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ravenpuff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
There wasn't a ton of character development but I understand why. Most of the characters feel empty, but I feel like they're supposed to given the plot development in the second half of the book.
The book did a good job of reflecting the time period, especially the racism, sexism, misogyny, and the really gross way Howard views "purity".
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Suicide and Fire/Fire injury
bearbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Classism
strixy16's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Rape and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
behindherpages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
aparker89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
There is definitely a great atmosphere to this book. I had dreams specifically about the dread and mystery in this book while reading it. Overall, it's got a decent plot. Is Noemi's cousin insane? Is the house really haunted? Is there more to the story of High Place?
We get all the answers. I personally didn't like the answer to the great mystery but it isn't my book lol. I had two theories as to what it was straight away and one of them was relatively close to the author's chosen path. This is a medium paced book with a SLOW BURN! This book is primarily atmosphere with just a tiny bit of action. The action is ALL at the end. The main character is VERY shallow and not loveable at all but she does want to help her cousin and at least she has a relatable desire to help someone she loves.
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Colonisation
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Death, Gore, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
lilybear3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Violence, Medical content, and Cannibalism
Minor: Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, and Alcohol
not_another_ana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"The walls speak to me. They tell me secrets. Don't listen to them, press your hands against your ears, Noemí. There are ghosts. They're real. You'll see them eventually."
When young socialite Noemí receives a troubling letter from her newlywed cousin Catalina, she has no choice but to go visit and figure out what seems to be the problem. Everything appears suspicious at the old cumbling estate that belongs to Catalina's new English husband and his family. From the family's insistence on relying only on their own English doctor, to their obsession with eugenics, and general shifty behavior, something is clearly wrong. Whatever secrets they're keeping are affecting Catalina and soon Noemí will have to unravel them to free both cousins from the tangled web they've found themselves in.
Zero notes on this book, it was excellent. The gothic ambiance was masterfully crafted, you could feel the tension from the very first appearance of the house. The beginning was a bit slow but a perfect set up for the events to come. I found the plot to be quite original, but the narration had enough clues that allowed me to put it together in a very satisfying way. Lovely atmosphere and descriptions, I did feel like I was in the story.
Noemí is the perfect heroine. She's educated, she's spunky, she is wordly but still young and willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. Her bond with her cousin Catalina, and the one she builds with Francis, was quite heartwarming. The Doyles were horrendous without coming across as a caricature, sadly those of us from "third world" countries have probably come across people like this in our own land. The juxtaposition of the two, very different, ways of living and beliefs was well executed. And of course, the central mystery of the plot was amazing, well narrated, and handled. I could not put the book down for the last 40% or so.
I will say this: do carefully check the trigger warnings. This book handles a lot of difficult subjects and nobody should put themselves through it if they know they cannot handle it.
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Cannibalism, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
chiiibolaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
jj_99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Incest, Misogyny, Medical trauma, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
alyxthebookdragon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Blood, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism