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hauntedantiqueshop 's review for:
Model Home
by Rivers Solomon
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can say I went in fully expecting a different take on the haunted house trope and I got that, that’s for sure. I just didn’t like the end result.
I love seeing Dallas in horror literature, that’s always fun for me. There’s genuine good commentary on racism, generational trauma, siblinghood. But there’s far more I didn’t like. There’s a lot of sexual content in it, which I’m not a fan of in horror at all. But this was heavy handed in ways that didn’t do anything for the story, ie the aunt bringing her sex toys for the funeral and telling her grieving family about it. I also just have questions in general. How are the grown kids actually surprised the parents had that much money to leave? Given their mental state, how did Ezri even have and KEEP custody of their child? Why did everyone think it’s okay for the homeschooled kids to not be able to do math? Based on the ending, Eve knew the whole time there was no ghosts and Ezri was being abused? There’s a lot more I could ask but there’s an even bigger problem needing to be addressed.
I take HUGE issue with a parent being proud that their underage child won’t press charges against a musician for grooming and sexually assaulting her all in the name of ACAB and prison abolition. I’m anti police and pro prison reform but that decision is completely incomprehensible. They aren’t even dropping a call out post on the influencer aunt’s socials to spread any awareness. I love when authors give us nothing in terms of abusers facing consequences!
This might be the right modern haunted house book for someone in a very specific headspace and I’ve come to the conclusion that’s just not me.
I love seeing Dallas in horror literature, that’s always fun for me. There’s genuine good commentary on racism, generational trauma, siblinghood. But there’s far more I didn’t like. There’s a lot of sexual content in it, which I’m not a fan of in horror at all. But this was heavy handed in ways that didn’t do anything for the story, ie the aunt bringing her sex toys for the funeral and telling her grieving family about it. I also just have questions in general. How are the grown kids actually surprised the parents had that much money to leave? Given their mental state, how did Ezri even have and KEEP custody of their child? Why did everyone think it’s okay for the homeschooled kids to not be able to do math? Based on the ending, Eve knew the whole time there was no ghosts and Ezri was being abused? There’s a lot more I could ask but there’s an even bigger problem needing to be addressed.
I take HUGE issue with a parent being proud that their underage child won’t press charges against a musician for grooming and sexually assaulting her all in the name of ACAB and prison abolition. I’m anti police and pro prison reform but that decision is completely incomprehensible. They aren’t even dropping a call out post on the influencer aunt’s socials to spread any awareness. I love when authors give us nothing in terms of abusers facing consequences!
This might be the right modern haunted house book for someone in a very specific headspace and I’ve come to the conclusion that’s just not me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Transphobia, Death of parent