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carnbostrikesagain's review against another edition
It's not good. Wish I could go back in time and get my audible credit back
kather_doc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Body horror, Car accident, Drug use, Stalking, Murder, Torture, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Vomit, Ableism, and Child abuse
thereadingrobyn's review against another edition
3.0
This is a horror novel unlike anything I've ever read. From the very first sentence, the eerie, creepy vibes will have you turning pages to find out what happens next. An intriguing premise and highly readable prose make this a book you'll remember. Following ex-rocker Jesse from a one-night reunion with his old band into a nightmarish ordeal that may or may not have something to do with a cursed book given to him by his old bandmate, Will Haunt You will have readers questioning what's real and what's a figment of the darkest parts of Jesse's imagination.
The ideas are fresh and unique, and Kirk is excellent at making the hair on the back of your neck stand up, but I thought that some of the story was disjointed and at times confusing. That also added to the aura of dread overall, and there were some great twists. I would recommend this book to horror fans looking for something a little different. I'm excited to see what Brian Kirk writes next.
Many thanks to Flame Tree Press and Brian Kirk, as well as NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Expected publication: March 14, 2019
The ideas are fresh and unique, and Kirk is excellent at making the hair on the back of your neck stand up, but I thought that some of the story was disjointed and at times confusing. That also added to the aura of dread overall, and there were some great twists. I would recommend this book to horror fans looking for something a little different. I'm excited to see what Brian Kirk writes next.
Many thanks to Flame Tree Press and Brian Kirk, as well as NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Expected publication: March 14, 2019
sargasso_c's review against another edition
The narrator cannot do women's voices well. The book was pretty good so far, but I'll have to read it on the page someday.
kermit_the_wrong's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexual content, Child abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Gore, Kidnapping, Drug use, Torture, Violence, and Body horror
vespurr's review against another edition
3.0
I am honestly not sure how to feel about this book. It left me feeling...confused. While the writing was excellent and the action kept my interest, I spent the entirety of the book asking myself what was going on.
This book read super quick for me, and I had no problems tearing through it. In fact, there were a couple points where I just had to know what was going to happen next. At the same time, however, I got all the way through it and still have no idea what I just read.
One of the aspects of the story that did not really work for me was actually the overall concept of the 'haunted book' that the whole story is built on. I honestly felt that this addition to the narrative was unnecessary and didn't really do much to build on the plot. The story seems like it could have played out the same without that, and I didn't really love the way the narrator kept breaking the fourth wall. This is a device that I do sometimes enjoy in books, but it has to feel relevant, and I just wasn't getting that sense from Will Haunt You.
On the other hand, the bizarre and incongruous way that the narrative unfolds read like a parable for drug addiction and alcoholism. Jesse's life has been full of regrettable decisions and mistakes he has to live with. Had he made better choices, or even just been able to admit to his failures, maybe he wouldn't have ended up in this situation.
I had a hard time rating and reviewing this book because it was so all over the place. I feel that it had some really solid elements of horror (and some sci-fi?), great writing, and kept an excellent pace throughout. However, it was maybe just a little too "out there" for me. I am completely on board with the strange and bizarre, but I don't love when I finish a book still asking what happened. I need to have at least MOST of the threads tied up by the end of the story, and this one left me asking more questions than I started with. If you're into stories that mess with your mind and leave you asking questions, this one might be for you.
This book read super quick for me, and I had no problems tearing through it. In fact, there were a couple points where I just had to know what was going to happen next. At the same time, however, I got all the way through it and still have no idea what I just read.
One of the aspects of the story that did not really work for me was actually the overall concept of the 'haunted book' that the whole story is built on. I honestly felt that this addition to the narrative was unnecessary and didn't really do much to build on the plot. The story seems like it could have played out the same without that, and I didn't really love the way the narrator kept breaking the fourth wall. This is a device that I do sometimes enjoy in books, but it has to feel relevant, and I just wasn't getting that sense from Will Haunt You.
On the other hand, the bizarre and incongruous way that the narrative unfolds read like a parable for drug addiction and alcoholism. Jesse's life has been full of regrettable decisions and mistakes he has to live with. Had he made better choices, or even just been able to admit to his failures, maybe he wouldn't have ended up in this situation.
I had a hard time rating and reviewing this book because it was so all over the place. I feel that it had some really solid elements of horror (and some sci-fi?), great writing, and kept an excellent pace throughout. However, it was maybe just a little too "out there" for me. I am completely on board with the strange and bizarre, but I don't love when I finish a book still asking what happened. I need to have at least MOST of the threads tied up by the end of the story, and this one left me asking more questions than I started with. If you're into stories that mess with your mind and leave you asking questions, this one might be for you.
aly36's review against another edition
4.0
This book was creepy and odd and very interesting to read. I enjoyed it very much. I love a good scary book or movie. This book even had a little something extra. "This book was given to me for free at my request from Netgalley and I provided this voluntary review."
rock_n_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Will Haunt You was an enjoyable read for me. There was a fair amount of creepy social media publicity for this book, and I think that added to the experience for me. For me, the highlights of this novel were the characters, pacing, and the sense of unease throughout the story. I felt invested in Jesse's story, and cared about the well-being of his family.
While I do enjoy a slow-burn story at times, I'm typically a reader who prefers a fast-paced tale. Will Haunt You picks up rather quickly, within the first few chapters, and then from there it's mostly a fast-paced ride. This story has many elements of horror that I enjoyed- just enough gore, suspense, and creepiness to keep me intrigued and turning pages at a fast pace. The only thing that I struggled with was the ambiguity throughout the story, and ultimately at the end. Sometimes, this works for me, but in this instance I personally just wanted a bit more clarity on what was going on.
I recommend this one if you're a fan of horror or supernatural thrillers-- especially for those who enjoy a story that will leave you with a few questions and thoughts to ponder after the experience is over. I look forward to reading what's next from this author!
(Note: I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. )
While I do enjoy a slow-burn story at times, I'm typically a reader who prefers a fast-paced tale. Will Haunt You picks up rather quickly, within the first few chapters, and then from there it's mostly a fast-paced ride. This story has many elements of horror that I enjoyed- just enough gore, suspense, and creepiness to keep me intrigued and turning pages at a fast pace. The only thing that I struggled with was the ambiguity throughout the story, and ultimately at the end. Sometimes, this works for me, but in this instance I personally just wanted a bit more clarity on what was going on.
I recommend this one if you're a fan of horror or supernatural thrillers-- especially for those who enjoy a story that will leave you with a few questions and thoughts to ponder after the experience is over. I look forward to reading what's next from this author!
(Note: I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. )
ljwrites85's review against another edition
2.0
I have to say the blurb for this book intrigued me, so having not read anything else by this author I thought I’d give it a go.
The writing was wonderfully vivid and creepy and the story really drew me in but then the story became something I wasn’t expecting; weird. I mean it got really, head tripping, weird. I know some people like weird horror but I have to admit I’m not a fan.
Overall not my cup of tea but I would still be open to reading something by this author again.
The writing was wonderfully vivid and creepy and the story really drew me in but then the story became something I wasn’t expecting; weird. I mean it got really, head tripping, weird. I know some people like weird horror but I have to admit I’m not a fan.
Overall not my cup of tea but I would still be open to reading something by this author again.
stewie's review against another edition
4.0
There is a whole bunch to like about Will Haunt You, starting with how fast it moves. It comes in at 240 pages, but it reads the speed of a novella. That’s because Brian Kirk doesn’t waste much time with either getting to the point or the action. Poor Jesse never gets a break, and just when you think he might be free from those holding him hostage, he’s quickly dropped into another painful (be it physical or mental) situation. And when that’s not happening, you’re learning about his life, which is equally as painful. Granted, some of the tragic situations Jesse has been his own fault because of his days of drinking and drugs, but at the same time he’s turned his life around and is still getting punished for his past indiscretions.
You can read my full review at Horror DNA by clicking here
You can read my full review at Horror DNA by clicking here