A young man Henry Feathering who lives in the late 19th century meets and falls in love with Clemency St. James. He was visiting his uncle's home, a house that was in disrepair and an extremely dark place. This was a good novella and I love the Victorian era that it was set in.

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review**** ( )

I wanted to love this book. I wanted to SO badly. It began SO brilliantly, and spoke to me of only beautiful, promising things..*sigh* and then left me high and dry in a hole filled with my own disappointment. That was a horrible analogy. I just wish I could be writing a 5 star review right now. Do you SEE that cover!? How could it be anything but amazing? (Yes, this is me 'judging a book by it's cover').

It started off on a high, with beautifully decrepit scenery circa the 1800's Victorian era. I was placed in the most perfect mindset to read about a good haunting; a tale from beyond of a spirit or presence that just won't rest. I was ALMOST given that, and with a dose of romance thrown in for flavour-the connection between Henry and Clemency was sweet and completely uncontrived, considering the swiftness of their courting. I loved their characters. I actually enjoyed all of the characters in this book-especially the mysterious and introverted Uncle, owner of the Bittersweet Lodge.

After the initial intriguing back story about the house and it's "former" occupants-this book took a nosedive into the realm of mediocre. I don't understand-I almost feel as though the author was being rushed near the end, like he was being told to "just write something, anything." I wish I could insert a visual journey of my emotions with this book. I went from a dream-state, to near ecstatic with anticipation, to slumping over in my chair with disappointment. I was waiting for a BANG! For the event that would satisfy the build-up-and then there was none.

In defense of the book however, I was completely clueless to it being a novella until I was a good ways in. I looked down at the page numbers on my Kobo and saw 30 of 78, and went "ah..I see now." If I had been privy to this initially, I MAY have understood the author's subtly in the way he handled the conclusion. Though as it stands, I think this book could have been squeezed for some more juice-it came SO close.

I recommend this book for readers with a respect for ambiguity in conclusions. Not that I am completely without it- I could understand what the author was striving to achieve here. I just prefer my books to have a more straight-forward ending. ( )

Spooky old houses, a strange uncle, ghosts and a grave in unhallowed ground, all things I love in horror novels. I really did enjoy this, it was well written, the narration was very good and easy to follow, while not scarred to be alone at night scary, did have it's moments. If you are a reader though, who like definitive endings, that is not what you get in this book, though their are enough clues to allow the reader to come to their own conclusion. Will definitely read more by this author. ( )