pryngols's review against another edition
3.0
This novel started with so much potential. I was pulled in by the promise of an intense legal drama and a family tragedy. However at some point I felt that there were just too much going on. There were so many complex subplots that I’m thinking it would have been better if the author just did a series dedicated to the main character Leigh’s adventures with her clients. Perhaps I was expecting too much out of it because I truly loved Little Fires Everywhere and I was promised a Celeste Ng experience. I don’t know why I always fall for that.
I am still giving this a 3⭐️ rating because the novel did succeed in portraying the rewards and struggles of being a part of a blended family. It’s also effective in terms of discussing themes of loss and coping with grief. I seriously think this could have been a great book if there was more focus on just one or two topics. I felt the author just forced some of her advocacies into multiple subplots like gun control, women’s rights, etc. (all in good intention, I’m sure) but it just ruined the experience for me.
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am still giving this a 3⭐️ rating because the novel did succeed in portraying the rewards and struggles of being a part of a blended family. It’s also effective in terms of discussing themes of loss and coping with grief. I seriously think this could have been a great book if there was more focus on just one or two topics. I felt the author just forced some of her advocacies into multiple subplots like gun control, women’s rights, etc. (all in good intention, I’m sure) but it just ruined the experience for me.
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
filemanager's review against another edition
3.0
A little choppy, with a few sub-plots, but over all pretty good. Great ending!
bryanfarmer's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book to be twisty and "what the hell happened during that car accident" the entire time. HOWEVER, I'll stick with the five star review, but I will say that whole side story (aka, the one not associated with the car accident) was totally crazy. It's a good ride, and I came to really like all the characters.
bookjedi98's review against another edition
2.0
A mystery/thriller that started out intriguing, but went downhill quickly. For more, check out my review at: https://www.projectbooklist.com/2019/06/book-review-house-on-fire-by-bonnie.html
m_d00lz's review against another edition
5.0
This one was an unexpected page turner! I thought about it all day at work today waiting till I had time to finish it! You don't know till the end who to believe and its heart breaking and intriguing. Very well written and the family and characters are so loving and wonderful. 10/10 I recommend you read this!
jessi_reads's review against another edition
3.0
House on Fire is a suspense novel about a blended family in crisis after a drunk driving accident. I really enjoyed this book and thought the author did a great job telling such an emotional story. Although it was a sad story it did have suspense and some good plot twists. There were a few different story lines following different characters that were all great. I liked how it al fit together at the end :) I rate this 3.5 stars.
ajessiboyle's review
4.0
Going into this book, you know there will be crisis and tragedy. While taking us through that story, Kistler also provides us with plenty of twists and turns and suspense. While at times, I felt like some of the side stories were too predictable, I enjoyed how everything tied together in the end. I would recommend picking this book up, and you may not want to put it down! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
chelleivancic's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
3.25