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dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
Urged on by a ghost named Frances living in her mirror, Elizabeth's first victims were her parents. When she goes to live with relatives, will Frances help Elizabeth kill again?
Elizabeth is yet another book whose existence I would have know inkling of if not for Paperbacks from Hell! I eventually overcame my cheapness and nabbed the ebook.
I'd say Elizabeth is part of the "creepy kids" subgenre of horror, although at 14 and sexually precocious, she's at the upper end of the spectrum. A long dead ancestor named Frances who lives in mirrors is Elizabeth's key to power. Her lone obstacle is Miss Barton, a tutor her family hires after her family's dead, someone from the same bloodline.
Elizabeth is touted as a lost horror classic. I can kind see why that is. There's a feeling of creeping doom through most of it, a feeling that Elizabeth is an uncaring, unfeeling monster, witch or no witch. The fact that she's not relatable in the least makes her a chilling first person narrator. There's a pretty big ick factor when Elizabeth seduces male relatives which only adds to the horror.
The book is a breezy read and short, making it really hard to put down. I only stopped because my lunch breaks only last so long. It's a little like a train wreck, waiting to see what Elizabeth does next. The writing itself is pretty unexceptional, though. Nothing remarkable, though there were a few quotable lines.
While I didn't like it quite as much as I thought I would, Elizabeth is still a worthwhile read for horror fans everywhere. 3.5 out of five stars.
Elizabeth is yet another book whose existence I would have know inkling of if not for Paperbacks from Hell! I eventually overcame my cheapness and nabbed the ebook.
I'd say Elizabeth is part of the "creepy kids" subgenre of horror, although at 14 and sexually precocious, she's at the upper end of the spectrum. A long dead ancestor named Frances who lives in mirrors is Elizabeth's key to power. Her lone obstacle is Miss Barton, a tutor her family hires after her family's dead, someone from the same bloodline.
Elizabeth is touted as a lost horror classic. I can kind see why that is. There's a feeling of creeping doom through most of it, a feeling that Elizabeth is an uncaring, unfeeling monster, witch or no witch. The fact that she's not relatable in the least makes her a chilling first person narrator. There's a pretty big ick factor when Elizabeth seduces male relatives which only adds to the horror.
The book is a breezy read and short, making it really hard to put down. I only stopped because my lunch breaks only last so long. It's a little like a train wreck, waiting to see what Elizabeth does next. The writing itself is pretty unexceptional, though. Nothing remarkable, though there were a few quotable lines.
While I didn't like it quite as much as I thought I would, Elizabeth is still a worthwhile read for horror fans everywhere. 3.5 out of five stars.
saltycorpse's review against another edition
3.0
If you liked The Exorcist and/or Lolita, read this. An uncomfortably sexual 14-year-old girl believes she has become a witch. But is she truly a witch, or in the throes of a psychological delusion caused by childhood sexual abuse and trauma? While the book isn't graphic in terms of trauma and abuse, the implications are disturbing.
libraryofaj's review against another edition
5.0
i don’t typically read books that could be considered classics or that are ever redone to be read by modern day generations but i am glad i read this book. when i saw it in a picture, something about it just grabbed my attention and i knew i needed to read it. this book had my full attention the entire time i read it. i don’t usually reread books but this is one i can definitely see myself rereading often. it’s decently short but between the content, the language & the overall feeling from this book is so eery but comforting. i will definitely be reading the other books from the original author.
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
4.0
Teenage psychopath embraces her witchy ancestry, and just wants to live peacefully in incestuous bliss in her grandmother's Manhattan brownstone, even if it means murder by toad. After my latest Valancourt read, the bonkers [b:When Darkness Loves Us|868727|When Darkness Loves Us|Elizabeth Engstrom|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1373375529l/868727._SX50_.jpg|854113], this felt almost wholesome.
remigves's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
3.25
kmmi_booklover's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
thedustbunnyslibrary's review against another edition
2.0
This had V.C Andrews vibes, and I was into the first few chapters but I liked Elizabeth less and less as the story went on. Her characterization irked me and made me dislike the whole thing. The story isn’t necessarily bad, it just wasn’t for me.
chloearielle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5