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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
This gothic, haunted-house-style story is lyrical in its descriptions and I found the writing often remimiscent of Shirley Jackson. Wonderfully eerie and equally unsettling at times, I'd kill to read this book again for the first time!
The dynamic of the households was simple, with a focus on interpersonal relationships and the old manors themselves almost making characters in their own rights.
FMC Theodora is headstrong, logical, and deeply human in her rationalisations - traits I admire especially when interacting with (sometimes overbearing and abusive) Lords. All of the characters had their quirks and with such a small cast, the personalisation was deep and easy for me to fall into. The symbolism especially I just adored throughout, the little lines that made you think on their double meanings.
If you enjoyed the Netflix show the Haunting of Bly Manor, this will absolutely hit the spot for you!
The dynamic of the households was simple, with a focus on interpersonal relationships and the old manors themselves almost making characters in their own rights.
FMC Theodora is headstrong, logical, and deeply human in her rationalisations - traits I admire especially when interacting with (sometimes overbearing and abusive) Lords. All of the characters had their quirks and with such a small cast, the personalisation was deep and easy for me to fall into. The symbolism especially I just adored throughout, the little lines that made you think on their double meanings.
If you enjoyed the Netflix show the Haunting of Bly Manor, this will absolutely hit the spot for you!
This gothic, haunted-house-style story is lyrical in its descriptions and I found the writing often remimiscent of Shirley Jackson. Wonderfully eerie and equally unsettling at times, I'd kill to read this book again for the first time!
The dynamic of the households was simple, with a focus on interpersonal relationships and the old manors themselves almost making characters in their own rights.
FMC Theodora is headstrong, logical, and deeply human in her rationalisations - traits I admire especially when interacting with (sometimes overbearing and abusive) Lords. All of the characters had their quirks and with such a small cast, the personalisation was deep and easy for me to fall into. The symbolism especially I just adored throughout, the little lines that made you think on their double meanings.
If you enjoyed the Netflix show the Haunting of Bly Manor, this will absolutely hit the spot for you!
The dynamic of the households was simple, with a focus on interpersonal relationships and the old manors themselves almost making characters in their own rights.
FMC Theodora is headstrong, logical, and deeply human in her rationalisations - traits I admire especially when interacting with (sometimes overbearing and abusive) Lords. All of the characters had their quirks and with such a small cast, the personalisation was deep and easy for me to fall into. The symbolism especially I just adored throughout, the little lines that made you think on their double meanings.
If you enjoyed the Netflix show the Haunting of Bly Manor, this will absolutely hit the spot for you!
This is a dark gothic novel with Jane Eyre vibes. Theodora Corvus takes the job as governess to a young Ottoline Thorne. Leaving behind her grandmother and decaying childhood home, she travels to Broken Oak Manor. A house filled with secrets, much like its housekeeper and lord, Cassias Thorne. She finds herself drawn to Cassias and the strange happenings occuring at night within the manor. Especially the mysterious person wandering the house at night, leading to the attic.
“Where is Lady Thorne, Cassias? Where is your wife?”
I liked the spooky atmosphere that the author evoked with the descriptive imagery and elements used throughout this book. I liked the promise or vibes of a romance or romantic element similar to Jane Eyre.
However, I was left disappointed by the ending; it felt predictable and unsatisfying. This also did not feel like it qualified as a romance, which felt misleading. There is a love story developed, but it felt out of place and forced. I did not feel the connection between the characters, so the love story wasn't believable. It felt like it was a slow build, very Jane Austen; then a flip was switched and they now loved each other; just felt out of place. I feel as though if the romantic element was left out (which is strange coming from a primarily romance reader) and the focus was just on the plot and characters, this has the potential of being better at just a suspense/horror gothic novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“Where is Lady Thorne, Cassias? Where is your wife?”
I liked the spooky atmosphere that the author evoked with the descriptive imagery and elements used throughout this book. I liked the promise or vibes of a romance or romantic element similar to Jane Eyre.
However, I was left disappointed by the ending; it felt predictable and unsatisfying. This also did not feel like it qualified as a romance, which felt misleading. There is a love story developed, but it felt out of place and forced. I did not feel the connection between the characters, so the love story wasn't believable. It felt like it was a slow build, very Jane Austen; then a flip was switched and they now loved each other; just felt out of place. I feel as though if the romantic element was left out (which is strange coming from a primarily romance reader) and the focus was just on the plot and characters, this has the potential of being better at just a suspense/horror gothic novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Thank you NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for a free copy of this recently published ebook, in exchange for an honest review.
This story began with a lot of potential. It was atmospheric, dark, dreary. I was drawn in by the main character Theodora’s bleak circumstances: her father passing away, her grandmother’s illness, the decaying family home, and out of necessity, taking the position of a governess to a nearby wealthy estate. However, as the story progressed, I found the dialogue between characters abrupt and awkward. The characters were underdeveloped so I didn’t feel sympathetic towards the characters reactions or emotions. Movement from one scene to the next came across as choppy and I was not always clear as to what had just happened.
Fairly early on, there were some big plot holes, and I felt that it had similarities to the movie, The Others, so the plot twist was not a surprise for me.
I did enjoy the theme of finding home and family in the end.
This story began with a lot of potential. It was atmospheric, dark, dreary. I was drawn in by the main character Theodora’s bleak circumstances: her father passing away, her grandmother’s illness, the decaying family home, and out of necessity, taking the position of a governess to a nearby wealthy estate. However, as the story progressed, I found the dialogue between characters abrupt and awkward. The characters were underdeveloped so I didn’t feel sympathetic towards the characters reactions or emotions. Movement from one scene to the next came across as choppy and I was not always clear as to what had just happened.
Fairly early on, there were some big plot holes, and I felt that it had similarities to the movie, The Others, so the plot twist was not a surprise for me.
I did enjoy the theme of finding home and family in the end.
oooh, a fun little gothic tale. It was an interesting mix of mystery and historic storytelling. I didn't mind the romance either. It's a bit of a slower burn with a mystery that kept me guessing. I atmosphere and characters were well done. I enjoyed this one.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I don't know how a gothic novel can utilize such lush prose, and yet somehow, L.V. Russell manages it. The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses is both perfectly creepy and perfectly romantic, a tale between Jane Eyre and Crimson Peaks. It's vivid, evocative, easy to read, and somehow chilling at the same time. A truly excellent book.
The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses is a book completely out of my comfort zone. But the cover of this book intrigued me, and I just gravitated towards it. I am so glad that I read it.
A very Gothic inspired book that is reminiscent of Jane Eyre, this book is the story of Theodora who can listen to the voices of the houses. She can feel the echoes of the homes she lives in. Theodora travels to a house where, as a governess to a little girl, she is finding an adventure.
This book is a ride. Nothing is as it appears. The twist is everything. Is the ending predictable? I didn't see it coming. I had my doubts, but it's still thrilling to read it. I usually don't read horror fiction, and this book, to be honest, is not proper horror. I finished this book in one sitting and really enjoyed it.
Thank you, Quill and Crow Publishing House and Netgalley, for this book.
A very Gothic inspired book that is reminiscent of Jane Eyre, this book is the story of Theodora who can listen to the voices of the houses. She can feel the echoes of the homes she lives in. Theodora travels to a house where, as a governess to a little girl, she is finding an adventure.
This book is a ride. Nothing is as it appears. The twist is everything. Is the ending predictable? I didn't see it coming. I had my doubts, but it's still thrilling to read it. I usually don't read horror fiction, and this book, to be honest, is not proper horror. I finished this book in one sitting and really enjoyed it.
Thank you, Quill and Crow Publishing House and Netgalley, for this book.
ARC Review: This year I have read more gothic novels than I have in my entire life, and I have another one to add to the list.
The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses by L. V. Russell is a novel following a governess as she goes to live at Broken Oak Manor following an upset in the previous household she worked at, and from there things just feel off. This book very much gives Jane Eyre vibes. The pacing was kind of slow for the length of the book, and it was slightly difficult to get into. The writing spends a lot of time describing the scenery at the beginning of the book, which was not really for me, but around the 60 page mark, things start to pick up. I will admit, this book took a turn I was not expecting and I appreciated that.
This ARC was received courtesy of NetGalley.
The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses by L. V. Russell is a novel following a governess as she goes to live at Broken Oak Manor following an upset in the previous household she worked at, and from there things just feel off. This book very much gives Jane Eyre vibes. The pacing was kind of slow for the length of the book, and it was slightly difficult to get into. The writing spends a lot of time describing the scenery at the beginning of the book, which was not really for me, but around the 60 page mark, things start to pick up. I will admit, this book took a turn I was not expecting and I appreciated that.
This ARC was received courtesy of NetGalley.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No