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mvilleda's review
1.0
I'm devastated that this one didn't work for me! When I read the description, it reminded me a little bit of The Haunting of Hill House, which is one of my favorite shows of all time, but sadly I was not too fond of the execution of this.
For starters, I think the writing style isn't for me. It felt...too composed? Like it wasn't flowing naturally. The dialogue or narration doesn't read naturally or authentically but instead feels forced. There was also a lot of dialogue in general, which isn't something I usually enjoy. I prefer it when you have to deduce things for yourself, but the writing in this made it seem very surface-level and like you're getting told everything instead of figuring it out for yourself. It became incredibly tiring reading people talk after a while, and I think it slowed down the pacing for me and made it less enjoyable.
I also didn't feel as much tension or creep factor as I hoped, which I expect with a novel like this. I tend to decide how good a mystery/thriller is for me by how creeped out, nervous, or scared I feel, and this one didn’t make me feel any anticipation toward what was coming up next or the ending.
I’m disappointed this one didn’t work out for me. However, I still have hope that other readers will enjoy it!
For starters, I think the writing style isn't for me. It felt...too composed? Like it wasn't flowing naturally. The dialogue or narration doesn't read naturally or authentically but instead feels forced. There was also a lot of dialogue in general, which isn't something I usually enjoy. I prefer it when you have to deduce things for yourself, but the writing in this made it seem very surface-level and like you're getting told everything instead of figuring it out for yourself. It became incredibly tiring reading people talk after a while, and I think it slowed down the pacing for me and made it less enjoyable.
I also didn't feel as much tension or creep factor as I hoped, which I expect with a novel like this. I tend to decide how good a mystery/thriller is for me by how creeped out, nervous, or scared I feel, and this one didn’t make me feel any anticipation toward what was coming up next or the ending.
I’m disappointed this one didn’t work out for me. However, I still have hope that other readers will enjoy it!
t_bonzey's review against another edition
4.0
4⭐️{Kindle}
This book has all the gothic horror feels. Mystery thriller set in a haunted manor. Love a good eery setting. Told in multiple point of views and timelines. Easy read that’s spooky with thrills and chills.
This book has all the gothic horror feels. Mystery thriller set in a haunted manor. Love a good eery setting. Told in multiple point of views and timelines. Easy read that’s spooky with thrills and chills.
faithemt's review against another edition
4.0
a modern Gothic type novel. Excellent character development.
fast paced.
Full review is here:
https://goldintheclouds-faith.blogspot.com/2023/01/2023-book-review-2-shadow-sister.html
fast paced.
Full review is here:
https://goldintheclouds-faith.blogspot.com/2023/01/2023-book-review-2-shadow-sister.html
ninabyte's review against another edition
4.0
A stunning read from start to finish!
I couldn't put this book down and finished it in one sitting. The author alternates between past and present and different character POVs that will keep you guessing until the grand reveal. There were a couple of loose ends that I felt could be tied up tighter with some minimal effort but they don't detract much - and since this was an ARC, who knows, maybe they'll make the final cut in the end!
I couldn't put this book down and finished it in one sitting. The author alternates between past and present and different character POVs that will keep you guessing until the grand reveal. There were a couple of loose ends that I felt could be tied up tighter with some minimal effort but they don't detract much - and since this was an ARC, who knows, maybe they'll make the final cut in the end!
tamsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This book was an easy read. I predicted the "plot twist" pretty early on. But there were enough little side mysteries that kept me reading it.
ophelia98's review against another edition
3.0
Good twists and turns at the end but the book could have been many pages less.
temberhop's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, and Death of parent
lsham16's review against another edition
4.0
Good story
It was hard to follow in the beginning but reads like a good lifetime movie. Good suspense building. Mental illness runs rampant
It was hard to follow in the beginning but reads like a good lifetime movie. Good suspense building. Mental illness runs rampant
jessicarenz's review against another edition
2.0
Wow. This might be the first book I’ve read that has been so predictable that I figured out all of the twists less than 50% of the way through. I’m serious, I figured out Sarah was actually Didi and behind all of the poisonings way before that was revealed in the last 10% of the book. I’m giving two VERY generous stars just because it was a good idea for a book, but it was written so terribly. It was too wordy, the characters all spoke like the author would and used words they shouldn’t (like a high school girl using vocab that didn’t fit with her characterization), the author changed a very minor character’s name within a few sentences, I could go on and on. I do not recommend this book.
ufvrhvnv's review against another edition
3.0
Dramatic, horrifiying, sinister and a tad bit dark.
A bit slow at the beginning, but then it picks up. Predictable right down to the T, but piques your curiosity.
A bit slow at the beginning, but then it picks up. Predictable right down to the T, but piques your curiosity.