A review by ruminations_reverie
Malefic by Ambrose Ibsen
3.0
A disappointing sequel. I was excited to read more on this story, but the ending to this installment left a lot to be desired. Picking up where the first book had left off, a new family had moved into the haunted home on Morgan Rd and was immediately tormented at every turn. They turn to their uncle, a man known to dabble in the supernatural, and ask him for help diagnosing and ridding the home of its spirits. He agrees, and sets off to help his young nephew and his family.
Pretty standard setup for a sequel. Having some background from the first book, I was hopeful to get a little more backstory and build on the creepiness factor that the first book did so well. From the start it was a much faster pace for the hauntings in the home. This was great except it was then halted for the mystery side of the story, diving into the background of the main malevolent spirit. This too was what I wanted, so for those wondering, where did the story go wrong. It was in the resolution to the main conflict. It was just too easy and not nearly as dramatic as the first book. Granted, the ending of the book eluded to a further cliffhanger, like any good book, but it was the lack of care put into the main resolution that didn't live up to my expectations.
The characters and setting were great, as they were in the first book. The mystery element behind this sequel was also a great addition, delving into the history of Fiona and the reasoning behind her lingering presence in this world. I will say that the amount of coincidental connections to the MC and the implication of fate into the story was perhaps a little too much. One unbelievable coincidence would be fine, but there were just too many. Also, the inclusion of the spirit of Uncle Marcel's late wife as an element to the story was a little hokey, but it did add an extra layer to the ending.
All-in-all the book was not bad, just not as good as its predecessor and I feel that the potential to continue on an interesting-enough story was ruined by the inclusion of too many new elements. The first book did well to take the standard setup for a horror haunting tale and didn't change too much. This book tried a little too hard to become a complex piece, and I feel it hurt it in the end. If you read the first book, give it a read, though I am not sure that there will be a third.
Pretty standard setup for a sequel. Having some background from the first book, I was hopeful to get a little more backstory and build on the creepiness factor that the first book did so well. From the start it was a much faster pace for the hauntings in the home. This was great except it was then halted for the mystery side of the story, diving into the background of the main malevolent spirit. This too was what I wanted, so for those wondering, where did the story go wrong. It was in the resolution to the main conflict. It was just too easy and not nearly as dramatic as the first book. Granted, the ending of the book eluded to a further cliffhanger, like any good book, but it was the lack of care put into the main resolution that didn't live up to my expectations.
The characters and setting were great, as they were in the first book. The mystery element behind this sequel was also a great addition, delving into the history of Fiona and the reasoning behind her lingering presence in this world. I will say that the amount of coincidental connections to the MC and the implication of fate into the story was perhaps a little too much. One unbelievable coincidence would be fine, but there were just too many. Also, the inclusion of the spirit of Uncle Marcel's late wife as an element to the story was a little hokey, but it did add an extra layer to the ending.
All-in-all the book was not bad, just not as good as its predecessor and I feel that the potential to continue on an interesting-enough story was ruined by the inclusion of too many new elements. The first book did well to take the standard setup for a horror haunting tale and didn't change too much. This book tried a little too hard to become a complex piece, and I feel it hurt it in the end. If you read the first book, give it a read, though I am not sure that there will be a third.