House of Shadows

<a href="https://readasaurus.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1459070464i/18565492.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a><br><a href="https://www.instagram.com/alwaysbeebooked/" rel="nofollow noopener">Instagram</a> || <a href="https://twitter.com/NeniaCampbell" rel="nofollow noopener">Twitter</a> || <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aficionenias/" rel="nofollow noopener">Facebook</a> || <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nenia-Campbell/e/B00AWVRKMS" rel="nofollow noopener">Amazon</a> || <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/mightbeamisprin/" rel="nofollow noopener">Pinterest</a><br><br><br>Darcy Coates is a new-to-me authors that I'd heard of but hadn't actually read until my sister gave me a copy of this book, HOUSE OF SHADOWS. As soon as I realized it was a romantic horror novel with themes of marriage of convenience and a haunted house, I was so excited, because those are two of my favorite tropes. Also, I think we can all agree that romantic horror is a sorely under-represented genre.<br><br><br><br>Sophie Hemlock(!) is the daughter of a merchant (I think?) and when she meets the mysterious Joseph Argenton at an opera and hits it off with him, she's charmed and wary of his intensity. When a marriage proposal follows shortly after her father has a ruinous incident with a shipment, it seems too good to be true. He's provided her with the key to save her family's fortune, but that key might also be her demise.<br><br><br><br>Things get sus pretty much immediately. Her husband claims he has to race ahead of their coach and leaves her to continue the journey on her own. When she gets to the house, Northwood, her new in-laws are creepy and weird. There's a red door her husband tells her not to go into. She hears weird whispers and phantom music, and her husband's young cousin, Elise, is drawing pictures of a monster that she claims "whispers to her."<br><br><br><br>What the fuck is going on?<br><br><br><br>HOUSE OF SHADOWS was a really fun, quick read. The chapters are short, which makes it easy to stop and start. I thought the romance was actually kind of weak, and I think the story would have been a lot better if the author had played up the passion between the leads and maybe included a smutty scene or two. I also would have liked a little more creepiness, although the visceral horror elements in this book were done pretty well (what few there were). It has elements of Bluebeard, Rebecca, and Rose Red, with maybe a dash of The Haunting of Hill House. If you're looking for something creepy and a little romantic and not too scary, this is a great book for you.<br><br><br><br>I've already bought the sequel. :)<br><br><br><br>3 to 3.5 stars

3.75 stars<br /><i>**Many thanks to Darcy Coates, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Release date: 5 May 2020**</i> <br /><br /><a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/27203141.House_of_Shadows__House_of_Shadows___1_" title="House of Shadows (House of Shadows, #1) by Darcy Coates" rel="noopener">House of Shadows</a> is a book that is sure to grab any readers' attention within the first few chapters. Due to its easy writing and fast pace, <b>this is perfect for anyone trying to get out of a reading slump</b>. After a financial disaster strikes her family, Sophie Hemlock says yes to a <b>marriage with a dark, wealthy stranger: Mr. Argenton. </b>Within seconds she is whisked off to a house, Northwood, where she is surrounded by hauntingly pale and scared faces of numerous mute staff and the every sneering faces of Mr. Argenton's relatives. As she struggles to find her way she accidentally finds a red door behind which Sophie senses a <b>looming presence</b>... will she figure out the secrets surrounding the Northwood residents?<br /><br /><a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/7734837.Darcy_Coates" title="Darcy Coates" rel="noopener">Darcy Coates</a> does an amazing job of keeping her readers on the edge of their seats. Since the second you get into Northwood you will be intrigued by its vastness, its residence, and the atmosphere. I loved the <b>gothic atmosphere</b> so much because it was ever-present in the way Northwood was described. Although the writing is very simple most times, the imagery and atmosphere is definitely Coates' strong-point. Throughout the entire book we are shown not told things, and I am very grateful for that... it really does wonders by adding to the mystery (whether it is the symbolism of labyrinths or foreshadowing or just atmospheric build-up).<br /><br />One thing that <b>I didn't really like was the beginning</b> (and anything related to Sophie's family really). The book starts off in a random place, in my opinion, and in minutes we are already leaving Sophie's life behind. Though this doesn't <i>really</i> matter, I would have preferred to understand the bond surrounding Sophie and her family more as it is quickly glossed over and forgotten. <br /><br />I did really enjoy the romance, maybe not so much because it was sexy, but because the way Mr. Argenton and Sophie fall in love with each other. This is definitely a strong area for the novel. <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="e31b7885-7ff6-420b-96c7-78651f2b0fc3" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="e31b7885-7ff6-420b-96c7-78651f2b0fc3"> I find it so cool how we are brought to understand that Sophie falls in love with Joseph because he symbolises safety for her. I do not think that this was done too quickly because we are shown a lot of of foreshadowing and symbolism beforehand. I love also how we come to understand near the end of the novel that Joseph fell in love with her because of her purity and kindness that he never experienced before. I think that the romance was tragic, emotional, and beautiful if not 'hot'.</label><br /><br />The other section that I didn't quite appreciate was the characterisation. Though I do understand that maybe <b>the author wants the reader to envision themselves in Sophie, I do not think that making her a blank slate was the best choice.</b> Honestly, you can replace Sophie with any YA kind and gentle female character and you'd be fine. <br /><br />All in all, I thought <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/27203141.House_of_Shadows__House_of_Shadows___1_" title="House of Shadows (House of Shadows, #1) by Darcy Coates" rel="noopener">House of Shadows</a> was quite an enjoyable read, and I hope that <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/30183801.House_of_Secrets__House_of_Shadows_Book_2_" title="House of Secrets (House of Shadows Book 2) by Darcy Coates" rel="noopener">House of Secrets</a>, the sequel, continues relishing in book 1's strengths while improving on the weaknesses.

Very Good! blend for a Gothic Romance.<br /><br />Marriage of Convennience. <i>Check.</i><br />Mysterious hero, Mysterious house.<i>Check.</i> <br />Creepy moments and BLOOD. <i>Check. Check. Check.</i> <br /><br />The romance is cute, though. &gt;6&lt; Oh yeah, I enjoyed this!

This is an ARC Review - release date is 5 May 2020 - <br /><br />This was a fun fast paced Gothic romance. The story had a old fashion horror feel to it that really made you get engrossed in the book. The growth of the heroine in the novel was also something I really enjoyed. This story had all of the elements you look for in any Gothic story and left you wanting more. The author really does a good job of setting up for more to come.

Wonderful and fun Gothic,Horror And Romance Story!<br /><br /> The book centers around Sophie, a young, innocent beauty who meets the very wealthy, eccentric and brooding Joseph Argenton the night she went to the opera with her uncle. The next day Joseph asks her father for her hand in marriage and since her family has fallen into devastating debt, Joseph made an offer to solve all their financial worries and make them whole again so Sophie feels she must do the right thing and she accepts the marriage proposal. Fifteen days later she is who she is whisked off to her new home called Northwood a four hundred year old monstrosity of a mansion deep within the woods and hours away by carriage from the nearest neighbor or town. Upon arriving, Sophie feels very unwelcome by the three relatives who also reside in Northwood and realizes too late that she may have made a grave mistake. There are shadows everywhere, she hears whispers from the woods and then coming from behind locked doors is it her imagination of us there something sinister and very wrong with Northwood and why does she feel that everyone is lying to her about what she is seeing and hearing. Is there a sinister reason that Sophie has been brought to Northwood? <br /><br />This was a very enjoyable gothic/romance for me. Darcy Coates is a very clever and stylized writer who completely captured the ambiance and atmosphere of what a gothic story should be. The detailed descriptions of Northwood ( think the old movie and book "Drangonwyck" ) such a gloomy, cold and foreboding fortress. There are noises and shadows everywhere and the feeling of a inhuman presence wandering the halls and rooms. Plenty of shivers and chills to keep my complete attention and subtle romance as well. This is a great book for anyone who enjoys gothic style books or just a wonderful dark, creepy and atmospheric story.<br /><br /> I want to thank the publisher "Poisoned Pen Press" and Netgalley for this advance reading copy and any opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!I <br /><br />I highly recommend this terrific book and have given a rating of 4 Foreboding ???? Stars!!

The House of Shadows, a horror/gothic book was a solid 4 stars. <br />Fast paced and creepy, The House of Shadows centers around main character Sophie-a young woman that agrees to marry wealthy Mr. Argenton to help her family avoid financial ruin. After they marry, Sophie goes to live with Mr. Argenton (as well as with his aunt, uncle and cousin who already reside there) in his home- a huge and creepy mansion that is situated very far from any neighbors or towns. Shortly upon living there, Sophie starts experiencing weird and terrifying events-strange blood drips, lurking shadows, the piano playing by itself, and worst of all-big menacing red double doors that she is absolutely forbidden to open. <br />The House of Shadows was an entertaining and creepy read. I liked that it was fast paced and genuinely liked the characters of Sophie and the kind hearted Mr. Argenton. Definitely looking forward to reading the 2nd book. Highly recommend to fans of dark/horror books.

This was a fun fast paced Gothic romance. The story had a old fashion horror feel to it that really made you get engrossed in the book. The growth of the heroine in the novel was also something I really enjoyed. This story had all of the elements you look for in any Gothic story and left you wanting more. The author really does a good job of setting up for more to come.

This book was absolutely amazing! It had a nice gothic feel to it and would be better read late at night with the only light being a lamp or flashlight.<br />In this story we meet Sophie, who's world has just been shattered due to her family going bankrupt. But a mysterious and handsome Mr. Argenton comes to town and asks to marry her. Marrying him will save her family but will force her to live in Mr. Argentons dark mansion hours from the nearest town. She agrees and starts her new life in her new home. But her new home has some dark secrets and strange things start happening and Sophie starts to realize the man she's coming to love is hiding something from her.<br />I was sucked into this story right away and couldn't seem to put it down. The atmosphere of it is so dark and spooky that it makes you question what's hiding in the dark of your own home. I honestly wasn't expecting anything that happened and it took a complete left turn everytime I thought I knew what was going to happen.

<b>Wow! Awesome gothic haunting!</b><br /><br />As always I am impressed by author, Darcy Coates as she weaves these atmospheric ghost/haunted stories! This story was no exception as this time the author transports the reader into a gothic mystery surrounded by a creepy haunting! <br /><br />A little back story for you readers.<br /><br />Sophie Hemlock along with her father experience a tragedy which takes the business into bankruptcy. There is a way to get the business back on its feet, but Sophie is not happy when her father tells her what has to take place for that to happen. Sophie is stunned to learn that a rich man "Mr. Argenton" wants to marry her and by him marrying her then he will bring the business out of its state of financial ruin! <br /><br />Since Sophie really doesn't have that much choice or say in the matter she accepts the offer because it is the only way to save her father's business. After the marriage, Mr. Argenton whisks her away to his mansion, a/k/a Northwood to oversee the homestead with him. When she arrives, she is met by Mr. Argenton's family who are anything but friendly and when she sets her eyes upon the mansion, she wonders what she has got herself into as it is in mighty need of repair along with having a foreboding look to it. <br /><br />As Sophie tries to become accustomed to her new home, she finds that all is not what it seems and when she wanders the halls of the old mansion, she learns that some doors are forbidden to enter especially the "red door" as no one is allowed to enter that room. It is off limits to even wander down the hallway leading to it and by no means is that room to be opened!<br /><br />The more Sophie tries to learn what is going on in the house the more she is swayed by the family to finding out anything, but when she starts to hear haunting piano music along with slamming doors, whispers, and feels the creepiness of the mansion seeping into her bones is when she becomes worried about her safety along with wondering what secrets her new husband is keeping from her. <br /><br />What is going on in the mansion? Who or what is behind the "red door"? What secrets are the family and husband keeping from Sophie? What is haunting the hallways of the mansion? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book! <br /><br /><b>This book was a page turner and as with any Darcy Coates novel a very atmospheric read. The haunting of the mansion seeps into your mind as you slowly work you way through the book and the characters feel real enough that you find yourself feeling the same dread and worry that the character Sophie is experiencing.</b><br /><br />When you read about the haunting tune of the piano playing you can hear the tinkling of the piano keys in your mind. The author literally brings the visual aspects of the book into focus as you read the story. I loved the gothic story setting as it made the book more haunting and spooky! <br /><br />There is a sequel to the story which I will be reading shortly as there is sort of cliff hanger at the end which will require me to continue on with the story and I am curious to know how the story will end. Giving this book five "haunting" stars!<br /><br />

Clique, old fashioned and fun. <br />PS<br />Rose was a bitch and totally deserved that ending.