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A review by rorikae
The Spite House by Johnny Compton
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0
'The Spite House' by Johnny Compton is a haunted house story with an interesting concept but not as much atmosphere as I was hoping.
The Spite House is true to its name, built out of the spite held by one man. Eric Ross and his two daughters are running away from mysterious circumstances and looking for a way to make money without bringing too much attention to themselves. The offer of staying in the Spite House feels like the perfect opportunity. But when the Ross' move in, the house makes it clear that they are not welcome and embroils them in circumstances that spill out beyond the house's walls.
I am fascinated by the work that Compton has done concocting the lore and character motivations at the heart of 'The Spite House.' He has created a set of complicated characters, where it is easy to understand both protagonists and antagonists. As we slowly begin to understand more about what drove Eric and his daughters away from their normal lives, we come to better understand how they are easily embroiled in the Spite House. I was really hoping for a bit more atmosphere. A great deal of this story is about the house while only a choice few moments are spent within the actual house itself. I would have loved to see more dread built up through moments in the house. I am intrigued to see what Compton writes next as the thought put into the story is clear and he's juggling a number of fascinating concepts.
The Spite House is true to its name, built out of the spite held by one man. Eric Ross and his two daughters are running away from mysterious circumstances and looking for a way to make money without bringing too much attention to themselves. The offer of staying in the Spite House feels like the perfect opportunity. But when the Ross' move in, the house makes it clear that they are not welcome and embroils them in circumstances that spill out beyond the house's walls.
I am fascinated by the work that Compton has done concocting the lore and character motivations at the heart of 'The Spite House.' He has created a set of complicated characters, where it is easy to understand both protagonists and antagonists. As we slowly begin to understand more about what drove Eric and his daughters away from their normal lives, we come to better understand how they are easily embroiled in the Spite House. I was really hoping for a bit more atmosphere. A great deal of this story is about the house while only a choice few moments are spent within the actual house itself. I would have loved to see more dread built up through moments in the house. I am intrigued to see what Compton writes next as the thought put into the story is clear and he's juggling a number of fascinating concepts.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Violence, Child death, Death, and Murder