A review by savvylit
The Grip of It by Jac Jemc
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Grip of It is literary horror at its finest. Through the perspectives of both Julie and James, Jemc builds a creeping dread that feels entirely too realistic. Like Julie & James, I found myself second-guessing the creepy occurrences. Maybe there really was a perfectly reasonable explanation for the hidden rooms in the house or the drawings on the walls? Their attempts to explain away the supernatural while simultaneously losing their minds were so terrifying. I couldn't put this book down because I became obsessed with discovering the next scary detail.
Highly recommend to fellow fans of literary horror and haunted house tropes!
Highly recommend to fellow fans of literary horror and haunted house tropes!
Graphic: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcohol and Addiction