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riggsbker's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
Somehow I had totally missed that this book was being released! That's what happens when someone is running Twitter into the ground and one by one people are leaving the easiest way to stay up to date with book-releases. However, as soon as I discovered that one of my favorite authors was writing a Disney novel AND that it was based on the Haunted Mansion AND that it took place in New Orleans I ordered my copy. As soon as it arrived I started reading.
What I loved about this novel is that it combines a lot of awesome elements without it feeling chaotic or all over the place. There is the Haunted Mansion, there is the city of New Orleans, there is the weather plaguing the city and there is a teenager with anxiety trying to find her place in the world. And in a brilliant way the author manages to connect all of these elements and uses them to let our heroine grow and learn.
And that growth and that learning process felt so natural. As a teenager there is a lot going on. Inside yourself, with your friends and with the rest of the world. If you're also dealing with anxiety on top of that, surviving puberty becomes almost impossible. Luckily our heroine has an amazing therapist. One who actually does and says the right things, but who most of all lets the heroine look for answers herself. This therapist is giving advice, but mostly they're giving food for thought.
I also really liked how the well known settings of the Haunted Mansion have been incorporated in this story. I've only done the Paris ride of course, but even I recognized a lot of familiar scenes. Some characters got a little more pagetime and personality than others, but it was clear this was not just any Haunted House. However, if you're here to read more about the Haunted House and the story behind it, that's not entirely what this book will give you. It's still very much worth it though.
What I loved about this novel is that it combines a lot of awesome elements without it feeling chaotic or all over the place. There is the Haunted Mansion, there is the city of New Orleans, there is the weather plaguing the city and there is a teenager with anxiety trying to find her place in the world. And in a brilliant way the author manages to connect all of these elements and uses them to let our heroine grow and learn.
And that growth and that learning process felt so natural. As a teenager there is a lot going on. Inside yourself, with your friends and with the rest of the world. If you're also dealing with anxiety on top of that, surviving puberty becomes almost impossible. Luckily our heroine has an amazing therapist. One who actually does and says the right things, but who most of all lets the heroine look for answers herself. This therapist is giving advice, but mostly they're giving food for thought.
I also really liked how the well known settings of the Haunted Mansion have been incorporated in this story. I've only done the Paris ride of course, but even I recognized a lot of familiar scenes. Some characters got a little more pagetime and personality than others, but it was clear this was not just any Haunted House. However, if you're here to read more about the Haunted House and the story behind it, that's not entirely what this book will give you. It's still very much worth it though.
disis19's review against another edition
Too much teen drama. Not enough Haunted Mansion references.
divergent159's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
emmaboas2's review
4.0
My rating for this is purely because I love the haunted Mansion and this was so much fun.
colivaresso's review against another edition
The book barely touches on the Haunted Mansion’s lore and characters. It's all about this teenage girl's anxieties and relationships.
emilyyjjean's review
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Overall I really enjoyed this story. I liked how it was a unique plot line with bits of The Haunted Mansion ride sprinkled in. I think people who aren't familiar with the ride will still get a coherent story, but for those that do know they'll appreciate the references.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
The main character has anxiety that sometimes sparks into panic attacks. I don't recall a panic attack happening, but her anxiety is talked about heavily. The character also goes to see her therapist several times in the book.monk3yflow's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
melodyriggs's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.0
If you are a fan of The Haunted Mansion ride, you’ll like all the nods to the ghosts and rooms that are in this book. If you like a good paranormal story, this one is also good. But the crossover of the two may not appeal to everyone (HM references to the ride will be lost on those not fans and fans of the HM might find the plot a bit slow). On the whole- a fun read.
disnelyse's review against another edition
This did not seem to have any of the Haunted Mansion charm from the movies or ride lore... it might be an okay book if you're going in with no expectations and having it not associated with the Haunted Mansion, but considering that there is supposed to be a connection, I couldn't get into it.