You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I’m so glad I finally picked up a Darcy Coates book! This was everything I wanted it to be. Creepy, haunted, inherited house. Paranormal happenings. Fun and freaky gore.
The only thing I didn’t love was some of the dialogue didn’t feel natural, it felt forced. And maybe that was just a me thing.
I recommend if you like locational, paranormal horror!
The only thing I didn’t love was some of the dialogue didn’t feel natural, it felt forced. And maybe that was just a me thing.
I recommend if you like locational, paranormal horror!
I want to reread this immediately. But first, need to buy all of Darcy Coates books.
I have a lot of thoughts on this book and I wish one of my friends had read it so I could talk to them about it (someone read it and come discuss it with me!!) The creepy tone is set from the very beginning of the book. Sometimes it can be slow building, but I felt myself hesitant to start every new chapter because I was convinced something bad was lurking just around the corner. Without giving it away, something happened in the middle of the book that kind of turned me off and I was a little disappointed. I continued on though and was satisfied by the ending and was glad I finished it. Overall, very creepy. Maybe not as many ghosts as you’d anticipate for a book with “haunting” in its title. Not super scary, not very gory, just enough scares IMO.
Inheriting Ashburn House couldn’t have come at a better time from Adrianne. The site of a brutal murder, she moves in with $20, her cat, and all her possessions fitting into one suitcase. Her Great Aunt Edith had strange notes written all over the house and an attic full of candles. Rumors of ghost have surrounded the house for years and the longer Adrianne lives there, the more she is starting to believe the rumors.
This book was CREEPY!! It is definitely a horror book that has some gross descriptions. To me, this book isn’t as much a ghost story as it is about an undead character. This book will make you scared of sundown and mirrors. Overall, I give this book 3/5⭐️
#bookstagram
This book was CREEPY!! It is definitely a horror book that has some gross descriptions. To me, this book isn’t as much a ghost story as it is about an undead character. This book will make you scared of sundown and mirrors. Overall, I give this book 3/5⭐️
#bookstagram
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-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:
Yes
Story - 3/4
I have recently gotten into books with haunted houses, and I have come across a lot of hit or misses. Several of these books have been by Darcy Coates. This book is miles better than The Haunting of Blackwood House, which I read most recently. However, this book did have its pros and cons. Just focusing on the story in this section of my review, I did enjoy actually the plot. It was a good idea, and I like that this book. The book kept me interested because I wanted to find out the story behind what was going on.
Characters - 1/1
Adrienne was an alright MC, but her and I have completely different ideas of what "not taking any risks" means. I don’t really have any complaints about Adrienne. The other characters were only included for a brief time, but they were okay as well.
Writing Style - 1/1
I enjoyed the writing. There were times when I was genuinely spooked by the events and descriptions in the book.
Pacing - 0/1
The Haunting of Ashburn House alternated between dragging on a bit and being overly exciting. I wish there was a better balance.
Page Length - 1/1
I had no complaints about the pace of the story.
Ending - 1/2
Rating - 7/10 (rounded down to 3 stars)
???
I have recently gotten into books with haunted houses, and I have come across a lot of hit or misses. Several of these books have been by Darcy Coates. This book is miles better than The Haunting of Blackwood House, which I read most recently. However, this book did have its pros and cons. Just focusing on the story in this section of my review, I did enjoy actually the plot. It was a good idea, and I like that this book
Spoiler
wasn't focused on ghosts like other haunted houses. This one's antagonist was the house past owner coming back from the dead.Characters - 1/1
Adrienne was an alright MC, but her and I have completely different ideas of what "not taking any risks" means. I don’t really have any complaints about Adrienne. The other characters were only included for a brief time, but they were okay as well.
Writing Style - 1/1
I enjoyed the writing. There were times when I was genuinely spooked by the events and descriptions in the book.
Pacing - 0/1
The Haunting of Ashburn House alternated between dragging on a bit and being overly exciting. I wish there was a better balance.
Page Length - 1/1
I had no complaints about the pace of the story.
Ending - 1/2
Spoiler
I didn't expect this ending nor did I even guess close to what was going to happen. That being said, I didn't really like the conclusion and found it a bit too out there even for a horror novel. There also wasn't enough of an explanation to why Eleanor had those powers, which bothered me.Rating - 7/10 (rounded down to 3 stars)
???
This was a fun read and the messages carved into several places in the house had me intrigued as did the mystery of the murders. It's a good read when you want something mildly spooky.
As far as the story goes.. well I enjoy having the mystery slowly unravel. It seemed to be going at a slow burn pace but then we get an info dump via letter.
We weren't getting answers to a lot of things that were happening and then all of a sudden there's an undead being that attacks the main character which was kind of out of nowhere.
I have to admit I was a bit disappointed when it came to the mystery being solved. All it took was a letter. I don't think that Eleanor being a magical being was explained very well.
Overall it was enjoyable but there were certain elements that could have used more fleshing out. I would have liked to see more of Adrienne's new friends, more backstory on the house & murders instead of the letter, etc.
As far as the story goes.. well I enjoy having the mystery slowly unravel. It seemed to be going at a slow burn pace but then we get an info dump via letter.
We weren't getting answers to a lot of things that were happening and then all of a sudden there's an undead being that attacks the main character which was kind of out of nowhere.
I have to admit I was a bit disappointed when it came to the mystery being solved. All it took was a letter. I don't think that Eleanor being a magical being was explained very well.
Overall it was enjoyable but there were certain elements that could have used more fleshing out. I would have liked to see more of Adrienne's new friends, more backstory on the house & murders instead of the letter, etc.
Actually changing this to 3.5 stars because I feel like the intro dragged still think Darcy really did amazing with the gore and mirror horror but felt like the beginning was sort of pointless and out character doesn’t really gain anything from her “investigating” phase just drags the story line
This was FUN! It was creepy, mysterious, and I actually really enjoyed the ending! Just a good ol fashioned haunted house story!