I'm pretty certain this was a re-read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it the second time around, if so. An intriguing story that may be a bit different from Card's other works, but is equally entertaining.

Really interesting and thought-provolone ghost story/murder mystery/love story/ DIY tutorial about a guy who renovated old houses but gets more than he bargained for. Strong four, marred by some awkward and jarring character interactions that, given the author's body of work, is probably intentionally but, if it was, it went over my head.

I'm ready to become a Christian now, it seems like they score a lot.

Enchanting

From the moment I started reading this story, I was enchanted. I found myself cheering on the well done plot line and endearing characters. It reads like a mystery that's rolled up in a fantasy that just got highjacked by a well worn reality skin. This was spot on!

Boring. Not much happened. Author spent a lot of time describing the work the main character was doing instead of writing a story about a haunted house. I would not recommend.

I pulled this book off the shelf at the library and opened at random to read a few sentences. I just wanted to get a feel for the book. I then continued to read for at least fifteen minutes standing in the library shelves before I finally gave up and found a chair to finish the whole thing. Then of course I had to check the book out and take it home so I could read it again, this time from the beginning.

Definitely some creepy stuff in this book, but great storytelling and characters!

I don't think the author understands relationships with women. 5/10 is being generous. I picked this up at a library so at least I didn't waste my money on it.

I had heard good things about Orson Scott Card, so when I saw this book at the library, I gave it a try. Horrible. PAINFULLY horrible. I was planning to read the Ender's series, but after this book it will take me a loooong time to want to read another Card book. Maybe someday...

(If you feel you need more detail: None of the characters in the book are interesting. Who cares what happens to a bunch of irritating people, you know? The plot is laughably ridiculous. There's a random and pointless love scene between a middle aged carpenter and a middle aged realtor. Why? I have no answer. Ugh. I feel sick just thinking about this book. Is there a 'No Stars' ratings option?)

Orson Scott Card is a fantastic writer and something that does not disappoint is the plot twists that you just don’t see coming. This book has some good ones and deals with death, grief, courage, persistence, compassion, and redemption. It was a good read!

Horror & Romance

I enjoyed the horror, especially the personification of the house.
The romance was a useless addition. Waste of time!!
Will be careful about reading this author again.

I didn’t really know what I was expecting or anticipating when I started this story.  I had an idea of a horror story, which then turned into a mystery story, which then turned into a general story about this guy who was fixing up this house and finding himself healing while he did so from the loss of his daughter two years ago.  What actually ended up happening was different than I had thought.  The house was alive in a way and there was a ghost in the story which was being kept alive by the house and who was also keeping the house alive.  In the end, a lovely romance develops between the “ghost” and the renovator.  They both end up healing each other and finding happiness again after so much tragedy and hardships.  Sylvie got the chance to be alive and to truly “live.” Don got the chance to heal and to live as well; a wonderful story.  Completely not what I had expected but a very enjoyable and entertaining read.  I couldn’t put it down while I was reading the book and the time just flew by.  Card is a new author for me and his writing style is very intriguing and easy to get into.  I will have to check out more of his stories.

Rated: 4.5/5.0—Overall, a wonderful entertaining read.  A great story to get into the October reading challenge spirit.

I enjoy Card’s writing. I am not, however, a fan of fantasy so the moment the story goes off into ghosts/possession I lose interest. Nonetheless, I like reading him occasionally.