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A review by kamrynkoble
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I literally don’t know how to rate this book. I’ve been trying to decide for days.
First of all, it’s disturbing. Please look up all the trigger warnings—I’m serious. I went in knowing that it was going to be like that, and the author gave a warning ahead, so I’m not going to hold any of the disturbing content against her. If you like dark, this is definitely that. If you don’t, don’t touch this.
Oh, Z. I struggle with this MMC. His personal justice missions felt like something tossed in there to make his assault/stalking “okay.” He’s a sick guy and not a good romantic lead. But again, if you like villains and bad boys, go for it.
A lot of the sexual content bordered on funny to me—I kept sending pictures to a poor friend and my husband got so tired of hearing passages read out loud. He is beyond ready for me to be done with this.
I was also annoyed with a lot of the repetition and seemingly lack of stylistic editing. How many times did she specify that her stomach is FLAT? My flat stomach, her flat stomach, over and over and over again. One chapter it was at least four times. And I don’t need to hear that Daya’s eyes are sage green every time they’re mentioned. They were even called “orbs” once. Hello, Wattpad. I would’ve had a lot of tracked changes if I was editing this one.
ALL THAT TO SAY—this entertained me. I liked the murder mystery, the creepy house, all the crime subplots. And it ended on a wicked cliffhanger so I will definitely be reading the next one.
If you go in expecting a super dark/triggering book with loads of violence and sexual content and reads a bit like a popular Wattpad novel, you’ll be fine.
First of all, it’s disturbing. Please look up all the trigger warnings—I’m serious. I went in knowing that it was going to be like that, and the author gave a warning ahead, so I’m not going to hold any of the disturbing content against her. If you like dark, this is definitely that. If you don’t, don’t touch this.
Oh, Z. I struggle with this MMC. His personal justice missions felt like something tossed in there to make his assault/stalking “okay.” He’s a sick guy and not a good romantic lead. But again, if you like villains and bad boys, go for it.
A lot of the sexual content bordered on funny to me—I kept sending pictures to a poor friend and my husband got so tired of hearing passages read out loud. He is beyond ready for me to be done with this.
I was also annoyed with a lot of the repetition and seemingly lack of stylistic editing. How many times did she specify that her stomach is FLAT? My flat stomach, her flat stomach, over and over and over again. One chapter it was at least four times. And I don’t need to hear that Daya’s eyes are sage green every time they’re mentioned. They were even called “orbs” once. Hello, Wattpad. I would’ve had a lot of tracked changes if I was editing this one.
ALL THAT TO SAY—this entertained me. I liked the murder mystery, the creepy house, all the crime subplots. And it ended on a wicked cliffhanger so I will definitely be reading the next one.
If you go in expecting a super dark/triggering book with loads of violence and sexual content and reads a bit like a popular Wattpad novel, you’ll be fine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Trafficking, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child death and Blood
Minor: Pregnancy