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witcheep's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Kingfisher is great with writing multidimensional characters with flaws of their own and their interpersonal relationships. That is what shines bright in this book as well. I enjoyed reading about the difficult relationships between the different generations of the same family, and their own ways to deal with mysteries and difficulties. The neighbors offer a good place to compare with the main character's life. A House with Good Bones ponders over some hard themes, such as loss of a family member and grief, doubting one's self-worth and emotionally abusive family relationships. The book, however, offers more hopeful outlooks on the same issues in the form of caring for one's community, forming new friendships and finding new insight into oneself.
The horror elements get increasiongly more creepy, from a slight feeling of something being off up to creeping uneasiness,
"You're a scientist," said Gail, watching me. "I realize that makes this hard for you. I'm telling you, what's happening isn't something you're going to be able to put under a microscope. I'm hoping it'll go away on it's own."
"Does anything ever go away on it's own?" I asked.
"More often than you think. In this case I truly can't be sure. I don't know everything.
"I'm starting to be sure I don't know anything", I muttered.
She smiles. "That's a good place to start."
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Grief
Minor: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
xangemtheelibrarian's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.0
I'll have to read other T. Kingfisher books because so far the only other one I read is "What Moves the Dead" and I adored that story.
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, and Blood
Moderate: Racism and Classism
albernikolauras's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Body horror
albaface's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Racism and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Fatphobia
taylormoore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Violence, and Death of parent
trips's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
For those that can, this is a haunted house horror book about family bonds, bugs, vultures, and gardening. And some creepy stuff too, but that's up to you find out what it is!
Overall I enjoyed this book, T. Kingfisher's writing is again, just a really nice reading experience. Her way with words is entertaining and also inspiring. I was thinking this story was going to be quiet? horror? but no, its not, just wait till the twist lol.
If you like horror, give it a try!
Graphic: Fatphobia and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Grief
whimsicalish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This one felt lacking the mystery. You figure out early on what is happening in the house. The set up with the main character and her family is appreciated but it's a slow pace in the first half. Before any hauntings have happened, you're learning more about Latin names to insects than anything else.
I did enjoy most of the characters. They felt like real people. I'm not sure why the book had to flirt with the idea of a budding romance. It didn't have anything to do with the story or characters. It's just kinda there.
The thriller was the climax at the very end. Bummer that it ends so quickly when you get a taste of the creepiness.
It's not a bad book. It didn't enthrall me like her previous one. I'm still interested in her future stories.
Graphic: Body shaming and Toxic relationship
Minor: Body horror and Child abuse
jessicalarson125's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Racism
axel_p's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Blood, Dementia, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
bookishbutch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Dementia, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Content warning for bugs. Lots and Lots of Bugs. Oh, and vultures.