Review: Interesting Read
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 08 6, 2013
Every house carries a few secrets, but sometimes answering them introduces more mysteries than it solves.The only reason Sarah Donovan agrees to go on this trip is to impress her new boyfriend. I immediately questioned her judgement on this decision as she clearly doesn't enjoy Urban Exploring or ghost hunting, and I couldn't understand why such a sweet, kind woman would put herself in such an awkward position. Sarah isn't the type of person to complain, though, and I was impressed by how quickly she adjusts to what the Ghost Squad are planning to do in the Blevins House.I had difficultly understanding why Dean and Sarah are dating. Sarah seems to be using Dean as a rebound relationship after her divorce, but I was never sure why Dean would want to become emotionally involved with someone who fears so many of the things he loves. I hope their relationship lasts once the initial burst of sexual chemistry wanes, but these two characters share so little in common that I don't think that is likely. Sarah and Dean easily could have been described as siblings or childhood friends instead without changing what happens later on in the plot, and I think making their relationship a platonic one would have made more sense given everything we learn about their personalities and interests.The vivid descriptions of key rooms the Blevins House and the deliciously tense atmosphere made me feel like I was exploring everything alongside the Ghost Squad. While I was initially confused by why a seemingly-supernatural creature would still have the need to eat, watching this macabre plot unfold was so absorbing I brushed that question out of my mind until it was time for the answer to be revealed.While all of the twists employed by The Witching House are standard for paranormal horror stories, there are a few surprises tucked away in unexpected places. I'd recommend this book to anyone who finds old, abandoned houses creepy or wonders what their moldy walls would say if they could speak.Originally posted at Long and Short Reviews