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A review by aryelee
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Absolutely in love with this book. Grady Hendrix is incredible. I was hooked from the first chapter and finished reading this in one day, I just couldn't put it down.
The complex, troubled relationship between the siblings, the family's need to bury their darkest secrets and never speak of it again, the consequences of both these things! And how they have to band together to survive the haunting and go great lengths to help each other... I'm obsessed. I love stories centered on complicated families and this hit! This really hit!
I loved the use of puppets and puppetry, how the puppet is its own living thing possessing the puppeteer when in use. I loved the dolls and how their childhoods were so relevant even decades later. I loved every interaction between the siblings and how it gradually changed into something better so that they could both get out alive.
I would give this five stars, but the plot was predictable. Though enjoyable to read, it wasn't as mysterious as I would have wanted it, but it's still very good. Though I called the plot twist in the first section of the book, even knowing what it is didn't stop my enjoyment of the rest of the novel, but it did dampen the scene when that information is revealed.
The themes of family, siblings, and mothers and daughters are so good. History constantly repeating itself, the need to pry into the secrets held by the family (and by themselves) and the struggle to be honest and vulnerable... Truly an incredible novel. I do love horror with themes like these.
The complex, troubled relationship between the siblings, the family's need to bury their darkest secrets and never speak of it again, the consequences of both these things! And how they have to band together to survive the haunting and go great lengths to help each other... I'm obsessed. I love stories centered on complicated families and this hit! This really hit!
I loved the use of puppets and puppetry, how the puppet is its own living thing possessing the puppeteer when in use. I loved the dolls and how their childhoods were so relevant even decades later. I loved every interaction between the siblings and how it gradually changed into something better so that they could both get out alive.
I would give this five stars, but the plot was predictable. Though enjoyable to read, it wasn't as mysterious as I would have wanted it, but it's still very good. Though I called the plot twist in the first section of the book, even knowing what it is didn't stop my enjoyment of the rest of the novel, but it did dampen the scene when that information is revealed.
The themes of family, siblings, and mothers and daughters are so good. History constantly repeating itself, the need to pry into the secrets held by the family (and by themselves) and the struggle to be honest and vulnerable... Truly an incredible novel. I do love horror with themes like these.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism and Gaslighting