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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses was an amazing read - it took me quite some time to finish it but I'm glad I stuck to the end. I found the plot twist unexpected and gave new light to details I had picked up before. The characters are likeable and well fleshed out, and the setting is described in delightful detail: the vast halls and darkened corridors of Broken Oak Manor are so well painted by the author and gave life and depth to the whole story.
I would absolutely recommend this read to all fans of gothic horror/romance - for a genre where I'm often disappointed, this book shone.
The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses was an amazing read - it took me quite some time to finish it but I'm glad I stuck to the end. I found the plot twist unexpected and gave new light to details I had picked up before. The characters are likeable and well fleshed out, and the setting is described in delightful detail: the vast halls and darkened corridors of Broken Oak Manor are so well painted by the author and gave life and depth to the whole story.
I would absolutely recommend this read to all fans of gothic horror/romance - for a genre where I'm often disappointed, this book shone.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses was an amazing read - it took me quite some time to finish it but I'm glad I stuck to the end. I found the plot twist unexpected and gave new light to details I had picked up before. The characters are likeable and well fleshed out, and the setting is described in delightful detail: the vast halls and darkened corridors of Broken Oak Manor are so well painted by the author and gave life and depth to the whole story.
I would absolutely recommend this read to all fans of gothic horror/romance - for a genre where I'm often disappointed, this book shone.
The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses was an amazing read - it took me quite some time to finish it but I'm glad I stuck to the end. I found the plot twist unexpected and gave new light to details I had picked up before. The characters are likeable and well fleshed out, and the setting is described in delightful detail: the vast halls and darkened corridors of Broken Oak Manor are so well painted by the author and gave life and depth to the whole story.
I would absolutely recommend this read to all fans of gothic horror/romance - for a genre where I'm often disappointed, this book shone.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
(Free Netgalley Copy)
This was an absolute Goldilocks book for me, and the first book of its nature to actually hit the notes I was looking for. With elements that called to mind both The Turn of The Screw and Jane Eyre, this mildly spooky tale really threaded the needle and felt like a proper Gothic novel.
I found Theodora to be an interesting protagonist, with her determination, kindness, and caring nature. She was nurturing without being irritating to read about, as can be the case in Governess stories, and I found her growing relationship with Cassias to be believable and sweet.
I genuinely enjoyed watching the two of them get to know each other, and it seemed like they were very well-suited to one another. I'm pleased Ottoline got the kind of family she deserved.
The prose was adequate, very well-suited to the kind of story being told. It could have been more elaborate, but truly the book didn't suffer for it, I thought it was just fine as it was. Furthermore, the twist was very well foreshadowed. I think I guessed what was happening about 60% of the way through, and I still found the reveal to be satisfying.
Wholeheartedly recommend anyone looking for a quick Gothic-y read to give this a try, it's perfect to fill any rainy afternoon.
This was an absolute Goldilocks book for me, and the first book of its nature to actually hit the notes I was looking for. With elements that called to mind both The Turn of The Screw and Jane Eyre, this mildly spooky tale really threaded the needle and felt like a proper Gothic novel.
I found Theodora to be an interesting protagonist, with her determination, kindness, and caring nature. She was nurturing without being irritating to read about, as can be the case in Governess stories, and I found her growing relationship with Cassias to be believable and sweet.
I genuinely enjoyed watching the two of them get to know each other, and it seemed like they were very well-suited to one another. I'm pleased Ottoline got the kind of family she deserved.
The prose was adequate, very well-suited to the kind of story being told. It could have been more elaborate, but truly the book didn't suffer for it, I thought it was just fine as it was. Furthermore, the twist was very well foreshadowed. I think I guessed what was happening about 60% of the way through, and I still found the reveal to be satisfying.
Wholeheartedly recommend anyone looking for a quick Gothic-y read to give this a try, it's perfect to fill any rainy afternoon.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-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:
Yes
Thank you netgallet for the Earc in Exchange for an honest review
This was a spectacular gothic horror that I couldn't put down. I was intrigued from the get-go about the characters and even though the plot was a little slow at first and it took me a few chapters to warm up to Theodora, I was drawn in by the atmosphere and the writing.
I loved the plot twists so much, it was so original and didn't expect it at all.
Even though it is very short I think I would have preferred it if it was a couple of chapters shorter and had ended after the plot twist was revealed or if the chapter between the reveal and the ending was cut as I was a little bored at that part.
This was a spectacular gothic horror that I couldn't put down. I was intrigued from the get-go about the characters and even though the plot was a little slow at first and it took me a few chapters to warm up to Theodora, I was drawn in by the atmosphere and the writing.
I loved the plot twists so much, it was so original and didn't expect it at all.
Even though it is very short I think I would have preferred it if it was a couple of chapters shorter and had ended after the plot twist was revealed or if the chapter between the reveal and the ending was cut as I was a little bored at that part.
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to receive an ARC (despite being published) in exchange for my honest thoughts. I am not being compensated for this review.
One of my favorite books is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, so when I saw this was a Regency era story with ghosts and a dash of romance, I was immediately intrigued.
Whew, I wish I could share with you guys what a wild ride I had with my highlights and notes without spoiling the story… Let me just say that I thought I had it all figured out early on. Little did I know that I was very, very wrong.
Let’s start breaking this down!
Characters « 9 »
••• Easily envisioned with great descriptions.
••• Each had their own, fleshed out personalities.
Atmosphere « 10 »
••• Hauntingly beautiful descriptions of locations and scenery alike.
Writing « 10 »
••• Easy to follow despite the older, more formal dialogue.
Plot « 9 »
••• A little slow at first, picks up quickly and evenly throughout the rest.
••• The misleads and ending were amazing.
••• One part at the end, I had to reread to make sure I understood.
Intrigue « 9 »
••• Again, a little slow at first but hooks you in quickly.
Logic « 10 »
••• A part at the end felt off, but made sense after a reread and some thinking.
••• Felt true to the time period.
Enjoyment « 10 »
••• A guy looked at me funny in the parking lot when the plot twist was revealed. I think that’s enough.
I’m starting to think the horror short stories might be my niche. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that 2 out of 4 of my 5-star books so far this year have been of this variety. I’m excited to read more and interested in trying out some of Russell's other works!
One of my favorite books is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, so when I saw this was a Regency era story with ghosts and a dash of romance, I was immediately intrigued.
Whew, I wish I could share with you guys what a wild ride I had with my highlights and notes without spoiling the story… Let me just say that I thought I had it all figured out early on. Little did I know that I was very, very wrong.
Let’s start breaking this down!
Characters « 9 »
••• Easily envisioned with great descriptions.
••• Each had their own, fleshed out personalities.
Atmosphere « 10 »
••• Hauntingly beautiful descriptions of locations and scenery alike.
Writing « 10 »
••• Easy to follow despite the older, more formal dialogue.
Plot « 9 »
••• A little slow at first, picks up quickly and evenly throughout the rest.
••• The misleads and ending were amazing.
••• One part at the end, I had to reread to make sure I understood.
Intrigue « 9 »
••• Again, a little slow at first but hooks you in quickly.
Logic « 10 »
••• A part at the end felt off, but made sense after a reread and some thinking.
••• Felt true to the time period.
Enjoyment « 10 »
••• A guy looked at me funny in the parking lot when the plot twist was revealed. I think that’s enough.
I’m starting to think the horror short stories might be my niche. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that 2 out of 4 of my 5-star books so far this year have been of this variety. I’m excited to read more and interested in trying out some of Russell's other works!
I really enjoyed this story, and read it really quickly. I was enchanted by the characters and their situations, the plot moved along nicely and I did not see the ending coming.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
An orphaned governess takes up a new position in a remote manor and begins to develop inadvisable feelings for her employer. You’ve heard this story before—or have you? L. V. Russell puts a new twist on this classic Gothic premise in The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses, which came out earlier this month from small indie press Quill & Crow Publishing House.
See my full review: https://www.thegothiclibrary.com/the-quiet-stillness-of-empty-houses-review/
See my full review: https://www.thegothiclibrary.com/the-quiet-stillness-of-empty-houses-review/
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No