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ruthjenkins's review
dark
sad
tense
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child death, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Violence and Vomit
saltedsnail's review
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
I absolutely devour horror fiction (even the really poorly written sort that leaves me frustrated and ranting) but so rarely do I think a novel so deserving of 5 stars. I don’t think I’ve been filled with this sense of affection for a book since I finished reading Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson for the very first time.
The Apparition Phase is so immediately atmospheric and intoxicating. The premise was strange enough (a haunting manifested accidentally by precocious children faking a ghost photograph for a somewhat mean-spirited laugh) to hook me immediately and even the characters’ most unlikable traits are believable in such a relatable way as to invoke empathy.
I would have casually enjoyed this book if it was half as well written. As it is, the writing is absolutely transportational. The world Maclean has conjured is richly mysterious, emotionally messy, and bleakly true-to-life regardless of any fantastical happenings.
His narration breathes so much life into Tim that I found myself planted firmly in his shoes, which is exceptionally rare for me in most horror fiction. I’ve read many books where the unrelatable (and sometimes outright shitty) characterizations dwarf the effect of any potential fear by creating distance between the reader and the story. The Apparition Phase expertly elicits the teeth grinding indignity & emotional turbulence of being a lone teenager left to cope with the cruelty of the world that I’d nearly forgotten at almost 30. Tim is such a superb conduit for both fear and grief.
The ambiguity of The Apparition Phase may not be for everyone but I consider it one of it’s greatest strengths. Horror that over asserts it’s own explanations and rules typically disappoints and bores me. Like in movies, to see the monster’s face too early robs some of its power to frighten you. My only quibble is that I found the pacing of the epilogue somewhat rushed in it’s attempt to connect itself back to the beginning of the story. Regardless, that circularity is the satisfying wrap up I needed and satisfied me in a way that answers to all my questions never could.
I will be thinking about this book for a long time yet and cannot wait to devour whatever Maclean has in store for us next.
The Apparition Phase is so immediately atmospheric and intoxicating. The premise was strange enough
I would have casually enjoyed this book if it was half as well written. As it is, the writing is absolutely transportational. The world Maclean has conjured is richly mysterious, emotionally messy, and bleakly true-to-life regardless of any fantastical happenings.
His narration breathes so much life into Tim that I found myself planted firmly in his shoes, which is exceptionally rare for me in most horror fiction. I’ve read many books where the unrelatable (and sometimes outright shitty) characterizations dwarf the effect of any potential fear by creating distance between the reader and the story. The Apparition Phase expertly elicits the teeth grinding indignity & emotional turbulence of being a lone teenager left to cope with the cruelty of the world that I’d nearly forgotten at almost 30. Tim is such a superb conduit for both fear and grief.
The ambiguity of The Apparition Phase may not be for everyone but I consider it one of it’s greatest strengths. Horror that over asserts it’s own explanations and rules typically disappoints and bores me. Like in movies, to see the monster’s face too early robs some of its power to frighten you. My only quibble is that I found the pacing of the epilogue somewhat rushed in
I will be thinking about this book for a long time yet and cannot wait to devour whatever Maclean has in store for us next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Death, Drug abuse, Racism, Violence, Medical content, Abortion, and Gaslighting
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