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danaslitlist 's review for:
The Manor of Dreams
by Christina Li
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Before I leave my review I want to thank Netgalley, Avid Reader Press, and Christina Li for allowing me to read an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
I picked this up because of the premise and a friends' recommendation. I am a sucker for gothic horror in any format I can get my hands on and so seeing this book compared to other gothic horror novels I was rather excited. And I wasn't let down. In fact The Manor of Dreams pulled me out of a reading slump that has kept me tangled up for an entire month. I was so riveted by the characters and the generational timelines, working together to solve the mystery of what was happening that I was compelled to read even though a nasty cold that sucked my energy.
Christina Li manages to write about three generations in one book without overloading the reader with character or ruining the three storylines that she threads together in order to tell the story. I found that the generational trauma in The Manor of Dreams was balanced very well in that you didn't feel as though Li was trying to force it into the story. Which, with a trope and genre as popular as "generational trauma" seems to be at the moment, was refreshing. Every reveal was powerful and meaningful, touching and mournful.
I can't wait to recommend this to my friends and look forward to the release of the novel!
I picked this up because of the premise and a friends' recommendation. I am a sucker for gothic horror in any format I can get my hands on and so seeing this book compared to other gothic horror novels I was rather excited. And I wasn't let down. In fact The Manor of Dreams pulled me out of a reading slump that has kept me tangled up for an entire month. I was so riveted by the characters and the generational timelines, working together to solve the mystery of what was happening that I was compelled to read even though a nasty cold that sucked my energy.
Christina Li manages to write about three generations in one book without overloading the reader with character or ruining the three storylines that she threads together in order to tell the story. I found that the generational trauma in The Manor of Dreams was balanced very well in that you didn't feel as though Li was trying to force it into the story. Which, with a trope and genre as popular as "generational trauma" seems to be at the moment, was refreshing. Every reveal was powerful and meaningful, touching and mournful.
I can't wait to recommend this to my friends and look forward to the release of the novel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Death, Racism, Death of parent