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2.88 AVERAGE
2.88 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Romance, authors, horror, haunted mansion!? Literally what more can you want! This was a super fun read.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.
This was an interesting read, and mostly enjoyable, but also a little odd. I was left with some very mixed feelings about elements of the story after I was done, but would also gladly give another book by this author a try.
The romance element could use a little more backstory or motivation beyond "one character assaulted another" in the beginning (hitting someone hard enough to leave a scar is a little much to me). There are small points of mentioning that these two characters have a history that I think would have been great much earlier in the book, or if it was clearly stated that the spiritual connection was enhancing their hidden emotions.
All in all, it's a pretty enjoyable romantic story with some really excellent elements, though the conflicting emotions raised by the main characters' relationship did affect my ability to stay in the story.
For sensitive readers, there are supernatural elements, body horror, explicit sex scenes, assault, slurs, and racism.
This was an interesting read, and mostly enjoyable, but also a little odd. I was left with some very mixed feelings about elements of the story after I was done, but would also gladly give another book by this author a try.
The romance element could use a little more backstory or motivation beyond "one character assaulted another" in the beginning (hitting someone hard enough to leave a scar is a little much to me). There are small points of mentioning that these two characters have a history that I think would have been great much earlier in the book, or if it was clearly stated that the spiritual connection was enhancing their hidden emotions.
All in all, it's a pretty enjoyable romantic story with some really excellent elements, though the conflicting emotions raised by the main characters' relationship did affect my ability to stay in the story.
For sensitive readers, there are supernatural elements, body horror, explicit sex scenes, assault, slurs, and racism.
In a Scotland castle, two rival Indigenous authors with deep seated resentment and a violent past incident are tricked into attending the same writers retreat where they come together to solve a ghost story.
She has big feelings, he has big feelings - and I feel that the author does good job expressing where those frustrations come from which is ultimately that Indigenous authors are often watered down to be more marketable to the masses in the publishing industry. If not ultimately making them seem full of emotions that they don't quite know how to direct.
Overall, this was an alright read - definitely on the fence between a 3.5 - 4 ⭐ . There was some slow-burn and the spice was about a 3.
There were parts that were slightly cringe, a lot of repetition going on as the dual POV bounced back and forth. The last 25% of the book was a big of a whirlwind, but there were some solid character growth and dialogue which was nice to read. And it's marketed as a romance infused horror story, but I didn't get that vibe. I would have classified this solely in the paranormal romance category.
She has big feelings, he has big feelings - and I feel that the author does good job expressing where those frustrations come from which is ultimately that Indigenous authors are often watered down to be more marketable to the masses in the publishing industry. If not ultimately making them seem full of emotions that they don't quite know how to direct.
Overall, this was an alright read - definitely on the fence between a 3.5 - 4 ⭐ . There was some slow-burn and the spice was about a 3.
There were parts that were slightly cringe, a lot of repetition going on as the dual POV bounced back and forth. The last 25% of the book was a big of a whirlwind, but there were some solid character growth and dialogue which was nice to read. And it's marketed as a romance infused horror story, but I didn't get that vibe. I would have classified this solely in the paranormal romance category.
Penelope Skinner and Neil Storm are horror writers who write about their Native American culture. Pen has had one book published and Neil Storm seems to be the Stephen King of Native writers. When they appear on a panel together at a book conference, Pen loses her mind and accuses Neil of selling out his culture to sell books. She actually THROWS a book at him that cuts his skin and leaves a scar.
I really just did not understand this book. One of the largest bones of contention is the authenticity of Native culture between two writers, so of course this author sends them off to Scotland to experience THAT culture. What a waste of a chance to educate people about what is and what is not Native culture. The fact that they are Native Americans seems kind of a throwaway issue instead of central to the story which is ironic as that issue is central to their antipathy toward one another. I also did not care for the main character(s). Pen is violent toward Neil; on more than one occasion. That is NEVER cool and Neil just seems like a one dimensional character who just takes it. This book defines toxic relationships. Also, the characters seem very young (especially Pen), but have somehow managed to be in the industry for some time (at least 5 years in Pen's case). Then we have to believe that utter loathing on Pen's part for Neil all of a sudden is insta-love and insta-lust. The ghost story is not bad, but I just could not get past the dislikes enough to care.
*Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martins Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really just did not understand this book. One of the largest bones of contention is the authenticity of Native culture between two writers, so of course this author sends them off to Scotland to experience THAT culture. What a waste of a chance to educate people about what is and what is not Native culture. The fact that they are Native Americans seems kind of a throwaway issue instead of central to the story which is ironic as that issue is central to their antipathy toward one another. I also did not care for the main character(s). Pen is violent toward Neil; on more than one occasion. That is NEVER cool and Neil just seems like a one dimensional character who just takes it. This book defines toxic relationships. Also, the characters seem very young (especially Pen), but have somehow managed to be in the industry for some time (at least 5 years in Pen's case). Then we have to believe that utter loathing on Pen's part for Neil all of a sudden is insta-love and insta-lust. The ghost story is not bad, but I just could not get past the dislikes enough to care.
*Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martins Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
This book had all the makings of one I would've devoured in an instant. Sadly, they just didn't come together quite that way for me. The story is entertaining enough, the mystery and romance are fair and overall, there's nothing negative to say about the book. The author is an accomplished writer and her descriptive passages and dialogue are on the mark. But you know how when you watch a movie and the atmosphere is great and the premise is spot on, but you come away from it feeling like it just wasn't all that? That's kind of the feeling I was left with after finishing this book. And each time I went to pick it up to continue, it felt more out of a sense of duty to complete it rather than enjoyment. I will say, everyone has their own opinion and might read this and think I'm way off base and I really hope so, because someone somewhere should give this book some love. It just isn't going to be me.
***I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley. My review is strictly voluntary.***
***I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley. My review is strictly voluntary.***
