anollylollymolly's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If Darcy Coates writes it, I’m going to read it. I fell in love with her writing about a year ago when I read From Below, and have read several of her other books since. Paranormal horror is my favorite horror sub-genre and she always writes it at a perfect pace with just enough detail.
I enjoyed House of Shadows, and am excited to pick up House of Secrets sometime soon. The only reason I didn’t rate this higher is because I don’t particularly love her execution when it comes to romance. However, it was a quick and cozy read- Darcy Coates never really disappoints.
I enjoyed House of Shadows, and am excited to pick up House of Secrets sometime soon. The only reason I didn’t rate this higher is because I don’t particularly love her execution when it comes to romance. However, it was a quick and cozy read- Darcy Coates never really disappoints.
shae_bentley's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
collettb916's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
efancher94's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
meghann84's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
rustlngpages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i know this is an older novel from 2015 ish so this wasn’t as frightening as i’m used to, but more of like a dark fanfic that i thoroughly enjoyed. i think ive said it 3 times in various places but if this was something i read in high school it would have been my entire personality. what a delight!
blewballoon's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Hmm, I think this is my least favorite Darcy Coates book so far. I will say that her writing is always fairly straightforward, and maybe a little cliche, but the simplistic writing style hadn't bothered me before. It feels lower quality here, maybe being in a historical setting makes the writing seem weaker because it sounds too modern? The story is a combo of Rebecca and Crimson Peak, but more rushed and with less nuance than either. It did shock me at one point though when the completely evil aunt just point blank shoots the friendly maid and kills her. The romance didn't work for me, either. I'm going to read the sequel anyway, because I have it and I didn't hate this, but if you asked me for a Darcy Coates recommendation, it would be another book for sure.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death, Animal death, and Blood
Minor: Body horror