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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
This book was just really terrible. The author seemed confused by what kind of story they wanted to be telling, it shifted and rambled around too much, and there was a random shift to someone else’s perspective in the last few pages to wrap up a thin plot device. I finished it, but it was awful
I read this book while home alone and while I think it benefits from reading in one sitting, I was fairly scared the entire time because of the creaking sound our house makes. I will also say that I was not expecting for them to not found the poison…nor that there would be 5 bodies.
excellent debut!
The stranger upstairs had me hooked. I couldn't wait to find out what was happening at the black woods house. I also think it was great that mental health was touched on so openly. Really enjoyed this one.
The stranger upstairs had me hooked. I couldn't wait to find out what was happening at the black woods house. I also think it was great that mental health was touched on so openly. Really enjoyed this one.
We love a haunted house book! We don't love a quickly wrapped up, fairly dumb ending with unanswered questions.
Don’t believe the hype. Even if you can get past the grating amateur writing, the protagonist is insufferable, the plot holes are glaring, and the ending is contrived.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I'm glad this leans into the haunted house (and haunted person) horror motif as much as I thought it would. I thought it would veer more into thriller territory, and I'm pleasantly surprised by how eerie it is. The twist is somewhat predictable--though the epilogue provides a satisfying counter-twist--and although Lisa M. Matlin has a solid grasp on her narrative there are some annoyingly unresolved loose ends. But, for the most part, this is a deliciously terrifying read about Sarah's physical, mental, and emotional deterioration as she attempts to remodel a house that defiantly resists change.
I'm glad this leans into the haunted house (and haunted person) horror motif as much as I thought it would. I thought it would veer more into thriller territory, and I'm pleasantly surprised by how eerie it is. The twist is somewhat predictable--though the epilogue provides a satisfying counter-twist--and although Lisa M. Matlin has a solid grasp on her narrative there are some annoyingly unresolved loose ends. But, for the most part, this is a deliciously terrifying read about Sarah's physical, mental, and emotional deterioration as she attempts to remodel a house that defiantly resists change.
3.5 rounded up. This wasn't a book I felt engrossed in but I did feel entertained. The plot kept me interested and it was a good spooky book to read in October - especially on dreary, rainy days.
This book felt like the Scream movies. Everything is suspect. Are characters and things happening really what they seem? Who can you trust? There are some twists. I liken this to the horror/mystery/suspense version of a cozy mystery. It's more of a fun read vs a deep read that gets you thinking.
This book felt like the Scream movies. Everything is suspect. Are characters and things happening really what they seem? Who can you trust? There are some twists. I liken this to the horror/mystery/suspense version of a cozy mystery. It's more of a fun read vs a deep read that gets you thinking.