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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
Started reading at the end of February, put it down for basically a whole month, and then didn't finish until the beginning of April. That is RARE for me. I can usually read 50 - 100 pages a day, so 273 page book like this should have taken me just a few days.
I contemplated a DNF, but I always try to complete my Book of the Month Club picks to qualify for their reading challenge. There were just too many threads of mystery throughout the book with many left unanswered by the end.
I know it's trendy to have an unlikable and unreliable narrator in the thriller genre, but I truly couldn't stand the main character Sarah. That probably factored into my avoidance of reading it for a few weeks.
Kudos to the author for her transparent and heart wrenching acknowledgement of her own mental heath struggles prefacing the acknowledgements. Other reviewers seemed to have taken more favorably to the book, so I am sure this debut will not be her last. I would consider reading her future works; I just did not vibe with this one.
I contemplated a DNF, but I always try to complete my Book of the Month Club picks to qualify for their reading challenge. There were just too many threads of mystery throughout the book with many left unanswered by the end.
I know it's trendy to have an unlikable and unreliable narrator in the thriller genre, but I truly couldn't stand the main character Sarah. That probably factored into my avoidance of reading it for a few weeks.
Kudos to the author for her transparent and heart wrenching acknowledgement of her own mental heath struggles prefacing the acknowledgements. Other reviewers seemed to have taken more favorably to the book, so I am sure this debut will not be her last. I would consider reading her future works; I just did not vibe with this one.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nicely spooky
Great characters
Loved the twists at the end
Overall a fun thriller read.
Great characters
Loved the twists at the end
Overall a fun thriller read.
There were a lot of good things happening here. The first being that despite living in a murder house, she knew what she was doing and I didn't want to tell, "just move!" every 5 seconds.
Good twists, a solid unreliable narrator, compelling throughout, and an ending that made sense and didn't rely on any overused tropes. Definitely a good read for spooky season
Good twists, a solid unreliable narrator, compelling throughout, and an ending that made sense and didn't rely on any overused tropes. Definitely a good read for spooky season
The Stranger Upstairs is dark, twisty, and chilling… just like Black Wood House. Normally I have a difficult time with the alcoholic protagonist with a shady past, but it worked for this novel. I found myself genuinely creeped out throughout the book and after finishing it am laying in bed with my heart pounding and the nightlight on.
One thing I did not like was the way “Lizzy” was introduced in part 1. Sarah/Lizzy refers to her sister’s death and stealing Joe as “the whole Lizzy mess” at one point, and I think the way “Lizzy” is mentioned to deliberately throw the reader off in part 1 comes across as awkward and inorganic. Honestly could have gone without any mention of “Lizzy” until we learn who “Sarah” really is.
Overall, great writing, a fast-paced read, and story that will leave you unsure of who or what is right or wrong.
One thing I did not like was the way “Lizzy” was introduced in part 1. Sarah/Lizzy refers to her sister’s death and stealing Joe as “the whole Lizzy mess” at one point, and I think the way “Lizzy” is mentioned to deliberately throw the reader off in part 1 comes across as awkward and inorganic. Honestly could have gone without any mention of “Lizzy” until we learn who “Sarah” really is.
Overall, great writing, a fast-paced read, and story that will leave you unsure of who or what is right or wrong.
Honestly? This was a bit of a mess. The premise was good, but this read like a fanfic of The Haunting of Hill House, and there were lots of mistakes and contradictions.
I really enjoyed this book, it felt engaging and twisty. My only complaint is the ending was kind of messy, with some loose ends and details I wanted more information about.
dark
fast-paced
I always like a good haunted house story. However, this book was short in length and slow to read. The main character is very unlikeable and there’s too many under developed subplots within the story that try to sloppily come together at the end. A lot of of unresolved questions. Not my favorite, but fun for spooky season. Reads like a debut.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes