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the_sassy_bookworm's review
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Man Among Ghosts by Steven Hopstaken is a gripping and haunting thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The story follows David, who after surviving a near-death experience, finds himself haunted by ghosts in an old Victorian house he’s renovating. These spirits are not yet dead and are begging for his help and offering him protection from a demonic presence that wants him dead. As his paranoia ramps up, he discovers that the only way to end the haunting is to kill a man named “Fitz.”
The book starts off slowly, but once the plot kicks in, it becomes impossible to put down. The writing style does initially seem clunky, with repeated use of phrases such as ‘David imagined,’ which can be distracting at first. However, it’s worth reading through this to get to the meat of the story itself.
The characters are well-crafted and fleshed out throughout the book. There’s an excellent balance between action and introspection that provides depth to each character and their motivations. One of the strongest aspects of this novel is how Hopstaken makes readers feel as if they’re part of the story itself.
Overall, I would highly recommend A Man Among Ghosts. The chilling storyline will keep you guessing until its jaw-dropping climax while its interesting characters make you care about what happens to them next. It’s easily one of the best books I have read in awhile, despite some initial hiccups.
**ARC via NetGalley**
A Man Among Ghosts by Steven Hopstaken is a gripping and haunting thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The story follows David, who after surviving a near-death experience, finds himself haunted by ghosts in an old Victorian house he’s renovating. These spirits are not yet dead and are begging for his help and offering him protection from a demonic presence that wants him dead. As his paranoia ramps up, he discovers that the only way to end the haunting is to kill a man named “Fitz.”
The book starts off slowly, but once the plot kicks in, it becomes impossible to put down. The writing style does initially seem clunky, with repeated use of phrases such as ‘David imagined,’ which can be distracting at first. However, it’s worth reading through this to get to the meat of the story itself.
The characters are well-crafted and fleshed out throughout the book. There’s an excellent balance between action and introspection that provides depth to each character and their motivations. One of the strongest aspects of this novel is how Hopstaken makes readers feel as if they’re part of the story itself.
Overall, I would highly recommend A Man Among Ghosts. The chilling storyline will keep you guessing until its jaw-dropping climax while its interesting characters make you care about what happens to them next. It’s easily one of the best books I have read in awhile, despite some initial hiccups.
**ARC via NetGalley**
joy_b's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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
2.5
emeraldreviews's review
5.0
A Man Among Ghosts is a darkly funny, paranormal adventure through the eyes of one poor tormented individual.
This novel is like a book version of the paranormal activity movie packed full of satirical humour. Throughout the entire story you are subjected to moments that make you feel deep frustration for David, all he wants is his life and blow by blow, life takes its toll on him.
The beginning of the book is supremely ominous, there is a major trigger warning for suicide which is continuously referenced throughout. This scene is integral to the story though and sets the novel up in a brilliant way.
David is a fantastic protagonist who grows immensely throughout the read. Steve Hopstaken has done an outstanding job of creating a relatable, deep character with a rich set of character growth situations.
The stories prowess is cemented in its scenes of paranormal craziness. Steve Hopstaken is extremely talented when it comes to these scenes and I absolutely adored reading them, no matter how dark they may be!
A Man Among Ghosts is another fantastic instalment from Flame Tree Press and paranormal thriller fans are sure to have a blast with this one!
This novel is like a book version of the paranormal activity movie packed full of satirical humour. Throughout the entire story you are subjected to moments that make you feel deep frustration for David, all he wants is his life and blow by blow, life takes its toll on him.
The beginning of the book is supremely ominous, there is a major trigger warning for suicide which is continuously referenced throughout. This scene is integral to the story though and sets the novel up in a brilliant way.
David is a fantastic protagonist who grows immensely throughout the read. Steve Hopstaken has done an outstanding job of creating a relatable, deep character with a rich set of character growth situations.
The stories prowess is cemented in its scenes of paranormal craziness. Steve Hopstaken is extremely talented when it comes to these scenes and I absolutely adored reading them, no matter how dark they may be!
A Man Among Ghosts is another fantastic instalment from Flame Tree Press and paranormal thriller fans are sure to have a blast with this one!
kirstycarson1's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
heathersereads's review
3.0
I really wanted to like this book. I always end up being one of the odd people that didn't enjoy it as much amongst a sea of five star reviews, and end up wondering what they got out of it that I seemed to have missed. It had a really compelling plot with a lot of potential, but I think my biggest issue was with the fact that it felt more like I was being told the story instead of being shown. I also felt like the characters ended up a bit flat and I had a bit of trouble continuing. If I wasn't so curious to find out the ending, which felt a bit forced and had a very soft, but decent twist, I'm not sure if I would've continued reading.
Thank you for this ARC that was generously provided by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you for this ARC that was generously provided by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
invisiblemonster's review
4.0
I have yet to find a great haunted house story. As far as I can remember this is the best so far at least. It definitely gave me the heeby jeebys and all the feels at the right moments and that’s a good balance in a scary book. Overall, it’s a safe recommenda
nikki_in_niagara's review
4.0
A young man decides it's time to start "adulting" and buys himself a 100-year-old house. As soon as he arrives he finds out he has a brain tumour and starts hallucinating. But are these hallucinations or ghosts? If they are ghosts, there are many of them and they want something from him. Meanwhile, there is an evil one who wants to hurt him.
This was a standard ghost story I'd call mostly a cosy. There are injured ghosts and mild violence. The story was enjoyable and quick to read at under 300 pages. I found it a speed read and thought the various reasons people gave him (hallucinations, grifters, demons, ghosts) a lot of fun. Not the best writing but a very good read.
This was a standard ghost story I'd call mostly a cosy. There are injured ghosts and mild violence. The story was enjoyable and quick to read at under 300 pages. I found it a speed read and thought the various reasons people gave him (hallucinations, grifters, demons, ghosts) a lot of fun. Not the best writing but a very good read.
house_of_hannah's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you so much to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC; it is greatly appreciated.
I was really into this book until about the 60% mark. From here it feels like it jumps the rails, gets a bit too ridiculous, and feels rushed. The last 40% has a different vibe in the writing compared to the rest, and it just feels off.
The characters were great, and it was refreshing to actually have a character that has a solid support system that he can confide in in a horror novel. Often times the MC is left to their own devices, so I appreciated the active side characters.
I don't mind how this book ended, but with the build up of the first half I think that last third can be done better. It really feels like the author was on a time crunch, and maybe was not able to give that section of the book as much attention.
Overall, it's an easy and quick read that will certainly deliver if you're in the mood for ghosts.
I was really into this book until about the 60% mark. From here it feels like it jumps the rails, gets a bit too ridiculous, and feels rushed. The last 40% has a different vibe in the writing compared to the rest, and it just feels off.
The characters were great, and it was refreshing to actually have a character that has a solid support system that he can confide in in a horror novel. Often times the MC is left to their own devices, so I appreciated the active side characters.
I don't mind how this book ended, but with the build up of the first half I think that last third can be done better. It really feels like the author was on a time crunch, and maybe was not able to give that section of the book as much attention.
Overall, it's an easy and quick read that will certainly deliver if you're in the mood for ghosts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Animal death, Sexual content, and War
bookivore's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
At first I wasn't sure about this one. The initial set up and introduction to the main character didn't feel polished, or something. But as the book goes on, the action builds and it just gets better and better. Lots of ghosts, lots of what is going on moments. I don't want to add any spoilers, so I'll just say I like the idea of where the ghosts were coming from.
I definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy ghost and haunted house books.
I definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy ghost and haunted house books.
sucharita's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0