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rin_varga's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was a favorite of my sister's growing up, and though it wasn't the story I was expecting, it was still charming and I loved seeing Susan grow little by little throughout the book as she discovers she can be safe, loved, and accepted by her found family in a haunted house even if her own home isn't safe💚
Her literal and spiritual connection with Nathan and the house diverted the overall vibe of the book from approaching death as morbid and final to safety and all-embracing, something that I think many children like Susan think about but don't know how to feel about. I appreciated the inclusion of the other children and their struggles, and the more methodical masking that some of us have to use to put up a front to face society.
Her literal and spiritual connection with Nathan and the house diverted the overall vibe of the book from approaching death as morbid and final to safety and all-embracing, something that I think many children like Susan think about but don't know how to feel about. I appreciated the inclusion of the other children and their struggles, and the more methodical masking that some of us have to use to put up a front to face society.
ofearna's review
5.0
re-read 10/21/2005
re-read 2/5/2012
A Prequel to the Red Heart/Past the Size and other stories dealing with the Spores Ferry Gang.
The audible/audio book isn't especially fantastic, but at least it doesn't have a "dead" reader or one who pronounces things in annoying ways...
re-read 2/5/2012
A Prequel to the Red Heart/Past the Size and other stories dealing with the Spores Ferry Gang.
The audible/audio book isn't especially fantastic, but at least it doesn't have a "dead" reader or one who pronounces things in annoying ways...
thefoxae's review
3.0
I really enjoyed this book, but I was thoroughly annoyed at the lack of resolution with the main character's primary conflict. Now that I looked up the book on Goodreads, I see that it is something of a prequel (though the book itself gave no indication of being part of a series) - so perhaps the issue will be resolved in the next books?
blackberryjambaby's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
such an accurate depiction of the emotional impact of domestic violence that i was physically ill . so. good job i guess?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
itabar's review
4.0
Harrowing. The father was so creepy and frightening.
But the other characters were great. And I loved the concept of being able to talk to houses and objects.
But the other characters were great. And I loved the concept of being able to talk to houses and objects.
emmas_love_letters's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
somewheregirl7's review
3.0
Susan lives on a knife's edge, always careful to never anger her father. When she does mess up, he retaliates by abusing her mother and blaming Susan. This has been going for all of Susan's life and her father keeps her very isolated. She has no friends. Until one day she gets brave and enters a haunted house with three other kids from a nearby school. The four meet a ghost named Nathan and form a tight friendship.
There were beautiful, haunting parts to this book. However overall, it felt very disjointed and loosely strung together. Everyone tiptoes around Susan and just sort of accepts the weird way she acts. She's a border-line Mary Sue and just a bit too ethereal and spacey. The really frustratign thing is the lack of resolution at the end of the book. There is no definite outcome either way and after an entire book leading up to that point it would have been nice to know at least how things turned out for the main characters.
There were beautiful, haunting parts to this book. However overall, it felt very disjointed and loosely strung together. Everyone tiptoes around Susan and just sort of accepts the weird way she acts. She's a border-line Mary Sue and just a bit too ethereal and spacey. The really frustratign thing is the lack of resolution at the end of the book. There is no definite outcome either way and after an entire book leading up to that point it would have been nice to know at least how things turned out for the main characters.