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xladyxdreamer's review against another edition
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? N/A
1.0
Welp, this was probably the worst book I've read this year. I know Masterton has a giant back catalog but I've honestly never heard of him before picking up this book. And well, I didn't like anything about this. I think the plot was boring, the characters were unlikable so all together I just didn't care for this story whatsoever. For the first time with a book this year I didn't properly read the ending of this book. Just skimmed it. I think the insanely unnecessary SA made me turn off completely from this book and I really was not missing much. I do not recommend this whatsoever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
aparker89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Wow! This one has left me speechless! While the middle of the story did feel a little slow it was pivotal for creating the absolutely incredible ending! For my first Masterton book, I am SO impressed! This book definitely told me why he is a considered a master of Horror! Will definitely be recommending this one and reading more of his works!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Body horror, Gaslighting, Gore, and Death of parent
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual assault, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Violence, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Bullying
pipbiz's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
Minor: Suicide attempt
kimhawk's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, and Gore
elskabee's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
0.25
[DNF at 90% so I'm counting this as read] Do yourself a favour and don't read this.
here's a list of grievances:
- cardboard cut out characters
- very bland and repetitive dialogue
- withholding of information in a way that was frustrating rather than mysterious
- extremely dry and bland writing overall
- some extremely unnecessary transphobia (where a priest says that "gender confused" people seek exorcisms and that he recently exorcised a trans woman who wanted to murder her own family)
- casual homophobia
- misogynistic writing (women described mainly in regards to their breasts for example; most female characters lacking any agency as opposed to the male characters, also constantly seeking or being given guidance by male characters; one of the lesbian characters' job is described as being a "gender equality fuhrer"; so much more I can't be bothered writing about)
- oh and when we got to a full on sexual assault scene described in detail for several pages??? I finally decided I'd had enough and the intrigue of the plot wasn't enough any more.
I'm not one of those people who avoids male writers, but I'm certainly going to be a lot more careful before I pick up something without a recommendation from someone I trust, because this reading experience was horrible.
here's a list of grievances:
- cardboard cut out characters
- very bland and repetitive dialogue
- withholding of information in a way that was frustrating rather than mysterious
- extremely dry and bland writing overall
- some extremely unnecessary transphobia (where a priest says that "gender confused" people seek exorcisms and that he recently exorcised a trans woman who wanted to murder her own family)
- casual homophobia
- misogynistic writing (women described mainly in regards to their breasts for example; most female characters lacking any agency as opposed to the male characters, also constantly seeking or being given guidance by male characters; one of the lesbian characters' job is described as being a "gender equality fuhrer"; so much more I can't be bothered writing about)
- oh and when we got to a full on sexual assault scene described in detail for several pages??? I finally decided I'd had enough and the intrigue of the plot wasn't enough any more.
I'm not one of those people who avoids male writers, but I'm certainly going to be a lot more careful before I pick up something without a recommendation from someone I trust, because this reading experience was horrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Homophobia, Confinement, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, and Lesbophobia
blackwater's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It's unintentionally very funny (except for the sexual assault, which was completely unnecessary, uncomfortable, and ruined the book).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Death, Rape, Violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexism, and Sexual assault
skywisefox's review against another edition
2.0
This book started off with a classic premise of a murdered relative, a will, and a creepy old house. All the makings of a haunting tale to keep you up at night… but somehow it just came across as dull and boring. The writing was dry. The atmosphere wasn’t remotely spooky. I didn’t find myself sympathizing with the characters. While bad things happened, it was almost like just writing the concept rather than telling a story. I wanted to DNF multiple times but I always try to finish every book I start. The ending did get a little better with the lore and conflict increasing… but the pacing still seemed terribly off. Not to mention there was a pointless attempted sexual assault which really should have been edited out because there are other was to make the criminals come across as, well, criminal. All and all, the greatest horror this book brings is the horror of suffering through reading it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
tammitammo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Well, I made it to the end… but at what cost?
Shout out to the inclusion of a lesbian couple - though this author clearly thought it very important to constantly remind us who represented ‘the man’ in the relationship, which reminded me to stick to my rule of not reading books by straight white men.
Some points because the storyline was intriguing and it had horror vibes, but the dialogue was flat and this was ultimately rubbish.
Shout out to the inclusion of a lesbian couple - though this author clearly thought it very important to constantly remind us who represented ‘the man’ in the relationship, which reminded me to stick to my rule of not reading books by straight white men.
Some points because the storyline was intriguing and it had horror vibes, but the dialogue was flat and this was ultimately rubbish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Death, and Blood
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