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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
A fun spooky read that had me guessing right up to the end. I’ll definitely check out more books by Riley Sager in the future.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was the most perfect book to ring in October and all things spooky. It had it all .. mysterious plot twists, suspicious "I've-Got-My-Eye-On-You" characters, family drama, and best of all, a HAUNTED HOUSE. Fans of Amityville Horror or Haunting of Hill House, this one is for you.
There were a few loose ends and twists that didn't quite make sense, and the writing was a bit predictable and cliche at times (nearly every chapter ended with a cliffhanger line, which I found pretty annoying). I'd actually give this 3-stars based on those things alone, but I'm rounding up for her creativity and ability to craft an unputdownable story.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to figure out how I'm going to sleep without Mister Shadows and Miss Pennyface haunting my dreams.
There were a few loose ends and twists that didn't quite make sense, and the writing was a bit predictable and cliche at times (nearly every chapter ended with a cliffhanger line, which I found pretty annoying). I'd actually give this 3-stars based on those things alone, but I'm rounding up for her creativity and ability to craft an unputdownable story.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to figure out how I'm going to sleep without Mister Shadows and Miss Pennyface haunting my dreams.
I smashed this huge audiobook in 2 days during travel for work, and I really enjoyed it. I think bingeing it honestly made my read more enjoyable, because it did get a little repetitive at times. I thought the mystery/mysteries were really intriguing and I was surprised about the ending! Honestly though, I feel like Riley Sager has difficulty writing female characters well. Nothing sexist about it, but I feel like he writes women like what he *thinks* they think like e.g. being jealous of a guy’s “enviable” thin waist. Uh what? Anyway I thought the setting was really atmospheric, and a good haunted house mystery ALTHOUGH at the start it’s almost IDENTICAL to the Netflix show The Haunting of Hill House. I say the show because I haven’t read the book. Not spooky at all, and I get scared easily! I even stayed at a creepy motel during reading this and I was fine!
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars.
i don’t want to get too rambly/harsh when at the end of the day, i had a really good time listening to this book and did enjoy it more than lock every door. the audiobook was narrated really well, compulsively readable and exciting. i think it did a great job with its gothic setting and descriptions of the house. the final twist was something i also didn’t see coming and left me a bit shocked.
that being said, i can see why this book would be considered boring/flat for very seasoned horror readers. i don’t think the characters were particularly good. they were fine but not lively and interesting, they felt very ‘on the page’. i’m sure this isn’t the best book of it’s kind...but it was a fun time and i don’t think anyone who likes haunted house stories would regret reading this one!
i don’t want to get too rambly/harsh when at the end of the day, i had a really good time listening to this book and did enjoy it more than lock every door. the audiobook was narrated really well, compulsively readable and exciting. i think it did a great job with its gothic setting and descriptions of the house. the final twist was something i also didn’t see coming and left me a bit shocked.
that being said, i can see why this book would be considered boring/flat for very seasoned horror readers. i don’t think the characters were particularly good. they were fine but not lively and interesting, they felt very ‘on the page’. i’m sure this isn’t the best book of it’s kind...but it was a fun time and i don’t think anyone who likes haunted house stories would regret reading this one!
Personally, I have loved Sager's novels when I first read"Final Girls" shortly after it was released. I knew that they were an author that I wanted to keep coming back to. Each novel has had its own plot twist of a plot twist and "Home Before Dark" was no different.
At first, it gave me "Haunting of Hill House" (watched it on Netflix, but haven't read it, yet) vibes, and I was already into that. Throughout the book, it becomes more and more real then what you realize. You think you know what's coming next, and you think/know who did it, or the real truth, but it'll twist so hard you won't see it coming.
I really enjoyed the format of this novel as well. It would go back and forth from Maggie's present, now, point of view, and the next would be the book her father had written. These would play off of each other and create a strong narrative overall. It made reading very smooth. You didn't want to put the book down, but it was something you could easily pick back up again.
~Rachel
At first, it gave me "Haunting of Hill House" (watched it on Netflix, but haven't read it, yet) vibes, and I was already into that. Throughout the book, it becomes more and more real then what you realize. You think you know what's coming next, and you think/know who did it, or the real truth, but it'll twist so hard you won't see it coming.
I really enjoyed the format of this novel as well. It would go back and forth from Maggie's present, now, point of view, and the next would be the book her father had written. These would play off of each other and create a strong narrative overall. It made reading very smooth. You didn't want to put the book down, but it was something you could easily pick back up again.
~Rachel
It's a fun haunted house thriller. It has suspenseful moments and the paranormal elements are spooky. It's nice to read thrillers that don't rely on cheating spouses.
4 stars
4 stars
Good prose, good pace, interesting story. Characters were well defined enough to keep me engaged. It was all very classic, but it still managed to surprise me. The "ah-ah!" moment got this a whole extra star. Otherwise a good relaxing read for those who love ghost horror.