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A review by abundance_of_fiction
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was *NOT* it.
I went into this duology seeing it all of insta and booktok as a gritty spicy read butttt, just no. I did finish because I was semi-invested and I can’t find it in myself to DNF a story. The plot was all over, the romance was nonexistent (really it was just lust and obsession), and the gritty elements were basically just there for gore galore; none of this added to the actual story. The writing wasn’t bad, and the atmosphere in the beginning was genuinely good. I was intrigued with the haunting, stalking, and great grandmother mystery, but then it all falls apart.
New conflicts every 2 chapters, check. No resolution to prior conflicts, check. Complete happenstance regarding 90% of the conflicts, check. And NO REAL ROMANCE! There is no reason Zade should “love” and be obsessive about Addie. Like he saw a cute girl with a smoky voice at her book signing... now he is k*lling people for her?!?
This one just aint it. If you want sm*t without a decent plot then here you go, but if you want a mix run
I went into this duology seeing it all of insta and booktok as a gritty spicy read butttt, just no. I did finish because I was semi-invested and I can’t find it in myself to DNF a story. The plot was all over, the romance was nonexistent (really it was just lust and obsession), and the gritty elements were basically just there for gore galore; none of this added to the actual story. The writing wasn’t bad, and the atmosphere in the beginning was genuinely good. I was intrigued with the haunting, stalking, and great grandmother mystery, but then it all falls apart.
New conflicts every 2 chapters, check. No resolution to prior conflicts, check. Complete happenstance regarding 90% of the conflicts, check. And NO REAL ROMANCE! There is no reason Zade should “love” and be obsessive about Addie. Like he saw a cute girl with a smoky voice at her book signing... now he is k*lling people for her?!?
This one just aint it. If you want sm*t without a decent plot then here you go, but if you want a mix run
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail