Tag: gothic horror

Reviews

The Burning Girls Review

by amyleighreads1 Comment on The Burning Girls Review

*BEWARE OF SPOILERS*

Welcome to Chapel Croft. For Rev Jack Brooks and teenage daughter Flo it’s supposed to be a fresh start. New job, new home. But, as Jack knows, the past isn’t easily forgotten. And in a close-knit community where the residents seem as proud as they are haunted by Chapel Croft’s history, Jack must tread carefully. Ancient superstitions as well as a mistrust of outsiders will be hard to overcome. Yet right away Jack has more frightening concerns. Why is Flo plagued by visions of burning girls? Who’s sending them sinister, threatening messages? And why did no one mention that the last vicar killed himself? Chapel Croft’s secrets lie deep and dark as the tomb. Jack wouldn’t touch them if not for Flo – anything to protect Flo.

I really enjoyed Jack as our main protagonist. She acknowledges her past mistakes and still has regrets but we learn as the story progresses why and how these mistakes have come to pass and what she has done to atone for them. I knew there was sooo much more to Jack’s story that we weren’t getting right from the start and I was very gratified by the way all the information was given to us.

Flo is a typical teenage character and makes a lot of choices that didn’t seem very wise but I was happy to accept that she is driving the plot along and I probably would of done this same thing had I been her age. I’m not sure I like the fact that the visions of the burnings girls wasn’t explained especially since that was the only real supernatural events in the book and everything else was realistic.

I was surprised at every turn of this book. I went into it knowing pretty much nothing at all and being that this started out so innocuous with just some creepy atmospheric vibes I was shocked with the way it devolved into some pretty horrifying situations and themes. I loved the way the story unfolded and how we just kept being fed little tidbits of information until everything clicks and I was like wtf is going on!

⭐️4/5 stars I was on the edge of my seat!

Reviews

A House with Good Bones Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on A House with Good Bones Review

*BEWARE OF SPOILERS*

“Mom seems off.” Her brother’s words echo in Sam Montgomery’s ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone. She brushes the thought away as she climbs the front steps. Sam’s excited for this rare extended visit, and looking forward to nights with just the two of them, drinking boxed wine, watching murder mystery shows, and guessing who the killer is long before the characters figure it out. But stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. Gone is the warm, cluttered charm her mom is known for; now the walls are painted a sterile white. Her mom jumps at the smallest noises and looks over her shoulder even when she’s the only person in the room. And when Sam steps out back to clear her head, she finds a jar of teeth hidden beneath the magazine-worthy rose bushes, and vultures are circling the garden from above. To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.

Sam seems to err on the side of caution when it comes to her mother and the weird things that are going on inside the house. Normally her and her mum have such an open and honest relationship from what she tells us so the fact that she didn’t outright say wtf is going on here mum kind of bugged me a little. I get that she is a scientist and is looking for the most logical explanation but there comes a point where you just have to believe what you are seeing.

I loved Gail’s character and Phil seemed to be an interesting love interest but I want to know more about them! How did Gail become a witch and what happened with Hermes that he decided to stay with her? How did the feud with Granmae start and how did she know how when to come when Granmae was resurrected by the roses? I’m just left with so many questions about these characters that I’m left feeling a unsatisfied.

I’m a little bit hit and miss with T. Kingfisher so far. I just feel as though her books don’t have enough substance. I’m not sure if this is considered a short story and not an actual novel but overall this felt a tad rushed to me and didn’t delve as far into these characters and the plot as I wanted it too. The concept is fantastic and I love all of the witchy elements and the familiars attached to them but I didn’t get enough time to form a connection.

⭐️2/5 stars liked the concept but I want more!