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xabbeylongx's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Spoilers Ahead:
Once again, Carroll has blown me away with her book. The illustrations, perfect, and the storyline, even more perfect!
We follow Abby as she is with her new husband, a dentist, left widowed from his previous marriage, and his child from that marriage, Crystal. They all live together, and Sheila, the ex-wife, had supposedly died from cancer. However, when she starts being haunted by ‘Sheila’, and is told that she was actually murdered by him, she starts to feel a little weird, like everything is not as it seems.
And when she lets someone into the house to look after Crystal, after an accident with her husband that leaves him dead, when she finds out that someone is not who they say they are, everything kicks off.
Honestly, my explanation does not do the story justice at all. It’s one of the best, most intriguing and most chilling books I’ve ever read.
The ending was so ambiguous. There were so many theories, and it’s one of the only books, thus far, that I’ve had to look up because I have no idea how it ends. One part of me thinks that it’s a bit of copout, the ending not being clear, but the other, more correct part of me loves the ambiguity. The reader is free to make up their own theories as to how the story ends. Personally, I don’t know what to think, and I like there not being a typically ‘correct’ ending to it, it makes it a very unique book, even though I know a lot of people didn’t like how it ended. I, having personally thought about it a bit more since I last read the book, think it’s insanely impressive to write and illustrate a novel like that. And it’s queer, which makes it all the better!
The only thing is I didn't bond with the characters too much, and I thought Abby was quite bland, but I think that also helps with the story, so I'm not too mad about it. And the less said about Abby's husband the better, because he is an awful man, and I think he deserved what happened to him.
The only thing is I didn't bond with the characters too much, and I thought Abby was quite bland, but I think that also helps with the story, so I'm not too mad about it. And the less said about Abby's husband the better, because he is an awful man, and I think he deserved what happened to him.
One of my favourite reviews ever: “Girls be like ‘I’m fighting demons’ and the demons be homosexuality”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gaslighting, Cancer, Death of parent, Blood, Death, Violence, and Emotional abuse
broughtbybrokenminds's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
No one draws drippy gooey body horror quite like Emily Carroll! The use of pops of color throughout the book as the fantastical seeps into Abby’s everyday life has a mesmerizing effect that draws the reader deep into the story. I loved the suburban gothic vibes that embraced depicting the horror of a mundane existence in equal part with the supernatural horror. Experiencing life through Abby’s perspective as a woman who feels uncomfortable in her own body and like a guest in her own home, fuels the creeping dread that unfolds as her obsession with the ghost of her husband’s first wife grows. This was a fascinating mystery that will leave you questioning what was real and what was imaginary, with gorgeous artwork that will stick with you long after you close the last page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide and Cancer
catspajamas15's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Emily Carroll can do no wrong. Her art is unparalleled and hauntingly beautiful. Her story may not make sense to some, but you can still get lost in the illustrations and come to your own conclusions. I will always support this author.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Murder, Self harm, Grief, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Death, Blood, Body horror, Cancer, and Death of parent
emilyatthelibrary's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Suicide and Cancer
lav's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Cancer, Pregnancy, and Suicide
antimony's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
the end of this was SOO CRAZY. really really good. gorgeous art as always w Emily Carroll. i don't know if I'll ever be over the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Moderate: Cancer and Suicide
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Car accident
whatisjordyreading's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gore, and Self harm
Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Domestic abuse and Pregnancy
jamieleepilk's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
"A haunting is like anything else in life. Impossible to prepare for. So it's better not to have expectations." I've been a fan of Emily Carroll for a while ever since reading 'Through the Woods' a few years ago. 'A Guest in the House' is a brand new horror graphic novel that is breathtaking. With some of the most hauntingly beautiful spreads & panels I've seen in a Graphic Novel in ages!
A Haunted House novel that deals with trauma, loss & loneliness. Emily is very much in a league of her own.
A Haunted House novel that deals with trauma, loss & loneliness. Emily is very much in a league of her own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Body horror, Cancer, Death, and Toxic relationship
u_0's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm stunned. I don't know what to say. This book made me sob at my public library. It is beautiful. I'm haunted by it. I don't know what the ending means but I know I'll be thinking about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Body horror, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Suicide
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