House of Thorns

by Lee Mountford

The past never dies... it waits!

When Emily arrives at Erimus House, a sprawling old manor turned children’s home, she hopes for a fresh start. But alongside her new companions—Ollie, Daniel, and Lucy—she soon discovers that the house is far from ordinary. Strange sounds echo in empty halls, shadows move in impossible ways, and an unseen presence seems to be watching their every move.

Years later, the four friends, now adults, return to Erimus House to honour a promise to their enigmatic guardian, Eleanore. But the house has changed—and so has the darkness within it. What begins as a reunion quickly descends into a nightmare as the group is forced to confront horrors beyond their comprehension.

In House of Thorns, childhood fears take on monstrous forms in a chilling tale of loyalty, courage, and the unrelenting grip of the past. Will they escape Erimus House once more—or has it been waiting for their return all along?

Buy House of Thorns today to dive into this terrifying horror novel.

Genres: Horror

520 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 20, 2025

About the author

I am an author with a huge love of horror.

Of course, other genres float my boat as well; Sci-Fi, Thrillers, pretty much any Dark Fiction, but Horror is what I call home.

My first novel, Horror in the Woods, was released on in May 2017, and the second, The Demonic, on the the following July hitting multiple best seller lists. Since then, I have authored a number of horror novels that have terrified fans for the past few years.

You can find out more about me on my website, but also, don't forget to claim your FREE ebooks
: http://eepurl.com/dIaS0r

- Lee

Reviews

[John Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing, just amazing!

This is a story of two halves, the first rather slow, ponderous but, slightly spooky. In the second half, all Hell breaks loose in an orgy of terror and mayhem. We begin with four orphaned children, Ollie, Lucy, Dan and Emily coming to live with a kindly guardian, Eleanore, in a country mansion, Erimus House. However, things are not what they seem and before too long the house is engulfed in flames as it burns out of control. The children and their guardian barely escaping with their lives. Decades later the children, now adults, feel compelled to return to Erimus House for a reunion with their friends. However, they have absolutely no memory of their lives after the fire. Just what is going on and what does the House intend for them? This was a well written, creepy and chilling horror story, that I heartily recommend to all aficionados.

[Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well......what to say about this book. I am only going to give out thoughts without my usual backstory.

Thoughts:

I don't even know where to begin with this book. I usually will read anything by this author as he is normally an automatic for me with picking up his books as I usually love whatever he writes however, this book was nothing like what he usually writes. I thought it was going to be more of a haunting/ghosts book which it was to some degree but there are two parts in the story - the first part or the first half of the book was like a coming of age story with four children that end up in a foster home of sorts after the death of their parents and the foster home mother takes them in. The first half of the book was fine as far as creepiness and mystery stuff going on.

The last part of the book though took a twisted turn and when I say twisted the story did a 360 degree turn and went off somewhere into the twilight zone. There was a lot of confusion of what was happening with the children and I wasn't sure what was going on for the last part of the book as it was just a twisted mess. I was in more of a state of confusion than anything else and the story harbored on the bizarre. There is a horror subgenre called "Bizarro" and that is what this book sort of ended up becoming with the last half of the book as I wasn't sure most of the time what was really happening with the characters.

This book actually came close to being a dnf as I was struggling with it for that last half of the book but I thought it might end up going in a different direction or straighten itself out but it took me down the rabbit hole of wondering what was happening so I just stuck with it till the end.

I will still continue to read this author but this one did nothing for me. Giving this book one "Dastardly Disappointed" star!

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a tough one to review. I normally love this author's novels, but this one just wasn't for me at all. The first half was very much YA with a little mystery--reminded me of the Scooby gang, minus Scooby, if they had been 9-12 years old. I was hoping that last half would make up for it.

Without spoilers, it went in a direction I just don't care for, in general. There were a few good scenes, but the idea behind it all was just not a favorite of mine.

As always, if this book sounds interesting, I suggest reading it for yourself. While it wasn't for me, it will appeal to others.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is set in the Erimus House, we have the main characters Emily, Lucy, Daniel, and Ollie, with their guardian Eleanor.

House of Thorns is one hell of a beast of a book around 660 ish pages, I read it in two parts. The author has done it again. What a fantastic read with twists and turns, and shockingly moments, I gasped out loud. I didn't see them coming, I was shouting at the author, too, lol. From the first page to the very last, it was truly addictive and unputdownable, I really couldn't swipe quick enough, bingeing on 80 to 100 pages for me, which is very unusual.

In the prologue, we meet a little girl called Emily who is walking up a long gravel driveway, which leads to the house. She is with a social worker called Mrs Clement, the house is massive with three storeys. The house is called Erimus House, and what awaits her is a placement in foster care after a tragic accident involving losing her parents who died.

I'd say the first half of the book is very creepy, chilling, and very unsettling it got my heart racing in anticipation of what was going to be unfolding. What could possibly go wrong an old house with a locked cellar door .... I hear you say, you must read it!!! There was a moment where I actually shouted at the book, no friggin way, you can't do that!!!

The second half is where this book explodes and kicks off big style. What happens to the characters is truly horrific and bloody and gory. I felt it had a Final Destination vibe in those scenes so horrifying. To have myself even cringing plus feeling saddened, angry, and empathetic for them, wicked read that just flowed.

Fantastic Read absolutely loved it!! If you have not read any books by this author, you are missing a treat!!! This year, it will be hard to find a read that outdoes this book!!

[Paul Flint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed part two much more. This is a book divided into now and then. So there are the 4 orphans firstly at Erimus House. I loved the dynamics between the children, they always had each other's backs. Which was really sweet. The first half is as slow as a snail, though when they are older, you'll find this part disputable though. As they are somehow changed but to give away spoilers is not my intention. The book was good but not amazing. 3 stars.

[Krystle Rouse]

This was my first time reading Lee Mountford’s books and I am so excited to read more. This story has two halves in which the first half will leave you pondering. In the second half all heck breaks loose and no one is safe. The first part is a little slow, but he is developing the plot and characters to add to the authenticity of what will happen. This book had so many amazing twists and had me in a chokehold . I want to thank Lee for the book in exchange for a review.

[Jerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing, at first, led me to think this was YA. It's pretty simplistic and bland. By the 30% mark, I was skim reading and finding that I could pick up a few sentences per page and not miss a thing. It wasn't a bad book but it was slow and boring. Then the second half took a turn for the worse and I wish I had DNF. The ending was not for me. I am sure some will love the book. It just won't be me.

[ScarlettAnomalyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to have this after seeing a few early reviews on it.
This was a longer read, but every word was worth it.

We start with a creepy little scene and a little girl, maybe it wasn't meant to be creepy but that's the feeling I got, the vibes, the uncertainties.
Nothing too crazy in the first half, just a good story, very creepy, and some time to get attached to characters.
Eleanor, who runs the the orphanage for the kids waiting to be placed is also creepy, but hiding something, is it something bad??
Probably eek.

Then we have what I think of as the second half of the book, when it basically rockets off the rails, and no one is safe. All the time the kids lived in that house, they mostly grew up and moved on, until they decide to go back on last time.
( you'd have to have dragged me back)

If you pick this up and struggle a little in the first half, please do NOT quick reading, I promise that second half, you will loose your mind.


What the hell Erimus House, you little house of absolute horrors..

[amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

i loved this until the last hundred or so pages which ruined it for me. it wasn’t awful by any means, i was just left disappointed 😾

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently, I'm the outlier here. I adore Lee Mountford, and I was super excited to have a new book in my hands. Buuuut, I did not like this book. I feel bad even saying it because I love Lee and his books! The first half was slow, and I felt kind of twee. Everyone is light and love and perfectly perfect. The most perfect, well-behaved children evah! And the second half was just so dragged out. It also veered towards cosmic horror, of which I'm not a fan. And the ending. The ending was so gaggy; heaven, really??!

[Alisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Who would publish this?? This reads like some amateur self published this??

The first half reads like a children‘s mystery book, which I enjoyed because it had cozy vibes. The language is very simple so initially I thought this book wasn‘t intended for adults.

The second half of the book is probably the most stupid sh*t I‘ve read in a long time. I‘m not going to spoil anything but let‘s just say, from all the ways the story could have gone, the author tried his best to make it as lame and unoriginal as possible. The quality of his writing style also plummeted somehow. There is zero character development, the plot is boring and I had to force myself to finish it. First I wanted to give this book 2 stars but honestly it got so bad I just can‘t.

Strong contender of worst read of the year for me. The next book I read better be amazing because otherwise I might never enjoy reading again, that‘s how bad this book was.

[Peter · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have like most of Lee Mountford books. This one just didn't have it. The first half of the book, reads like a YA book. The second half zig and zags back and forth. If you read it, you will find out what I mean. I will definitely read other books by this author. This one was just below par for him.

[Catriona Mowat · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might think that House of Thorns is a classic tale of a haunted mansion in an isolated place, where ghosts wander the halls at night, and the house seems to hold secrets behind every closed door. But you would only be half right!

Like the house in the book, House of Thorns twists and turns like a vine. It is gothic and modern, warm and comforting at times, and chilling at others. It is complex yet beautifully done for the simple core of the story: four wonderfully developed orphan children, bonded for life and with so much detail they really do come to life before your eyes…
There were twists that made me gasp, and I stayed up a lot later than I intended for 2 nights in a row as I turned the pages. The additions of blueprints for the house really helped to imagine the house as the children play, explore, and run for their lives.

The story is split into “then” and “now” which worked wonderfully for character development, plot development, and momentum. The pacing was spot on, with ebbs and flows in just the right places. My only criticism is that I feel this story would have been even stronger without quite so many elements to it. With cults, creatures, ghosts, and a touch of magic/alchemy, some moments were diluted somewhat. But I was immersed, captivated for every page, desperate to find out what would happen next, and what else can you ask for as a reader?

[Laura Friars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book by Lee!!

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

disappointing

Interesting premise but weak, stilted writing. Glad I got this one through Kindle Unlimited vs. paying for it. Do not recommend.

[Lee J. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Forever

I want the time I spent reading this back. An editor's nightmare. Not sure why I suffered through this. A mess.

[Peter C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Recommended if you like: N/A

Avoid if you dislike: Repetitive, inefficient prose; Shallow descriptors; Poor character development; Trite plot developments

From what I could find online, author Lee Mountford seems like a delightful person. I wish him nothing but the best and congratulations on a successful career as a writer. That said, if your name is Lee Mountford, please stop reading this review. There isn’t anything here that you want to see.

After a couple years of tracking my books on Goodreads, House of Thorns is my first 1-star review. I don’t find any happiness in dragging books through the mud. I try to look for positive takeaways from each book that I read, because I know how hard it is to finish a story, so that in and of itself is an accomplishment worth celebrating. But I simply can’t find anything positive about this novel.

The Prose:
There’s so much to say, I’m not sure where to begin.

The writing here challenges you to pay attention. In the 2nd half of the book, I was skimming the pages whenever the four main characters started a conversation. Dialogue often revolves around explaining plot points already well-established, complaints that have no bearing on the plot, or tedious comforts and reassurances passed between characters.

You can skip Chapters 2 and 3, in which Mountford takes the reader on a room-by-room tour of the three-story house and describes every detail in every single room; the number of windows, each piece of furniture and the type of wood its made of, the color of the floorboards, the designs carved into the crown molding, the color of the ceiling, the number of drawers in each desk, and on and on ad nauseam. 24 pages and there is nothing you need to know in them that isn’t explained again later.

Mountford’s vocabulary is razor thin, so meager that it seems almost willfully ignorant. This book is absolutely drenched in passive adverbs. If an action is supposed to be fast, Mountford uses “quickly,” almost without exception. God, the amount of times there is a pause before a character responds, and Mountford simply writes that the character, “eventually said.”

Mountford often gets lost in irrelevant details, over-explains simple concepts, and skirts over the surface of his characters instead of diving deep for real, compelling drama. I’m left wondering who the audience is for this novel. The prose is too simple and passive to be written for adults, but the length would turn away most YA readers.

The Characters:
There are five characters in this book; four children and one headmistress. Mountford attempts to apply character traits to each child (one is “chatty,” one is “timid” and so on) but never digs deeper into their psyches. They do not fail. They do not struggle. The “scaredy-cat” child is constantly described as fearful, but always, always does the brave thing when it is required, even in the 1st act.

The children are all intensely self-aware, forgiving, compassionate, selfless, and understand their place in the world. You know, like all children. They all immediately become best of friends without any drama whatsoever. They’re all so perfect and written to be more mature than about 80% of adults I know. It’s so bad that, at one point, (major 3rd act spoilers) Lucy forgives Eleanore for damning them all to literal Hell for all eternity because she feels bad for her. This forgiveness comes less than two pages after she finds out Eleanore has used their souls for a ritual sacrifice. No, I’m not kidding.

Because all the children are perfect from the jump, there are no character arcs. They are given no room to grow. They’re the kind of mature, kind people you’d love to know IRL, but they make for terribly uninteresting characters ill-suited for a drama.

The Plot:
This novel is split up into two halves; “Then” and “Now.” The problems I’ve outlined are apparent from the first few chapters, but you might be forgiven for thinking that the plot is building toward something interesting upon the characters' return.

If you haven’t read this book, or more importantly, if you’re reading reviews because you’re 100 pages in and nothing’s happened, let me save you a lot of time:

Major spoilers:
Yes, Eleanore is the villain. She is hiding her dead-ish husband in the basement. Eleanore uses the children’s blood to conduct a ritual in an attempt to bring back Eleanore’s dead children. When they return to Erimus House in the 2nd half of the story, they are all dead and in purgatory. Ollie and Eleanore die immediately following the close of the 1st half. Lucy murdered Dan and Emily because, get this, they got married and had a family and neglected their relationship with Lucy. They reverse Eleanore’s ritual and go to Heaven, damning Eleanore to Hell.

All of this drama is delivered in such watery, unemotional writing that it’s really, really hard to care. I felt no connection to any of the characters. I found that it didn’t even matter who was speaking during scenes of dialogue, I just skipped over the names and it literally had no bearing on my understanding of the plot.

There are no side plots. There is one location and five characters. There is no romance, no arguments, no struggle, no real drama with any lasting consequence. This book might have been more tolerable if it was 250 pages like the content deserves, but the fact that it’s dragged out to 500+ is simply insane. Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian is 351 pages. J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Return of the King is 425 pages. There is nothing in this novel that justifies its length.

I don’t know who this book is for. Nothing works. This is a four-hour community theater original production with no intermission. 1/5 stars.

[Perfectly Imperfect · Rating 4 out of 5]

House of Thorns is an interesting book about a group of four children, how they "matured", and their stories revolving around the Erimus House.

The setting of the story reminded me of the movie The Haunting (1999). I was fully engaged in the writing as it was just enough and everything was as natural as it should be. However, one challenge was that for characters that were young around ten years old, the communication seemed a bit mature. Furthermore, when there were many young children, it was tough to make sure that their characters are consistently distinct throughout the story, let alone they grew into adults.

This challenge should not be underestimated because this is a full novel. However, one reason that might explain why the book was long was that for many situations, the author described them in too many details, to the extent that I doubted whether we truly had all of those internal debates like them when we were kids.

Because of such writing, the development of the characters was actually simple even though the number of pages was a lot. Nevertheless, when these children "matured", the author's talent shone like a lighthouse with certain twists and mysteries.

To be fair and clear, those surprises were not "a ha" moments. The reason was that there were too many internal dialogues trying to rationalise the behaviour of each character. Hence, sometimes when I read these characters, I just prayed for them to act so that I could see the outcome. As such, when the surprises came, the thrill was no longer there. Instead, it was simply logic and understanding. I would say that the gore in this book was more descriptive and the intensity of the horror was reduced by too much cognition.

Yet, this book was a solid 4 stars because when I read it, I imagined the life of an orphan, surrounded by love and others whom I considered as my siblings. Therefore, the whole story was like an adventure with your brothers and sisters, making this book an ideal target for teenagers and young adults (especially those who are not "allergic" to gore).

Since the story was simple (in fact, many times one of the characters kept hesitating to give the answer, lengthening the story), there was not much to say without spoiling the book. Hence, I let you enjoy it in your own reading.

[Jim Donohue · Rating 5 out of 5]

It will be difficult to find a better Horror Novel in 2025 than House of Thorns, by Lee Mountford. This is Mountford's "The Shining" and his "It" all in one. House of Thorns has everything you look for in horror: high creep factor, legit hold-your-breath scares, mystery, what's-in-the-basement terrors, and so much more. It's a haunted house story and a coming of age story. And speaking of the story, let's begin.
In the beginning, we meet young Emily who, after the tragic death of her parents, is seen looking up at the Erimus House, the place that holds an uncertain future for our poor protagonist. The creeps immediately set in, thanks to Mountford's superlative prose and decriptive abilities. Emily meets Eleanor, the woman who runs Erimus House, and who will be fostering Emily, along with the three other children who reside there, Ollie, Daniel, and little Lucy.
But Eleanor is hiding something.
Something terrifying.
Something unthinkable.
And, as we all know, children can be curious.
I read this book in two parts. Part One sets the story, builds the tension and, in itself would be scary enough. In Part Two (all in this majestic volume), the kids have grown and agree to meet back at Erimus House to find the answers to the questions that have haunted them for years.
But something isn't right.
And here is where the book explodes into pure horror.
I won't give away any more, because this is a book that demands to be read by every fan of the Horror genre. So many sub-genres are represented here and there is terror in every keystroke of this modern-day Horror Master. This is, by far, Lee Monutford's greatest work, in my opinion.
Do not hesitate. Run, run like the ghouls of Hell are chasing you, to buy this book.
You won't be disappointed.

[Cat.thebookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

House of Thorns by Lee Mountford was another one of my AATA purchases — and my first story by this author. He has loads of horror books to choose from, so it was really hard to pick just one!

The first half of the story is a little slower — it’s all about the build-up. There’s some great description of the house that gives off spooky vibes right away, along with insight into the characters and a gradual layering of creepy tension as you try to figure out what’s going on.

It starts with four orphaned children — Ollie, Emily, Dan, and Lucy — who come to live with their guardian, Eleanore. But everything is not as it seems; something strange is happening. I don’t want to say too much and give anything away!

The second half of the book jumps forward several decades. The children are now adults (well, most of them), and they all feel compelled to return to Erimus House. But why? And why do they have no memory of their lives? This half definitely picks up the pace and delivers some great gory moments.

Without giving away spoilers, I’ll just say I was expecting a twist about why they all came back — and I suspected Eleanore might be more manipulative than she first appeared.

I loved this book! It didn’t give me sleepless nights, but it did give me some late ones because I couldn’t put it down. I’m really looking forward to reading more by Lee Mountford — he has a huge collection, and I’ll definitely be working my way through it.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows 4 orphaned children Emily, Ollie, Daniel and Lucy who are in the care of their new guardian Eleanor. Residing in Erimus House together hoping for a fresh start the children start to notice shadows moving strangely, hearing noises in the night and odd feeling of being watched.

The way Lee builds the world and the characters is absolutely phenomenal. You feel such sympathy for what the poor children have gone through to be living in the children’s home.

The book is separated into several parts and will have you gripped from the beginning. Starting off with their childhoods in the home, to them coming back as adults. With the comforting feel of a found family changing to a slow building suspense then to a shocking climax. Returning as adults to the house, what should be a positive time, the now grown ups are thrust into a nightmare.

The twists and turns of his book have you in a chokehold, several times it left me shocked and creeped out not knowing what’s going to happen next. You will not want to put this book down.

5/5
This was my first time reading a book by Lee Mountford, who kindly gifted me a copy, definitely going to read more of his works, 100% would recommend!

[N.D. Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hammer Horror Meets Silent Hill.

A change of pace for Lee Mountford, and his longest book to date, yet no less thrilling than his previous work.

House of Thorns begins at a slower pace compared to Lee's books that I have previously read, but this is one is a marathon not a sprint. Lee perfectly executes control over timing and the reader, allowing plot progression which suits the time-span of the story. It starts as a gentle snowflake, steadily growing and evolving into an unrelenting avalanche.

You can still expect to read Lee's trade-mark Lovecraft-inspired gruesome prose, with our heros stalked by a fiend reminiscent of Silent Hill's Pyramidhead. And, there were also scenes and settings which reminded me of classic Hammer Horror, something new to me in Lee's work. But here Lee also shows sensitivty, exploring themes of family, loss and belonging, demomstrating he is more than simple blood & guts thrills. It's those emotional moments that sets great horror head and shoulders above the rest.

Ooh, and has Lee introduced a new villain into his litreray universe. I sense there may be more to come from the Children of the New Sun.

[Jessie Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily, Dan, Ollie and Lucy return to their previous home years later to find things have massively changed. For the worse...

Can I start my saying oh my fking God. When I started this I thought okay we started off slow and that was fine by me! Getting to know the characters was a fun part of this for me. The build up was intense. The questions that start running through your head at a million miles an hour starts at like 40% and doesn't let up until the final few pages. Let me tell you it took me a couple days to get settled into this. But once I hit that 40% onwards I binged. I had to know what was happening next. The feelings I felt for each character throughout the entirety of this book was INSANE and there were emotions that I wasn't ready to feel 😂 the whole emotions thing came to an abrupt halt at the end where I just smiled goofily at how it ended. Be prepared for the read of a lifetime. Whisking you from one emotion to another. Thank God this was the first book I read by Lee as its put him on my instant buy list. Incredible.

[Bridget Hollister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book! A Definite Must Read For Horror Lovers

One of the best horror novels I’ve ever read and will definitely read more from this author. Story starts out innocently enough, four children who recently lost everything are brought together in what at first appears to be a loving children’s home. As the kids bond together, they start to become aware of strange happenings - their guardian not allowing them to go into the basement but she sneaks down there every night crying, glimpses of strange figures out of the corner of their eyes.The first half of the book you start dreading what will happen and the second half all your horrors play out with twists and turns until the end. The story is so detailed you can actually visualize what is happening.Definitely a must read for horror lovers!

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

House of Thorns by Lee Mountford is an outstanding horror novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The eerie atmosphere and creepy elements give it a nostalgic vibe, reminiscent of classics like It and The Shining. The author does a great job of building sympathy for the characters, making them relatable and likeable throughout the story, which only deepens the emotional stakes. As the horror unfolds, you can't help but root for them. The adrenaline is pumping at various stages of the book, especially as the tension and fear ramp up, keeping you completely hooked. The theme and overall execution of the novel are captivating, pulling you into a world that feels both terrifying and compelling. If you're a fan of character-driven horror with a chilling, immersive atmosphere, this book is definitely worth a read!!

[Jenny Rooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. Excellent story as usual from this author. I couldn’t read this book fast enough.
I had no clue where this story was going, and the ending completely threw me.

Id like to give it 5 stars, the only thing that made me come out of the story was the children themselves, for fairly modern seeming children their characteristics were (at times) completely unbelievable. It was a bit too Walton-esk in set up…happy to live without electronics that they previously had, be home schooled, play games all day and board games in the night with no complaints regarding the loss of their previous life and friends/family.

But absolutely couldn’t fault the main storyline!

[ElleK · Rating 5 out of 5]

House of Thorns - Another masterpiece from Lee Mountford!
From the moment you start turning the pages you are immersed in the lives of the principle characters. You share their tragic past, their hopes, their growing love for each other and their emerging fears!
Their meeting years later to explore their childhood fears meeting the true horror of their reality.
In essence this is two books in one - the prequel to the sequel combined. Their innocence thrust into horror.
With many twists along the way, Lee’s writing as always emerges you in the characters world and invests you in their existence.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started off okay...

The beginning was okay. Orphans, Lucy, Daniel, Ollie, and Emily, find a loving Matriarch, Eleanor. A big house and grounds perfect for 4 young children. Then the Matriarch is discovered frequenting the cellar and the story gets weird. Then the house catches fire and everyone supposedly makes it out BUT all is not as it seems. The story then goes off the deep end into a direction you did not see coming. A bit "Sci-fi meets demonic aliens" will all of a sudden make an entrance and the story goes off the rails at that point. With no resolution given for Eleanors 4 childrens lost souls. It is wholesome becomes gorry. Enjoy!

[Cathrine Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

another slam dunk!

House of thorns is a chilling and immersive horror novel! Lee’s writing shines once again with his ability to build an eerie atmosphere with the house itself acting as a character. The layers of suspense, gradually unveiling the disturbing secrets that lurk within the mansion. The characters are well developed each bringing a distinctive perspective to the narrative. The climax delivers a relentless surge of horror and chaos! It is a must read for horror fans! Thank you once again for such nightmarish thoughts!

[Cynthia Borden · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pacing of this book is the main issue. The first 2/3rds of the novel is painfully slow. The buildup to the conflict isn’t suspenseful; it’s just grueling to get through. Besides the unnecessary setting descriptions, of which occupy the first 2-3 chapters, describing in excruciating detail every inch of Erimus House, the day to day activities of the children felt like a boring chore to read. Hide and seek, board games, and normal childish games, the scenes went on for far too long.

Additionally, the dialogue for the children was too advanced. It did not sound like 9, 11, and 12 yr old speak, and it took me out of the story often.

The plot which unfolds turns out to be predictable, though when the action starts in the last one hundred pages or so, it is creepy, heartpounding and violent. It’s just getting to that point, it was painful, and then the resolution is simply blah. Okay. Not sure if I was happy about it or not; maybe just ready to put down my Kindle by that point.