nataliereadz's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Out of respect for the power of ratings, I'll opt to not rate this one on here, because the issues are all mine. I'm a huge fan of ghost stories and haunted houses and this hits all the marks. But I reckon it was absolutely poor timing on my part as a mood reader. My heart wasn't all in for this (On a total, absolutely ruined, Haunting Adeline hangover) and because of that, this fell flat for me and I was uncharacteristically bored and rushing for an ending(!?) Totally a me problem - so if you're into haunted houses, ghosts, paranormal activity and murder mysteries, give this a chance because it's a great story!
netslummer's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
While I enjoyed this book there were a number of glaring issues.
I love a good haunted house. Give me all the ghosts please. This is a whodunit/mystery wrapped in ghosts. While the overall story of the haunting, for me, was glaringly obvious, I still enjoyed it. Nothing about this book surprised me. Is that bad? No. It's a bit formulaic but that formula tends to work so why change it up unnecessarily?
Honestly my major negative for this book was the lack of characters I cared about. Terri is insufferable (sorry) and Dallas is a ten year old but acts like a sixteen year old. It's briefly commented on in a later chapter that Dallas is great "when she's not acting like she's thirty"...it felt like the author's strength isn't in writing believable children. That said Dallas was my favorite character.
There is a vague reference of Gertrude being LGBTQIA+ which was nice, I guess, but felt a little shoehorned in.
There is a reference made early on about Terri thinking Dallas is "on the spectrum" which felt heavy-handed and weird.
There are casual mentions of children considering suicide which is off putting. But, hey, this is a horror novel, right?
I said nothing surprised me but that was a little bit of a lie. The epilogue was a tasty treat at the end.
While I enjoyed this book there were a number of glaring issues.
I love a good haunted house. Give me all the ghosts please. This is a whodunit/mystery wrapped in ghosts. While the overall story of the haunting, for me, was glaringly obvious, I still enjoyed it. Nothing about this book surprised me. Is that bad? No. It's a bit formulaic but that formula tends to work so why change it up unnecessarily?
Honestly my major negative for this book was the lack of characters I cared about. Terri is insufferable (sorry) and Dallas is a ten year old but acts like a sixteen year old. It's briefly commented on in a later chapter that Dallas is great "when she's not acting like she's thirty"...it felt like the author's strength isn't in writing believable children. That said Dallas was my favorite character.
There is a vague reference of Gertrude being LGBTQIA+ which was nice, I guess, but felt a little shoehorned in.
There is a reference made early on about Terri thinking Dallas is "on the spectrum" which felt heavy-handed and weird.
There are casual mentions of children considering suicide which is off putting. But, hey, this is a horror novel, right?
I said nothing surprised me but that was a little bit of a lie. The epilogue was a tasty treat at the end.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
It was a very creepy story that kept me on the edge till the end, better not reading it before sleep or be ready for some interesting nightmare.
The author delivers a gripping, twisty and well written story using a classing trope, the haunted house, and renewing it.
Great storytelling, character and world development.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The author delivers a gripping, twisty and well written story using a classing trope, the haunted house, and renewing it.
Great storytelling, character and world development.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
ljwrites85's review against another edition
4.0
Rounded up from 3.5
I'm a sucker for a haunted house story, so when I read the synopsis for The Restoration, I knew I had to give it a read.
The Restoration is a mix of mystery and ghostly goings on which created an additive read. I devoured this book in two sittings which I haven't done in ages!
Terri is desperate for money, so she takes on the restoration of the old Miss Vandermere's childhood home, Glenvale. She moves in with her daughter Dallas, but things don't seem right and the hauntings begin. The ghost refuses to leave them alone and, along with another unwanted guest, Terri finds herself pulled into the mystery surrounding Glenvale.
I felt for Terri. Trying her best to provide for her daughter in the tough business of restoring houses, also while keeping her ex from getting full custody of her daughter.
I enjoyed the fact it showed a realistic parent/child relationship, the ups and downs. One minute they hate you, the next you're firm friends and all the other nuanced stuff that goes on in between.
The tension builds nicely, culminating in an explosive ending, which while it didn't entirely surprise me, was extremely satisfying.
I wished there had been more of a buildup at the beginning of the story. I felt the ghost showed itself a little too soon for my liking.
The Restoration is a quick spooky read that I'd recommend to any mystery lover out there who likes a ghostly twist to their stories.
This may be my first J.H. Moncrieff book, but I will certainly be on the lookout for more of her books in the future.
I'm a sucker for a haunted house story, so when I read the synopsis for The Restoration, I knew I had to give it a read.
The Restoration is a mix of mystery and ghostly goings on which created an additive read. I devoured this book in two sittings which I haven't done in ages!
Terri is desperate for money, so she takes on the restoration of the old Miss Vandermere's childhood home, Glenvale. She moves in with her daughter Dallas, but things don't seem right and the hauntings begin. The ghost refuses to leave them alone and, along with another unwanted guest, Terri finds herself pulled into the mystery surrounding Glenvale.
I felt for Terri. Trying her best to provide for her daughter in the tough business of restoring houses, also while keeping her ex from getting full custody of her daughter.
I enjoyed the fact it showed a realistic parent/child relationship, the ups and downs. One minute they hate you, the next you're firm friends and all the other nuanced stuff that goes on in between.
The tension builds nicely, culminating in an explosive ending, which while it didn't entirely surprise me, was extremely satisfying.
I wished there had been more of a buildup at the beginning of the story. I felt the ghost showed itself a little too soon for my liking.
The Restoration is a quick spooky read that I'd recommend to any mystery lover out there who likes a ghostly twist to their stories.
This may be my first J.H. Moncrieff book, but I will certainly be on the lookout for more of her books in the future.
netslummer's review
4.0
3.5 stars.
While I enjoyed this book there were a number of glaring issues.
I love a good haunted house. Give me all the ghosts please. This is a whodunit/mystery wrapped in ghosts. While the overall story of the haunting, for me, was glaringly obvious, I still enjoyed it. Nothing about this book surprised me. Is that bad? No. It's a bit formulaic but that formula tends to work so why change it up unnecessarily?
Honestly my major negative for this book was the lack of characters I cared about. Terri is insufferable (sorry) and Dallas is a ten year old but acts like a sixteen year old. It's briefly commented on in a later chapter that Dallas is great "when she's not acting like she's thirty"...it felt like the author's strength isn't in writing believable children. That said Dallas was my favorite character.
There is a vague reference of Gertrude being LGBTQIA+ which was nice, I guess, but felt a little shoehorned in.
There is a reference made early on about Terri thinking Dallas is "on the spectrum" which felt heavy-handed and weird.
There are casual mentions of children considering suicide which is off putting. But, hey, this is a horror novel, right?
I said nothing surprised me but that was a little bit of a lie. The epilogue was a tasty treat at the end.
While I enjoyed this book there were a number of glaring issues.
I love a good haunted house. Give me all the ghosts please. This is a whodunit/mystery wrapped in ghosts. While the overall story of the haunting, for me, was glaringly obvious, I still enjoyed it. Nothing about this book surprised me. Is that bad? No. It's a bit formulaic but that formula tends to work so why change it up unnecessarily?
Honestly my major negative for this book was the lack of characters I cared about. Terri is insufferable (sorry) and Dallas is a ten year old but acts like a sixteen year old. It's briefly commented on in a later chapter that Dallas is great "when she's not acting like she's thirty"...it felt like the author's strength isn't in writing believable children. That said Dallas was my favorite character.
There is a vague reference of Gertrude being LGBTQIA+ which was nice, I guess, but felt a little shoehorned in.
There is a reference made early on about Terri thinking Dallas is "on the spectrum" which felt heavy-handed and weird.
There are casual mentions of children considering suicide which is off putting. But, hey, this is a horror novel, right?
I said nothing surprised me but that was a little bit of a lie. The epilogue was a tasty treat at the end.
queenpurple123's review
dark
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? Yes
3.0
I don’t know how to feel about this book. I mean the story kept me reading, but…the main character? Oh boy! She makes so many dumb ass decisions in this book! Like you’re a mother for God’s sake! Who is going to keep their kid in a haunted house with a dangerous “ghost” ? Like really? But then again, I guess we wouldn’t have the story, but couldn’t she just send her ten-year-old daughter away from the danger. That irked me so much, but again it kept me reading and I wanted to know the outcome, so 3 stars.
beaubooks's review
dark
mysterious
fast-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? No
5.0
I'm liking J.H. Moncrieff's writing more and more.
I'm always up for a good classic haunted house story, and this one delivers.
In this book we're following Terri, who moves in to an old estate with her daughter Dallas.
The plan is to restore the house over the summer, but unfortunately some of the unalive residents of the manor make Terri's work difficult and are spooking her and her daughter.
Some other reviewers have already mentioned that Terri is an unlikable character, and I agree to a certain extent. She makes some weird decisions and doesn't seem to be able to keep her daughter safe, but I personally don't mind reading from the perspective of someone I don't agree with or someone I dislike.
The real selling points of this fast-paced and short book:
1. J.H. Moncrieff's sense of humor. Throughout the book, we get several little quotes like this:
“Can we get some light down here? It’s blacker than a cat’s asshole.”
Maybe this is just me being silly, but I lol'd.
2. The scary elements were really creepy. This author knows how to build suspense, and at several instances, I felt uneasy along with the characters. Also, bonus points for creepy children!
Basically, the only thing I didn't like was this:
"Terri released the breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding."
I can live without reading this sentence ever again, honestly.
I'm always up for a good classic haunted house story, and this one delivers.
In this book we're following Terri, who moves in to an old estate with her daughter Dallas.
The plan is to restore the house over the summer, but unfortunately some of the unalive residents of the manor make Terri's work difficult and are spooking her and her daughter.
Some other reviewers have already mentioned that Terri is an unlikable character, and I agree to a certain extent. She makes some weird decisions and doesn't seem to be able to keep her daughter safe, but I personally don't mind reading from the perspective of someone I don't agree with or someone I dislike.
The real selling points of this fast-paced and short book:
1. J.H. Moncrieff's sense of humor. Throughout the book, we get several little quotes like this:
“Can we get some light down here? It’s blacker than a cat’s asshole.”
Maybe this is just me being silly, but I lol'd.
2. The scary elements were really creepy. This author knows how to build suspense, and at several instances, I felt uneasy along with the characters. Also, bonus points for creepy children!
Basically, the only thing I didn't like was this:
"Terri released the breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding."
I can live without reading this sentence ever again, honestly.
baybooks's review against another edition
3.0
The Restoration
J.H Moncrieff
Anticipated Publication Date: Oct. 26,2021
This book is fast paced and has a frightening concept.
Terri moved into the home of Mrs. Vandermere with her daughter for the summer in order to restore it.
Her daughter encounters the spirit of someone who lived in the home early in the plot and the book is off and running. I felt that this was thrilling and exciting as the pacing was quick and engaging. It is different from a typical haunting in a few creative ways, which made this refreshing.
I have to give it three stars because the end was a bit rushed. It is self aware as a horror and haunting story, which is pretty humorous. The protagonist is pleasant and relatable. The backstory to one of the characters was given and her motivations were explained but, I would have liked to learn more about the background of the ghosts.
If you are a fan of paranormal horror and hauntings this book will entertain you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for the E ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
J.H Moncrieff
Anticipated Publication Date: Oct. 26,2021
This book is fast paced and has a frightening concept.
Terri moved into the home of Mrs. Vandermere with her daughter for the summer in order to restore it.
Her daughter encounters the spirit of someone who lived in the home early in the plot and the book is off and running. I felt that this was thrilling and exciting as the pacing was quick and engaging. It is different from a typical haunting in a few creative ways, which made this refreshing.
I have to give it three stars because the end was a bit rushed. It is self aware as a horror and haunting story, which is pretty humorous. The protagonist is pleasant and relatable. The backstory to one of the characters was given and her motivations were explained but, I would have liked to learn more about the background of the ghosts.
If you are a fan of paranormal horror and hauntings this book will entertain you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for the E ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
dinotoria's review
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.5
Infuriatingly terrible characters. I hated everyone, except maybe the 10 year old daughter. The book was somehow simultaneously slow and boring while also zigzagging back and forth with a million different stories. Everything was easy to predict, and any resolution just felt too convenient.
No diversity, but maybe one of the characters is a lesbian? Going off two really vague sentences about someone "not wanting a man and wishing her mother understood who she really was" that just felt out of place and like a weird revelation to not go anywhere else with.
No diversity, but maybe one of the characters is a lesbian? Going off two really vague sentences about someone "not wanting a man and wishing her mother understood who she really was" that just felt out of place and like a weird revelation to not go anywhere else with.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Murder, and Sexual assault
emilysaidhello's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Torture, and Murder