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lynguy1's review
4.0
HAZE by Rebecca Crunden is the first book that I have read by this author. I’ve seen this classified as paranormal and urban fantasy and as ghost fiction, but to me the paranormal part of the book took second place (in a good way) to family drama, domestic violence, grief, romance, addition, friendship and much more.
Eliza Owens is nineteen years old and engaged to Erik. She gets a call from a stranger that purports to me Erik’s former girlfriend, Paige. Following this Eliza, Erik, her sister Sam and Sam’s girlfriend are hiking in the rain when a confrontation ends in disaster.
The characters had plenty of flaws and some virtues and felt very real. Their motivations seemed believable and well-drawn. Conflicts arose out of characterization and circumstance rather than feeling forced or contrived. The atmosphere was dark and often foreboding, but this was broken up by some humor and lightness. The prose was well-written and absorbing with a clever and creative plot that was paced well.
Overall, this was a dramatic, intense, tragic and absorbing novel. If you enjoy family dramas with some supernatural suspense and romance, then this may be the next book for you.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Eliza Owens is nineteen years old and engaged to Erik. She gets a call from a stranger that purports to me Erik’s former girlfriend, Paige. Following this Eliza, Erik, her sister Sam and Sam’s girlfriend are hiking in the rain when a confrontation ends in disaster.
The characters had plenty of flaws and some virtues and felt very real. Their motivations seemed believable and well-drawn. Conflicts arose out of characterization and circumstance rather than feeling forced or contrived. The atmosphere was dark and often foreboding, but this was broken up by some humor and lightness. The prose was well-written and absorbing with a clever and creative plot that was paced well.
Overall, this was a dramatic, intense, tragic and absorbing novel. If you enjoy family dramas with some supernatural suspense and romance, then this may be the next book for you.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
xfirefly9x's review
5.0
A highly unique story. The characters are all so real and damaged, which makes for fascinating interactions and behaviours from them. The twist at the end was not something I'd ever have guessed. And just in general it was really atmospheric and had such a strong centre to it, if that makes sense. Definitely worth a read.
jugglingpup's review against another edition
3.0
To see the full review check it out here.
Crunden delivers yet another queernorm world with intense family bonds. This time the families are a bit more complicated.
I am down to just one more of her books to read. Can I claim #1 fan status?
Crunden delivers yet another queernorm world with intense family bonds. This time the families are a bit more complicated.
I am down to just one more of her books to read. Can I claim #1 fan status?
hugbandit7's review against another edition
4.0
This is a raw and gritty book that surprised me. I wasn't expecting the darkness surrounding Eliza and Erik, but as the tale unfolded I found myself intrigued by all the different elements involved. This is a little bit of a mystery - how did Sam die and who is impersonating Paige, but as the truth is revealed it is more than you would have ever expected.
The story starts out with two young boys trying to bring back someone from the dead. I didn't think much about it after that intro, but it is key to this story but all of the details are not revealed until about 3/4 of the way through the book. The story then jumps forward about 7 years and we are meet Eliza who is engaged to Erik but receives a call from someone that is dead wanting to warn her about him. That throws a kink into the story because how could someone that is dead contact Eliza? To top it off, this person has also been talking to Eliza's sister, Sam. The story really gets interesting at this point.
There is another jump in time, now it is 5 years later where the bulk of the book is set. Eliza has gone off the rails and is a drug user and no longer with Erik. This part of the book I had the hardest part with due to the drug use. I also didn't understand how Eliza could afford to pay for drugs if she wasn't working. Granted, Roger probably gave her a lot of it in trade, which is sad because Eliza had so much potential but the death of her sister sent her into a downward spiral. While this portion of the book is set in a relatively short period of time, so much happens to understand what happened and for Eliza and Erik to work through the events of the past. They both have issues to address within themselves and with each other.
The supernatural angle was intriguing and I feel like there are still some unanswered questions based on how the book ended. They may be more on my end and I want to know more about the journey Erik took and how it concluded.
We give this book 4 paws up.
The story starts out with two young boys trying to bring back someone from the dead. I didn't think much about it after that intro, but it is key to this story but all of the details are not revealed until about 3/4 of the way through the book. The story then jumps forward about 7 years and we are meet Eliza who is engaged to Erik but receives a call from someone that is dead wanting to warn her about him. That throws a kink into the story because how could someone that is dead contact Eliza? To top it off, this person has also been talking to Eliza's sister, Sam. The story really gets interesting at this point.
There is another jump in time, now it is 5 years later where the bulk of the book is set. Eliza has gone off the rails and is a drug user and no longer with Erik. This part of the book I had the hardest part with due to the drug use. I also didn't understand how Eliza could afford to pay for drugs if she wasn't working. Granted, Roger probably gave her a lot of it in trade, which is sad because Eliza had so much potential but the death of her sister sent her into a downward spiral. While this portion of the book is set in a relatively short period of time, so much happens to understand what happened and for Eliza and Erik to work through the events of the past. They both have issues to address within themselves and with each other.
The supernatural angle was intriguing and I feel like there are still some unanswered questions based on how the book ended. They may be more on my end and I want to know more about the journey Erik took and how it concluded.
We give this book 4 paws up.
viviannehunt's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best books I've read of late, and I'll tell you exactly why...
1) I'm an emotional reader, meaning I read for the feels, and this had ALL of them. Most of all, it's a heavy emotional read, but it doesn't mean there's just bad stuff happening all the time, there's also laughter when you least expect it. I love that!
2) I loved how real the characters were, how the female MC was no virginal dumb princess who needed to be saved, but she made her own decisions, even though, objectively they were bad ones. The male MC was flawed as much as he was haunted. And I personally loved Miles, the male MC's best friend because he was 'sunshine in a bottle', who made the heavy moments lighter.
3) This book discussed heavy and important subjects such as r@pe, domestic abuse, drug use, and so on, in a real way, and never in a way that was too much or unbearable to read. Most of the heavy stuff happened off page, which was a relief to me because dealing with all the horrible aftermath of everything was heavy enough.
4) I really enjoyed the writing style - the imagery was vivid, the pace was quick, and the internal monologue just enough for you to get the best of all worlds. Sometimes writers go too much into 'telling', but I assure you, this story is all 'showing', getting you in the mood, and making you feel like you're there, you're living it.
5) I loooooooved the twist at 82% of the novel. I had no idea this was where the story was headed! I also loved the whole mystery of why everything was happening and the main characters trying to solve it.
6) Finally, I adored Eliza and Erik's relationships and that it had so many ups and downs, to the very final pages.
A few warnings:
1) A possible trigger is drug abuse.
2) For most of this book, the paranormal element is not a big thing, although I really enjoyed that part as well. It's just that, if you expect a 100% paranormal book, you should know that this is a story about humans and their struggles first, and then paranormal second.
3) I love heavy books. I love emotional books. But if you're looking for a feel-good read or something light, maybe that's not what you're looking for. If you enjoy the whole span of human emotion and are not scared of feeling all of it, then this could be for you.
I think that's all! I really like this author's writing style, so I'm sure I'll read more of her books, and I really do recommend this one. 5 stars absolutely deserved.
1) I'm an emotional reader, meaning I read for the feels, and this had ALL of them. Most of all, it's a heavy emotional read, but it doesn't mean there's just bad stuff happening all the time, there's also laughter when you least expect it. I love that!
2) I loved how real the characters were, how the female MC was no virginal dumb princess who needed to be saved, but she made her own decisions, even though, objectively they were bad ones. The male MC was flawed as much as he was haunted. And I personally loved Miles, the male MC's best friend because he was 'sunshine in a bottle', who made the heavy moments lighter.
3) This book discussed heavy and important subjects such as r@pe, domestic abuse, drug use, and so on, in a real way, and never in a way that was too much or unbearable to read. Most of the heavy stuff happened off page, which was a relief to me because dealing with all the horrible aftermath of everything was heavy enough.
4) I really enjoyed the writing style - the imagery was vivid, the pace was quick, and the internal monologue just enough for you to get the best of all worlds. Sometimes writers go too much into 'telling', but I assure you, this story is all 'showing', getting you in the mood, and making you feel like you're there, you're living it.
5) I loooooooved the twist at 82% of the novel. I had no idea this was where the story was headed! I also loved the whole mystery of why everything was happening and the main characters trying to solve it.
6) Finally, I adored Eliza and Erik's relationships and that it had so many ups and downs, to the very final pages.
A few warnings:
1) A possible trigger is drug abuse.
2) For most of this book, the paranormal element is not a big thing, although I really enjoyed that part as well. It's just that, if you expect a 100% paranormal book, you should know that this is a story about humans and their struggles first, and then paranormal second.
3) I love heavy books. I love emotional books. But if you're looking for a feel-good read or something light, maybe that's not what you're looking for. If you enjoy the whole span of human emotion and are not scared of feeling all of it, then this could be for you.
I think that's all! I really like this author's writing style, so I'm sure I'll read more of her books, and I really do recommend this one. 5 stars absolutely deserved.
lcasswrites's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
Paranormal romance isn't usually my genre of choice, but I found this an easy, enjoyable read. It definitely focuses far more heavily on the romance aspects of the story than the paranormal. I wouldn't go into this expecting a particularly scary read, but if you enjoy a strong dose of romance in your books, you'll definitely like this one. The writing flows easily, not getting stuck or bogged down. The side characters in this were probably my favourite thing about the book, especially Miles. The MCs are very grey characters (one's a drug dealer/thug), who are little too co-dependent for my taste, but they're both really well depicted. Overall, an interesting tale that is easy to binge and pass an afternoon with.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Paranormal romance isn't usually my genre of choice, but I found this an easy, enjoyable read. It definitely focuses far more heavily on the romance aspects of the story than the paranormal. I wouldn't go into this expecting a particularly scary read, but if you enjoy a strong dose of romance in your books, you'll definitely like this one. The writing flows easily, not getting stuck or bogged down. The side characters in this were probably my favourite thing about the book, especially Miles. The MCs are very grey characters (one's a drug dealer/thug), who are little too co-dependent for my taste, but they're both really well depicted. Overall, an interesting tale that is easy to binge and pass an afternoon with.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
wolfshine's review against another edition
5.0
So wow.
This was a creepy, creepy book, but I think that’s part of why I enjoyed it so much.
In the very beginning of the book, we’re introduced to two children in a cabin who are preparing a ritual to bring someone or something back to the dead. Fast forward some years and we’re introduced to one of the kid’s (Erick’s) fiancé Eliza. When she gets a call from a deceased ex of Erick’s, questions begin to fly. It’s not long after that in which Erick accidentally kills Eliza’s sister, Sam. Unable to deal with what’s happened, he leaves town and Eliza slips into a haze (clever story title by the way) of drugs and sorrow.
So I loved each of the characters in a different way. They felt like real people, especially Eliza, and the way that she coped with her sister’s death. Her downward spiral of despair I think all people have experienced at one point or the other. Erick was perhaps my favorite character though. He went through such a range of emotions throughout the entirety of the story that we got to see exactly what kind of character he was in nearly every situation imaginable.
All in all, this is a fantastic story with something for everyone whether that be romance, suspense, paranormal, mystery, or intrigue. The author beautifully weaved real elements such as death and loss with supernatural elements making for a magical book that’s easy to get lost.
If you’re looking for something solid but outside the box, this is the book for you.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
This was a creepy, creepy book, but I think that’s part of why I enjoyed it so much.
In the very beginning of the book, we’re introduced to two children in a cabin who are preparing a ritual to bring someone or something back to the dead. Fast forward some years and we’re introduced to one of the kid’s (Erick’s) fiancé Eliza. When she gets a call from a deceased ex of Erick’s, questions begin to fly. It’s not long after that in which Erick accidentally kills Eliza’s sister, Sam. Unable to deal with what’s happened, he leaves town and Eliza slips into a haze (clever story title by the way) of drugs and sorrow.
So I loved each of the characters in a different way. They felt like real people, especially Eliza, and the way that she coped with her sister’s death. Her downward spiral of despair I think all people have experienced at one point or the other. Erick was perhaps my favorite character though. He went through such a range of emotions throughout the entirety of the story that we got to see exactly what kind of character he was in nearly every situation imaginable.
All in all, this is a fantastic story with something for everyone whether that be romance, suspense, paranormal, mystery, or intrigue. The author beautifully weaved real elements such as death and loss with supernatural elements making for a magical book that’s easy to get lost.
If you’re looking for something solid but outside the box, this is the book for you.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
katkinney's review against another edition
5.0
HAZE by Rebecca Crunden made for the perfect autumn read with spooky, atmospheric vibes, and a small-town setting where everyone has known everyone forever and there’s a sense in the air that something isn’t *quite* right.
sarahmcknightwrites's review against another edition
4.0
This isn't your typical ghost story. The reader is hooked right from the start and left wondering why and how everything is happening. It's a unique mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed, and one of the few instances where the twist completely surprised me. I really did not see it coming!
I was a bit bothered by everyone constantly calling Eliza "baby". It felt like too much, but that's a personal preference. It was also difficult to keep all the characters straight, as even the parents are called by their first names. I did have to go searching a few times to remember who was who, but this did not take anything away from the story from me. I'll definitely be reading more from this author!
I was a bit bothered by everyone constantly calling Eliza "baby". It felt like too much, but that's a personal preference. It was also difficult to keep all the characters straight, as even the parents are called by their first names. I did have to go searching a few times to remember who was who, but this did not take anything away from the story from me. I'll definitely be reading more from this author!
sprainedbrain's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0