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catoltalksbooks's review against another edition
3.5
I'm not sure how to rate this book. The plot was nothing like I imagined it to be but it was really well thought out. I also really enjoyed the writing style.
The pacing was a bit off, there were moments in the beginning of the novel where it felt like nothing was happening, which I assume was used to build atmosphere and set up details of the story that later on would become more relevant.
I can not rate this much higher because while there were nice surprises, such as the feminist and race equality, I felt like my enjoyment of the story could have been a lot higher if the haunted house element was different.
The pacing was a bit off, there were moments in the beginning of the novel where it felt like nothing was happening, which I assume was used to build atmosphere and set up details of the story that later on would become more relevant.
I can not rate this much higher because while there were nice surprises, such as the feminist and race equality, I felt like my enjoyment of the story could have been a lot higher if the haunted house element was different.
experiencedrew's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
upallnightbookaddict's review against another edition
4.0
After seeing this book all over the place, I impulsively took the plunge. For my usual followers, you know that I tend to get gun shy with books that are overly, highly praised, as they tend to not live up to the hype. This one, for me, mostly lived up to the hype.
This book is haunting, suspenseful, dark, eerie, tense, with a smidge of sci-fi witching. This book is a true Gothic horror, suspense novel. It had all the markings of what it should have. It had just enough of the historical, creepy vibe that I had to see it through to the end.
I thought I knew exactly what was causing the thing that was happening. While I was totally correct, I wasn't 100% correct. The author did a wonderful job in turning the cause into something whole other worldly that I didn't even think of. On one hand, maybe there were enough clues, but on the other hand I'm not sure how I could've seen it coming.
While I understand that this book may not be up everyone's alley. It surely isn't something I would read on a regular basis. However, if this book isn't your normal read, I do suggest still giving it a try. It just might surprise you.
This book is haunting, suspenseful, dark, eerie, tense, with a smidge of sci-fi witching. This book is a true Gothic horror, suspense novel. It had all the markings of what it should have. It had just enough of the historical, creepy vibe that I had to see it through to the end.
I thought I knew exactly what was causing the thing that was happening. While I was totally correct, I wasn't 100% correct. The author did a wonderful job in turning the cause into something whole other worldly that I didn't even think of. On one hand, maybe there were enough clues, but on the other hand I'm not sure how I could've seen it coming.
While I understand that this book may not be up everyone's alley. It surely isn't something I would read on a regular basis. However, if this book isn't your normal read, I do suggest still giving it a try. It just might surprise you.
kmt75's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
3.0
lbast's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sarahbberrigan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cheazcakeguy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Disappointing, unfortunately. Cool ideas, good story, but the writing didn't click with me, the characters were flat and one-note, the pacing was uneven, and tension and atmosphere were both lacking except in fleeting moments. There are some likeable aspects of the book, and some that I really didn't like. Pretty mixed.
eliza_beth_23's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
spauffwrites's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is the second novel I’ve read by Moreno-Garcia this year, and I think it’s one of my favorites.
Glamorous debutante Noemi Taboada receives a letter from her newly-wed cousin, begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom at her new home, High Place, a moldy old house in the Mexican countryside.
At High Place, Noemi goes head to head with the Doyle family, especially Virgil Doyle, her cousin’s menacing husband, and Howard Doyle, the ancient patriarch. The very house itself seems against her, as Noemi begins to sleepwalk and experience nightmares filled with blood, snakes, poisonous fungi and doom.
With the help of the family’s youngest son, Noemi uncovers the secrets of High Place and the Doyle family’s violent past. But just as she uncovers the truth, the house and the family entrap her, so Noemi must not only save her cousin from a fate worse than death, but also herself.
The writing is gorgeous and the plot twisty and full of surprises — I loved it so much I listened to it twice on Audible. The story has all the markers of a great Gothic romance: an ancient house full of creepy distant relatives, mysterious voices, symbolic nightmares and a horrible secret. It was so much fun to read and a perfect way to kick off October.
Glamorous debutante Noemi Taboada receives a letter from her newly-wed cousin, begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom at her new home, High Place, a moldy old house in the Mexican countryside.
At High Place, Noemi goes head to head with the Doyle family, especially Virgil Doyle, her cousin’s menacing husband, and Howard Doyle, the ancient patriarch. The very house itself seems against her, as Noemi begins to sleepwalk and experience nightmares filled with blood, snakes, poisonous fungi and doom.
With the help of the family’s youngest son, Noemi uncovers the secrets of High Place and the Doyle family’s violent past. But just as she uncovers the truth, the house and the family entrap her, so Noemi must not only save her cousin from a fate worse than death, but also herself.
The writing is gorgeous and the plot twisty and full of surprises — I loved it so much I listened to it twice on Audible. The story has all the markers of a great Gothic romance: an ancient house full of creepy distant relatives, mysterious voices, symbolic nightmares and a horrible secret. It was so much fun to read and a perfect way to kick off October.