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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sager writes horror brain candy.
He knows his formula works...and he sticks to it.
In this case, a woman returns to her childhood home - one which was chronicled in her fathers "Amityville Horror" type book "House of Horrors." (So, it does, at times, feel like an Amityville rip off.)
The book alternates between excerpts from the book and Maggie's experience as she returns to the home to sell it after her father dies. It's clearly written so that Maggie's father's experience as written reflects the ghostly and unexplained things she experiences as she lives in the house and works to renovate it.
As with all of Sager books - there's a supernatural element to the occurrences, but there are also a number of other suspects in town who could ground the haunting in reality. As much as you want this to be a supernatural thriller, as the book progresses, you almost are forced to believe that there is a rational explanation for what Maggie is experiencing.
There were a few creepy moments in Maggie's narrative - but the scary moments in her father's book seemed a bit contrived and corny, so that it almost seemed like it wasn't real.
And, as with all horror movies these days - and Sager books - there's a twist...which seems relatively believable (although I've read his books enough to predict an aspect of it)...but then there's a twist on a twist...that brings it into the realm of ridiculous.
And I dare you to count how many times he uses the words "Baneberry Hell." It's a silly name, and its repeated so often in the book, it becomes utterly annoying.
But, as long as Sager keeps churning them out, I'll keep reading them
He knows his formula works...and he sticks to it.
In this case, a woman returns to her childhood home - one which was chronicled in her fathers "Amityville Horror" type book "House of Horrors." (So, it does, at times, feel like an Amityville rip off.)
The book alternates between excerpts from the book and Maggie's experience as she returns to the home to sell it after her father dies. It's clearly written so that Maggie's father's experience as written reflects the ghostly and unexplained things she experiences as she lives in the house and works to renovate it.
As with all of Sager books - there's a supernatural element to the occurrences, but there are also a number of other suspects in town who could ground the haunting in reality. As much as you want this to be a supernatural thriller, as the book progresses, you almost are forced to believe that there is a rational explanation for what Maggie is experiencing.
There were a few creepy moments in Maggie's narrative - but the scary moments in her father's book seemed a bit contrived and corny, so that it almost seemed like it wasn't real.
And, as with all horror movies these days - and Sager books - there's a twist...which seems relatively believable (although I've read his books enough to predict an aspect of it)...but then there's a twist on a twist...that brings it into the realm of ridiculous.
And I dare you to count how many times he uses the words "Baneberry Hell." It's a silly name, and its repeated so often in the book, it becomes utterly annoying.
But, as long as Sager keeps churning them out, I'll keep reading them
So many red herrings and twists. Wish the last chunk was a bit more drawn out to let it all sink in.
Another haunted house story, nothing particularly new, thrilling or scary. I feel this is one of Sager's worst books.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
My first Riley Sager thriller and I was not dissapointed.
The depth to this book was insane and with the two different POVs running through the book, this kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
This book TERRIFIED me for the most part and I was confused if I was reading a horror or a thriller but I guess both(?). The ending was totally unpredictable and considering how many thrillers I read, I really should be getting better at guessing the endings...
Overall I rated this book 4.5/5 stars
Goal: 5/50
The depth to this book was insane and with the two different POVs running through the book, this kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
This book TERRIFIED me for the most part and I was confused if I was reading a horror or a thriller but I guess both(?). The ending was totally unpredictable and considering how many thrillers I read, I really should be getting better at guessing the endings...
Overall I rated this book 4.5/5 stars
Goal: 5/50
3.5* I did not see that ending coming and I always appreciate when a mystery keeps me guessing until the very end... Although I have to say the last little bit felt a biiit rushed and unsatisfying.
mysterious
medium-paced
Honestly, if I hadnt seen all the hype I might have liked it better. I had set my expectations pretty high.