Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by blewballoon
Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Originally when I first saw this book I was very excited for it, but by the time I finally picked it up it looked like the reviews weren't very good and I was a little worried. I'm glad I gave it a shot anyway, I did like it.
I liked the unusual take on a haunted house and the slow paced plot. There's nothing spooky or particularly suspenseful here, but I didn't mind that. I also thought the asexual representation was interesting. Asexuality is a spectrum and I'm not sure how many people will relate to the experience Lucky describes. I could relate to some things, but not others. The romance is a light simmer, and there's a lot of communication that some readers might find boring, but in my opinion is more realistic for how a healthy relationship actually starts. I also thought the ESP aspect of the main character was a cool concept that contributed to the main plot, although it does lead to a lot of scenes that just feel like character exposition/telling-vs-showing.
The only thing I didn't really like about the book was Lucky herself. I didn't hate her and she didn't annoy or frustrate me, but I never really liked her either. I am trying to describe why and the individual traits (confident, capable, self aware) are not bad things. I also would never say that a person shouldn't focus on their career over a budding relationship. It's also not that she doesn't grow or change at all, she does learn some stuff and make adjustments. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Not sure what it was, she just didn't quite work for me.
The audiobook narrator was good, but a little more monotone than I prefer.
I liked the unusual take on a haunted house and the slow paced plot. There's nothing spooky or particularly suspenseful here, but I didn't mind that. I also thought the asexual representation was interesting. Asexuality is a spectrum and I'm not sure how many people will relate to the experience Lucky describes. I could relate to some things, but not others. The romance is a light simmer, and there's a lot of communication that some readers might find boring, but in my opinion is more realistic for how a healthy relationship actually starts. I also thought the ESP aspect of the main character was a cool concept that contributed to the main plot, although it does lead to a lot of scenes that just feel like character exposition/telling-vs-showing.
The only thing I didn't really like about the book was Lucky herself. I didn't hate her and she didn't annoy or frustrate me, but I never really liked her either. I am trying to describe why and the individual traits (confident, capable, self aware) are not bad things. I also would never say that a person shouldn't focus on their career over a budding relationship. It's also not that she doesn't grow or change at all, she does learn some stuff and make adjustments. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Not sure what it was, she just didn't quite work for me.
The audiobook narrator was good, but a little more monotone than I prefer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent