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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
soo gripping and scary and the pacing is really good. im left with a couple questions and slightly frustrated about some red herrings (and ending seems similar to gg). If i think too hard about the ending, it doesn't quite make sense. But i forgive that because i was so invested and that counts for something. so overall really good. I appreciate that so much of the book is just us hearing about the narrator's thoughts - there's not too much plot-wise. instead, the narration is so interesting on its own.
medium-paced
This was an easy read and entertaining enough. It was hard because the MC was entirely unlikeable and not in an interesting way. But I read it quick and wanted to know what was going to happen!
The perfect haunted house:psychological thriller to kick off spooky season! Lots of little twists and switchbacks so while I had an idea of what was going on, I was never really positive.
More of a 2.5. Immediately didn’t like the MC, and continued not to like her throughout. I had some sympathy for a minute there and then didn’t lol. I didn’t really enjoy part 1, but part 2 was admittedly better. There was an interesting twist in this one, but I felt like the epilogue undermined it some. Idk, this was meh to me.
I don’t think I like psychological thrillers… with that being said, I didn’t love the book. I called the ending as soon as the first surprise was revealed. I liked a few aspects of it, though! The diary, Reaper, social media aspect, home renovation, the strange town… but what I always feel is lacking in psych thrillers is explanation. There’s a lot of confusion, a bit of thrill, and not much of anything is ever explained. I was surprised a couple of times… but not enough to give this more stars. To me, the thrill would be more impressive if any of the surprises ever made sense!!!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Well...this book was quite the ride. It centers around Sarah Slade, who, along with her husband, Joe, purchases a house where a grisly murder occurred decades ago with plans to renovate and sell. Their renovation efforts take a turn and soon become a psychological thriller involving missing people, strange noises, murder, and so many secrets. By the end of the book, you are left wondering who is the story's true villain: the house, the community, or Sarah herself?
Overall, I like the story, but it dragged in some areas. The ending is great. The author did an excellent job of bringing out Sarah's character and emotional state the longer she stayed in the house. Sarah is the star of this book and is the most unreliable and unlikable character I've ever had to read in a book. The lengths she would go to get what she feels she deserves was the wildest part of the book for me. The minor characters greatly supported the main character, and the author took time to provide details to the characters that made them either a balm or a catalyst for Sarah's mindstate. While the book was pretty, the ending definitely made up for it. If you are a person who likes a good mystery with multiple time points and unexplainable events, this may be the book for you.
I give this a 3.00
Overall, I like the story, but it dragged in some areas. The ending is great. The author did an excellent job of bringing out Sarah's character and emotional state the longer she stayed in the house. Sarah is the star of this book and is the most unreliable and unlikable character I've ever had to read in a book. The lengths she would go to get what she feels she deserves was the wildest part of the book for me. The minor characters greatly supported the main character, and the author took time to provide details to the characters that made them either a balm or a catalyst for Sarah's mindstate. While the book was pretty, the ending definitely made up for it. If you are a person who likes a good mystery with multiple time points and unexplainable events, this may be the book for you.
I give this a 3.00
