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A review by searendt
The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? No
2.0
Ok mystery; definitely doesn’t pass the Bechdel Test.
It’s a decent enough ghost story and there are some haunting elements and descriptions that are engaging.
But the female protagonist is quite flat. Despite being the main character, all she does is worry about the two male characters. Even when she’s been terrorized by a literal ghost for the first time in her life, her inner turmoil is all “I wonder how Male #1 is handling this? Is Male #2 strong enough to handle this given his shell shock? He is a war hero. What would my male relative think of Male 1? What will both of them think of my reaction?”
How about - there’s a literal ghost saying murderous things to you - What about your turmoil? Or how about the abused and vengeful ghost’s?
The story loses major stars for having such a 2-dimensional main character, and unlikeable male main characters. It’s not the gothic historical setting of the novel that holds it back - Jane Eyre as a character is 10x more relatable and real.
This story could have been so much better. I did finish it because I did want to know the conclusion, which is why it gets 2 stars vs 1.
It’s a decent enough ghost story and there are some haunting elements and descriptions that are engaging.
But the female protagonist is quite flat. Despite being the main character, all she does is worry about the two male characters. Even when she’s been terrorized by a literal ghost for the first time in her life, her inner turmoil is all “I wonder how Male #1 is handling this? Is Male #2 strong enough to handle this given his shell shock? He is a war hero. What would my male relative think of Male 1? What will both of them think of my reaction?”
How about - there’s a literal ghost saying murderous things to you - What about your turmoil? Or how about the abused and vengeful ghost’s?
The story loses major stars for having such a 2-dimensional main character, and unlikeable male main characters. It’s not the gothic historical setting of the novel that holds it back - Jane Eyre as a character is 10x more relatable and real.
This story could have been so much better. I did finish it because I did want to know the conclusion, which is why it gets 2 stars vs 1.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Violence and War