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novelwitch's review against another edition
4.0
https://novelwitch.com/blog/f/the-haunting-of-blackwood-house
This was a true ghost story and I really appreciated that fact. Some paranormal stories play a gotcha game where its the old groundskeeper who wants the house for themself like an old ScoobyDoo episode. The chapters were short, which allowed me to easily get right back into the story after putting it down - kids equal distraction. The character development, haunting storyline (pun intended) and writing style made it a quick read for me. I'm going to throw this out there, too. I would have loved to hear more about the ghost's origin so a prequel novel would be highly anticipated. I so enjoyed the story told by Darcy Coats, I couldn't sleep that night!
This was a true ghost story and I really appreciated that fact. Some paranormal stories play a gotcha game where its the old groundskeeper who wants the house for themself like an old ScoobyDoo episode. The chapters were short, which allowed me to easily get right back into the story after putting it down - kids equal distraction. The character development, haunting storyline (pun intended) and writing style made it a quick read for me. I'm going to throw this out there, too. I would have loved to hear more about the ghost's origin so a prequel novel would be highly anticipated. I so enjoyed the story told by Darcy Coats, I couldn't sleep that night!
erinpowell2014's review against another edition
4.0
I finished this in less than a day. It was pretty good. I felt like I was watching a scary movie. It was only a little predictable and that’s why I gave it 4 stars.
mouwuol's review against another edition
2.0
very very very below average.
My favourite genre (or sub genre i suppose) is supernatural horror set in houses AKA haunted houses.
I also love horror novels but this book just fell very flat.
The main character is not a good person, she treats everyone around her like trash (like shes yelled at multiple strangers she only just met because they didn't magically know about her childhood) and shes very very VERY dumb.
Comedy was thrown in at the worst times. I love comedy in horror novels (thank u stephen king) but not when your near death.. it just takes me out of the story and atmosphere.
Neil was a big pushover. Grow a backbone and stand up for yourself Neil...like seriously???
It read like a middle grade book which is not a good thing when the story is very gruesome and meant for adults.
Maybe i just read this during a bad time. I'm living through a natural disaster right now, my house might be submerged any day now and a lot of people have died from it so far so i was using this book as a distraction from everything going on around me which might of impacted me.
i was hoping this would scare me more than the heavy rain outside but no.
I read this in a rocking chair which is ironic as a rocking chair is a common occurrence in this book so whenever the creepy lady in the chair showed up.. it felt like i was her because i was also slowly rocking in a creaky rocking chair.. idk but it was fun lol
My favourite genre (or sub genre i suppose) is supernatural horror set in houses AKA haunted houses.
I also love horror novels but this book just fell very flat.
The main character is not a good person, she treats everyone around her like trash (like shes yelled at multiple strangers she only just met because they didn't magically know about her childhood) and shes very very VERY dumb.
Comedy was thrown in at the worst times. I love comedy in horror novels (thank u stephen king) but not when your near death.. it just takes me out of the story and atmosphere.
Neil was a big pushover. Grow a backbone and stand up for yourself Neil...like seriously???
It read like a middle grade book which is not a good thing when the story is very gruesome and meant for adults.
Maybe i just read this during a bad time. I'm living through a natural disaster right now, my house might be submerged any day now and a lot of people have died from it so far so i was using this book as a distraction from everything going on around me which might of impacted me.
i was hoping this would scare me more than the heavy rain outside but no.
I read this in a rocking chair which is ironic as a rocking chair is a common occurrence in this book so whenever the creepy lady in the chair showed up.. it felt like i was her because i was also slowly rocking in a creaky rocking chair.. idk but it was fun lol
renae1299's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.75
bookshelfinchaos's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
brii_brii's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, this was a pretty okay ghost story.
A little bit lackluster. I kept waiting for the shoe to drop and a big twist to happen, but it never did. This was really more about Mara dealing with her childhood trauma and her relationship with Neil than it was a ghost story.
I could have used more history on all of the people who died in the house. The little bits and bobs that were dropped along the way really didn't cut it for me.
The suspense was never really there; I was never on the edge of my seat. It didn't give me a spooky scary vibe at all.
Overall, it was a good ghost story. I did enjoy it, even if it wasn't as much as I usually love Coates’ stories.
A little bit lackluster. I kept waiting for the shoe to drop and a big twist to happen, but it never did. This was really more about Mara dealing with her childhood trauma and her relationship with Neil than it was a ghost story.
I could have used more history on all of the people who died in the house. The little bits and bobs that were dropped along the way really didn't cut it for me.
The suspense was never really there; I was never on the edge of my seat. It didn't give me a spooky scary vibe at all.
Overall, it was a good ghost story. I did enjoy it, even if it wasn't as much as I usually love Coates’ stories.
aurban's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
jaselynn_23's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
clownmama's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Extremely annoying, even unlikable, main character, Mara. Her milk toast boyfriend, Neil, is really not that much better. Feels kinda repetitive at times, the main action is really only in the last quarter of the book.