Reviews tagging 'Violence'

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

344 reviews

rheagoveas's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent

marusya_8's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Picked this because it was described as “campy Halloween” and I definitely wouldn’t describe it so. It was creepy and jump-scary, and well done! Just not what I expected based on the title and the blurb, and not really my style. And now I can’t sleep with the lights off!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

stephanie_jmc's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

This book wasn’t what I expected and it isn’t something I’d normally go for. Giving it a 7.4/10. If you had told me a more detailed plot line than what’s on the back, I definitely wouldn’t have read it. 

The book is essentially about haunted puppets and normally I would think that’s a really stupid plot line but after reading the author’s notes on the history of haunted houses and the history of puppets, I actually found it a bit of a more interesting concept. I felt the writing was really strong and the pacing was good. Some parts got repetitive and there were frustrating moments regarding seemingly obvious solutions. Aside from the whole plot line having an unrealistic nature, there are also some plot holes in terms of how people would actually react to some parts of the story. Overall, it kept me intrigued and I was looking for a spooky/creepy book for October. I think this would make a great movie. Fantasy-horror doesn’t seem to affect me the same way in books as it does in movies. 

If you’re into fantasy-horror books, would definitely recommend this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

beccathewitch's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

I loved this book. It kept me up at night, but probably because I’m a puppeteer and can relate to a lot of the content. I chose this book by accident, not realizing that the thing I love is the villain. I would wake up in the middle of the night and think that my puppets were going to come alive and turn against me. Chef’s kiss on making me terrified. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, and Blood

bunnyman's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.75

i reference the evil puppet doll whenever i can

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Toxic relationship, Vomit, Murder, and Pregnancy

sheebsbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Gun violence, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

zealandrc'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? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I thought the family drama of it all was really compelling. It was a pretty creepy story, but not too scary-- I could read it before bed just fine. Great writing, and I could never predict what would happen next. Highly recommend!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Death of parent

Moderate: Death

_lish_'s review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail

krystyne88's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, and Violence

meganmoisant's review against another edition

dark tense

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and War