Reviews

Gothic by Philip Fracassi

darklordberto's review

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4.0

A genuine page turner! I was skeptical when I realized I was reading a book about a writer and his “haunted desk” but Fracassi is creative enough to make the story unique and genuinely frightening. Tyson’s descent into madness is really well written and there is plenty of character development so you have good empathy for everyone in the story, even Tyson as he descends into insanity and violence. I finished it quickly and found it hard to put down once I got going.

andiesbookshelf's review

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dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

midwestern_state's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

Really didn't like this one. I was unsure what the point was for much of the story. The protagonist was extremely unlikable from the very beginning and then he
sexually assaults his partner. Which is not dealt with properly at all and somehow is fine in the end?
I should have dnf'd when that happened but for whatever reason stuck with it. I just wished 90% of the characters a very swift and unpleasant end. I hoped that there would be some kind of turn around or further exploration that would make it worth it but that didn't happen.

bbb3's review

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

asdoye111's review

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2.0

It immediately reminded me of that Family Guy sketch where Stephen King is pitching his new “lamp monster” book.

horror_hussy's review

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3.0

A Horror Book of Old

Gothic feels like an old school atmospheric horror, one you found in your parents library and read far to young.
A beloved horror trope, of possessed items raging war on an unsuspecting family, made up of characters you can’t really bring yourself to like.

I did love the feel of building dread that Fracassi creates, I do think it would be a bigger hit for me if it was a touch shorter, closer the the 300 mark. It did feel like a bit of a slog to make it through to the payoff.
The pay off is worth it.

I can see the audience that will love this book, it does feel like a book people will love and hold as a favourite, recommend and share.

I’ve just always been a Jason girl and this is firmly in the Rose Red camp

fredq's review

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dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I rather enjoyed this book by Philip Fracassi and found its pace very agreeable to me. Over two days I read through this book and was taken to some extremes of emotion which some of the finest horror authors deliver. I felt often, while reading this story, of early Stephen King novels where the main character was an author and the craziness that can befall such a person. The story itself seemed to become more frantic and gruesome as the pages flew by and the last quarter of the book was fearsome.
I rather enjoyed this book and I also enjoyed it taking turns that I had not anticipated. I would recommend this book if you enjoy reading horror books.

crbruner1's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

nefficus's review

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

ads9008's review

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5.0

There are books that keep you interested, sure you want to finish them but are able to put them down and slowly read them. Then there are books like this that consume your days and nights, have you finding reasons to cancel and finish them. This is everything I want in horror, creepy, great story, great pace. This book makes me want to read everything Mr. Fracassi has written, but sir, I'm going to need a prequel and a sequel!! I listened to this on audiobook, and the narrator was fantastic!