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ageekybibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Great start to the series. Once I started this book I was hooked and really enjoyed it. Now need to get book two from the library and get started on that.
bookishwyvern07's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hrjs9223's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shawna_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-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
3.0
"What makes you say 'poor' spirit?"
"Isn't that what these apparitions are - the desolate souls of those unfortunates who have left their earthly bodies in traumatic, or perhaps even tragic circumstances?"
David Ash is a paranormal investigator, but he isn't your ordinary investigator. He doesn't believe in the paranormal and lives to debunk theories. Until he gets a job investigating a haunting at Edbrook house - three nights of horrifying games, puzzles that don't make sense, and revealed secrets of his past before the real nightmare comes.
This book had a great premise so I had high expectations going into it, however it fell a bit flat. Don't get me wrong, I did like it for the most part, but I felt like there could have been so much more to it to make it better.
The setting was perfect. The story mostly took part at Edbrook house which was very creepy and atmospheric. The supernatural events were shocking and eerie, and you could really feel David's emotional torment.
The characters didn't have enough depth and there was a lot of back and forth between the present and some memories between David and his colleagues. I normally like this, but the way it was done didn't flow well and caused a bit of confusion while trying to follow along.
Overall, I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. This book is part of a trilogy, so maybe one day I continue on with it.
"Isn't that what these apparitions are - the desolate souls of those unfortunates who have left their earthly bodies in traumatic, or perhaps even tragic circumstances?"
David Ash is a paranormal investigator, but he isn't your ordinary investigator. He doesn't believe in the paranormal and lives to debunk theories. Until he gets a job investigating a haunting at Edbrook house - three nights of horrifying games, puzzles that don't make sense, and revealed secrets of his past before the real nightmare comes.
This book had a great premise so I had high expectations going into it, however it fell a bit flat. Don't get me wrong, I did like it for the most part, but I felt like there could have been so much more to it to make it better.
The setting was perfect. The story mostly took part at Edbrook house which was very creepy and atmospheric. The supernatural events were shocking and eerie, and you could really feel David's emotional torment.
The characters didn't have enough depth and there was a lot of back and forth between the present and some memories between David and his colleagues. I normally like this, but the way it was done didn't flow well and caused a bit of confusion while trying to follow along.
Overall, I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. This book is part of a trilogy, so maybe one day I continue on with it.
arranjc's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
readandlisten's review against another edition
4.0
James Herbert writes a pretty decent story every time out and this is no exception.
wunkymatts's review against another edition
1.0
Why is James Herbert as popular as he is? I can only think it's because he's quite prolific, because I struggle to believe it's his skills as a writer.
I'd read two books by him before, and both were absolutely clunkers. I only tried this one because it was small and short and I could easily put it in a bag for a weekend away and it came in my book subscription. Also it's a haunted house story and I was always a sucker for a haunted house story.
But why is he so bad? I'm so glad you asked. The biggest issue I have with him is he is a misogynistic twat. He couldn't write a decent female character if his royalty cheque depended on it. Frustratingly it doesn't seem to. The first time we are introduced to female characters they are discussing their weight in the most patronising terms. I nearly yeeted the book across the room there and then. Herbert is also at great pains to tell us that, it's OK, the most prominent woman in the book is older than thirty, but don't fret because she's still hot. The rest of the women's appearance is pointlessly pointed out and mused over.
The main character is also a complete cookie cutter anti hero. Yawn. Oh no, David Ash has a mild drinking problem. He's surly and emotionally unavailable like a thousand other main male characters written by pathetic men who want to be interesting. Pity he doesn't have a personality.
The writing is unbearably clunky. The plot is passable, if derivative and you can see the twist coming from a mile away, but the descriptions are just awful. Flat, unwieldy prose that is only just about bearable in a 240 page book. His longer ones should probably be outlawed as a form of psychological torture.
I'd read two books by him before, and both were absolutely clunkers. I only tried this one because it was small and short and I could easily put it in a bag for a weekend away and it came in my book subscription. Also it's a haunted house story and I was always a sucker for a haunted house story.
But why is he so bad? I'm so glad you asked. The biggest issue I have with him is he is a misogynistic twat. He couldn't write a decent female character if his royalty cheque depended on it. Frustratingly it doesn't seem to. The first time we are introduced to female characters they are discussing their weight in the most patronising terms. I nearly yeeted the book across the room there and then. Herbert is also at great pains to tell us that, it's OK, the most prominent woman in the book is older than thirty, but don't fret because she's still hot. The rest of the women's appearance is pointlessly pointed out and mused over.
The main character is also a complete cookie cutter anti hero. Yawn. Oh no, David Ash has a mild drinking problem. He's surly and emotionally unavailable like a thousand other main male characters written by pathetic men who want to be interesting. Pity he doesn't have a personality.
The writing is unbearably clunky. The plot is passable, if derivative and you can see the twist coming from a mile away, but the descriptions are just awful. Flat, unwieldy prose that is only just about bearable in a 240 page book. His longer ones should probably be outlawed as a form of psychological torture.
blatdriver's review against another edition
3.0
I would give this book 3.5 stars.
This is the first of the David Ash trilogy, which I did not find out until I was about halfway through. I do not know if the story continues on, or if it is completely different. But the story wraps up nicely without any cliff hangers.
This is an old-fashioned ghost story, it was a bit predictable, but I still liked it, and really want to know what happens to the David Ash character in the next two books.
This is the first of the David Ash trilogy, which I did not find out until I was about halfway through. I do not know if the story continues on, or if it is completely different. But the story wraps up nicely without any cliff hangers.
This is an old-fashioned ghost story, it was a bit predictable, but I still liked it, and really want to know what happens to the David Ash character in the next two books.
heatherwillard's review against another edition
excelent book total twist in the end!!!