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seang81's review
4.0
I went into this book not knowing what to expect - I thought it would be a ‘person buys new house and bad things happen until they leave screaming’, which it is to a point. There’s elements of Jacobs Ladder in this, along with typical ghost stories but there is a big twist later on which almost sticks the landing. For me, it was a fun read - not scary enough to keep me from sleeping but paced enough I stayed up to finish it. Who’s it for? Hard to say; those who want an easy reading ghost story will be entertained.
zarco_j's review
3.0
This is a novel take on the haunted house genre, David is haunted by both spirits and people he knows and they won't stop until he kills someone called Fitz but who is Fitz?
I've read some of the author's previous works and enjoyed them so I expected to enjoy this more than I actually did. It's not got that extra something that would make it a 5* read, but I'm happy to give 3 solid stars as I did keep thinking about the book when I wasn't reading it.
The ending felt a little rushed as though the author realised a sequel could be possible and wanted to tie this one up as quickly as possible.
Would I read again? Probably not even if a sequel is released.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I've read some of the author's previous works and enjoyed them so I expected to enjoy this more than I actually did. It's not got that extra something that would make it a 5* read, but I'm happy to give 3 solid stars as I did keep thinking about the book when I wasn't reading it.
The ending felt a little rushed as though the author realised a sequel could be possible and wanted to tie this one up as quickly as possible.
Would I read again? Probably not even if a sequel is released.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
ivyinthepages's review
2.0
Rating: 2.5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 2/5
Cover: 3.75/5
Story: 1.5/5
Writing: 2/5
Horror: 2/5
Genre: Horror
Type: Ebook
Worth?: No
Hated|Disliked|It Was Okay|Liked|Loved
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
First thing I want to say is if Steven would find a better editor it would be a good story, or at least decent. The writing alone was just... not the best. For example, how he said someone was sitting but they were also rolling around? That part could have been TERRIFYING if I wasn't drawn out of my zone of focus. Again, with the right editor this could have gone from a 2 to at least a 4.
Characters: 2/5
Cover: 3.75/5
Story: 1.5/5
Writing: 2/5
Horror: 2/5
Genre: Horror
Type: Ebook
Worth?: No
Hated|Disliked|It Was Okay|Liked|Loved
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
First thing I want to say is if Steven would find a better editor it would be a good story, or at least decent. The writing alone was just... not the best. For example, how he said someone was sitting but they were also rolling around? That part could have been TERRIFYING if I wasn't drawn out of my zone of focus. Again, with the right editor this could have gone from a 2 to at least a 4.
nadiajohnsonbooks's review
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up
CW: substance abuse, mental illness, suicide, murder, infidelity
I'm obsessed with haunted house stories, and the haunting in this book satisfied all my cravings for eerie atmosphere and grotesque surprises.
The protagonist, David, is an affluent depressive with few friends who decides to invest in a house to give his life a bit of direction. He buys a somewhat dilapidated turn-of-the-century house in a run down neighborhood, planning to restore it, but he immediately sees signs of the house's dark history. Soon, ghastly apparitions follow him everywhere, not just in the house. With the help of his friends and neighbor, David sets out to figure out whether these visions are the result of genuine supernatural activity, a complex hoax, or his own neurological illness.
Many of the ghosts appear to David as people he recognizes - both friends and virtual strangers - and David starts to believe that they are sending him a specific message.
This book was a really fun ride, but I'm almost not sure how to rate it. The scares were excellent, and the concept was very fun, but character development left something to be desired. Since the narrative focuses on David's perspective, I don't expect to have a clear window into the side characters' minds, but there were definitely moments where I was completely at a loss as to their motivations, and I'd have liked to see them fleshed out more as people rather than plot devices. Along the same lines, some side plots (like with David's father, or with Cassy and Fitz) felt largely extraneous to the overall plot, which could have been moved forward more concisely through other means.
That said, I definitely had fun reading it and will recommend it to other horror lovers (if only so I can have someone to talk through my book feelings with!)
I'd absolutely be down to read more of this author's work.
CW: substance abuse, mental illness, suicide, murder, infidelity
I'm obsessed with haunted house stories, and the haunting in this book satisfied all my cravings for eerie atmosphere and grotesque surprises.
The protagonist, David, is an affluent depressive with few friends who decides to invest in a house to give his life a bit of direction. He buys a somewhat dilapidated turn-of-the-century house in a run down neighborhood, planning to restore it, but he immediately sees signs of the house's dark history. Soon, ghastly apparitions follow him everywhere, not just in the house. With the help of his friends and neighbor, David sets out to figure out whether these visions are the result of genuine supernatural activity, a complex hoax, or his own neurological illness.
Many of the ghosts appear to David as people he recognizes - both friends and virtual strangers - and David starts to believe that they are sending him a specific message.
This book was a really fun ride, but I'm almost not sure how to rate it. The scares were excellent, and the concept was very fun, but character development left something to be desired. Since the narrative focuses on David's perspective, I don't expect to have a clear window into the side characters' minds, but there were definitely moments where I was completely at a loss as to their motivations, and I'd have liked to see them fleshed out more as people rather than plot devices. Along the same lines, some side plots (like with David's father, or with Cassy and Fitz) felt largely extraneous to the overall plot, which could have been moved forward more concisely through other means.
That said, I definitely had fun reading it and will recommend it to other horror lovers (if only so I can have someone to talk through my book feelings with!)
I'd absolutely be down to read more of this author's work.
ellasreadingnook's review
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for providing me with the ARC!
This one was an interesting read and had a lot of potential with the plot and its twists. I went in expecting the usual haunted house story, but this book offered a lot more than that. I didn't enjoy the writing style or voice of David's character as it all seemed a bit rushed - at times, I felt like I was reading a bulleted list of everything the characters were doing without much description.
That being said, the concept really made up for everything I didn't quite like. Strange things start happening right from the start, and before long it's clear that something more than a regular haunting is going on. After about thirty percent of the way into the story, it got really difficult to put the book down. I wanted to know what was actually going on with David's character and the house, and I wasn't disappointed with the twists at the end.
Overall, I thought that the concept was well thought-out, but the book needed different take with the writing style and voice of David's character.
This one was an interesting read and had a lot of potential with the plot and its twists. I went in expecting the usual haunted house story, but this book offered a lot more than that. I didn't enjoy the writing style or voice of David's character as it all seemed a bit rushed - at times, I felt like I was reading a bulleted list of everything the characters were doing without much description.
That being said, the concept really made up for everything I didn't quite like. Strange things start happening right from the start, and before long it's clear that something more than a regular haunting is going on. After about thirty percent of the way into the story, it got really difficult to put the book down. I wanted to know what was actually going on with David's character and the house, and I wasn't disappointed with the twists at the end.
Overall, I thought that the concept was well thought-out, but the book needed different take with the writing style and voice of David's character.
jayfr's review
3.0
This is a novel take on the haunted house genre, David is haunted by both spirits and people he knows and they won't stop until he kills someone called Fitz but who is Fitz?
I've read some of the author's previous works and enjoyed them so I expected to enjoy this more than I actually did. It's not got that extra something that would make it a 5* read, but I'm happy to give 3 solid stars as I did keep thinking about the book when I wasn't reading it.
The ending felt a little rushed as though the author realised a sequel could be possible and wanted to tie this one up as quickly as possible.
Would I read again? Probably not even if a sequel is released.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I've read some of the author's previous works and enjoyed them so I expected to enjoy this more than I actually did. It's not got that extra something that would make it a 5* read, but I'm happy to give 3 solid stars as I did keep thinking about the book when I wasn't reading it.
The ending felt a little rushed as though the author realised a sequel could be possible and wanted to tie this one up as quickly as possible.
Would I read again? Probably not even if a sequel is released.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
stormnatreadseverything's review
5.0
What an absolute delight to read – this was such a unique premise and gave me all of the psychological thriller fun I want from a horror along with well-placed and well-timed humour to add some lightness. I think it’s important to know that this isn’t a typical ghost or horror story, and the characters aren’t your typical ghosts – however, the characters are all wonderfully written, and the entire plot is captivating
Hopstaken is incredible. There’s a reason the early reviews are as high as they are.
If you’re looking for a book that will keep you guessing, on edge and invested from the first chapter, this is the one for you. The pacing felt perfect, leaving the perfect amount of time and space to process the story and question what comes next. So many eerie moments! This is a five star read that kept me hooked from the minute I booted up my kindle.
As usual, I read this initially as an ARC through NetGalley, but I’m genuinely excited for this to be released so I can add it to my shelves and revisit Hopstaken’s writing again and again.
Hopstaken is incredible. There’s a reason the early reviews are as high as they are.
If you’re looking for a book that will keep you guessing, on edge and invested from the first chapter, this is the one for you. The pacing felt perfect, leaving the perfect amount of time and space to process the story and question what comes next. So many eerie moments! This is a five star read that kept me hooked from the minute I booted up my kindle.
As usual, I read this initially as an ARC through NetGalley, but I’m genuinely excited for this to be released so I can add it to my shelves and revisit Hopstaken’s writing again and again.
the_sassy_bookworm's review
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Man Among Ghosts by Steven Hopstaken is a gripping and haunting thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The story follows David, who after surviving a near-death experience, finds himself haunted by ghosts in an old Victorian house he’s renovating. These spirits are not yet dead and are begging for his help and offering him protection from a demonic presence that wants him dead. As his paranoia ramps up, he discovers that the only way to end the haunting is to kill a man named “Fitz.”
The book starts off slowly, but once the plot kicks in, it becomes impossible to put down. The writing style does initially seem clunky, with repeated use of phrases such as ‘David imagined,’ which can be distracting at first. However, it’s worth reading through this to get to the meat of the story itself.
The characters are well-crafted and fleshed out throughout the book. There’s an excellent balance between action and introspection that provides depth to each character and their motivations. One of the strongest aspects of this novel is how Hopstaken makes readers feel as if they’re part of the story itself.
Overall, I would highly recommend A Man Among Ghosts. The chilling storyline will keep you guessing until its jaw-dropping climax while its interesting characters make you care about what happens to them next. It’s easily one of the best books I have read in awhile, despite some initial hiccups.
**ARC via NetGalley**
A Man Among Ghosts by Steven Hopstaken is a gripping and haunting thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The story follows David, who after surviving a near-death experience, finds himself haunted by ghosts in an old Victorian house he’s renovating. These spirits are not yet dead and are begging for his help and offering him protection from a demonic presence that wants him dead. As his paranoia ramps up, he discovers that the only way to end the haunting is to kill a man named “Fitz.”
The book starts off slowly, but once the plot kicks in, it becomes impossible to put down. The writing style does initially seem clunky, with repeated use of phrases such as ‘David imagined,’ which can be distracting at first. However, it’s worth reading through this to get to the meat of the story itself.
The characters are well-crafted and fleshed out throughout the book. There’s an excellent balance between action and introspection that provides depth to each character and their motivations. One of the strongest aspects of this novel is how Hopstaken makes readers feel as if they’re part of the story itself.
Overall, I would highly recommend A Man Among Ghosts. The chilling storyline will keep you guessing until its jaw-dropping climax while its interesting characters make you care about what happens to them next. It’s easily one of the best books I have read in awhile, despite some initial hiccups.
**ARC via NetGalley**
joy_b's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
2.5
emeraldreviews's review
5.0
A Man Among Ghosts is a darkly funny, paranormal adventure through the eyes of one poor tormented individual.
This novel is like a book version of the paranormal activity movie packed full of satirical humour. Throughout the entire story you are subjected to moments that make you feel deep frustration for David, all he wants is his life and blow by blow, life takes its toll on him.
The beginning of the book is supremely ominous, there is a major trigger warning for suicide which is continuously referenced throughout. This scene is integral to the story though and sets the novel up in a brilliant way.
David is a fantastic protagonist who grows immensely throughout the read. Steve Hopstaken has done an outstanding job of creating a relatable, deep character with a rich set of character growth situations.
The stories prowess is cemented in its scenes of paranormal craziness. Steve Hopstaken is extremely talented when it comes to these scenes and I absolutely adored reading them, no matter how dark they may be!
A Man Among Ghosts is another fantastic instalment from Flame Tree Press and paranormal thriller fans are sure to have a blast with this one!
This novel is like a book version of the paranormal activity movie packed full of satirical humour. Throughout the entire story you are subjected to moments that make you feel deep frustration for David, all he wants is his life and blow by blow, life takes its toll on him.
The beginning of the book is supremely ominous, there is a major trigger warning for suicide which is continuously referenced throughout. This scene is integral to the story though and sets the novel up in a brilliant way.
David is a fantastic protagonist who grows immensely throughout the read. Steve Hopstaken has done an outstanding job of creating a relatable, deep character with a rich set of character growth situations.
The stories prowess is cemented in its scenes of paranormal craziness. Steve Hopstaken is extremely talented when it comes to these scenes and I absolutely adored reading them, no matter how dark they may be!
A Man Among Ghosts is another fantastic instalment from Flame Tree Press and paranormal thriller fans are sure to have a blast with this one!