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tamreadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of the coolest ideas I’ve heard of for a haunted house story…. which is why it was so disappointing that the execution was less than stellar.
The first three quarters of the book aren’t bad. I enjoyed the world building and the conflict set up. I will mention though, that I didn’t love the FMC’s self esteem issues and her view of her body. Those descriptions were entirely unnecessary to the plot and even unnecessary to her relationship and romance with another character. This is what makes me weary of reading femme characters written by men in general. We definitely could have done without that part of the character’s internal monologue.
The ending also fell very flat for me. I felt like we were building up to this big climax, but weren’t really given any resolution. The way the authors ended it seemed rushed and not really thought out or fleshed out. It made sense on a basic level, but I was left with a “that’s it??” feeling. I just know I won’t be reading the follow up book.
Gave it three stars for the first three quarters of the book. Could have been better.
The first three quarters of the book aren’t bad. I enjoyed the world building and the conflict set up. I will mention though, that I didn’t love the FMC’s self esteem issues and her view of her body. Those descriptions were entirely unnecessary to the plot and even unnecessary to her relationship and romance with another character. This is what makes me weary of reading femme characters written by men in general. We definitely could have done without that part of the character’s internal monologue.
The ending also fell very flat for me. I felt like we were building up to this big climax, but weren’t really given any resolution. The way the authors ended it seemed rushed and not really thought out or fleshed out. It made sense on a basic level, but I was left with a “that’s it??” feeling. I just know I won’t be reading the follow up book.
Gave it three stars for the first three quarters of the book. Could have been better.
ceredonia's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED this.
Picked it up on a whim, intrigued by the summary and title. What a fascinating read. What if ghosts always existed, what if the world was just okay with this and we lived our lives together? What would happen if that peace suddenly disappeared?
I got wrapped up in some serious thoughts while reading this, wondering how things would be different in my life if people I loved just...died, then stuck around anyway. What an interesting concept. I kind of wish this story was longer, but it tells a full story without rambling on too long, and I think it was really well written. Definitely recommend it.
Picked it up on a whim, intrigued by the summary and title. What a fascinating read. What if ghosts always existed, what if the world was just okay with this and we lived our lives together? What would happen if that peace suddenly disappeared?
I got wrapped up in some serious thoughts while reading this, wondering how things would be different in my life if people I loved just...died, then stuck around anyway. What an interesting concept. I kind of wish this story was longer, but it tells a full story without rambling on too long, and I think it was really well written. Definitely recommend it.
katie_gets_lit's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hzwinge's review against another edition
2.0
The haunted house trope redone was fun, I enjoyed the story a lot. The characters ruined the experience for me.
The main female character had issues with her body image and it was so apparent this book was written by men. How she “thought” about it and discussed it was not based in any reality.
It also didn’t contribute to the plot at all, needless addition that took away from the story.
The relationship between Donna and Joe felt forced. Again, he didn’t end up contributing anything but served as a way for her to continue to made snide comments about her body issues.
The main female character had issues with her body image and it was so apparent this book was written by men. How she “thought” about it and discussed it was not based in any reality.
It also didn’t contribute to the plot at all, needless addition that took away from the story.
The relationship between Donna and Joe felt forced. Again, he didn’t end up contributing anything but served as a way for her to continue to made snide comments about her body issues.
lllkilli's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
nonfictionfeminist's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Animal cruelty, Death, Body horror, Body shaming, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Drug use, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
raforall's review against another edition
4.0
Review is in the June 2020 issue of Library Journal and on the blog:
https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=horror-reviews-column-june-2020-adam-cesare-josh-malerman-malorie
Three Words That Describe This Book: twist on a trope, great world building, suspenseful
Draft Review:
Imagine a world where ghosts not only exist, but they live in tandem alongside the living and people like Donna run profitable [and stressful] businesses based on the ghost economy. But after Donna has a panic attack and her dead, twin brother finds her the perfect weekend getaway, a home that is so off the grid it isn’t even haunted, the siblings unknowingly unleash an unstoppable force, one that could consume the world as they have always known it, removing every ghost, forever. Drawing readers in with a gimmick premise, Kozeniewski and Young do not disappoint, delivering a thought-provoking tale, set in an expertly crafted world, featuring a suspenseful mystery, populated with great characters. A compelling and intriguing tale, one that is extremely unsettling if not outright terrifying; a story that will fill readers up with existential dread even as they are racing to find out what happens next.
Verdict: Both a fun and serious contemplation of how the world as we know it can change in the blink of an eye, published by a reliable small press, this is a not only a great read for those who love haunted house stories with detailed world building like The Good House by Due, but also other dark, speculative tales that employ a unique twist on established tropes like Ben H. Winters’ pre-apocalypse series, The Last Policeman trilogy.
https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=horror-reviews-column-june-2020-adam-cesare-josh-malerman-malorie
Three Words That Describe This Book: twist on a trope, great world building, suspenseful
Draft Review:
Imagine a world where ghosts not only exist, but they live in tandem alongside the living and people like Donna run profitable [and stressful] businesses based on the ghost economy. But after Donna has a panic attack and her dead, twin brother finds her the perfect weekend getaway, a home that is so off the grid it isn’t even haunted, the siblings unknowingly unleash an unstoppable force, one that could consume the world as they have always known it, removing every ghost, forever. Drawing readers in with a gimmick premise, Kozeniewski and Young do not disappoint, delivering a thought-provoking tale, set in an expertly crafted world, featuring a suspenseful mystery, populated with great characters. A compelling and intriguing tale, one that is extremely unsettling if not outright terrifying; a story that will fill readers up with existential dread even as they are racing to find out what happens next.
Verdict: Both a fun and serious contemplation of how the world as we know it can change in the blink of an eye, published by a reliable small press, this is a not only a great read for those who love haunted house stories with detailed world building like The Good House by Due, but also other dark, speculative tales that employ a unique twist on established tropes like Ben H. Winters’ pre-apocalypse series, The Last Policeman trilogy.
biteintobooks's review against another edition
2.0
Thanks to the authors for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It's so hard for me to give a book a low rating when an author was very kind and respectfully asked me for a review. But I pride myself in being an honest blogger and so that's what I'll do here. I have been doubting about 2 and 3 stars, but I just didn't like this book enough to give it 3 stars, sadly. I feel that the premise of the book is very promising, but the story just fell flat for me.
Full review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
This is a really unique book that I'm sure I won't forget soon! I always go out to love the books that authors send me for a review, but sometimes a book just doesn't hit it's mark for me. With this book I have to respectfully say that I did not like this book, but I've also seen a lot of people who did! So just go out there, and give it a try.
It's so hard for me to give a book a low rating when an author was very kind and respectfully asked me for a review. But I pride myself in being an honest blogger and so that's what I'll do here. I have been doubting about 2 and 3 stars, but I just didn't like this book enough to give it 3 stars, sadly. I feel that the premise of the book is very promising, but the story just fell flat for me.
Full review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
This is a really unique book that I'm sure I won't forget soon! I always go out to love the books that authors send me for a review, but sometimes a book just doesn't hit it's mark for me. With this book I have to respectfully say that I did not like this book, but I've also seen a lot of people who did! So just go out there, and give it a try.
cerfluffled's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0