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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t stop reading it! This author is amazing, and is making me fall in love with horror books. I was constantly second guessing what was really happening and had no clue where this one would end up. The ending was really crazy - almost too crazy - but I still really enjoyed it.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
I was almost disappointed in the ending, thank goodness there was more to it. I still don’t understand why the parents kept the entire thing such a secret. Like why couldn’t they tell Maggie like no there weren’t ghosts or the book is mostly not true. Other than that, i loved the mystery and history that surrounded the house.
TL;DR Review: While the story has some flaws, the building horror of the present makes up for the campy and repetitive nature of other aspects. Touching and chilling all at once, with a touch a grief thrown in as a cherry on top.
Content Warnings: Death, Murder, Abuse (Physical and Emotional) Mentioned, Suicide Mentioned, Terminal Illness, Cancer Mentioned, Parent Death, Child Death, Pedophilia Mentioned, Stalking, Home Invasion, Snakes.
”Finally, I cry for all the versions of myself that have existed through the years. Confused five-year-old. Sullen child of divorce. Furious nine-year-old. Inquisitive me. Defiant me. Dutiful me. So many incarnations, each one seeking answers, leading me to right here, to right now, to a potential truth I have no idea how to handle.”
Full Review - Contains Spoilers:
When I tell you I did not see the twist coming, I mean it - in fact, this book managed to take a step away from the formula I have become familiar with in Sager’s other works. It was refreshing, even if I find that I love his other work. It made this one stand out and the very minimal romantic subplot in general only benefitted the story overall. It allowed the focus to be on the family unit and the tragedy surrounding them, without weighing it down the unnecessary plot points.
It did not distract from all the flaws in the book, but it made what I didn’t enjoy as much more forgivable. The House of Horror chapters were the weakest link, in my eyes, as they often times became repetitive and ridiculous. While I have never come to expect the supernatural in Sager’s works, they convinced me right away that there was zero possibility of the supernatural being real becoming the twist.
Which, to be fair, could be the point. These chapters are very clearly based off The Amnityville Horror - a haunted house with a horrible past and a controversial book that seems to explain away all the bad things for the family.
And make them wealthy.
Unfortunately, while I understand why they were present - instead of keeping me engaged, they often pulled me out of the building horror. Almost resetting my emotions and easing my anxiety. It came off almost comical at some points, when the real truth behind what was happening was so horrific. It literally sent a chill down my spine.
Overall, a very enjoyable read that is not without flaws. Most excitingly though, it shows an improvement on my least favorite aspects of Sager’s first books. It makes me very excited for what comes next.
Content Warnings: Death, Murder, Abuse (Physical and Emotional) Mentioned, Suicide Mentioned, Terminal Illness, Cancer Mentioned, Parent Death, Child Death, Pedophilia Mentioned, Stalking, Home Invasion, Snakes.
”Finally, I cry for all the versions of myself that have existed through the years. Confused five-year-old. Sullen child of divorce. Furious nine-year-old. Inquisitive me. Defiant me. Dutiful me. So many incarnations, each one seeking answers, leading me to right here, to right now, to a potential truth I have no idea how to handle.”
Full Review - Contains Spoilers:
When I tell you I did not see the twist coming, I mean it - in fact, this book managed to take a step away from the formula I have become familiar with in Sager’s other works. It was refreshing, even if I find that I love his other work. It made this one stand out and the very minimal romantic subplot in general only benefitted the story overall. It allowed the focus to be on the family unit and the tragedy surrounding them, without weighing it down the unnecessary plot points.
It did not distract from all the flaws in the book, but it made what I didn’t enjoy as much more forgivable. The House of Horror chapters were the weakest link, in my eyes, as they often times became repetitive and ridiculous. While I have never come to expect the supernatural in Sager’s works, they convinced me right away that there was zero possibility of the supernatural being real becoming the twist.
Which, to be fair, could be the point. These chapters are very clearly based off The Amnityville Horror - a haunted house with a horrible past and a controversial book that seems to explain away all the bad things for the family.
And make them wealthy.
Unfortunately, while I understand why they were present - instead of keeping me engaged, they often pulled me out of the building horror. Almost resetting my emotions and easing my anxiety. It came off almost comical at some points, when the real truth behind what was happening was so horrific. It literally sent a chill down my spine.
Overall, a very enjoyable read that is not without flaws. Most excitingly though, it shows an improvement on my least favorite aspects of Sager’s first books. It makes me very excited for what comes next.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I couldn't put it down! Read this book in less than 24 hours
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Loved it! Great twists and story line, kept me on the edge of my seat and really good ending
