I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
Genre:
Thriller, Horror
Length:
146 pages
Blurb:
Twelve strangers wake up in a house with no memory of how they got there, nor of who they are. A set of rules awaits them. One, they will not be able to escape no matter how much they try. Two, there is limited food and water and no more will be provided. Three, the eerie music that plays non-stop will stop for one hour between 11 PM and midnight every night, and one person must die within that period. If no one dies, at midnight, they all will. Four, only one person can die and only when the music stops – whether by accident, suicide, or murder. If anyone dies when the music is playing or more than one person dies when the music stops, they all die. Five, there is one way, and only one way out – redemption.
And so begins the harrowing tale of twelve people pitted against each other in their fight for survival… survival at any cost.
Overall Rating:
4 out of 10
Plot:
7 out of 10
Characterization:
2 out of 10
Primary Element:
6 out of 10 for its thrill
Writing Style:
4 out of 10
Part of a Series:
Yes, this is Book #1 in the Houses of Penance series, followed by The House of Thirteen.
Highlighted Takeaway:
An interesting concept, and a tale that does not shy away from showing the worst that people can offer.
What I Liked:
The House of Twelve is full of action – the story moves along fast, and can be read in a single sitting (or a couple).
What I Didn’t Like:
In its speed though, the book forgoes on character development, to the extent that you don’t find yourself caring too much or rooting for any character at all.
Who Should Read It:
Anyone who enjoys fast-paced thrillers and may not care too much about depth of character will find this an easy read.
Who Should Avoid:
If you don’t like gore or violence, I would strongly recommend avoiding The House of Twelve. There is no dearth of either.
Read It For:
A quick vacation or weekend read if you’re a fan of thrillers.
Although I found Sean Davies’ The House of Twelve interesting, the lack of depth adversely impacted the reading experience for me. I wouldn’t actively purchase his books, at least of the Houses of Penance series, and it may be a while before I try any of his other books.
Share your comments on similarly themed books or other Sean Davies recommendations below. And as always, thank you for stopping by and reading this review!
– Rishika
The Book Review Station 