Reading Books with the Wrong Expectations! #horrorbooks

TL;DR

In this video, Rachel discusses her recent reads in the horror and thriller genre, highlighting the importance of managing expectations when approaching a new book.

Transcript

hi everyone it's rachel back with the shades of orange and today i'm here to do another horror and thriller wrap up if i had a theme for this wrap up it would be going into a book with the wrong expectations it happened to me several times in the last while and i'm here to tell you about it of course i have some great books to recommend and all tha... Read More

Key Insights

• 👶 Managing expectations is crucial when approaching a new book, as misplaced expectations can significantly impact the reading experience.
• ❤️‍🩹 "The Broken Girls" stands out as a gripping thriller with feminist themes and an unexpected ending.
• 😥 "The Hunter" disappoints due to a divergence from the expected werewolf story and a lackluster mystery plot.
• 🕳️ "The House of a Hundred Whispers" suffers from plot holes and inaccuracies in its portrayal of DNA science.
• 😱 "A House at the End of the Lake" falls short for readers seeking a horror story, as it leans more towards romance.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can you give a brief overview of "The Broken Girls" and what makes it stand out?

"The Broken Girls" is a gripping thriller that expertly balances two timelines, exploring the stories of outcast girls in a boarding school in the 1950s and a journalist investigating a murder in the present day. The feminist themes and unexpected ending set it apart from other mysteries in the genre.

Q: What were your expectations for "The Hunter" and how were they shattered?

I went into "The Hunter" expecting a werewolf story due to the mention of brutal animal-like attacks. However, it turned out to be a more conventional detective mystery with a tough female protagonist. This unfortunate mismatch of expectations led to a lackluster reading experience.

Q: What issues did you have with "The House of a Hundred Whispers"?

While the premise of the novel, which involves a missing child and supernatural elements, was intriguing, there were several plot details that didn't make sense. The characters' strange focus on ordering take away during a critical search for the boy and the inaccurate portrayal of DNA science were major flaws that detracted from the overall suspense.

Q: How did "A House at the End of the Lake" differ from your expectations?

I mistakenly assumed that "A House at the End of the Lake" would be a horror book, given the author's name and the atmospheric setting. However, it turned out to be more of a romance story, lacking the scares and tension I was hoping for. The book's low ratings may be attributed to this misleading marketing.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "The Broken Girls" by Simone St. James: A gripping thriller that intertwines two timelines, exploring the stories of outcast girls in the 1950s and a journalist investigating a murder in the present day.

• "The Hunter" by Asa Nonami: Rachel picks up this translated Japanese mystery, expecting a werewolf story but finding a more conventional detective narrative with brutal crimes and a cliche tough female protagonist.

• "The House of a Hundred Whispers" by Graham Masterton: A horror novel centered around a man searching for his missing son in a potentially supernatural estate, marred by questionable plot details and characterization.

• "A House at the End of the Lake" by Josh Malerman: Misled by the author's name, Rachel finds this novella to be more of a romance story than a horror tale, resulting in a loss of interest.

• "Deep Dark and Dangerous" by Mary Downing Hahn: A middle-grade horror novel that follows a teenager unraveling a mystery involving her mother and a haunting photograph.