Neomi and Francis was not impressive. Most of the book is not even scary, creepy and disturbing yes but not enough scary. I expected bit more from the book and it had the potential. There are some triggers and disturbing themes like intermarry, eugenics and assault.
Overall it was a average read but the story has potential and worth reading if you like horror gothic genre.
tonloc's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
hottamolly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25