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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Book Review: The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses by L.V. Russell
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses, written by L.V. Russell, is a captivating gothic novel that masterfully combines elements of horror, mystery, and romance. Set against the backdrop of Broken Oak Manor, the story follows Theodora Corvus, a governess who is drawn into a web of secrets and darkness as she explores the hidden depths of the manor.
Theodora’s journey begins when she leaves behind her crumbling family home and her beloved grandmother to take up the position of governess to young Ottoline Thorne. From the moment she arrives at Broken Oak Manor, Theodora is enveloped in an eerie silence, broken only by the whispers she hears from the house and its surroundings. As she familiarizes herself with her new environment, Theodora discovers that the manor holds many secrets, guarded by the foreboding housekeeper.
Russell’s writing is nothing short of phenomenal. With skillful pacing and a keen attention to atmospheric details, the author creates a haunting world that immerses readers in a sense of darkness and mystery. The crumbling corridors of Broken Oak Manor come alive as Theodora explores its depths, and the lingering presence of the unknown keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Moreover, the character development in this novel is commendable. Theodora is a compelling protagonist whose determination to uncover the truth drives the narrative forward. Her growing feelings for Cassias Thorne, the mysterious lord of the manor, add a layer of complexity to the story, intertwining romance with the overarching mystery. The dynamic between the characters is well-crafted and adds depth to the plot.
One aspect that stands out in this book is its gothic atmosphere. Russell effortlessly captures the essence of gothic horror, transporting readers into a world filled with eerie whispers, hidden passages, and dark secrets. The sense of foreboding is palpable throughout, making it difficult to put the book down.
However, my main criticism of The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses is that it left me wanting more. While the pacing was well-executed and kept me engaged, I wished for a longer exploration of Broken Oak Manor and its mysteries. Nonetheless, this minor complaint does not detract from the overall quality of the story.
In conclusion, The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses is a superb gothic novel that seamlessly blends elements of horror, mystery, and romance. L.V. Russell’s writing is captivating, creating an atmospheric setting that draws readers into a world of secrets and darkness. With well-developed characters and an intriguing plot, this book is a must-read for fans of gothic literature. I highly recommend it and eagerly anticipate future works from this talented author.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses, written by L.V. Russell, is a captivating gothic novel that masterfully combines elements of horror, mystery, and romance. Set against the backdrop of Broken Oak Manor, the story follows Theodora Corvus, a governess who is drawn into a web of secrets and darkness as she explores the hidden depths of the manor.
Theodora’s journey begins when she leaves behind her crumbling family home and her beloved grandmother to take up the position of governess to young Ottoline Thorne. From the moment she arrives at Broken Oak Manor, Theodora is enveloped in an eerie silence, broken only by the whispers she hears from the house and its surroundings. As she familiarizes herself with her new environment, Theodora discovers that the manor holds many secrets, guarded by the foreboding housekeeper.
Russell’s writing is nothing short of phenomenal. With skillful pacing and a keen attention to atmospheric details, the author creates a haunting world that immerses readers in a sense of darkness and mystery. The crumbling corridors of Broken Oak Manor come alive as Theodora explores its depths, and the lingering presence of the unknown keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Moreover, the character development in this novel is commendable. Theodora is a compelling protagonist whose determination to uncover the truth drives the narrative forward. Her growing feelings for Cassias Thorne, the mysterious lord of the manor, add a layer of complexity to the story, intertwining romance with the overarching mystery. The dynamic between the characters is well-crafted and adds depth to the plot.
One aspect that stands out in this book is its gothic atmosphere. Russell effortlessly captures the essence of gothic horror, transporting readers into a world filled with eerie whispers, hidden passages, and dark secrets. The sense of foreboding is palpable throughout, making it difficult to put the book down.
However, my main criticism of The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses is that it left me wanting more. While the pacing was well-executed and kept me engaged, I wished for a longer exploration of Broken Oak Manor and its mysteries. Nonetheless, this minor complaint does not detract from the overall quality of the story.
In conclusion, The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses is a superb gothic novel that seamlessly blends elements of horror, mystery, and romance. L.V. Russell’s writing is captivating, creating an atmospheric setting that draws readers into a world of secrets and darkness. With well-developed characters and an intriguing plot, this book is a must-read for fans of gothic literature. I highly recommend it and eagerly anticipate future works from this talented author.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It got off to a slow start. I think more build up, and suspense would have benefited the story. It was just kind of...there. I thought it was well written, just needed more space to flesh things out!
dark
emotional
mysterious
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
This Gothic tale of a young governess long-haunted by “watchers” was well written and satisfying, if a little strangely paced. It’s short, but portions of the narrative (mostly the dialogue) don’t flow as well as they could have.
I liked the characters, the premise, and the conclusion of the story, and am grateful to NetGalley for the advance copy. I’d recommend this to fans of The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Turn of the Key, and…somehow…The Sound of Music?
This Gothic tale of a young governess long-haunted by “watchers” was well written and satisfying, if a little strangely paced. It’s short, but portions of the narrative (mostly the dialogue) don’t flow as well as they could have.
I liked the characters, the premise, and the conclusion of the story, and am grateful to NetGalley for the advance copy. I’d recommend this to fans of The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Turn of the Key, and…somehow…The Sound of Music?
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A book with a gloomy atmosphere, with all the elements of gothic literature. A very enjoyable read. I didn't see that end coming, it was a good plot twist. However there were some elements that I had trouble with, specially the way they kept repeating each others names in the conversations. The romance didn't feel genuine, I felt like there was no chemistry between them, maybe it's just me who thinks that, I'm just very picky with the romance I read haha
In the end it was a good book to end (at least for a brief moment) my reading slump. *sighs*
In the end it was a good book to end (at least for a brief moment) my reading slump. *sighs*
dark
mysterious
sad
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
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
In a Nutshell: A Gothic historical fiction. Had great potential; fulfilled only a part of it. The ending elevated my experience somewhat.
Story Synopsis:
Theodora Corvus has stayed in her crumbling family home since years with only her grandmother for company. But after she loses her job as governess at Kingsward Manor, her grandmother finds her a similar position in the distant Broken Oak manor.
As governess to eight-year-old Ottoline - daughter of the enigmatic Lord Cassias Thorne, Theodora finds herself in a house that has many hidden secrets and lurking shadows. The biggest mystery seems to be the location of Lady Thorne, who is said to be away at the coast. If so, who is wandering through the house at night and making all those noises?
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspective of Theodora.
Bookish Yays:
😍 The ending. I had guessed a part of it, but didn't see many things coming. The execution could have been better, but the idea was still good. Do note that the ending is similar to that of a famous Gothic horror movie of recent years, the name of which is mentioned in several other reviews. If you want to be surprised, don’t read any other review and go into the book blind.
😍 The scenic descriptions, right from the appearance of the houses to the spectres at the lake, are wonderfully written.
😍 At 194 pages, this is a short and quick read.
😍 Ottoline's character was the most interesting and well-sketched. She felt like her age, though in many ways, she was not like a typical child her age due to her situation.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 A great part of the story is reminiscent of the classic Charlotte Brontë work, ‘Jane Eyre’. The house, the noises in the attic, the orphaned governess, the wilful but adorable child, the housekeeper, the problematic house owner... It went so much into Jane Eyre mode that I fell into a comfort zone, assuming that I knew how things would proceed. When the final quarter went a different way, I was pleasantly surprised. So the ending worked well, but the rest created strong feelings of déjà vu.
😍 I liked how Theodora’s surname was linked to the corvid family, who make plenty of appearances in the plot. I wish they had been utilised more. Gothic and crows work so well together as a concept, and the cover also promised more of the birds.
😐 Staying true to the Gothic genre, we get not one but three creepy houses, though not at the same time. The houses and grounds were used to create a nice, eerie atmosphere. At the same time, the book could have been so much creepier, what with such a house and the porcelain doll and the mysterious noises and the night wanderer. But somehow, the spooks aren't fully utilised. I barely even flinched at any of the supposedly scary scenes.
Bookish Nays:
😣 This should either have been a short story (cutting out all the fluff such as the events that happened at Kingsward Manor – barely relevant to the main plot) or a longer novel with all details sketched in to avoid the logical jumps in the flow. At this length, it's neither here nor there. As such, we get some details that are irrelevant, and some relevant details are missing. This also creates several plot holes.
😣 The character development is flat. What we see on the page is what we get. There is no depth at all, which leads to a disconnect with almost everyone in the story.
😣 Many important scenes feel rushed. I'd have preferred the novel to focus more on the creepy elements than on general conversations and the romance. Moreover, several key things occur off the page. The focus of the novel should have stayed on its core theme.
😣 The romance was neither believable nor acceptable. It was too instant, and unlike in Jane Eyre, awkwardly guilt-free, especially considering that both parties knew about one of them being married. The ending explains this partly, but it is still not convincing.
😣 Which year is it set in? I always like to know the era so that I can place the stories better in my head. But this detail is nowhere to be found.
😣 As the plot is still clearly historical, it is safe to say that the dialogues and Theodora’s behaviour aren’t authentic to the era. (And please, slapping your employer just because he greeted you without your noticing his arrival is plain weird, regardless of the era!)
😣 Minor complaint: The spelling of the main lead’s name was very distracting to my eyes. Isn’t it always ‘Cassius’ and not ‘Cassias’? I couldn’t find any reference to ‘Cassias’ as being an acceptable alternative spelling.
All in all, this story had plenty of potential, but the writing let it down. Had all the plot holes been sealed and the story streamlined, this could have been an impactful indie read. But in its current form, it provides an average experience despite that stunning plot twist towards the end.
2.5 stars. (with the 0.5 being added solely for the ending.)
My thanks to Quill and Crow Publishing House and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Story Synopsis:
Theodora Corvus has stayed in her crumbling family home since years with only her grandmother for company. But after she loses her job as governess at Kingsward Manor, her grandmother finds her a similar position in the distant Broken Oak manor.
As governess to eight-year-old Ottoline - daughter of the enigmatic Lord Cassias Thorne, Theodora finds herself in a house that has many hidden secrets and lurking shadows. The biggest mystery seems to be the location of Lady Thorne, who is said to be away at the coast. If so, who is wandering through the house at night and making all those noises?
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspective of Theodora.
Bookish Yays:
😍 The ending. I had guessed a part of it, but didn't see many things coming. The execution could have been better, but the idea was still good. Do note that the ending is similar to that of a famous Gothic horror movie of recent years, the name of which is mentioned in several other reviews. If you want to be surprised, don’t read any other review and go into the book blind.
😍 The scenic descriptions, right from the appearance of the houses to the spectres at the lake, are wonderfully written.
😍 At 194 pages, this is a short and quick read.
😍 Ottoline's character was the most interesting and well-sketched. She felt like her age, though in many ways, she was not like a typical child her age due to her situation.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 A great part of the story is reminiscent of the classic Charlotte Brontë work, ‘Jane Eyre’. The house, the noises in the attic, the orphaned governess, the wilful but adorable child, the housekeeper, the problematic house owner... It went so much into Jane Eyre mode that I fell into a comfort zone, assuming that I knew how things would proceed. When the final quarter went a different way, I was pleasantly surprised. So the ending worked well, but the rest created strong feelings of déjà vu.
😍 I liked how Theodora’s surname was linked to the corvid family, who make plenty of appearances in the plot. I wish they had been utilised more. Gothic and crows work so well together as a concept, and the cover also promised more of the birds.
😐 Staying true to the Gothic genre, we get not one but three creepy houses, though not at the same time. The houses and grounds were used to create a nice, eerie atmosphere. At the same time, the book could have been so much creepier, what with such a house and the porcelain doll and the mysterious noises and the night wanderer. But somehow, the spooks aren't fully utilised. I barely even flinched at any of the supposedly scary scenes.
Bookish Nays:
😣 This should either have been a short story (cutting out all the fluff such as the events that happened at Kingsward Manor – barely relevant to the main plot) or a longer novel with all details sketched in to avoid the logical jumps in the flow. At this length, it's neither here nor there. As such, we get some details that are irrelevant, and some relevant details are missing. This also creates several plot holes.
😣 The character development is flat. What we see on the page is what we get. There is no depth at all, which leads to a disconnect with almost everyone in the story.
😣 Many important scenes feel rushed. I'd have preferred the novel to focus more on the creepy elements than on general conversations and the romance. Moreover, several key things occur off the page. The focus of the novel should have stayed on its core theme.
😣 The romance was neither believable nor acceptable. It was too instant, and unlike in Jane Eyre, awkwardly guilt-free, especially considering that both parties knew about one of them being married. The ending explains this partly, but it is still not convincing.
😣 Which year is it set in? I always like to know the era so that I can place the stories better in my head. But this detail is nowhere to be found.
😣 As the plot is still clearly historical, it is safe to say that the dialogues and Theodora’s behaviour aren’t authentic to the era. (And please, slapping your employer just because he greeted you without your noticing his arrival is plain weird, regardless of the era!)
😣 Minor complaint: The spelling of the main lead’s name was very distracting to my eyes. Isn’t it always ‘Cassius’ and not ‘Cassias’? I couldn’t find any reference to ‘Cassias’ as being an acceptable alternative spelling.
All in all, this story had plenty of potential, but the writing let it down. Had all the plot holes been sealed and the story streamlined, this could have been an impactful indie read. But in its current form, it provides an average experience despite that stunning plot twist towards the end.
2.5 stars. (with the 0.5 being added solely for the ending.)
My thanks to Quill and Crow Publishing House and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
i received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
a pretty good book. the writing was what really stood out for me. it was beautiful, lyrical and sentimental. the mood and overall setting was perfectly built and described and the characters too. the plot was interesting and kept you on edge and the plot twist unexpected. however most of the time it seemed to me that i was reading a period romance with gothic undertones rather than a thriller. other than that it was enjoyable.
i do recommend it
a pretty good book. the writing was what really stood out for me. it was beautiful, lyrical and sentimental. the mood and overall setting was perfectly built and described and the characters too. the plot was interesting and kept you on edge and the plot twist unexpected. however most of the time it seemed to me that i was reading a period romance with gothic undertones rather than a thriller. other than that it was enjoyable.
i do recommend it
4.0/5.0
This was a hauntingly beautiful read. A chilling gothic romance reminiscent of the writing style of Emily Bronte and Daphne du Maurier. Russell created an eerie atmosphere filled with ghosts and things which go bump during the night.
I enjoyed this book immensely and that ending had me gasping out loud.
Thank you to Netgalley and L. V. Russell for the arc of this book.
This was a hauntingly beautiful read. A chilling gothic romance reminiscent of the writing style of Emily Bronte and Daphne du Maurier. Russell created an eerie atmosphere filled with ghosts and things which go bump during the night.
I enjoyed this book immensely and that ending had me gasping out loud.
Thank you to Netgalley and L. V. Russell for the arc of this book.