joanneburns's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
antoniaward's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book. For a start, it's one of the scariest books I've ever read (probably only Nevill's The Ritual even comes close). Stephanie is an ordinary working-class girl fallen on hard times, who takes a room in an unsavoury lodging house out of sheer desperation. What follows is a descent into hell as the friendless Stephanie is manipulated and coerced into remaining in the house despite her misgivings, by her repellent landlord, Knacker McGuire (a brilliant, vividly drawn villain, in true Dickensian style). This book brings together gut-wrenching real life horror and a sense of the hopelessness of poverty, with a creeping supernatural dread that refuses to be shaken off. Undoubtedly a new all-time-favourite of mine.
uggy90's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Death, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Rape, Trafficking, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Death of parent
torchyblane's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
go2hellstephanie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed this book. There were moments that were genuinely terrifying, and Stephanie was an engaging protagonist.
My main issue is just that I think the book is too long. The later parts were intriguing, but felt slow, and I'm not sure if it would be improved if the tension was sustained throughout the whole book. I think there were a lot of plateaus. Some really good, tense moments, but mostly just kind of a horror book.
Not bad, but not my favorite. I'd probably read it again.
My main issue is just that I think the book is too long. The later parts were intriguing, but felt slow, and I'm not sure if it would be improved if the tension was sustained throughout the whole book. I think there were a lot of plateaus. Some really good, tense moments, but mostly just kind of a horror book.
Not bad, but not my favorite. I'd probably read it again.
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape
rssulliv's review against another edition
dark
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? It's complicated
3.5
bantoinette's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5
jsantucci's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-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
3.25