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krhansen 's review for:
Craven Manor
by Darcy Coates
dark
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I really struggled with this book. There are so many things to love...the atmosphere and setting are superbly rendered. The story idea was amazing. I heard good things about Darcy Coates, and even had a bookstore manager recommend it as a potential comp read for the novel I am currently writing. I was excited. What's not to love about a huge old haunted house/property full of legends and creepy stories?
And yet, I couldn't get past so many little things that kept pulling me out of the story so I couldn't enjoy it. The MC is a bit slow and dimwitted. A nice person, but too nice. He makes horrible choices and decisions over and over and over that no one would do. His arc moves forward one step, and slides back two. He never reaches a satisfying moment where, as a reader, you say "FINALLY, you GET it...." never happens. Then there is the house itself, full of dire warnings...and when said rules are broken...nothing major happens. Such a letdown.
There are a lot of inconsistencies, contradictions, and not enough plot details in some sections. I wanted to love this book. It grabbed my attention early on but rapidly waned. I could not, in good graces, recommend this book. I am not sure if I will pick up another Darcy Coates novel again, either. Big ole bummer that threw me into a small reading slump.
And yet, I couldn't get past so many little things that kept pulling me out of the story so I couldn't enjoy it. The MC is a bit slow and dimwitted. A nice person, but too nice. He makes horrible choices and decisions over and over and over that no one would do. His arc moves forward one step, and slides back two. He never reaches a satisfying moment where, as a reader, you say "FINALLY, you GET it...." never happens. Then there is the house itself, full of dire warnings...and when said rules are broken...nothing major happens. Such a letdown.
There are a lot of inconsistencies, contradictions, and not enough plot details in some sections. I wanted to love this book. It grabbed my attention early on but rapidly waned. I could not, in good graces, recommend this book. I am not sure if I will pick up another Darcy Coates novel again, either. Big ole bummer that threw me into a small reading slump.