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blair_wolff's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
felifirefly's review against another edition
4.0
This mystery did a lot of things right. Overall, I enjoyed the book a lot.
What if you take a picture of a ghost and then terrible things start to happen? We're in the 70s in Britain and hauntology is starting to be a thing.
I loved everything about that first part of the book. The kids, the ghost faking, the drama. It was very well written and fast paced and I thought 'Okay, here's my favourite book of 2020, finally.' I actually got scared by one of the scenes and that never happens with me and books.
The next 3 parts then dealt with another cast of characters, another setting and although our protagonist still was part of the group, it felt was most definitely different from part 1.
That's okay, it really is and the book in its entirety makes sense. I guess I can appreciate that approach more with a re-read, though. My problem just was that I waited for answers about those first pages I so loved and waited and waited and thought: 'Okay, maybe in the next part'.. and I realized too late that those answers will never come and that the first part was some kind of 'preface' providing a background story of the actual story. And I liked the actual story. I just couldn't appreciate and enjoy it while reading because I so much wanted to read the rest of the before told story.
So, that's the reason this book is only 4 stars instead of 5 to me. Also, I wasn't a big fan of the last chapter before the Epilogue. It just wasn't for me and felt out of place and didn't add anything new. It was meant to be creepy but I was just.. bored? I am sorry, I really loved the book but not that chapter. It made me loose interest in the rest of the story, so it was kind of a bummer for me. Maybe it works for you. And if you are into mystery, haunting stories you should definitely give this debut my Will Maclean a try. I can't wait to read more by him because this really was a promising debut and I couldn't put it down.
What if you take a picture of a ghost and then terrible things start to happen? We're in the 70s in Britain and hauntology is starting to be a thing.
I loved everything about that first part of the book. The kids, the ghost faking, the drama. It was very well written and fast paced and I thought 'Okay, here's my favourite book of 2020, finally.' I actually got scared by one of the scenes and that never happens with me and books.
The next 3 parts then dealt with another cast of characters, another setting and although our protagonist still was part of the group, it felt was most definitely different from part 1.
That's okay, it really is and the book in its entirety makes sense. I guess I can appreciate that approach more with a re-read, though. My problem just was that I waited for answers about those first pages I so loved and waited and waited and thought: 'Okay, maybe in the next part'.. and I realized too late that those answers will never come and that the first part was some kind of 'preface' providing a background story of the actual story. And I liked the actual story. I just couldn't appreciate and enjoy it while reading because I so much wanted to read the rest of the before told story.
So, that's the reason this book is only 4 stars instead of 5 to me. Also, I wasn't a big fan of the last chapter before the Epilogue. It just wasn't for me and felt out of place and didn't add anything new. It was meant to be creepy but I was just.. bored? I am sorry, I really loved the book but not that chapter. It made me loose interest in the rest of the story, so it was kind of a bummer for me. Maybe it works for you. And if you are into mystery, haunting stories you should definitely give this debut my Will Maclean a try. I can't wait to read more by him because this really was a promising debut and I couldn't put it down.
b00kh0arder's review against another edition
5.0
Twins Tim and Abi Smith have always been a bit odd: precociously intelligent and obsessed with esoteric subjects such as folklore, ghosts and the macabre, in an effort to try and make their humdrum, 70s suburbia existence as exciting as possible. One day, they decide to fake a ghost photograph, to see if they can get someone to believe in it. Although successful, they then have to come to terms with the fact that their prank may have actually unleashed something after all.
Will Maclean is already an award-winning screenwriter, and this, his debut novel, shows that he's a great novelist too. Beautifully written, 'The Apparition Phase' reads like a forgotten 70s classic, or like a supernatural drama of the period, along the lines of 'The Stone Tape' (which gets a mention) or 'Children of the Stones' (I can easily see it being adapted for the screen in that style). Of course, having not been around in the 70s myself, there may be some little inaccuracies I didn't pick up on, but it definitely feels like it got the essence spot on.) The story looks at the nature of haunting, and the coincidences that might be a sign of something real or a trick of the mind, and whether there's really a difference between the two. For me, the cover quote from actress Alice Lowe ('Garth Mahrengi's Dark Place', 'Prevenge etc) sums it up best & most succinctly: "a carapace of cosy nostalgia wrapped round a solid thread of dread." Genuinely eerie & unsettling, and lingers on in your thoughts even after you've put it down. Highly recommended if you love a good ghost story (especially in time for Christmas).
(Also bonus points for references to things like 'Ace of Wands', 'Doctor Who' & Harry Price :D)
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for review.
Will Maclean is already an award-winning screenwriter, and this, his debut novel, shows that he's a great novelist too. Beautifully written, 'The Apparition Phase' reads like a forgotten 70s classic, or like a supernatural drama of the period, along the lines of 'The Stone Tape' (which gets a mention) or 'Children of the Stones' (I can easily see it being adapted for the screen in that style). Of course, having not been around in the 70s myself, there may be some little inaccuracies I didn't pick up on, but it definitely feels like it got the essence spot on.) The story looks at the nature of haunting, and the coincidences that might be a sign of something real or a trick of the mind, and whether there's really a difference between the two. For me, the cover quote from actress Alice Lowe ('Garth Mahrengi's Dark Place', 'Prevenge etc) sums it up best & most succinctly: "a carapace of cosy nostalgia wrapped round a solid thread of dread." Genuinely eerie & unsettling, and lingers on in your thoughts even after you've put it down. Highly recommended if you love a good ghost story (especially in time for Christmas).
(Also bonus points for references to things like 'Ace of Wands', 'Doctor Who' & Harry Price :D)
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for review.
theogb451's review
5.0
A really great British ghost story, set in the 1970s. This book has all the stylings of MR James at his best but with a very modern pace, informed by decades of horror thrillers. As a kid born in the 70s there was plenty here that was still true for me either in the TV shows we watched or around me generally that rang a lot of bells so that maybe helped to add to the atmosphere, but I think anyone who enjoys a classic type of supernatural tale will be drawn in by this. It is similar in feel to The Loney but I think slightly better in terms of pacing.
meows_and_migraines's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jacobee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
arthurninesheep's review
4.0
A fast paced read with a few twists and turns. Some of the dialogue (Seb, introduced in Part II) felt clunky and awkward. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book.