I have mixed feelings about this book. First off, the writing is so beautiful that I can't bring myself to hate this book. But at the same time, a lot of times I was confused and did not understand what the hell was happening. I don't know if that's the goal of the story, since it is a horror book to kind of disorient you or I'm just not smart enough to comprehend it or the plot was just poorly executed.

I see this book recommended a lot in the horror genre, but there's not much horror to it. I don't get why the house was haunted or why Eleanor was targeted. And the characters seemed so likeable in the beginning at yet somehow they turned out to be awful people? And sometimes they're not? Like I really don't understand what's happening with Theodora here. I mean, is she a friend? Is she just faking it? And is Eleanor a ghost from the beginning or is she possessed by the house after the storm incident or what? Are Luke and Theo in a relationship? I mean, I don't think it's ideal to leave a reader with a ton of questions after reading your book, but what do I know?

However,I do commend that despite it being listed as a classic, the writing was quite easy on my brain. It didn't feel that old of a book if you know what I mean. I also appreciate the "haunted house" vibes in the book, and maybe I'll read it again in the future for the sole purpose of enjoying the lyrical writing, but I just feel like it could have been better, you know?

And I guess I liked Mrs Montague and Arthur's characters. I felt they were very much necessary to add some humour to the story. I really enjoyed them and all the others teasing them.