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smrw's review against another edition
DNF 55%
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read but this one just ain't for me. I'm finding it so boring! And it shouldn't be with what's been happening but I'm throwing in the proverbial towel.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read but this one just ain't for me. I'm finding it so boring! And it shouldn't be with what's been happening but I'm throwing in the proverbial towel.
meowdermix's review against another edition
4.0
This ARC was provided by Netgalley for review.
This was one hell of a horror! Malevolent objects aren't new as a horror theme, but Philip explored this concept in a unique and interesting way. I noticed that the story started to drag when we went back to the 1700s for more detail on this desk's history. I'm not big into period pieces, so that may have played a part in how I viewed that section. I felt like it could have been more concise, but others may not agree. I could have also done without the SA/domestic abuse section, but the author kept it fairly brief. I think this would do well with a content warning as it's not necessarily an expected theme in horror. The evolution of the malevolent desk was interesting, and I found the characters to be well fleshed out. I think I expected a little more from Violet toward the finale, but it ended a bit abruptly. I'm not sure if that was a setup for a sequel as I felt like the rest of this book closed appropriately. As a whole, I'm glad I picked this book, and would certainly recommend it to other horror enthusiasts.
This was one hell of a horror! Malevolent objects aren't new as a horror theme, but Philip explored this concept in a unique and interesting way. I noticed that the story started to drag when we went back to the 1700s for more detail on this desk's history. I'm not big into period pieces, so that may have played a part in how I viewed that section. I felt like it could have been more concise, but others may not agree. I could have also done without the SA/domestic abuse section, but the author kept it fairly brief. I think this would do well with a content warning as it's not necessarily an expected theme in horror. The evolution of the malevolent desk was interesting, and I found the characters to be well fleshed out. I think I expected a little more from Violet toward the finale, but it ended a bit abruptly. I'm not sure if that was a setup for a sequel as I felt like the rest of this book closed appropriately. As a whole, I'm glad I picked this book, and would certainly recommend it to other horror enthusiasts.
rojo25's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Body horror, Death, Sexual violence, Rape, and Suicide attempt
bozzi1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
After reading and loving Boys in the Valley and now Gothic, all I can think is that Philip Fracassi is the real deal. Like King, McCammon, and McDowell, he gets horror…really gets it.
He does a great job of developing characters you can relate to and/or care about. He puts those characters in a sinister situation and then pulls no punches on the horror. It’s violent, graphic, and at times it’s over the top but it feels old school, not like most modern extreme horror.
I loved every nod to the masters that came before him, the obvious and the subtle, and I’m happy to have another author to join their ranks on my bookshelves.
He does a great job of developing characters you can relate to and/or care about. He puts those characters in a sinister situation and then pulls no punches on the horror. It’s violent, graphic, and at times it’s over the top but it feels old school, not like most modern extreme horror.
I loved every nod to the masters that came before him, the obvious and the subtle, and I’m happy to have another author to join their ranks on my bookshelves.
booksonawire's review against another edition
5.0
This read so much like a vintage horror, so much I was actually impressed. I will definitely be seeking out more of his works and I'm really tempted to get this for my shelves. It does have quite a few triggers including on-page SA, so I would do your research!
entazis's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
saba_ts's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
ljpopa's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shrike_'s review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
"It's Christine, but wood!"
But like, no, for real Billy - it's Christine but wood. Tyson is a "washed up" formerly hugely successful horror author who receives a desk upgrade from his partner in the hopes of reviving his writing and reinvigorating his career to bring forth another, new, best-selling horror masterpiece. Unfortunately for all involved parties, the thousands of dollars worth of desk she purchases is a very old, very powerful piece of less than friendly magic.
Without giving a full rundown of the story, Gothic focuses on Tyson's descent as the desk helps him to fly through a new masterpiece while turning him further and further from the man his partner (and other loved ones) have always known him to be. All the while the story weaves in the perspective of a woman who has spent the better part of her adult life searching for this desk and is hot on the trail.
All in all, Gothic was a fun read (albeit, perhaps a tiny bit predictable) that did its due diligence to keep me engaged and curious to see how things would descend further in the next chapter. As a whole I would say it's a fairly quick going read for anyone who enjoys horror, or is just really enjoys magically infused murder-objects.
But like, no, for real Billy - it's Christine but wood. Tyson is a "washed up" formerly hugely successful horror author who receives a desk upgrade from his partner in the hopes of reviving his writing and reinvigorating his career to bring forth another, new, best-selling horror masterpiece. Unfortunately for all involved parties, the thousands of dollars worth of desk she purchases is a very old, very powerful piece of less than friendly magic.
Without giving a full rundown of the story, Gothic focuses on Tyson's descent as the desk helps him to fly through a new masterpiece while turning him further and further from the man his partner (and other loved ones) have always known him to be. All the while the story weaves in the perspective of a woman who has spent the better part of her adult life searching for this desk and is hot on the trail.
All in all, Gothic was a fun read (albeit, perhaps a tiny bit predictable) that did its due diligence to keep me engaged and curious to see how things would descend further in the next chapter. As a whole I would say it's a fairly quick going read for anyone who enjoys horror, or is just really enjoys magically infused murder-objects.