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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
turns out the one thing I can't handle in horror is watching good people slide into facism (this is not a spoiler)
In order to rid themselves of a haunting and to learn the truth, they must return the House…
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded up)
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded up)
I hate finished this. I thought how hard can it be to read this it’s only 279 pages. But wow was this a fucking drag. The writing was so shit. Like it just all ran together like a child trying to meet a word count for an essay. Lots of blather. Content matter was grim. I should’ve read more beforehand. The trigger warning was def needed so that’s one positive thing the author did
emotional
tense
This book was super direct and unflinching and not subtle in the slightest. It was very much of the current time. I’m sure this won’t work for some readers but I thought it was effective, it kicked my ass good.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Need several days to process this I think
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Antisemitism, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Excrement, Dysphoria, Classism
2.5 stars. This was some dark, depraved, very political horror, and I can’t say I enjoyed reading it at all past the first 1/4. The writing was (at times) clever, but the violence was too much for me.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
one of the most depressing books i've ever read. posits that any oppressed group will forever be oppressed because the machinations of fascism in england (and, to a larger extent, the world) are so deeply ingrained that it's impossible to reverse them. perfectly captures the hostile, paranoid, hate-filled world we currently reside in, and how dangerous and unwelcoming it feels merely living as a trans person. and also how toxic, horrible thoughts can infect your brain even if you don't believe those thoughts, but how merely hearing them enough times can have an affect. and the central haunted house metaphor is unique and devastating. in some ways a perfect horror story because it is so horrible and utterly devoid of hope, except that we might as well be our true selves for the brief time we've got here because we'll all be ground into the dirt by fascism in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Antisemitism, Grief
Yeah I'm unsure what to think. The first chapter was great. Parts of the ending maybe have some merits. But I think I definitely wasn't the intended audience here. I normally don't read horror, so I came in expecting to be frightened. Aside from the first chapter, I wasn't frightened. I was, however, disturbed, which I guess I should've expected. I would've been fine with it if it had actually amounted to something. Why was I disturbed for? What was the point? Either it was all for nothing, or I completely missed it. But if it was indeed all for nothing, then I feel that the political commentary is much weaker than intended, and in fact kind of weird, and not weird ahah.
Also, although the writing of the first chapter was quite good, it was underwhelming elsewhere, especially at the times where the author was basically writing in a way that was saying "hey see how well I write" instead of saying something of actual substance.
Overall, I'm disappointed, but part of it is because this had great potential. It definitely didn't work for me.
Also whoever put "darkly funny" on the back cover needs therapy, there wasn't one line in this book that could be conceived of as funny, even "darkly".
Also, although the writing of the first chapter was quite good, it was underwhelming elsewhere, especially at the times where the author was basically writing in a way that was saying "hey see how well I write" instead of saying something of actual substance.
Overall, I'm disappointed, but part of it is because this had great potential. It definitely didn't work for me.
Also whoever put "darkly funny" on the back cover needs therapy, there wasn't one line in this book that could be conceived of as funny, even "darkly".