Reviews tagging 'Grief'

A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

22 reviews

nikrib's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0


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charlieeee's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0


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flaminggecko's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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ofbooksandechos's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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apollo0325's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

An incredible exploration of family, generational trauma, vultures and bugs, and how we perceive our particularly cruel and horrible relatives with a dash of supernatural elements. T. Kingfisher’s books are always infused with humor and heart despite the horrific circumstances many of our characters find themselves in. Sam was an excellent protagonist, and I felt for her even more going into my thirties, relationship-less and fat than if I had been 23. There’s nothing wrong with any of that, but I think Sam was easy for me to connect with because I too love telling people silly fun facts about the stuff I love (for Sam, it’s bugs. For me, it’s mythology). I also really enjoyed Sam’s understanding of her grandmother and the relationship Sam had with her mom felt so real and warm; I love them.

I’ve read 3 T. Kingfisher books now and I can tell you with full confidence, she is now an instant buy author for me.

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idlehabitat's review against another edition

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Great writing and narration, but couldn't handle themes

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eni_iilorak's review against another edition

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dark funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0


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witcheep's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Horror usually isn't my thing, but liking T. Kingfisher's fantasy books, I decided to give this one a go. I'm glad I did!

Kingfisher is great with writing multidimensional characters with flaws of their own and their interpersonal relationships. That is what shines bright in this book as well. I enjoyed reading about the difficult relationships between the different generations of the same family, and their own ways to deal with mysteries and difficulties. The neighbors offer a good place to compare with the main character's life. A House with Good Bones ponders over some hard themes, such as loss of a family member and grief, doubting one's self-worth and emotionally abusive family relationships. The book, however, offers more hopeful outlooks on the same issues in the form of caring for one's community, forming new friendships and finding new insight into oneself.

The horror elements get increasiongly more creepy, from a slight feeling of something being off up to creeping uneasiness,
supernatural affairs, and slight body horror
.

"You're a scientist," said Gail, watching me. "I realize that makes this hard for you. I'm telling you, what's happening isn't something you're going to be able to put under a microscope. I'm hoping it'll go away on it's own."
      "Does anything ever go away on it's own?" I asked.
      "More often than you think. In this case I truly can't be sure. I don't know everything.
     "I'm starting to be sure I don't know anything", I muttered.
     She smiles. "That's a good place to start."

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trips's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

 First off, if you can't handle insects/bugs: don't read this book!

For those that can, this is a haunted house horror book about family bonds, bugs, vultures, and gardening. And some creepy stuff too, but that's up to you find out what it is!

Overall I enjoyed this book, T. Kingfisher's writing is again, just a really nice reading experience. Her way with words is entertaining and also inspiring. I was thinking this story was going to be quiet? horror? but no, its not, just wait till the twist lol.

If you like horror, give it a try! 

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leeghlee's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-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

4.5


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