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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
From start to finish, The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses, is an emotional and poetic journey through loneliness and loss.
Theodora Corvus can hear the whispers of houses, its memories and secrets. In search of adventure and employment after a scandal with her last employer, Theodora leaves her childhood home and the grandmother who has cared for her after losing both her parents, to become a governess at Broken Oak Manor. There she finds a young Lord Cassias, his daughter Ottoline, their housekeeper Ms. Rivers, and an eerily silent manor. In time, Theodora finds herself wandering the dark corridors in the night, chasing the sounds of footsteps and glimpses of rustling skirts to the only part of the manor that whispers to her, the attic. What secrets are held within Broken Oaks Manor’s walls and what is hidden in the eaves?
This is such a beautifully written story. It sweeps you along gently like a feather floating on the wind. The plot is not anything particularly revolutionary or new, but it’s done well. I had a few inklings on where it was heading in the end, but it did keep me second guessing myself a few times. The reveal is heartbreaking, and the ending is satisfying. I can’t say too much more because I don’t want to give it away. The starring feature of this book though is definitely the writing. So, if the story and the plot don’t pull you in, check it out just for the writing and descriptions alone. You won’t be disappointed.
As for that cover art, stunning. It really captures the feeling of this book. Dark, mysterious, and alluring.
Thank you to NetGalley, L.V. Russell, and Quill and Crow Publishing House for providing this for review. This is my honest opinion and a voluntary submission.
Theodora Corvus can hear the whispers of houses, its memories and secrets. In search of adventure and employment after a scandal with her last employer, Theodora leaves her childhood home and the grandmother who has cared for her after losing both her parents, to become a governess at Broken Oak Manor. There she finds a young Lord Cassias, his daughter Ottoline, their housekeeper Ms. Rivers, and an eerily silent manor. In time, Theodora finds herself wandering the dark corridors in the night, chasing the sounds of footsteps and glimpses of rustling skirts to the only part of the manor that whispers to her, the attic. What secrets are held within Broken Oaks Manor’s walls and what is hidden in the eaves?
This is such a beautifully written story. It sweeps you along gently like a feather floating on the wind. The plot is not anything particularly revolutionary or new, but it’s done well. I had a few inklings on where it was heading in the end, but it did keep me second guessing myself a few times. The reveal is heartbreaking, and the ending is satisfying. I can’t say too much more because I don’t want to give it away. The starring feature of this book though is definitely the writing. So, if the story and the plot don’t pull you in, check it out just for the writing and descriptions alone. You won’t be disappointed.
As for that cover art, stunning. It really captures the feeling of this book. Dark, mysterious, and alluring.
Thank you to NetGalley, L.V. Russell, and Quill and Crow Publishing House for providing this for review. This is my honest opinion and a voluntary submission.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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:
No
Overall this was a short but well done gothic story. I was a bit spooked and enjoyed the build to the big reveal. I will not comment too much on the story because I do not want to give away the twist.
The beginning felt like an unnecessarily long build up to her placement where the actual meat of the story began to take place. Trigger warning off-page sexual assault. Additionally, I felt the last two chapters could have been one.
Thank you NetGalley and Quill and Crow Publishing for sharing this ARC for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: July 18, 2023
The beginning felt like an unnecessarily long build up to her placement where the actual meat of the story began to take place. Trigger warning off-page sexual assault. Additionally, I felt the last two chapters could have been one.
Thank you NetGalley and Quill and Crow Publishing for sharing this ARC for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: July 18, 2023
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Lovers of the gothic genre, I believe you may want to give The quiet stillness of empty houses a chance.
Most of the elements presented in this book are pretty well balanced. The romance does take up an important portion of the story and, even though I found it to be a bit too modern and not entirely true to the period, it was enjoyable. Whatsmore, the relationship between Theodora and Cassias is profoundly romantic and passionate, so you will probably be satisfied in that department.
As for the horror aspect, I must admit I was pretty pleased. I love when a book manages to give me literal goosebumps and this book did that twice. The mysterious footsteps and a certain porcelain doll might give you a fright.
In regards to the gothic atmosphere, it was positively achieved. The descriptions of the house, the constant eeriness, the secretive nature of its residents, it all added up to the vibes I was hoping to find in a book such as this.
Finally, the reveal and subsequent plot twist were so well handled I couldn’t believe I hadn’t figured the mystery by myself. A couple of hints were given throughout the story and I failed to pick up on them and perhaps that’s why I was so shocked. Nonetheless, it was the perfect twist for this story and I was more than pleased with the ending.
There are a few things however I wasn’t thrilled about. One being the fact I didn’t enjoy the first few chapters. I could’ve easily done without them. Second, the way Theodora behaved was too “unconventional” for my taste, especially considering the period this book is supposed to be set in. Lastly, the manner in which the romance was handled also rubbed me the wrong way. The repetitive use of their names when addressing each other made the dialogues feel very unnatural, at least to me.
Still, I had an enjoyable time reading this gothic story about a governess that finds love in a place where darkness and loneliness is all there is, a young girl desperate to love and be loved and a man tormented by the horrible truth hidden inside the attic of his grand manor.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a quintessential Gothic story. First, the fantastic title brings on all the feels before even starting. There is everything here including romance and ghosts. Theodora is sent to Broken Oaks to be a governess amidst whispers of a scandal at her last placing. At home, she lives in a dilapidated family mansion with her hard-nosed grandmother. However, her new placing brings her joy except for the mysterious events taking place at night.
The atmosphere just drips from the pages. Theodora is a wonderfully believable main character and the romance is not irritating or overdone. The ending was a fantastic twist and I thought it was perfect. Unfortunately, the denouement was too long. I started skipping through it until the final end which was again good in itself. The final chapters would have been better condensed into one.
The atmosphere just drips from the pages. Theodora is a wonderfully believable main character and the romance is not irritating or overdone. The ending was a fantastic twist and I thought it was perfect. Unfortunately, the denouement was too long. I started skipping through it until the final end which was again good in itself. The final chapters would have been better condensed into one.
To be super honest, this book wasn’t my favorite but I didn’t hate it. I was glad it was more of a short story, because the writing style was what I really struggled with. I am glad that I stuck it out because, even though I would never read this again, I’d recommend others give it a try because k thought the plot was intriguing and kept me engaged!
So, if you are interested in a short gothic horror story, with lots of intrigue and a great plot twist, I would highly recommend this book.
But, my rating stands at a 3/5, if I sleep on it and change my mind, I may adjust, but I think that accurately reflects my reading experience.
Many thanks in to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a review.
So, if you are interested in a short gothic horror story, with lots of intrigue and a great plot twist, I would highly recommend this book.
But, my rating stands at a 3/5, if I sleep on it and change my mind, I may adjust, but I think that accurately reflects my reading experience.
Many thanks in to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a review.
To be super honest, this book wasn’t my favorite but I didn’t hate it. I was glad it was more of a short story, because the writing style was what I really struggled with. I am glad that I stuck it out because, even though I would never read this again, I’d recommend others give it a try because k thought the plot was intriguing and kept me engaged!
So, if you are interested in a short gothic horror story, with lots of intrigue and a great plot twist, I would highly recommend this book.
But, my rating stands at a 3/5, if I sleep on it and change my mind, I may adjust, but I think that accurately reflects my reading experience.
Many thanks in to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a review.
So, if you are interested in a short gothic horror story, with lots of intrigue and a great plot twist, I would highly recommend this book.
But, my rating stands at a 3/5, if I sleep on it and change my mind, I may adjust, but I think that accurately reflects my reading experience.
Many thanks in to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a review.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I throughly enjoyed this story. I would say it's perfect for fans of Jane Eyre and Crimson Peak. Complete with a gothic atmosphere and a great twist that wasn't the one I was expecting at all! Give it a read.
I throughly enjoyed this story. I would say it's perfect for fans of Jane Eyre and Crimson Peak. Complete with a gothic atmosphere and a great twist that wasn't the one I was expecting at all! Give it a read.