Reviews with content warning for Child death - The Spite House

Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Spite House by Johnny Compton

45 reviews

adiajamille's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.5

There were a couple little questions that didn’t get answered enough for me. But it was mysterious, and engaging. I also think it’d make a really great show, because there’s so many stories to tell, and details that would make for a great experience.

Content Warnings

amyparsons's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

zophar53's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

maryellen's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Content Warnings

archaicrobin's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

4.0

The Spite House is not your usual haunted house story and that’s one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much. Eric is on the run with his teenage daughter Dess and his youngest daughter Stacy for reasons we do not know until much later. Struggling to make ends meet from motel to motel Eric sees a very generous offer in the paper to stay in a haunted house and prove that spirits are real. Thinking it’s too good to be true he interviews and is immediately given the job. However, upon entering the Spite House it becomes clear that this house is not only haunted, but that the haunting is not your typical bumps in the night type of phenomenon. The houses rich and dark history makes the slow unraveling of what’s really going on an intriguing mystery.

In addition to the unique plot, what also really struck me about this book was the strong family dynamic that propels this story. I loved the characters, especially the eldest daughter Dess and could relate to the connection she had with her dad and sister. Every decision made in this book stems from personal choices to protect each other, giving it another element entirely. This story is a southern gothic with an interesting twist on the haunted house narrative and also a look at the strength of love and what we’re willing to do for those we care about.

While I did enjoy this book, I do recognize it is not for everyone. The writing can be repetitive at times and it is the definition of a slow burn horror. I also didn’t find this novel
scary, so if you’re looking for a terrifying read this one will fall flat for you.

If you love haunted house stories, especially those that differ from the norm, and enjoy strong characters, The Spite House is one I would reccomend!

Content Warnings

sabrinalefebvre's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark tense 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? No

4.5

4.5 ⭐️

I don’t understand the low rating this book has. I know that weirder or horror books usually get a lower rating but this was so good.

I loved all the characters. Stacy was such an interesting perspective, I loved seeing the perspective if a protective father and Dess felt like a real person.

And this is a debut novel! Can’t wait to read more of his work.

I do wish it was a bit longer, so we could have had more scenes in the house, both past and present.

Content Warnings

rorikae's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

'The Spite House' by Johnny Compton is a haunted house story with an interesting concept but not as much atmosphere as I was hoping.
The Spite House is true to its name, built out of the spite held by one man. Eric Ross and his two daughters are running away from mysterious circumstances and looking for a way to make money without bringing too much attention to themselves. The offer of staying in the Spite House feels like the perfect opportunity. But when the Ross' move in, the house makes it clear that they are not welcome and embroils them in circumstances that spill out beyond the house's walls.
I am fascinated by the work that Compton has done concocting the lore and character motivations at the heart of 'The Spite House.' He has created a set of complicated characters, where it is easy to understand both protagonists and antagonists. As we slowly begin to understand more about what drove Eric and his daughters away from their normal lives, we come to better understand how they are easily embroiled in the Spite House. I was really hoping for a bit more atmosphere. A great deal of this story is about the house while only a choice few moments are spent within the actual house itself. I would have loved to see more dread built up through moments in the house. I am intrigued to see what Compton writes next as the thought put into the story is clear and he's juggling a number of fascinating concepts.

Content Warnings