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youngthespian42's review against another edition
4.0
This is an old school haunted house story. The premise feels a little similar to The Shinning but don’t let that dissuade you. The spooks are real and the character and relationships feel fresh. Excited to read to see where this author goes next.
kentrellsplace's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
dr_dr_olshakes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A really solid haunted house story! I love how subtle some of the house's influence was, and how well that emphasized when the house was really doing its work.
I also found the exploration of rage (and spite) quite interesting. What is the use of anger, what is it cost, and what it it's worth? The same thing with fear. I'm thinking explicitly of Grandpa Fred's use of anger to ignite fear in others and get his way, as paired with the house's anger and the fear that engenders in Eunice. Anger is so tempting, and can have such a strong impact, and sometimes, in this book, the cost is worth it.
I'm very fond of haunted house stories, and I loved this book's approach to the concept!
I also found the exploration of rage (and spite) quite interesting. What is the use of anger, what is it cost, and what it it's worth? The same thing with fear. I'm thinking explicitly of Grandpa Fred's use of anger to ignite fear in others and get his way, as paired with the house's anger and the fear that engenders in Eunice. Anger is so tempting, and can have such a strong impact, and sometimes, in this book, the cost is worth it.
I'm very fond of haunted house stories, and I loved this book's approach to the concept!
misty_muskrat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
4.75
alliekcav's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
burdasnest's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Good enough to pass the time for haunted house story lovers, but The Spite House is no horror masterpiece. The best part of this book is the idea of a "spite house", a house built specifically out of spite to demonstrate displeasure at some aspect of its existence. In this case, being built on the border with "stolen" land to show the current occupants of said land that they were still under the watchful gaze of the "rightful" owner.
Overall though, there were too many POVs; Compton should have just stuck with the main protagonists. I also think that not all of the tragedies "haunting" the house are intriguing or even necessary to set up the haunting. And then the most intriguing notion of people seemingly returning from the dead is underdeveloped despite being crucial.
Overall though, there were too many POVs; Compton should have just stuck with the main protagonists. I also think that not all of the tragedies "haunting" the house are intriguing or even necessary to set up the haunting. And then the most intriguing notion of people seemingly returning from the dead is underdeveloped despite being crucial.