The September House - Likewise Book Reviews

"Did not see the ending coming. The only way I can describe this book is if it were turned into a movie, it would likely be banned because of the amount of gore it contains and horror it would induce into those watching. Definitely set my standards higher for these types of books. You think you have the ending figured out and then BAM. Complete 180. Had me frozen in place, reading as fast as I've ever read, putting the words into pictures in my head. I was so pulled in by the end that I felt unreal, like I was living in the book. 10/10 Very scary."

"“Does anyone deserve to live like this?” Psychological horror would be the best way to describe this book. As horror it’s just ok but what IS brilliant is how the house is made metaphor for lived trauma and it’s gradual internalized effects on the psyche. I wasn’t really ready for the direction the specific type of trauma took and was reluctantly dragged there; however ultimately I was in awe of how the author pulled from those experiences and played it out so nonchalantly to horrific effect. Unfortunately the ending was just too typical. I would have preferred to keep that theme running to a more nuanced or even ambiguous conclusion. 3.5⭐️"

"Really good and creepy! Couldn’t tell what was real. Enjoyed this very much!"

"The September House by Carissa Orlando is a new favorite. I'm so glad I borrowed this from the library on a whim because it was such a pleasant surprise. If you're a fan of Grady Hendrix, T. Kingfisher, Darcy Coates, and Simone St. James, this horror novel cannot be missed. Here's to hoping it gets adapted into a TV series by Mike Flanagan - that would be the ultimate! I can't wait to see whatever Orlando writes in the future because that was one heck of a debut novel."

"Margaret lives in a Haunted House. She knows the rules- if she touches a trickster, she'll get a flash of their last moments; stay out of Elias' space and she'll avoid his teeth, and don't go into the basement. Every September, the activities of the tricksters get worse throughout the month. This September things are complicated by a visit from Margaret's daughter Katherine. Katherine has never visited the house and is driven to do so now by the mysterious disappearance of her father. Angelique, the trickster maid with a crushed skull, and Edith, Margaret's only friend, help her hide the happenings in the house from Katherine. The September House is rather deep. Margaret is not your typical horror heroine. Her past has taught her to be flexible around others and to follow rules. Her most important rule, one any mother can understand, is to protect her daughter. There is lots of gore in this book. There are scenes that are worthy of nightmares. The part leading up to the climax is grotesque. If you can stomach it, The September House is a book about a resilient woman who won't let a Haunted House get the best of her. I definitely recommend."

"Such an easy read! I couldn’t put this book down "

"This book was interesting and not something I would normally read. Not sure I'd read something like it again but definitely didn't hate it!"

"Very repetitive and boring. I was pretty sure I figured it out by chapter 3 but I stuck it out anyway because of the great reviews. I was right and disappointed by the way this book went. I wanted more and it seemed like this book tried so hard to be scary and gory that the actual story was put to the wayside. Katherine is insufferable and Margaret never grew as a character. The time jumps in this book felt unnatural and easily could give you whiplash. Needless to say I wasn’t impressed and wasn’t spooked. "

"Such a missed opportunity. Starts out original, but then falls onto trusted haunted house tropes. Borrowed it from Libby so it gets an extra star "

"Terrifying spin on real-life nightmares we get accustomed to against a backdrop of classic haunted house with twists, gore, strong female characters, and a ribbon of humor that felt more “Cabin In The Woods” than “Evil Dead” which I loved. "

"I liked this book. I honestly picked it out thinking it was more mystery than horror and boy was I wrong. This is a horror novel through and through and maybe the genre just isn’t for me anymore. It was scary and suspenseful yet I couldn’t fully get into it. The writing was nice and not too cheesy. Overall it’s a nice horror read, just not fully up my alley. "

"Margret refuses to move out of her haunted house. She’s fully aware of the unusual and sometimes dangerous happenings, but she’s made rules for herself to adjust - her motto is “everything is survivable”. That is, until her daughter Katherine makes a surprise visit and begins asking questions about her father, Hal. Margret must prepare to break some rules and make a few new ones, because September is starting… This book offers horror, heart, and humor all in one. The haunted house serves as an allegory for domestic abuse, and the parallels become clearer as we learn more about the characters and their pasts. I really enjoyed the author's twist on this trope!"

"I liked this horror novel a lot. This was a great Halloween read; it was scary, suspenseful, and ghastly with some gruesome ghost descriptions. The ghosts in the house got restless every September, hence the title. Paranormal activity ramped up and then exploded out of control at the end of the book. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire last half of the story. Even though I had anticipated everything getting out of hand, I found a couple of twists at the end that saved the story from being predictable."

"A FANTASTIC READ- Grady Hendricks fans will love this satirical, twisty thriller "

"My heebies are officially jeebied"

"The September House. My fellow readers. Me? Was I scared while reading this book? Nah. I wasn’t scared… Well maybe just a smidge. Look, I only slept with my tv on just to listen to the Zen channel. I’m sure everyone has the Zen channel on their tv. Don’t - you? Read the book. These people are beyond psychotic. Readers I went back to my favorite genre of psychological/ thrillers. The September House blew me away with not only the plot twist, but the main characters as well. The mom, Margaret was just amazing. Her character had me second guessing her from start to ending. Margaret’s husband Hal, man I did not expect all what transpired from him. I will say this. The basement scene was a little funny and scary at the same time. Although, if it was me I would have ran straight out of that house, hopped in my car, drove right the realtor, and sold the house back to them. Once Katherine, the daughter arrived I was like, yes the mom has someone to back her up. Why did everything become even more crazier? I started feeling sympathetic for Fredrika. I know right? I lost my darn mind. What had me going where the kids and how they were described in the book. Where in the tarnation did the writer come up with these graphic details? They were absolutely terrific for the book. They fit perfectly for the scenes that played out so well in the basement. HO! HO! Let us not forget the basement where the heavy footed man walks the steps as the swarm of flys descends upon you. Choking you as you vomit your last breath. Yes I had so much fun reading this book. The entertainment hit the right spot for me. Basically the ending left me asking, what did I just read? I give this book two snaps and a- Margaret: Katherine. Katherine: Yes mom. Margaret: I see dead people. Katherine: Mom. What there are no dead.. Margaret: Katherine Hartman. If you don’t move your darn assets right now we both will be dead people. Now MOVE! Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!"

"I’m not sure if I’ve given a full five star review to a horror book before, but you better believe this one gets it. It was a PERFECT 10/10 haunted house novel. I have no notes, it just knocked it out of the park.<br/><br/>I was recently having a discussion with my coworkers regarding my love of horror (it seem incongruous with my sunshine personality, but I adore it), and we pinned down it’s a haunting rooted in history that intrigues me. I salivate for shows and movies like The Haunting of Hill House and The Conjuring, where all the tragedy can be traced back through history and generations. It’s cyclical nature (and occasionally the breaking of it) that gets my buy in. Many of us, myself included, want reasons why things happen and hauntings that harken back to days before fill that need for me. <br/><br/>Of course real life isn’t like that, which is why I abhor true crime, particularly unsolved mysteries. I can read horror all day as long as it’s fiction, ditto for horror movies and haunted houses. It makes me the anomaly, particularly among my female peers who often love true crime and hate horror, but I never claimed to make sense.<br/><br/>Nevertheless, this was fantastic and I’m absolutely obsessed with this. I’m adding a massive spoiler so stop reading here if you’re planning on reading the book!<br/><br/>SPOILERS AHEAD…you’ve been warned<br/><br/>Wow, what a cheeky little nod to psychological horror! My biggest pet peeve with some of the “great” haunted house novels (cough cough The Haunting of Hill House and The Shining), is that you don’t know if it’s all in the characters head. The commentary on mental health is valid and lends a speculation to the narrative, and I was a little leery toward the last couple of chapters if that’s where it was going. And then wham! Overt huntings that everyone sees, it was just *chef’s kiss.* Like way to subvert the genre, I ******* LOVED IT. I was grinning like a loon during those last two chapters, it was amazing. I will probably read this again in the future (every September? jk) and I have no doubt it will hold up!"

"Some people hated this book but I loved it. Lots of symbolism and such a spooky, fun, but deep read!"

"This had its moment and all, but overall it was a bit of a letdown for how much hype there was and how long I waited to get the book to read/listen to from my library.<br/><br/>It had potential at the start, but then it kind of dragged in parts and then the ending seemed to happen all of a sudden and it seemed to have everything magically and suddenly resolve itself and end like someone did a bit of waving a magic wand *shrug*.<br/><br/>That's just my opinion after listening to it though. I also didn't like some of the language in it, but that's my personal opinion. I know there are others who liked and enjoyed it a lot so you may still enjoy it if you decide to give it a shot."

"This was such an enjoyable book. Please be aware though there are two triggers that should be mentioned: domestic abuse and child torture. They are shown in flashbacks and briefly but it's there."

"I really do love an unconventional haunted house story."

"4.5"