readerette's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I found the siblings both infuriating and sympathetic (so pretty realistic), and the story itself took an interesting journey to the eventual destination. The story is well-paced and the writing flows smoothly. I could tell the general direction is the plot but not how we'd get to the end, which added to the tension.
I don't think the level of violence eventually attained in various scenes added anything to the story, and seemed so unbelievable that I was taken fully out of what was happening.
I also think the overall message got a little lost in all the scene-setting (if you have a fear of puppets, dolls, animated inanimate objects, spiders, or possibly clowns, there is a lot in this book to give you chills).
I don't think the level of violence eventually attained in various scenes added anything to the story, and seemed so unbelievable that I was taken fully out of what was happening.
I also think the overall message got a little lost in all the scene-setting (if you have a fear of puppets, dolls, animated inanimate objects, spiders, or possibly clowns, there is a lot in this book to give you chills).
Spoiler
What I mean about the message getting lost is all the little details that just don't really track together about this unresolved family history that started with Freddie. Louise's mom did not kill Freddie; she was a child herself who walked away from watching him without understanding the possible consequences. So why that had anything to do with Freddie possessing Pupkin and then terrorizing the people in Louise's mom's life is beyond me. And why would Louise tell Freddie to thank her mom when he found her? For what? For caring more about her puppets than her kids? For teaching Louise how to be manipulative? For leaving the house to Mark when she knew how irresponsible he was and how much he hated his sister (and maybe even why, which was not his sister's fault)? For not doing more to find out what happened to her little brother since she had suspicions the lockjaw story was a lie?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/injury detail and Violence
Moderate: Child death
bzzlarabzz's review
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-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
Why'd you have to make me cry, Grady Hendrix?! This book is sad, sweet, creepy, and terrifying. Content warning for child peril and child death. Plus, there are disturbing dolls, puppets, body horror, parent death, and general grief. Yet, somehow, it still has that little wink of humor you expect from a Grady Hendrix book. It can be over the top, but it's also so real, especially in the way he explores family dynamics and the complications of loving and being loved in a family. Read this if you want to feel all the things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, and Death of parent
emeraldelephant's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Body horror, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
cinn48's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Car accident, Death of parent, and Grief
There is some really ugly sibling fights over the estate of their parents - this could be quite challenging for people.toofondofbooks_'s review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think this was pretty good, probably my second favorite Grady Hendrix that I've read so far. I think what really took it over the edge was the sibling dynamic and the themes of grief of several types throughout. It became less about the horror of it all and more about the humanity of our main characters, even when the horror became just a little absurd. I think the only reason this isn't a 5 star for me is just that I think there are some aspects that could've been explained better in the narrative. I still have some questions that are annoying me. Overall though, a decent read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Animal cruelty, Murder, Body horror, Blood, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Child death, Excrement, Grief, Child abuse, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/injury detail, and Mental illness
Moderate: Pregnancy
brandilovesbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This haunted house is filled with dolls, puppets, and even a stuffed squirrel Manger scene. One of the puppets is the cause of all the weird stuff that happens. Don't put the puppet on your hand! Louise and her brother Mark have to deal with years of built up sibling resentment before they can start to unravel the family secrets and lies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Death, and Emotional abuse
Do not read if you have a fear of clowns, puppets, or dolls.goldenjunegem's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Child death
stephshelves's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Meet Nancy. A big-time name in the Christian puppet ministry world. Her house is drowning in dolls and puppets - some purchased, but most home made. They are her friends and she loves them dearly. Especially Pupkin. There's just something about Pupkin.
Nancy has tragically died along side her husband in a car accident. Completely throwing everyone for a loop. Her daughter, Louise, has to fly home to help her brother, Mark, handle everything. Including cleaning out the house to sell.
Shes greatly unsettled by the house, weird shadows and noises making her uneasy. The dolls aren't where they were last time she came in...maybe Mark moved them? Something is definitely moving around in the attic. Surely a squirrel problem. Nobody is actually after Louise. Except maybe Mark? She's just being paranoid.
It's been a while since I've read a book that kept me up at night. This one did. Grady crafted the perfect atmosphere for this book - something definitely going on, but you are only getting bits and pieces for a while. The discomfort of the main characters is your discomfort as well. It just feels off putting the whole time you're reading.
On top of the creepy atmosphere, there is emotional turmoil in the form of loss, parenting, trauma, and self doubt. I cried twice during my read and got misty eyed more than once. As a parent, some of what Louise was dealing with hit a little too close and I just wanted to hug her and her daughter.
The horror aspects were beautiful too. I love a terrifying tale with emotional ties. It's not just scary to be scary - there's a reason the house is the way that it is. Insert more Steph tears.
Grady has done no wrong in my opinion and this book blew me away. If you're uneasy in regards to dolls, hauntings, and over all discomfort maybe this isn't it for you. But also maybe it is. I can't think of a single reason not to read this book. It's definitely going to be a contender for top 2023 reads!
TW/CW: death, child death
Nancy has tragically died along side her husband in a car accident. Completely throwing everyone for a loop. Her daughter, Louise, has to fly home to help her brother, Mark, handle everything. Including cleaning out the house to sell.
Shes greatly unsettled by the house, weird shadows and noises making her uneasy. The dolls aren't where they were last time she came in...maybe Mark moved them? Something is definitely moving around in the attic. Surely a squirrel problem. Nobody is actually after Louise. Except maybe Mark? She's just being paranoid.
It's been a while since I've read a book that kept me up at night. This one did. Grady crafted the perfect atmosphere for this book - something definitely going on, but you are only getting bits and pieces for a while. The discomfort of the main characters is your discomfort as well. It just feels off putting the whole time you're reading.
On top of the creepy atmosphere, there is emotional turmoil in the form of loss, parenting, trauma, and self doubt. I cried twice during my read and got misty eyed more than once. As a parent, some of what Louise was dealing with hit a little too close and I just wanted to hug her and her daughter.
The horror aspects were beautiful too. I love a terrifying tale with emotional ties. It's not just scary to be scary - there's a reason the house is the way that it is. Insert more Steph tears.
Grady has done no wrong in my opinion and this book blew me away. If you're uneasy in regards to dolls, hauntings, and over all discomfort maybe this isn't it for you. But also maybe it is. I can't think of a single reason not to read this book. It's definitely going to be a contender for top 2023 reads!
TW/CW: death, child death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Child death
doomcookie's review
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stuffed animals being training wheels for your heart really got me 🥲
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Car accident, Child death, Gore, and Injury/injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy and Fire/Fire injury
gotabookforeverysituation's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Car accident and Child death
Minor: Animal death