Reviews

The Haunting of Blackwood House by Darcy Coates

la_carsia's review against another edition

1.0

I hated this book and it felt like a chore to get through! I can’t stand a dumb/stubborn af MC. Obviously ghosts are real! Who else is in the empty rocking chair going back and forth, walking in the attic at exactly 11:15 every night, and I don’t know.. the man hanging from the bannister that is there one minute and gone the next? Just old house things, am I right? Sheeesh.

DC dropped the ball with this one.

madalinaelena's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

dreamichelle419's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

sleepytimebooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.25

ash_reads_horror's review against another edition

2.0

This book certainly kept me entertained, and had some genuinely spooky moments. However, this book was not for me. I gave it 2 stars.

One thing that didn't work for me was the relationship between the main character and her boyfriend. He was super nice and tried to help provide for her, but she's very independent and would refuse most of the stuff he got her.
They would fight, and then make up. That's how 90% of the relationship went throughout the book.

I also facepalmed a lot over the denial of ghosts. While I understand Mara's reasoning for not believing in the supernatural, it became hard to believe she could deny the house being haunted. Especially when supernatural things would happen right in front of her, she'd freak out and try to leave the house, and then decide to stay anyway.
I did love the concept of an old serial killer House being super haunted, and loved some of the scares in the book.
Some moments were super tense!

I also loved the mixture of humor and horror. I like a good laugh to help recover from a bone-chilling spook.

cococrystals's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

ghostyreadsy's review against another edition

1.0

one of the most insufferable main characters i’ve ever come across in my history of reading. i’d say she ruined any chance of the book being good but the plot was more predictable than a 2005 horror movie anyways

magicallynicki's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-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

4.0

Darcy Coates is a master of haunted houses. I feel like this is the setting where she truly shines. I’m always nervous when starting one that she will offer me nothing new. That it will be similar to her other books. However, I am always happily surprised at how different her characters are and how unique each situation is. This was no different!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down once I started. I specifically enjoyed my evolving feelings on the main character, Mara. 

crazycatlady716's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

I’m not much of a thriller/horror reader, but this book had me hooked. The pacing was great. The atmosphere was spooky with sprinkles of humor to lighten the tone. 

I loved the relationship between Mara and Neil. The spookiness of the house was so well described - I felt like I was in the house feeling the anxious atmosphere and tortured souls trapped within the walls of the Blackwood House. I am a “scaredy cat” so I couldn’t even read this before bed! But the last 100 pages had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know the ending! I did not see the “twist” until it was happening on page, which was shocking. The ending also provided satisfying closure. 

I’m so glad my book group picked this for our June read, because I don’t think I would have picked this up on my own. I think I’ll definitely read more books by Darcy Coates in the future!

bibliophilebhalla's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5