Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The Spite House by Johnny Compton

17 reviews

annaonthepage's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-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? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death and Death

Minor: Racism, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and War

matcha_cat's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Child death, Death, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Death of parent and War

thegayestghost's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, and Abandonment

Moderate: War

Minor: Fire/Fire injury

ilaxaria's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Racism, and Grief

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Death of parent

Minor: Alcohol

irenemarie's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Racism, Violence, and War

Minor: Gun violence and Death of parent

flying_monkeys's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Eric, Dess and Stacy Ross are such loveable characters, it's impossible to not connect with them and root for their safety and success. The Texas setting felt real and scary. But, if you're reading The Spite House strictly for the horror, then the star of this story is the Masson House, a deeply haunted house built for vengeance in a place cursed by its terrible history. A ghost story with heart and history. 3.5/5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder

Minor: Suicide and Fire/Fire injury

maryellen's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Grief, and War

Moderate: Child death and Death of parent

archaicrobin's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Spite House is not your usual haunted house story and that’s one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much. Eric is on the run with his teenage daughter Dess and his youngest daughter Stacy for reasons we do not know until much later. Struggling to make ends meet from motel to motel Eric sees a very generous  offer in the paper to stay in a haunted house and prove that spirits are real. Thinking it’s too good to be true he interviews and is immediately given the job. However, upon entering the Spite House it becomes clear that this house is not only haunted, but that the haunting is not your typical bumps in the night type of phenomenon. The houses rich and dark history makes the slow unraveling of what’s really going on an intriguing mystery. 

In addition to the unique plot, what also really struck me about this book was the strong family dynamic that propels this story. I loved the characters, especially the eldest daughter Dess and could relate to the connection she had with her dad and sister. Every decision made in this book stems from personal choices to protect each other, giving it another element entirely. This story is a southern gothic with an interesting twist on the haunted house narrative and also a look at the strength of love and what we’re willing to do for those we care about. 

While I did enjoy this book, I do recognize it is not for everyone. The writing can be repetitive at times and it is the definition of a slow burn horror. I also didn’t find this novel
scary, so if you’re looking for a terrifying read this one will fall flat for you. 

If you love haunted house stories, especially those that differ from the norm, and enjoy strong characters, The Spite House is one I would reccomend!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, War, and Classism

chris_reads's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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? It's complicated

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Terminal illness, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Child abuse and Murder

Minor: Racism, Grief, and Gaslighting

doomluz's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this. It took a while to build up, but the plot was interesting.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Racism, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: War