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A review by antiopelle
The September House by Carissa Orlando
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ow, what a wild ride this was !
First it started with a tone that I didn't expect: dark humor bordering on the absurd. It was very well done, I chuckled a few times but it didn't scratch my ghost story itch and I almost stopped reading. Not only because it was so far off my expectations of the traditional haunted house, but also one of the characters - daughter Katherine - is so obnoxious that it was really putting me off. But as it was strongly recommended by people that I trust, I continued. And I must say that I was intrigued and the story became very original and enticing, going one way and then again the complete other; a swiveling narrative that also gave depth to the characters (and I absolutely loved Fredericka - I want her in my house). The ghost story then became entangled with domestic violence - a subject that I usually avoid, but the writer was absolutely spot on with processing this trope within the storyline.
I didn't really enjoy the big bang ending, I think the book would have been better without all the maxed out gore, which I think was unnecessary here. It certainly isn't your classic haunted house trope, but all in all I was intrigued, entertained and surprised all the way, so a well deserved 4 stars !
First it started with a tone that I didn't expect: dark humor bordering on the absurd. It was very well done, I chuckled a few times but it didn't scratch my ghost story itch and I almost stopped reading. Not only because it was so far off my expectations of the traditional haunted house, but also one of the characters - daughter Katherine - is so obnoxious that it was really putting me off. But as it was strongly recommended by people that I trust, I continued. And I must say that I was intrigued and the story became very original and enticing, going one way and then again the complete other; a swiveling narrative that also gave depth to the characters (and I absolutely loved Fredericka - I want her in my house). The ghost story then became entangled with domestic violence - a subject that I usually avoid, but the writer was absolutely spot on with processing this trope within the storyline.
I didn't really enjoy the big bang ending, I think the book would have been better without all the maxed out gore, which I think was unnecessary here. It certainly isn't your classic haunted house trope, but all in all I was intrigued, entertained and surprised all the way, so a well deserved 4 stars !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Child death
Moderate: Animal death