georgemay's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.5
Finished reading: October 26th 2016
“It was once a house of God, but not after that terrible night. It changed; they let that woman in and it changed their lives for ever.”
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Carina UK in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
During my hunt for creepy Halloween read last year I came across The Good Sisters at Netgalley. The cover looked perfectly spooky and after reading the blurb I was convinced this one would be just right to get into the Halloween mood. And I was right. I'm not saying it's a full-blown horror read and part of the plot was a bit predictable, but I personally had a blast reading this story by Helen Phifer. The Good Sisters has just the right dose of creepy and mixes historical chapters and horror with romance scenes to lighten up the mood. Perfect for those who don't like heartstopping and bloodchilling horror! This novel is well written with great descriptions that set the right creepy atmosphere, complete with haunted convent and everything. My favorite chapters would be those set in the past; it was great learning more about what happened when things first started to go wrong. The chapters switch between past and present, but it is done in a way that doesn't slow down the pace and it's without doubt an excellent read. Recommended!
Sure, the plot is a bit predictable at times and the ending isn't really a surprise, but personally it didn't bother me it all. It's a fast-paced, well written and delightfully creepy story with great descriptions that set the right atmosphere from the beginning. I personally wasn't blown away by the romantic elements, but they do create a balance with the horror that people who don't like 'too creepy' reads will appreciate. The Good Sisters is without doubt a very entertaining read and and excellent choice if you are looking for your next paranormal horror story.
sarahrobins11's review against another edition
3.0
3.5* I adore horror films but I’ve never really read any horror books. And as much as I enjoyed this book I think I’d enjoy a film version much much more. Based around an old convent that is overtaken my a demon. It is a really good read, I just find it hard to get scared by reading. The story around it was great, the characters were also good. However it had the classic love plot which for me ruined it a little. It was a bit too obvious. Worth a read if you like a good old horror story, I can see it giving some people nightmares!
emmywritess's review against another edition
3.0
*I received this book through Net Galley in exchange for a honest review*
I don't normally read a lot of horror so this was a bit out of my comfort zone.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought i would, but I am just super disappointed because the ending ruined it for me. It was too predictable and boring to be honest.
What I liked:
- I loved that we got to see into the past as well as the present.
- The 1st chapter gripped me and drew me into the story.
- It had a really creepy feel that had me glancing around my bedroom in fear! I even turned my light back on, because my kindle light wasn't enough to stop me from being spooked out.
- The characters felt so lifelike. I especially enjoyed Kate because she was an unreliable narrator, made worse by her alcoholism. I found her easy to relate to because she was so realistic.
- Ollie and Kate were cute. I loved that their relationship didn't happen quickly, and that it slowly built up over the story.
What I didn't like:
- Most of the book was really fast moving and tense, but there were parts that got a little boring.
- the ending was really predictable and it ruined the book for me. The story was good but the ending didn't feel right, and it just felt like any other ghost story.
I don't normally read a lot of horror so this was a bit out of my comfort zone.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought i would, but I am just super disappointed because the ending ruined it for me. It was too predictable and boring to be honest.
What I liked:
- I loved that we got to see into the past as well as the present.
- The 1st chapter gripped me and drew me into the story.
- It had a really creepy feel that had me glancing around my bedroom in fear! I even turned my light back on, because my kindle light wasn't enough to stop me from being spooked out.
- The characters felt so lifelike. I especially enjoyed Kate because she was an unreliable narrator, made worse by her alcoholism. I found her easy to relate to because she was so realistic.
- Ollie and Kate were cute. I loved that their relationship didn't happen quickly, and that it slowly built up over the story.
What I didn't like:
- Most of the book was really fast moving and tense, but there were parts that got a little boring.
- the ending was really predictable and it ruined the book for me. The story was good but the ending didn't feel right, and it just felt like any other ghost story.
shiannefouts's review against another edition
2.0
I preferred the flashbacks to the present, romantic storyline. I didn’t find the present characters believable or even likable. The attempt at romance was also a miss. Overall, poor character development & relatability.
bookfay's review
2.0
*I've got this book from NetGalley in exchange of a honest review*
I was expecting to be scared shitless, but I was hugely disappointed. There were some parts that were a little bit scarier, but nothing special at all. I wish, that there were more spooky incidents....
Overall the story dragged to much and could have been much shorter, however the ending was too rushed, at least for my taste.
The main character was unlikable, boring and made so many ludicrous decisions, that in the end I didn't care what will happen to her. The side characters were better developed, but also not that interesting.
The other thing that bothered me was a love story. There were no development, they fell in love in few days. In other words too instalove... Actually, it wasn't necessary at all in this book.
Not a fan.
I was expecting to be scared shitless, but I was hugely disappointed. There were some parts that were a little bit scarier, but nothing special at all. I wish, that there were more spooky incidents....
Overall the story dragged to much and could have been much shorter, however the ending was too rushed, at least for my taste.
The main character was unlikable, boring and made so many ludicrous decisions, that in the end I didn't care what will happen to her. The side characters were better developed, but also not that interesting.
The other thing that bothered me was a love story. There were no development, they fell in love in few days. In other words too instalove... Actually, it wasn't necessary at all in this book.
Not a fan.
keeperofpages's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I’m looking forward to the month of October ending – I think I’ve exceeded my ‘being scared’ threshold.
As with most ‘haunted-house’ stories, the plot shouldn’t come as a surprise; Kate buys her dream house with plans to renovate it into a B&B, only to find the house is haunted and some evil spirits need exorcising. The Good Sisters left me truly unsettled, I have no fear of a paranormal thriller; ghosts, spirits, the ‘presence’ of the dead – bring it on. What I do find particularly disturbing are demonic spirits in a biblical context. With it being the month for horror, I saw this book and thought: challenge accepted… Challenge won: I read this book, however, I was disturbed and unsettled throughout the entire read so I’m not really sure who the real winner is here…
The narrative switched between the 1930’s and the presence day. On a cold day in 1933, a woman, Lilith, knocks on the door of the convent seeking refuge, Mother Superior Agnes invites her in. That was Agnes’ first mistake – Lilith is evil in every sense of the word. This narrative begins that fateful day and ends with the convent being boarded up.
In the present day, we see why the convent should have stayed boarded up. Kate has no idea of the history of the house she just bought, so when she hears footsteps upstairs and feels the presence of ‘someone else’, she must face her fears head on if she wants to stay living in the house.
I found certain parts of the story unrealistic, especially relating to Kate’s personal life, Kate being an alcoholic shouldn’t have featured in the story, I don’t think it was written in well and her interactions with her ex-husband just frustrated me, it just wasn’t believable. Also in 1933, the nuns just popped out to the cinema to see ‘The Mummy’ and they were reading ‘Dracula’ and ‘Frankenstein’, and one of the Sisters had a fascination with the female body and often wondered what it’d be like to be with another woman, this played a large role in why she became a nun. I didn’t quite know what to make of all that. This book will earn no awards for deep plot building, but to be honest, I was so caught up in being disturbed, I found this to be an enjoyable fast-paced read.
The action/horror was ongoing throughout the whole book, I really like how Phifer chose to end the story, leaving scope for a sequel. On the basis of ‘being-scared’, I would recommend this book, especially if, like me, you have an irrational fear of demonic spirits, with the ability to manifest, sent by Lucifer himself to possess your very being and no amount of crucifixes and holy water can save you (okay, I accept, I may have been a tad bit dramatic there.) Point being, if that stuff creeps you out, this book will give you chills!
*Thank you to the author (Helen Phifer) and publisher (Carina UK) for granting me access to a digital copy of this book via Netgalley*
I’m looking forward to the month of October ending – I think I’ve exceeded my ‘being scared’ threshold.
As with most ‘haunted-house’ stories, the plot shouldn’t come as a surprise; Kate buys her dream house with plans to renovate it into a B&B, only to find the house is haunted and some evil spirits need exorcising. The Good Sisters left me truly unsettled, I have no fear of a paranormal thriller; ghosts, spirits, the ‘presence’ of the dead – bring it on. What I do find particularly disturbing are demonic spirits in a biblical context. With it being the month for horror, I saw this book and thought: challenge accepted… Challenge won: I read this book, however, I was disturbed and unsettled throughout the entire read so I’m not really sure who the real winner is here…
The narrative switched between the 1930’s and the presence day. On a cold day in 1933, a woman, Lilith, knocks on the door of the convent seeking refuge, Mother Superior Agnes invites her in. That was Agnes’ first mistake – Lilith is evil in every sense of the word. This narrative begins that fateful day and ends with the convent being boarded up.
In the present day, we see why the convent should have stayed boarded up. Kate has no idea of the history of the house she just bought, so when she hears footsteps upstairs and feels the presence of ‘someone else’, she must face her fears head on if she wants to stay living in the house.
I found certain parts of the story unrealistic, especially relating to Kate’s personal life, Kate being an alcoholic shouldn’t have featured in the story, I don’t think it was written in well and her interactions with her ex-husband just frustrated me, it just wasn’t believable. Also in 1933, the nuns just popped out to the cinema to see ‘The Mummy’ and they were reading ‘Dracula’ and ‘Frankenstein’, and one of the Sisters had a fascination with the female body and often wondered what it’d be like to be with another woman, this played a large role in why she became a nun. I didn’t quite know what to make of all that. This book will earn no awards for deep plot building, but to be honest, I was so caught up in being disturbed, I found this to be an enjoyable fast-paced read.
The action/horror was ongoing throughout the whole book, I really like how Phifer chose to end the story, leaving scope for a sequel. On the basis of ‘being-scared’, I would recommend this book, especially if, like me, you have an irrational fear of demonic spirits, with the ability to manifest, sent by Lucifer himself to possess your very being and no amount of crucifixes and holy water can save you (okay, I accept, I may have been a tad bit dramatic there.) Point being, if that stuff creeps you out, this book will give you chills!
*Thank you to the author (Helen Phifer) and publisher (Carina UK) for granting me access to a digital copy of this book via Netgalley*
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