Reviews

This House Is Haunted by John Boyne

nickysbooks78's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

3.75

swilson's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

4.25

rachaich's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A

2.5

I felt disappointed by this one - his other books have kept me riveted but this didn't have enough tension or atmosphere. Other authors have done it better!

svreads's review against another edition

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4.0

I'm not typically one to pick up books of the horror genre, but I was drawn to the cover of this book as well as the fact that it was written by the author of "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," which is one of my favorites. While there were many aspects of the typical horror story - ghosts, an old and dark castle, a quiet yet creepy English village - the story itself was also enjoyable.

scottjp's review against another edition

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2.0

A Dickensian Victorian gothic with all the familiar trappings that comes off as affected and inauthentic, marred by annoying and anachronistic feminist asides. I guess modern writers must be woke. The mystery of what happened to the parents is sort of interesting and I was intrigued by the character of the daughter, but you're better off reading something actually written in that time period.

catethereader's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

avl_book_girl's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

3.75

woodrecommend's review against another edition

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4.0

A chilling page turner. I wasn’t sure where it was going when I started it, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up until 0130 this morning reading it until I was about to fall asleep.

pcgonzo's review against another edition

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4.0

A lively Gothic thriller, Boyne's "This House is Haunted" manages to follow all the rules of the classic ghost story while feeling fresh and energetic. Even though none of the twists come as a huge shock, they are telegraphed delightfully. The story supports itself while never succumbing to pastiche - much - and the whole thing is held together by an incredibly likeable narrator. Deserves a place on the bookshelf alongside "The Woman In Black." RECOMMENDED.

fulyao's review against another edition

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4.0

Spooky read, but quick and good.