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Merissa (12066 KP) created a post
Nov 12, 2020
Tracey Thorn recommended Frankenstein in Books (curated)
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Wakenhyrst in Books
Oct 10, 2020
Well done gothic horror
Gothic horrors can be hugely enthralling reads when done right, and I've read quite a few of these over the past few years. And Wakenhyrst is definitely one I'd add to the list.
This is a very intriguing and entertaining read. It's well written with a powerful female lead, which you wouldn't expect considering it's early 1900s setting. Maud is a very imperfect yet endearing character that you can't help but root for. The writing really helps build the the atmospheric setting and helps you visualise everything, which definitely helps with the horror and tension. I wouldn't say this is packed full of horror or scares, but rather an underlying tension and unease that builds for the entirety of the novel and rather gives you the creeps.
The problem is that this build up is spoilt a little by the ending, which isn't entirely unpredictable (considering how the book starts) and feels like a bit of a letdown. It's not a bad ending, but it just plays out exactly the way you'd expect and some of the twists or reveals that were likely intended to shock and surprise don't quite hit the mark.
Overall though this is a great example of a gothic horror and despite being quite lengthy, kept me hooked an entertained throughout.
This is a very intriguing and entertaining read. It's well written with a powerful female lead, which you wouldn't expect considering it's early 1900s setting. Maud is a very imperfect yet endearing character that you can't help but root for. The writing really helps build the the atmospheric setting and helps you visualise everything, which definitely helps with the horror and tension. I wouldn't say this is packed full of horror or scares, but rather an underlying tension and unease that builds for the entirety of the novel and rather gives you the creeps.
The problem is that this build up is spoilt a little by the ending, which isn't entirely unpredictable (considering how the book starts) and feels like a bit of a letdown. It's not a bad ending, but it just plays out exactly the way you'd expect and some of the twists or reveals that were likely intended to shock and surprise don't quite hit the mark.
Overall though this is a great example of a gothic horror and despite being quite lengthy, kept me hooked an entertained throughout.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Jane Eyre in Books
Sep 16, 2017
When I was first obligated to read this novel, I absolutely hated it. I couldn't understand why it was one of my mother's favorite books. I have nightmares about being questioned numerous times about the symbolism of red in the beginning still. When I had to re-read it for a British novel seminar while studying abroad in a gothic manor, I totally dug it. Jane Eyre is strong, and independent.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated The House of Many Doors in Books
Feb 15, 2019
This is how I used to write reviews... Yikes! :-P
I found this to be a very enjoyable book! Some things were amusing, just the way gothics were written back then. Usually gothics are pretty predictible, but this one ended differently than I thought it would! I thought Carina one of the best protagonists in a gothic that I have read. All in all a quick, fun read!
I found this to be a very enjoyable book! Some things were amusing, just the way gothics were written back then. Usually gothics are pretty predictible, but this one ended differently than I thought it would! I thought Carina one of the best protagonists in a gothic that I have read. All in all a quick, fun read!
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Such Small Hands in Books
Nov 26, 2019
Could have been more
This beautifully made little book walks that tightrope of being beautifully poetic and enormously pretentious. Why say in a few words when you can revel in your own genius? Because of this the words lose some of their bite which is a shame because before it started disappearing up the authors own arse , it could have been a dark gothic masterpiece.
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