jakeftsgerald's review
3.0
3.5 stars
In “The Upside Down of Nora Gaines” we follow Nora and her mother as they move to another town to an old farmhouse after her parents’ divorce. There, she finds a journal that writes itself with a tale about fighting a beast. A beast that’s coming for Nora, unless she does something about it. The premise was good enough to pique my interest but unfortunately the book itself wasn’t as good as I was expecting.
This was targeted as paranormal, but I felt I was reading fantasy all throughout the journal/diary portion of the book. The plot was all over the place, especially when it came to the whole beast/sorcerer plotline. There were also a lot of characters and storylines introduced that added nothing to the bigger picture. I’m still trying to figure out the point of the whole teenage drama that was thrown around for a couple of chapters. Another thing I didn’t enjoy is how everything was rushed in the end. What actually happened? Were they able to fix everything? Is someone coming back for them? I have so many questions!
Although it’s not my favorite book, it was nice and a little bit addictive. I couldn’t wait to find out more about what was happening, even if some its aspects were somewhat predictable. Also, getting to know more about Rebel’s parents transported me to a The Conjuring scenario, which I can’t complain about since it’s one of my favorite horror movies.
I received this e-Arc in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Cathrina Constantine!
In “The Upside Down of Nora Gaines” we follow Nora and her mother as they move to another town to an old farmhouse after her parents’ divorce. There, she finds a journal that writes itself with a tale about fighting a beast. A beast that’s coming for Nora, unless she does something about it. The premise was good enough to pique my interest but unfortunately the book itself wasn’t as good as I was expecting.
This was targeted as paranormal, but I felt I was reading fantasy all throughout the journal/diary portion of the book. The plot was all over the place, especially when it came to the whole beast/sorcerer plotline. There were also a lot of characters and storylines introduced that added nothing to the bigger picture. I’m still trying to figure out the point of the whole teenage drama that was thrown around for a couple of chapters. Another thing I didn’t enjoy is how everything was rushed in the end. What actually happened? Were they able to fix everything? Is someone coming back for them? I have so many questions!
Although it’s not my favorite book, it was nice and a little bit addictive. I couldn’t wait to find out more about what was happening, even if some its aspects were somewhat predictable. Also, getting to know more about Rebel’s parents transported me to a The Conjuring scenario, which I can’t complain about since it’s one of my favorite horror movies.
I received this e-Arc in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Cathrina Constantine!
trin_ney18's review
1.0
1/5 Stars
DNF'ed at 63 pages or 20%
"Nora wasn't sure who was suffering more from her parent's divorce. Her mother-- or her."
No, actually it's me being forced to read that after it was revealed to us that her mother was literally in an ab*sive relationship. And I'm supposed to like the character after reading that???
That was not good. I thoroughly did not enjoy that.
The whole thing was incredibly cliche. From the setup to the characters. I mean the football player's name with the blond highlights in his hair and dimples was Rebel..... who are we kidding?
The "scary" parts were just freaking weird. I don't even know how to give you an example of that. I mean we really sat here listening to this monster complain about being a monster. Terrifying, really.
The internal dialogue was awkward and not at all believable for a teenager. I don't need her to be saying "sheesh" or "periodt" but I highly doubt that the average teenager would be using this many adjectives. Sounding like she got a thesaurus for her last birthday
But the author writes for her own enjoyment and I truly do respect that. Just because I didn't like it doesn't mean that you won't or that someone else won't connect with it. At least she's getting her stories out there, it's more than I can say for myself.
DNF'ed at 63 pages or 20%
"Nora wasn't sure who was suffering more from her parent's divorce. Her mother-- or her."
No, actually it's me being forced to read that after it was revealed to us that her mother was literally in an ab*sive relationship. And I'm supposed to like the character after reading that???
That was not good. I thoroughly did not enjoy that.
The whole thing was incredibly cliche. From the setup to the characters. I mean the football player's name with the blond highlights in his hair and dimples was Rebel..... who are we kidding?
The "scary" parts were just freaking weird. I don't even know how to give you an example of that. I mean we really sat here listening to this monster complain about being a monster. Terrifying, really.
The internal dialogue was awkward and not at all believable for a teenager. I don't need her to be saying "sheesh" or "periodt" but I highly doubt that the average teenager would be using this many adjectives. Sounding like she got a thesaurus for her last birthday
But the author writes for her own enjoyment and I truly do respect that. Just because I didn't like it doesn't mean that you won't or that someone else won't connect with it. At least she's getting her stories out there, it's more than I can say for myself.
jenrichards570's review
3.0
The Upside Down of Nora Gaines is a YA supernatural/fantasy/romance that was a quick, enjoyable read. Nora and her mother move from Buffalo into an old farmhouse with a haunted past. While Nora meets a love interest in her new small town, she learns that her house has a long, fantastical past. A magical journal found in her attic weaves the story of Nora's present and the properties haunted past.
The premise for this book was intriguing and I found it easy to get into every time I picked it up. However, I did have some issues with the story telling and there were parts that seemed like unnecessary inclusions. The ending was somewhat rushed and didn't feel as final as I would've liked. Maybe a bit more editing would've helped tie everything together? Overall, enjoyable read because I did like the originality of the story and think it would be good for anyone who likes fantasy-esque YA.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!
The premise for this book was intriguing and I found it easy to get into every time I picked it up. However, I did have some issues with the story telling and there were parts that seemed like unnecessary inclusions. The ending was somewhat rushed and didn't feel as final as I would've liked. Maybe a bit more editing would've helped tie everything together? Overall, enjoyable read because I did like the originality of the story and think it would be good for anyone who likes fantasy-esque YA.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!
thesassybookworm's review
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- LOVED this book!
You know sometimes you just read a book, and it is SO good, but you can't think of a lot to say about it other than "READ IT"? Yeah, this would be one of those times. This was just a thoroughly entertaining read. Well written. Well paced. Likable characters. Original engaging plot. Ghosts. Creepy house. Horny teenagers. Even the cover is outstanding.
You know sometimes you just read a book, and it is SO good, but you can't think of a lot to say about it other than "READ IT"? Yeah, this would be one of those times. This was just a thoroughly entertaining read. Well written. Well paced. Likable characters. Original engaging plot. Ghosts. Creepy house. Horny teenagers. Even the cover is outstanding.
aanya12's review
5.0
This was a splendid book!! Best horror book I have ever read (and I usually cry when reading them)
⋆┈┈｡ﾟ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ❁ུ۪ ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ﾟ｡┈┈⋆
This book follows Nora whose mother is a bestselling author, they relocate to a faraway village after her mom's divorce there she encounters ghost, her mind travels to past lives as she fights paranormal things. Oh and her love life is quite upside down ;)
A perfect combination of horror, drama and romance!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this book.
My rating ⊱ ─ {⋅. ✯5 stars✯ .⋅} ─ ⊰
⋆┈┈｡ﾟ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ❁ུ۪ ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ﾟ｡┈┈⋆
This book follows Nora whose mother is a bestselling author, they relocate to a faraway village after her mom's divorce there she encounters ghost, her mind travels to past lives as she fights paranormal things. Oh and her love life is quite upside down ;)
A perfect combination of horror, drama and romance!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this book.
My rating ⊱ ─ {⋅. ✯5 stars✯ .⋅} ─ ⊰
kimwritesstuff's review
3.0
This book starts with Nora and her mother Claire relocating to Willow Grove from Buffalo, New York after Claire's divorce from her husband. They move into what some would call charming, but most would call dilapidated farm house in the middle of nowhere. Is the house in serious need of some TLC? Yes, and also maybe an exorcist.
The beginning of the book was a little jumbled for me. I thought a lot of the exposition in the second chapter should have been in the first. I got confused and thought Claire was Nora's sister and not her mother, so I started the book thinking they were a family of three not two. We're quickly introduced to the fact that Nora can see supernatural entities, though this power has only ever gotten her trips to her local shrink. At this new house in Willow Grove she can sense something sinister. Her Spidey sense pays off when she finds a journal hidden in the attic under a floorboard. The journal proves to be a smart plot device that I really enjoyed throughout the story.
Within a day of arriving, they go to the local dinner and meet Rebel, the love interest for Nora. I had a few qualms with this. Instant attraction is easy to come by, but they seemed instantly in love and for no reason. I thought for sure there was going to be a prophecy or magic binding them together, but no such luck. Rebel has agreed to bring some friends to help clean the attic at Nora's new home. This promise is quickly followed up by a visit the next day by Rebel and his football friends. As they clean the attic, Rebel stumbles across the spot that Nora found the journal and finds a dagger. The two hide it from the other boys and later engage in a super passionate kiss.
From here the story really develops the supernatural plot introducing sorcerers, gods, nymphs, and magic. However, I felt that the author could have easily omitted unnecessary side characters like Nora's friends from Buffalo, in order to better develop the magic and main characters. It was difficult to understand what certain things meant, like what did it mean when someone was "innocent"? Were they a virgin or just not an asshole? Overall I liked this book, I found it to be a good supernatural tale.
The beginning of the book was a little jumbled for me. I thought a lot of the exposition in the second chapter should have been in the first. I got confused and thought Claire was Nora's sister and not her mother, so I started the book thinking they were a family of three not two. We're quickly introduced to the fact that Nora can see supernatural entities, though this power has only ever gotten her trips to her local shrink. At this new house in Willow Grove she can sense something sinister. Her Spidey sense pays off when she finds a journal hidden in the attic under a floorboard. The journal proves to be a smart plot device that I really enjoyed throughout the story.
Within a day of arriving, they go to the local dinner and meet Rebel, the love interest for Nora. I had a few qualms with this. Instant attraction is easy to come by, but they seemed instantly in love and for no reason. I thought for sure there was going to be a prophecy or magic binding them together, but no such luck. Rebel has agreed to bring some friends to help clean the attic at Nora's new home. This promise is quickly followed up by a visit the next day by Rebel and his football friends. As they clean the attic, Rebel stumbles across the spot that Nora found the journal and finds a dagger. The two hide it from the other boys and later engage in a super passionate kiss.
From here the story really develops the supernatural plot introducing sorcerers, gods, nymphs, and magic. However, I felt that the author could have easily omitted unnecessary side characters like Nora's friends from Buffalo, in order to better develop the magic and main characters. It was difficult to understand what certain things meant, like what did it mean when someone was "innocent"? Were they a virgin or just not an asshole? Overall I liked this book, I found it to be a good supernatural tale.
tortorreads's review
5.0
49/50
The Upside Down of Nora Gaines
By:Catharine Constantine
Rating: 5/5⭐️
Publishing Date:3.5.21
I was given this eARC to read for my honest review.
O.M.G! What a great book!
This is a must read!
Nora and her mother, Clare, move from their city life to small town and buy a vacant farmhouse. Strange things start to happen for Nora after she finds a journal written back in time. It tells a tale of a phantom beast, a sorcerer, and a young teen girl. Noras life is never the same after reading the first pages of the journal.
Wow, wow wow! This book was amazing! This book has mystery, action, a little bit of horror, romance and fantasy. Catharine Constantine is an amazing author, she has an inimitable way of writing. Her storytelling is brought to life, amazingly tuned to details and the way the characters are brought to life you feel like you know them.
I definitely recommend this book to 16+
Thank you NetGalley and Catharine Constantine for writing an amazing book
The Upside Down of Nora Gaines
By:Catharine Constantine
Rating: 5/5⭐️
Publishing Date:3.5.21
I was given this eARC to read for my honest review.
O.M.G! What a great book!
This is a must read!
Nora and her mother, Clare, move from their city life to small town and buy a vacant farmhouse. Strange things start to happen for Nora after she finds a journal written back in time. It tells a tale of a phantom beast, a sorcerer, and a young teen girl. Noras life is never the same after reading the first pages of the journal.
Wow, wow wow! This book was amazing! This book has mystery, action, a little bit of horror, romance and fantasy. Catharine Constantine is an amazing author, she has an inimitable way of writing. Her storytelling is brought to life, amazingly tuned to details and the way the characters are brought to life you feel like you know them.
I definitely recommend this book to 16+
Thank you NetGalley and Catharine Constantine for writing an amazing book
beabookish's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
2.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for proving this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book has a BEAUTIFUL cover and an interesting presence. It had the potential to be fantastic and thrilling if done right. Unfortunately this book fell short for me.
Nora and her mother move to a mysterious house in a small town where the don’t know anyone. Nora quickly falls in with a crowd of local teens. She discovers a mysterious journal that gives her glimpses at the history of the house and the haunting rumors surrounding it.
Pros
- the haunted house plot line is quite interesting
- the concept of the journal is not something I’ve seen done before
- Nora has paranormal powers including communicating with ghosts and psychic dreams
Cons
- the romance sub plot is entirely unnecessary to moving the story forward. Nora’s relationship with Rebel is very forced and awkward for teens who just met. If Nora and Rebel remained friends the entire time, it would have done nothing to change the plot.
- so much toxic masculinity in this group of teen boys
- several of the journal scenes made
tasigmund's review
4.0
Nora's mom moves them to Walnut Grove, due to divorce. After Nora's mother buys a run-down farmhouse Nora finds a journal with writing that just mysteriously appears. Nora meets Rebel, the hunky guy in town. Nora and Rebel begin to look into the history of Nora's new home. This book is a YA/paranormal romance. I like YA books and a plus with the paranormal/ghost part. I think there is a touch of fantasy in this book, i'm not into fantasy but i don't mind it. The Upside Down of Nora Gaines is a page turning read that's easy to follow along. This is my first book by Cathrina Constantine and it's a good book. I hope she writes more books like this one.
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