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vanessamariebooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This story is about grief and loss and I liked that Hendrix broke up each section into one of the stages of grief. I also thought it was interesting (and well done) how Hendrix not only shows us how Louise and Mark move through the stages of grief, but also how Pumkin (a puppet) deals with his grief as well.
In the 3rd act, towards the end, the story started going in a direction I didn't expect and I would've been disappointed if it continued this way (simply because I don't like this trope in supernatural stories), but luckily it didn't and changed directions again (back to what I originally thought was going to happen).
I will say, if you're used to ghost/haunted stories like this, you'll probably see the "twist" at the end coming from the beginning (I knew where this was headed the moment we're introduced to Louise's family), but I still enjoyed it anyway. Something about Hendrix's writing makes you not want to put the book down even when you know what's coming.
Also, while this story does have a gross scene with squirrels, it's definitely not as bad as the rat scene in The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires (though I probably still wouldn't recommend eating while reading this).
In the 3rd act, towards the end, the story started going in a direction I didn't expect and I would've been disappointed if it continued this way (simply because I don't like this trope in supernatural stories), but luckily it didn't and changed directions again (back to what I originally thought was going to happen).
I will say, if you're used to ghost/haunted stories like this, you'll probably see the "twist" at the end coming from the beginning (I knew where this was headed the moment we're introduced to Louise's family), but I still enjoyed it anyway. Something about Hendrix's writing makes you not want to put the book down even when you know what's coming.
Also, while this story does have a gross scene with squirrels, it's definitely not as bad as the rat scene in The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires (though I probably still wouldn't recommend eating while reading this).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident
margolovie89's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
nicoletiff's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
go2hellstephanie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really loved this book, and it really caught me off guard.
I've read a couple of other of Hendrix's books and usually I see more comedy that balances out the horror. How to Sell a Haunted House had moments where I could feel my heart racing from terror. And I don't even really find puppets, dolls, or clowns scary.
Hendrix did an amazing job with this story. This story about grief and about family and about secrets. Highly recommend anyone looking for a good horror book!
I've read a couple of other of Hendrix's books and usually I see more comedy that balances out the horror. How to Sell a Haunted House had moments where I could feel my heart racing from terror. And I don't even really find puppets, dolls, or clowns scary.
Hendrix did an amazing job with this story. This story about grief and about family and about secrets. Highly recommend anyone looking for a good horror book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
marleyjade123's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
kneezbooks's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
skersnick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Medical content, Car accident, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Fire/Fire injury
hyperashley's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death
whatthegayle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“I’ll come right out and say it,” Mercy told them. “Strange noises, bad vibes, your mom and dad recently passed— Your house is haunted and I’m not selling it until you deal with that.”
Wow, I think this is my favorite out of all the books I’ve read by Grady Hendrix.
The only reason I went with a four and a half is because the slow bit near the middle.
Puppets have always sorta creeped me out since sloppy from the goosebumps series and this book only solidifies it.
I wasn’t expecting to tear up as much as I did at the end.
And Mark! I absolutely hated him at the beginning but started to like him a lot as we neared the ending.
Grady is so amazing at writing characters that feel like real people and this book is no exception.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Cursing, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
sierrajhansen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i did not expect this book to be amazing.
i tried to force myself to stop reading this book after dark (because i kept getting scared) but i was so drawn to reading this book at all hours of the day that i failed miserably.
i loved that this book was goofy while also scaring the shit out of me and making me cringe (shout out reading about someone getting attacked with a hammer) . i also loved (somehow) that this was centered on a creepy puppet. it really worked for some reason. and oh my god the relationship between louise and mark! sibling redemption arc! i can now die happily.
this book was much better than the other grady hendrix book i read (the final girl support group) which i did not enjoy. i 100% see how this one almost beat stephen king to the 2023 goodreads choice award for horror. i felt like i was really in the house with mark and louise, and the interludes in other locations (ESPECIALLY WAFFLE HOUSE) were so well written and immersive.
i highly recommend this book.
i tried to force myself to stop reading this book after dark (because i kept getting scared) but i was so drawn to reading this book at all hours of the day that i failed miserably.
i loved that this book was goofy while also scaring the shit out of me and making me cringe
this book was much better than the other grady hendrix book i read (the final girl support group) which i did not enjoy. i 100% see how this one almost beat stephen king to the 2023 goodreads choice award for horror. i felt like i was really in the house with mark and louise, and the interludes in other locations (ESPECIALLY WAFFLE HOUSE) were so well written and immersive.
i highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail