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lunardragon's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
iaras's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
mac2311's review against another edition
2.0
I’d give it 2.5 stars, but having to round down. This book was just, not well done. I think the author wants to write older YA / adult horror, but writes it geared to a middle school reading level for some reason. I couldn’t wait to be done with this.
A lot of, “...” I said and “...” said x character. Be prepared for the attempted New Orleans accent to come and go at random among the characters. Also, how many characters can be killed and miraculously brought back to life in 50 pages? Just seems like a lot of poor writing ability.
I’m assuming the page designs were intended to be spooky and whimsical, but they contribute to the overall juvenile feeling of the book.
Based on the summary and other reviews I was expecting a lot more nineties horror nostalgia, but the FEW horror references were mostly eighties.
A lot of, “...” I said and “...” said x character. Be prepared for the attempted New Orleans accent to come and go at random among the characters. Also, how many characters can be killed and miraculously brought back to life in 50 pages? Just seems like a lot of poor writing ability.
I’m assuming the page designs were intended to be spooky and whimsical, but they contribute to the overall juvenile feeling of the book.
Based on the summary and other reviews I was expecting a lot more nineties horror nostalgia, but the FEW horror references were mostly eighties.
bookingbonkers's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book! Brilliant characters and epic 90s nostalgia along with a perfect setting steeped in dark history. A brilliantly intricate plot with some turns and twists. One to be read every spooky season!
margrietvkuijen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
redheadragereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
czoltak's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
renettereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
4.0
We meet Mina as she first arrives from England to visit her sister Libby in New Orleans. Working a Haunted Mansion type job, Libby gets Mina a gig there too and it’s on her first night that she uncovers something that sets off a whole string of unfortunate events.
I adored this book for the nostalgic hit it gave me. Even though I only came into my teens in the late 90s, growing up with an older brother who was into Nirvana and No Doubt gave me plenty of memories to relate to this book in such a wonderful way. I loved the pop culture references throughout, especially when it came to The Lost Boys and Buffy.
I also enjoyed that the book actually felt like a 90s/early 2000s slasher movie where you could hardly take a breath before the next terrible thing befell this group of friends. There were plenty of twists and turns (some that I saw coming, others that I definitely didn’t) and I liked the pacing of it. However, towards the end of the book, things did seem a little rushed and left-field and I think it could’ve been a little more thoughtful.
In saying that, I would still really recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed R.L. Stein (I feel like this is a more grown-up version of a Goosebumps book) and definitely to everyone who wants a fun time and a huge hit of nostalgia.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
sharron_joy_reads's review against another edition
5.0
A really great nostalgic read with loads of 90’s pop culture references, it is a classic vampire story but with a modern twist, I really enjoyed it.
Mina has travelled to stay with her estranged sister, Libby in New Orleans, their mother went missing a year before and their relationship has been strained. There are the roommates, Jared ( his relationship with Mina becomes very complicated) and Lucas (a quiet artist or so he seems) and lastly Libby’s girlfriend Della.
They all work at a mansion run by Thandie where they give horror tours and then the murders start and they get pulled into it especially when Libby become the main suspect. This was a really fun read that felt like Buffy or The Lost Boys, it was a really easy read with a gothic feel and although the deaths were a little gruesome this is low level horror but well written and I really enjoyed the descriptions of New Orleans, worth reading.
Mina has travelled to stay with her estranged sister, Libby in New Orleans, their mother went missing a year before and their relationship has been strained. There are the roommates, Jared ( his relationship with Mina becomes very complicated) and Lucas (a quiet artist or so he seems) and lastly Libby’s girlfriend Della.
They all work at a mansion run by Thandie where they give horror tours and then the murders start and they get pulled into it especially when Libby become the main suspect. This was a really fun read that felt like Buffy or The Lost Boys, it was a really easy read with a gothic feel and although the deaths were a little gruesome this is low level horror but well written and I really enjoyed the descriptions of New Orleans, worth reading.