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hnnhhrsvsk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The House in the Pines is a masterpiece in the thriller-mystery genre. The author creates such an eerie atmosphere that draws you in deeply, quickens your pulse, and makes you want to read just one more chapter. The main character tries desperately to unravel the mystery of the death of her best friend seven years prior, but is shrouded by self-doubt, pill her withdrawal and alcohol, and disbelief from every person she reaches out to for help, to the point where you pain for her, but also question her reliability. The narrative switches back and forth between past and present as the main character slowly starts to remember what she was forced to forget. Certified page turner.
Only theee small critiques I have:
Only theee small critiques I have:
- The title is The House in the Pines, but the author almost exclusively refers to said location as the cabin in the woods. I wished she used the title a bit more!
- I would have loved to learn more about what happened to Ruby!
- Some mention of whether a chapter was set in the past or present would have been helpful, especially for the chapters where she is revisiting a location.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death
javafenn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’m not entirely sure what to think of this book. The premise was good and ultimately the plot twist was good but there wasn’t much of a resolution and it just kind of… ended. I gave it 3.5 stars because it did keep me engaged but the ending was so abrupt and uneventful that I had to rewind it several times because I thought o was missing something. There was a lot I wish there was more of, I guess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Alcohol
snoopyfanclub's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
2.5
It was so enthralling but the end just fell flat. Like okay it was a sweet ending I guess but not satisfying at all. I wanted Frank to be stabbed in the gut!!! She brought a knife TWICE in scenes with him and never used it. Like so unsatisfying and she kind of forgot Aubrey existed towards the end like no justice for her I guess. I thought the big reveal would be that was hypnotizing people and poisoning them with the stew she described like 50 times. Also not everyone’s able to be hypnotized yet Aubrey is immediately fully under his command when she was not as dreamy and impressionable as Maya!! Also it’s not a house it’s a cabin so the title isn’t even correct.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
lnezzy16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Genocide, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
elsez326's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Definitely a different story than any I've read before, didn't anticipate the direction it took. I listened to it on audio, but it was difficult at times to tell if we were in the past or the present. I am not exactly sure how the Guatamalan side quest and her father's story factored into the story, and would have loved more connection to that ( unless I just completely missed it 😭)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Murder
montana_cole's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Addiction
aaabeegui's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Murder
ecombs's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
2.5
The story started off a little slow, but picked up towards the middle so I had hope for it. The ending was extremely lacking.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, and Gaslighting
amberacks12's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Not gonna lie, this book was anti climatic. There was a lot of build up and then just, poof, it’s done. I’m kind of left feeling underwhelmed and like the story is unresolved. I do feel like Ana Reyes has a lot of potential as a writer, but I don’t think this one really hit as hard as I was promised it would.
And maybe I feel unresolved because of my own skepticism when it comes to certain aspects of the resolution that I will not mention. But I don’t think enough attention was given to how everything is resolved, and more just ends up feeling hand wavy.
Plus, as a thriller, I didn’t ever feel that Maya was really in much danger, except from herself.
That being said, I really enjoyed the tone and writing style, I liked Maya as a character and as a narrator, and I felt like the character aspects of this story were well developed. Each character felt distinct, and I could sense Maya’s imperfections and possible unreliabilities. I also liked the dreamlike quality of the writing, with flashbacks happening interspersed between the present day narration. It added to the sense of unease I’m sure Maya felt.
So, overall, it was fine.
Enjoyment: 3
Educational Value: 3
Emotional Impact: 2
And maybe I feel unresolved because of my own skepticism when it comes to certain aspects of the resolution that I will not mention. But I don’t think enough attention was given to how everything is resolved, and more just ends up feeling hand wavy.
Plus, as a thriller, I didn’t ever feel that Maya was really in much danger, except from herself.
That being said, I really enjoyed the tone and writing style, I liked Maya as a character and as a narrator, and I felt like the character aspects of this story were well developed. Each character felt distinct, and I could sense Maya’s imperfections and possible unreliabilities. I also liked the dreamlike quality of the writing, with flashbacks happening interspersed between the present day narration. It added to the sense of unease I’m sure Maya felt.
So, overall, it was fine.
Enjoyment: 3
Educational Value: 3
Emotional Impact: 2
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Stalking, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
cieralegue's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
the only redeeming quality to this book was the very ending but i hated the rest, mainly because between all those time jumps it was absolutely confusing and i couldnt keep track at all or have any hope of understanding exactly whats going on. it still leaves a bit of questions but none that i am dying to know. it is kinda thriller but not really and it reads as essentially a fever dream for the most part.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction