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A review by rebeshelton
The September House by Carissa Orlando
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
"The September House" is a must-read! This debut novel is a thrilling mix of chills and chuckles that had me hooked from the first page.
Margaret, our fearless heroine, is the kind of character you can't help but root for. She's got this dream Victorian house on Hawthorn Street, which, surprise surprise, turns out to be haunted. Think walls dripping blood every September, and ghosts that are more scared than scary. It's this unique blend of serious horror with an almost campy, humorous edge that makes this book stand out. I found myself laughing out loud several times, which is not something you'd expect from a haunted house story! It's very akin to Grady Hendrix's style of writing.
What really struck a chord with me, though, was the underlying theme of domestic violence. It's handled with such care and depth. Margaret's journey from being gaslit and abused to finding her strength and standing her ground in this bizarre, haunted house is nothing short of inspiring. It's a powerful narrative that resonates deeply, especially in those heart-wrenching moments where she's doubted by the police and even starts doubting herself.
I absolutely loved this read and was incredibly connected to all the characters!
Margaret, our fearless heroine, is the kind of character you can't help but root for. She's got this dream Victorian house on Hawthorn Street, which, surprise surprise, turns out to be haunted. Think walls dripping blood every September, and ghosts that are more scared than scary. It's this unique blend of serious horror with an almost campy, humorous edge that makes this book stand out. I found myself laughing out loud several times, which is not something you'd expect from a haunted house story! It's very akin to Grady Hendrix's style of writing.
What really struck a chord with me, though, was the underlying theme of domestic violence. It's handled with such care and depth. Margaret's journey from being gaslit and abused to finding her strength and standing her ground in this bizarre, haunted house is nothing short of inspiring. It's a powerful narrative that resonates deeply, especially in those heart-wrenching moments where she's doubted by the police and even starts doubting herself.
I absolutely loved this read and was incredibly connected to all the characters!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cannibalism