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wunkymatts's review
2.0
This book has potential, but it is shockingly overwritten. The Southern setting was occasionally alluded to, but it would have been a lot juicier if Dashner leaned into the unique vibe more. But instead there was similar scene after similar scene, all described in boringly similar ways.
There was a story, but it wasn't really explored until the last fifty pages of the book and then it wasn't really explained.
There was a story, but it wasn't really explored until the last fifty pages of the book and then it wasn't really explained.
jillmlong's review
3.0
I couldn't wait to listen to this book by James Dasher the author of the Maze Runner series. James Dasher does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life. My only critique is that the ending was a bit chaotic for me.
beardandrun's review against another edition
3.0
This was an enjoyable book to read - I liked Dashner's storytelling and there were some really spooky moments! Overall, I would recommend reading it as it is just fun.
However, I feel like it just needed like one extra proofread mind you - there were a lot of punctuation/format/spelling errors that just jarringly took me out of the book as I was reading. A few plot holes and the ending doesn't quite explain everything you'd want it to, but who knows if that is setting up for a second book or not.
However, I feel like it just needed like one extra proofread mind you - there were a lot of punctuation/format/spelling errors that just jarringly took me out of the book as I was reading. A few plot holes and the ending doesn't quite explain everything you'd want it to, but who knows if that is setting up for a second book or not.
beytwice's review against another edition
4.0
Coming from the writer of the Maze Runner, I didn't have high hopes for a horror novel: not out of any disdain for Dashner! The genres just seem so starkly different and to be frank the series wasn't entirely my cup of tea. It almost comes across then as two completely different authors and the range Dashner is capable of is firstly most impressive. While I wouldn't look twice at his dystopian works I'd be more than interested to read anything else in this vein of writing.
The House of Tongues has a Stephen King-esque eerieness while being entirely its own fiction. Exploring generational curses in a dual timeline, this never got boring or repetitive and was filled to the brim with creepy imagery that had a real impact on me as the reader. This is hard to achieve so colour me terrified! Dashner clings onto the mystery of David's family curse until the last section and I think this slow uncovering of repressed memories works really well. My only gripe was that in some ways the ending opened up more questions than it did answers and I don't get the impression that this was intentional. Other than that a seriously gritty horror that doesn't shy from gore and suspense without losing character development in the mix.
The House of Tongues has a Stephen King-esque eerieness while being entirely its own fiction. Exploring generational curses in a dual timeline, this never got boring or repetitive and was filled to the brim with creepy imagery that had a real impact on me as the reader. This is hard to achieve so colour me terrified! Dashner clings onto the mystery of David's family curse until the last section and I think this slow uncovering of repressed memories works really well. My only gripe was that in some ways the ending opened up more questions than it did answers and I don't get the impression that this was intentional. Other than that a seriously gritty horror that doesn't shy from gore and suspense without losing character development in the mix.
booksojwhi's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
indi__v's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
shellbean's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gracefulally's review against another edition
4.0
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I read this book because the author, who I follow on Twitter (which I check once a month, maybe), happened to post a link to BookSirens.com asking people to read the book and leave a review on Amazon. Let me tell you some things I knew before I decided to read the book. 1) I love books. I have been told since I was in grade school that I need to read "happier" books. 2) This book's premise was a slay for me. A crime thriller with the promise of a play on historical facts with characters that are set in several different generations. I was ready. 3) James Dashner wrote the Maze Runner series, which I have read and enjoyed. And he's an NYT best-selling author! 4) I would be receiving an ACR copy. Things I didn't know before I decided to read the book. 1) That it's been optioned for a TV show. 2) The bewildering effort it would take me to sit down and write this review because not everything I have to say is glowing.
Now, let's get to the review.
I think I should warn you about some not-spoiler things before I get to the meat of the book. The ACR copy had some errors that I hope were fixed in the final edit. Things were spelled wrong (or a homophone was used) and there were a few actual typos and once a doorknob became a doorbell. Additionally, it was not clear who the narrator was until the third or fourth chapter but I believe that was intentional and it becomes more apparent later on in the story exactly when in their life the narrator is speaking from so be prepared for some trickery on the reader's mind in that sense. There was one moment where something is said in response to a person having "the balls" to do something that could be considered transphobic, which absolutely can be tossed up to the age and upbringing of the character who had the response.
That aside, let's get to the things that I liked about the book.
I liked the length of the book. I managed to consume it over the course of a workweek as I wound down each day before bed. There was a moment in the beginning when I wondered if I was going to like this book and where it was going, but by the end, I was annoyed I fell asleep with only 10% left to read because a big answer had yet to be revealed and I wanted to know what happened and if I was right in my suspicions about the reveal. I enjoyed the author's sometimes successful and sometimes not attempts to describe different sensations in scenes. There were some that were so spot-on (typically, the sounds) that I could conjure the sensation in my mind. It made the book and characters more palatable, particularly the narrator. I especially enjoyed guessing at what different things meant and was never disappointed that I was right or wrong. There were also a few big twists thrown in that I was not prepared for so that made it more engaging for me. I enjoyed that the characters were likable but not perfect or villainous but not irredeemable. So, in another word, they were human. They made me laugh, they made me yell, and I was so proud of some and yet, profoundly disappointed in others. There was never a moment that I felt like a person couldn't be like one of the characters.
And now for some critical feelings that I have about the book.
The book was too short. I know I said I liked the length, but that doesn't mean there wasn't more story to be shown. The first half of the book was at a good pace, but in the second half, I felt that the author was rushing to get everything in but leaving out the potential in some arcs and plot details that could have been explored. For a crime thriller about a serial killer, I wanted more explanation for the killings than what was given because I feel the explanation given wasn't well-rounded and only explained the title, House of Tongues, in a literal sense without giving up the details on why the antagonist was driven to be a serial killer, why they chose their method of kills, and furthermore, how does any of this have an actual tie-in to the historical tidbits we got about the antagonist and protagonist. For a book with no slated sequel, this really felt like a book that was setting up a potential series. At the very least, I would love to see the protagonists of this book or the next generation of protagonists handling the continuation of the story. Perhaps then we learn more about the historical parts of this book. Heck, maybe we get a book that is set in those days of yore. The ending was also too abrupt for my tastes, which is also why I believe there should be a sequel and/or prequel. There were things that weren't explained which were frustrating and I was prepared to complain about them more, but then I saw that the book has been optioned for a TV show, which would be a great way to give more life to this book.
All in all, I'm glad I read it and I plan on purchasing the actual Kindle copy to support the author. It is my hope that this will not be a one-off and we will see more of David, Andrea, and the fam.
I read this book because the author, who I follow on Twitter (which I check once a month, maybe), happened to post a link to BookSirens.com asking people to read the book and leave a review on Amazon. Let me tell you some things I knew before I decided to read the book. 1) I love books. I have been told since I was in grade school that I need to read "happier" books. 2) This book's premise was a slay for me. A crime thriller with the promise of a play on historical facts with characters that are set in several different generations. I was ready. 3) James Dashner wrote the Maze Runner series, which I have read and enjoyed. And he's an NYT best-selling author! 4) I would be receiving an ACR copy. Things I didn't know before I decided to read the book. 1) That it's been optioned for a TV show. 2) The bewildering effort it would take me to sit down and write this review because not everything I have to say is glowing.
Now, let's get to the review.
I think I should warn you about some not-spoiler things before I get to the meat of the book. The ACR copy had some errors that I hope were fixed in the final edit. Things were spelled wrong (or a homophone was used) and there were a few actual typos and once a doorknob became a doorbell. Additionally, it was not clear who the narrator was until the third or fourth chapter but I believe that was intentional and it becomes more apparent later on in the story exactly when in their life the narrator is speaking from so be prepared for some trickery on the reader's mind in that sense. There was one moment where something is said in response to a person having "the balls" to do something that could be considered transphobic, which absolutely can be tossed up to the age and upbringing of the character who had the response.
That aside, let's get to the things that I liked about the book.
I liked the length of the book. I managed to consume it over the course of a workweek as I wound down each day before bed. There was a moment in the beginning when I wondered if I was going to like this book and where it was going, but by the end, I was annoyed I fell asleep with only 10% left to read because a big answer had yet to be revealed and I wanted to know what happened and if I was right in my suspicions about the reveal. I enjoyed the author's sometimes successful and sometimes not attempts to describe different sensations in scenes. There were some that were so spot-on (typically, the sounds) that I could conjure the sensation in my mind. It made the book and characters more palatable, particularly the narrator. I especially enjoyed guessing at what different things meant and was never disappointed that I was right or wrong. There were also a few big twists thrown in that I was not prepared for so that made it more engaging for me. I enjoyed that the characters were likable but not perfect or villainous but not irredeemable. So, in another word, they were human. They made me laugh, they made me yell, and I was so proud of some and yet, profoundly disappointed in others. There was never a moment that I felt like a person couldn't be like one of the characters.
And now for some critical feelings that I have about the book.
The book was too short. I know I said I liked the length, but that doesn't mean there wasn't more story to be shown. The first half of the book was at a good pace, but in the second half, I felt that the author was rushing to get everything in but leaving out the potential in some arcs and plot details that could have been explored. For a crime thriller about a serial killer, I wanted more explanation for the killings than what was given because I feel the explanation given wasn't well-rounded and only explained the title, House of Tongues, in a literal sense without giving up the details on why the antagonist was driven to be a serial killer, why they chose their method of kills, and furthermore, how does any of this have an actual tie-in to the historical tidbits we got about the antagonist and protagonist. For a book with no slated sequel, this really felt like a book that was setting up a potential series. At the very least, I would love to see the protagonists of this book or the next generation of protagonists handling the continuation of the story. Perhaps then we learn more about the historical parts of this book. Heck, maybe we get a book that is set in those days of yore. The ending was also too abrupt for my tastes, which is also why I believe there should be a sequel and/or prequel. There were things that weren't explained which were frustrating and I was prepared to complain about them more, but then I saw that the book has been optioned for a TV show, which would be a great way to give more life to this book.
All in all, I'm glad I read it and I plan on purchasing the actual Kindle copy to support the author. It is my hope that this will not be a one-off and we will see more of David, Andrea, and the fam.
chrystalclearwpg's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was recommended this book to read and oh my god! I don't even know how or where to begin. The story telling was awesome and totally catches you by the tail. I found myself so in grossed and also disgusted all at the same time and didn't know how to digest it. If you like stories like this give it a go.... I'm glad I did!
xkay_readsx's review
4.0
I enjoyed this solid dual-timeline story, mixing horror and mystery through generations.
South Carolina 2017, the story is told by David at forty-four years old. It all began in 1989, when he and his best friend Andrea were walking through the woods following an abandoned railroad track. They heard something, but with curiosity crept closer and closer and witnessed a gruesome killing. If you're wondering, this isn't a YA book. Details are there, sight, sound, and scent.
South Carolina 2017, the story is told by David at forty-four years old. It all began in 1989, when he and his best friend Andrea were walking through the woods following an abandoned railroad track. They heard something, but with curiosity crept closer and closer and witnessed a gruesome killing. If you're wondering, this isn't a YA book. Details are there, sight, sound, and scent.