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deadhighwaybooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
dethklok1985's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately the worst book by Lee I've read. Interesting concept with a Haunted house full of psychics, but I wish their skills were fleshed out a bit more than at least one "incident" or psychic act per character. The storyline was a bit convoluted and most characters were one dimensional. Not that most characters from Lee are always the deepest, but with this novel it felt especially superficial. Total Scooby-Doo ending. The villain in the end explaining their devious plan and how they tricked protagonists and would have gotten away with it, etc. The ending is fast paced that it is noticeably rushed and is a basic Q+A between protagonist and antagonist until the final conclusion. I don't normally leave such lengthy reviews, but I was surprised that this book specifically is ranked so high on Edward Lee's works. Very disappointing, but in no way will put me off his work - he's got me interested in headers now...
xterminal's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Blood, Rape, and Violence
dnemec's review against another edition
3.0
While reading this I kept thinking it was like Richard Matheson's Hell House on steroids and all sexed up. Holy sh*t!
A wild take on the haunted house story.
A wild take on the haunted house story.
paperbackstash's review against another edition
4.0
Flesh Gothic is a powerfully written roller coaster, loaded with gore, sex, viciousness, and amazing imagery. Although the plot isn't propelled by 100 mile an hour action, it still grips the throat, dries the mouth, and tantalizes the morbid senses. The story was cloaked in mystery, even to the point of 'red herrings', with finely chiseled characterization, psychologically-addictive hooks, and in-your-face commentary. It kept me reading, so it did it's job, almost too well.
This isn't for prudish readers - but if you want your horror hot and heavy, unrelenting and fierce, try this one. It won't let down even the most jaded fans.
This isn't for prudish readers - but if you want your horror hot and heavy, unrelenting and fierce, try this one. It won't let down even the most jaded fans.
acknud's review
4.0
I know Lee is a love him or hate him kind of writer. This was my first exposure to him and I must say I enjoyed it. There is a heavily waited sexual overtone her but nothing that would approach pornographic. I did get a little tired of him describing everyone's genitals as "their sex."
literary_thrills's review against another edition
Read 40 pages of this and it’s a hard pass for me (for the time being). If for some reason I want to read this in the future then I might but honestly this is delivering some of the same shocks and terrors I’d rather get from a movie (and a movie would be much tamer, thank you).
This book is way too... sexually charged. The word “orgy” in the description really should have warned me so I guess I’m the idiot here. I don’t think the “extreme and bizarre” horror genre is for me. Also why is every character in this a medium, an alcoholic, a whore, a crackhead, or a mixture of all of the above?
This book is way too... sexually charged. The word “orgy” in the description really should have warned me so I guess I’m the idiot here. I don’t think the “extreme and bizarre” horror genre is for me. Also why is every character in this a medium, an alcoholic, a whore, a crackhead, or a mixture of all of the above?
mikekaz's review
4.0
It's been a while since I've read a good haunted house story and this book fit the bill perfectly. It had the required haunted house with ghosts, demons and other entities. It had a cast of complex characters who you weren't quite sure of which ones to trust. And it had a ton of sex. OK, sex isn't required in a haunted house story but it certainly adds to the enjoyment.
After a brief prologue and the introduction of all the characters, the story follows Westmore, a reporter who has been hired to determine the secrets behind some murders which occurred by her husband at a huge mansion. Westmore soon gets set up at the house along with two assistants and four psychics; the investigations start turning up weird event after weird event. Before we know it, paranormal events are happening daily and are taken as normal. Stranger and stranger events unfold. And a supernatural charge within the house builds until the climatic ending. All in all, a very exciting and mostly spooky read that I highly recommend.
After a brief prologue and the introduction of all the characters, the story follows Westmore, a reporter who has been hired to determine the secrets behind some murders which occurred by her husband at a huge mansion. Westmore soon gets set up at the house along with two assistants and four psychics; the investigations start turning up weird event after weird event. Before we know it, paranormal events are happening daily and are taken as normal. Stranger and stranger events unfold. And a supernatural charge within the house builds until the climatic ending. All in all, a very exciting and mostly spooky read that I highly recommend.
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