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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"She Is a Haunting" by Trang Thanh Tran is a moody, gothic ghost story layered with themes of belonging, colonialism, generational trauma, biphobia, and the constant ache of never feeling enough; it’s atmospheric and thematically ambitious, with moments of sharp insight.
The premise promised a haunted house narrative with fresh cultural and emotional underpinnings, and there are points where it absolutely delivers. The setting is rich, with creeping dread built into the walls, and the themes are ones I rarely see explored in this kind of gothic horror.
The story follows Jade, a Vietnamese American teenager visiting her estranged father in Vietnam while staying in a French colonial house with a dark history. As she uncovers the home’s secrets, the book ties supernatural horror to the lingering wounds of colonialism and the fractures within families. At its best, the novel blends personal and political hauntings into a cohesive, unsettling mood.
Where the book faltered for me was in the execution of its relationships and pacing. The connections between characters often felt forced, leaning toward melodrama rather than authenticity, and the story occasionally meandered instead of cutting to the heart of its most compelling ideas. While the gothic elements are solid and the themes fresh, the impact is softer than I hoped for.
I gave "She Is a Haunting" 3.25 stars (rounded to 3 for Goodreads). It is atmospheric, meaningful in its intentions, and worth picking up for its unique perspective on the haunted house genre. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy YA gothic horror with strong thematic threads and a slow, lingering pace. I would not recommend it to those looking for tightly woven narratives, fully organic relationships, or horror that leaves a lasting chill.
The premise promised a haunted house narrative with fresh cultural and emotional underpinnings, and there are points where it absolutely delivers. The setting is rich, with creeping dread built into the walls, and the themes are ones I rarely see explored in this kind of gothic horror.
The story follows Jade, a Vietnamese American teenager visiting her estranged father in Vietnam while staying in a French colonial house with a dark history. As she uncovers the home’s secrets, the book ties supernatural horror to the lingering wounds of colonialism and the fractures within families. At its best, the novel blends personal and political hauntings into a cohesive, unsettling mood.
Where the book faltered for me was in the execution of its relationships and pacing. The connections between characters often felt forced, leaning toward melodrama rather than authenticity, and the story occasionally meandered instead of cutting to the heart of its most compelling ideas. While the gothic elements are solid and the themes fresh, the impact is softer than I hoped for.
I gave "She Is a Haunting" 3.25 stars (rounded to 3 for Goodreads). It is atmospheric, meaningful in its intentions, and worth picking up for its unique perspective on the haunted house genre. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy YA gothic horror with strong thematic threads and a slow, lingering pace. I would not recommend it to those looking for tightly woven narratives, fully organic relationships, or horror that leaves a lasting chill.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this was a solid ghost and haunted house story.
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes