Reviews - Craven Manor | The StoryGraph

772 reviews for:

Craven Manor

Darcy Coates

3.67 AVERAGE

ommageden's review against another edition

3.75

dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I was really engrossed with the first half of this book. However due to one character being the cause of all adversity through sheer selfishness and stupidity it kinda fell by the wayside for me. Not as good as Darcy's other books I've read, but it was a unique concept done fairly well besides the above.

Still good. Not amazing.

lori85's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH

Tried to give Darcy Coates another chance, but according to other reviews this is going to be more cutesy heartwarming "horror." I'm outta here.

Also, what country is this supposed to be set in? Coates is Australian but the weather is too cold and Craven Manor is too old (18th century; the oldest building in Australia is a small farmhouse built in 1793). There are medical bills that can bankrupt you, which says US, but then the fast food places serve "chips," which says UK.

welshiswhims's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

redheadsuperpowers's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This was an interesting take on the classic haunted house story. Dan is suffering under abject poverty, living in his cousin Kyle’s spare room, doing whatever cash in hand jobs he can to keep that roof over his head. He is kind to a fault, frequently giving up what little he has to help others in need. He is offered a one of a kind opportunity, caretaker of an old manor in the woods at the far end of town. He goes out there to find out what is going on, to find a desolate seemingly abandoned manor, a clean but outdated gamekeepers cottage, and a massively overgrown garden. Dan decides to take the job.

I love how kind Dan is to everyone, whether they deserve it or not. He shows a huge amount of trust in kindness being the way to live, and makes it his mission in every choice he makes throughout the book. I love the detail that is poured into his decision making process.

The setting is the right mix of eerie, romantic, and spooky. I love the heavy description of setting, from the apartment complex at the beginning, the manor grounds, the surrounding town, down to the mildew in the abandoned laundry. It brings so much more character to the world the characters live in.

I did not like how some of the side characters treated Dan and his kindness. I was just very incensed. I also am not fond of some of the narrative choices the author makes involving her ‘villains’ per say. Every story seems to have an over the top ending, but her the way she writes still sucks you into her worlds, so I keep reading her books.

dardarbinks3's review against another edition

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was almost too short, I almost wished there had been some additional intriguing details to add depth. However, I’m going to acquire her other books and read them as well!