vezreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I had read two books by Mira Grant before and rated both of them 5 stars so when I saw this I didn't read anything about it and just jumped right in... if I had bothered to read the synopsis I might have realised that this is a Scooby Doo retelling and 100% not my thing!
So yeah I didn't really like this one.
The story explores what would happen to a gang like the scooby squad if things took a terrible turn into horror while solving a mystery. I can totally see how that would be a compelling concept for a lot of readers... but I am not one of them.
I liked that the POV character Harlow (aka Velma) was an unreliable narrator as the haunted house gets its claws deeper and deeper into her. And I enjoyed the relationship between her and her foster brother Kevin (100% just Shaggy).
I didn't like much else though and the story didn't exactly have plot holes but it did have a lot of plot ambiguity which I really didn't enjoy
So yeah I didn't really like this one.
The story explores what would happen to a gang like the scooby squad if things took a terrible turn into horror while solving a mystery. I can totally see how that would be a compelling concept for a lot of readers... but I am not one of them.
I liked that the POV character Harlow (aka Velma) was an unreliable narrator as the haunted house gets its claws deeper and deeper into her. And I enjoyed the relationship between her and her foster brother Kevin (100% just Shaggy).
I didn't like much else though and the story didn't exactly have plot holes but it did have a lot of plot ambiguity which I really didn't enjoy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Violence, and Child death
Moderate: Grief
thereadedit's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Unsettling: 😬😬/5
SCARY: 👻/5
DEATH: 💀💀/5
INTRIGUE: 🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠
Creepy: 🎈🎈🎈/5
Spindrift house is like no other. It is a living breathing home to many over the centuries. This was definitely an intriguing story that I couldn't put down. I was amazed and in awe of the different pathways that were taken to get one person where they belonged like so many before them.
With so much unknown about their past it is always hard to pin down what is from your lineage and what is from being learned. With the creep factor of hearing things and seeing things, you see what the house wants you to see. Until you learn more and see so much clearly.
I really enjoyed the characters, their friendships and how so many things fell into place for them to fall out in the end.
Unsettling: 😬😬/5
SCARY: 👻/5
DEATH: 💀💀/5
INTRIGUE: 🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠
Creepy: 🎈🎈🎈/5
Spindrift house is like no other. It is a living breathing home to many over the centuries. This was definitely an intriguing story that I couldn't put down. I was amazed and in awe of the different pathways that were taken to get one person where they belonged like so many before them.
With so much unknown about their past it is always hard to pin down what is from your lineage and what is from being learned. With the creep factor of hearing things and seeing things, you see what the house wants you to see. Until you learn more and see so much clearly.
I really enjoyed the characters, their friendships and how so many things fell into place for them to fall out in the end.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Child death, and Death of parent
schnaucl's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I really loved the first half to two thirds of this book. The first chapter in particular which talked about Spindrift House in omniscient third person POV was lovely. The prose was lyrical and the cadence absolutely perfect for a tale told around a campfire. That first chapter made me want to try and find a copy of the physical book to own, which I fully intend to do.
I also loved the Answer Squad. I could feel how much they loved each other, how close they were, and what their shared history was like. It made me wish I had friends like that (minus the tragic backstory). I would have loved to read more about their crime solving years. I could also feel Harlowe's anxiety about growing apart and things changing.
Of course, it is a horror story, so it couldn't last. I could feel it coming and dreaded it.
But I generally found the ending underwhelming, though I'm having a hard time articulating why.
I also loved the Answer Squad. I could feel how much they loved each other, how close they were, and what their shared history was like. It made me wish I had friends like that (minus the tragic backstory). I would have loved to read more about their crime solving years. I could also feel Harlowe's anxiety about growing apart and things changing.
Of course, it is a horror story, so it couldn't last. I could feel it coming and dreaded it.
Spoiler
Although I mourned Addison's death, I did like the scene on the widow's walk where she confirms Harlowe isn't really Harlowe anymore because Harlowe looks at her with love and the person in front of her isn't. And then she strikes.But I generally found the ending underwhelming, though I'm having a hard time articulating why.
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
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