Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson

34 reviews

books_and_halloween's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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crybabybea's review against another edition

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

3.0

Nothing crazy. Not bad, not amazing. Just a fun, twisty read with some good horror moments.

I wanted a bit more out of pretty much every part of this. For the first time I actually felt like this book was too short to accomplish a really good payoff. For some reason it felt simultaneously way too slow during the beginning and then way too fast at the end. I was especially disappointed by the characters and how quickly the relationships move. Marion was a bit of a confusing character considering her backstory, and Lisavet was almost compelling but just fell a bit short for me. I did enjoy the relationships between Marion and the other girls but still felt like they were quite flat.

The plot itself is interesting and there is just enough mystery threaded through the story that it keeps your interest. I can't say that the twist itself was particularly surprising, but I still enjoyed the journey there and the resolution after. 

There are a couple sapphic moments but the relationship is incredibly imbalanced power-wise and abusive, so don't expect a good time in the average sense of the word :)

The ending gave me Sucker Punch vibes which was cool.

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micaelacccc's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0


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squisheebee_'s review against another edition

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

4.5


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salemander's review against another edition

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4.75

love a gothic vampire vibe and this book does it so well. it was so interesting to see marian’s descent into this strange world and the ways she has to regain her sense of self. i wanted a little more character development from all the girls in this story, i felt like we only really saw just like outlines of who they all were, but overall i really enjoyed this story.

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that_guy_bo's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Many of the reviews I'd read about this book focused heavily on the sapphic elements, so as a gay man, I wasn't sure if this one was "for me." But, the blurb had intrigued me, so I thought I'd give it a shot.
 And I have to say, this was one of the most gripping books I've ever read!

 I've raved about it to anyone and everyone at every possible opportunity, because it really doesn't matter what your sexual orientation is, this is an entrancing book.

  The scenery is dripping with every possible luxury, which makes the slowly mounting horror of the story stand that much starker against the decadent backdrop.

Additionally, as a huge fan of vampires, while this isn't technically a vampire story, it has all the trappings of one, and it certainly has the atmosphere! So if you're a fan of vampires, you'll very likely love this book.


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chiropterabitch's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

Very sexy and different take on vampires. for the first half of the book i wasn't even sure if the blood drinkers in this book could even technically qualify as vampires in the traditional sense. nevertheless the gothic atmosphere, mystery, and sensual sapphic romance in this book had me hooked. I loved Marion as a main character. She was cunning and strong and bold. Additionally, the diversity in this book is effortless and refreshing. **SPOILERS** at the end of the book when it is revealed what kind of monster Lisavet truly is, I loved the twist on the classic vampire tale. Having them be cold creatures that came out of the sea that feed on the warmth of blood was so creative and unlike anything i have ever encountered in vampire lore and stories. Absolutely loved this book and will be rereading in the near future. 

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gellyreads's review against another edition

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

3.5

So, I really enjoyed the protagonist and I found most of the story pretty entertaining and I was drawn in. However, the horror felt really meh to me and I really didn't believe the love story at all
I know the point to a certain extent is that she may or may not genuinely care for the MC, but then even when they have her beg for her to leave, I genuinely felt like she didn't try very hard. Like. I just didn't buy this romance at all.
I just wanted to care more for the characters than I did? This felt too fake old-timey, Dickensian for me, and I just struggled to connect with it. Although, this was a weird version of vampries that I also really have mixed feelings about. Like, I like the class dynamics, but why can't they actually bite? Why is the blood powers not clear? Why is it only the north? 

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bookycnidaria's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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scifi_rat's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5

Plot: 3.5★
Prose: 3.75★
Pace: 4★
Concept/Execution: 4★/3.75★
Characters: 3.5★
Worldbuilding: 3.75★
Ending: 3.5★

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