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Fountain Dead
Mark is uprooted from his home and high school in the Twin Cities and forced to move with his family into a Victorian in Nowhere-ville. Busy with the relocation and fitting in, Mark’s parents don’t see what’s unfolding around them—the way rooms and left behind objects seem alive with a haunted past. Of course, Mark keeps his ghostly encounters to himself, all the while sinking deeper into the house's dark, alluring, and ultimately terrifying history. As romantic entanglements intensify, the paranormal activity escalates. Past and present come together. Everything is connected—from the bricks in the walls to the hearts beating in their chests, all the secrets of Fountain Dead are finally unearthed.
290 pages, Paperback
First published November 20, 2018
3 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Theresa Braun
26 books241 followersHmmm. What's this? Looks like Ms. Braun left her computer on and her Goodreads bio open.
This should be fun.
What can we say about Theresa? I mean other than the fact that she's weirdly obsessed with smiley faces :-). Like, seriously obsessed >:-*. It's kinda scary :-O.
I think she thinks she's from Renaissance England or Venice or something. I never could figure out which one it was. (She's really bad at doing accents.)
She likes romance novels and crime TV, which are pretty much the same thing when you think about it. Ha! Am I right?
She has a hell of a singing voice. Seriously. It's, like, seventh circle of hell bad.
She likes editing. A lot. Just wait till she get's aload a this.
Cats. Shoes. Chips and salsa. In that order.
Yeah, that last part didn't make sense to me either.
This should be fun.
What can we say about Theresa? I mean other than the fact that she's weirdly obsessed with smiley faces :-). Like, seriously obsessed >:-*. It's kinda scary :-O.
I think she thinks she's from Renaissance England or Venice or something. I never could figure out which one it was. (She's really bad at doing accents.)
She likes romance novels and crime TV, which are pretty much the same thing when you think about it. Ha! Am I right?
She has a hell of a singing voice. Seriously. It's, like, seventh circle of hell bad.
She likes editing. A lot. Just wait till she get's aload a this.
Cats. Shoes. Chips and salsa. In that order.
Yeah, that last part didn't make sense to me either.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 25, 2024
When Mark and his family move into an old Victorian home, he can feel right away that something is off with the property. He's immediately on edge.
There is a fountain in the courtyard that Mark has seen before in a dream. Spoiler Alert: It wasn't a good dream.
When odd things begin happening around the house, his suspicions are confirmed. This house is haunted as hell.
Unfortunately, for Mark, he seems to be the only one who notices; his parents and sister are oblivious to the disturbing atmosphere.
As if moving away from his old life wasn't bad enough, now he has evil spirits to contend with.
Same house, 1862, Emma is living with her sadistic father and psychopath brother; things do not go well.
That's correct. This novel follows two alternating timelines. One in 1988, following Mark and his family. The other in 1862, following Emma and hers.
Eventually, it is exposed how the earlier timeline begins to influence the later.
I wasn't crazy about this format, if I'm being honest. It just didn't work for me.
I preferred the 1988 timeline and found myself rushing through the 1862 sections in order to get back to it. Therefore, the pace was completely off for me. The more modern portions were much more exciting, in my opinion.
Additionally, I found some of the supernatural portions at the end to be rushed and confusing. It seemed to take a long time to get to a conclusion and then, BAM, it was done.
This is a good book, just uneven for me. I know a lot of people have really enjoyed this, so please do not let my less than stellar reaction sway you from picking it up.
There is a reader for every book and book for every reader!
There is a fountain in the courtyard that Mark has seen before in a dream. Spoiler Alert: It wasn't a good dream.
When odd things begin happening around the house, his suspicions are confirmed. This house is haunted as hell.
Unfortunately, for Mark, he seems to be the only one who notices; his parents and sister are oblivious to the disturbing atmosphere.
As if moving away from his old life wasn't bad enough, now he has evil spirits to contend with.
Same house, 1862, Emma is living with her sadistic father and psychopath brother; things do not go well.
That's correct. This novel follows two alternating timelines. One in 1988, following Mark and his family. The other in 1862, following Emma and hers.
Eventually, it is exposed how the earlier timeline begins to influence the later.
I wasn't crazy about this format, if I'm being honest. It just didn't work for me.
I preferred the 1988 timeline and found myself rushing through the 1862 sections in order to get back to it. Therefore, the pace was completely off for me. The more modern portions were much more exciting, in my opinion.
Additionally, I found some of the supernatural portions at the end to be rushed and confusing. It seemed to take a long time to get to a conclusion and then, BAM, it was done.
This is a good book, just uneven for me. I know a lot of people have really enjoyed this, so please do not let my less than stellar reaction sway you from picking it up.
There is a reader for every book and book for every reader!
November 20, 2018
Teen angst. Check. Old Victorian mansion. Check. Ghosts. Check. Two timelines. Check check!
I love YA novel and I love horror - combine the two and YAY for me!
I really enjoyed the two timelines. I may have even enjoyed Emma's timeline best as she's a feisty woman going against the grain and basically being a bad ass. Mark is living in teen angst - moving away from his best friend, who he has a crush on and is still discovering his sexuality. I actually wish we had explored this a little bit more as I wanted to see where Mark went in his discovery.. but I'm also glad we didn't get too far into any type of romance in this paranormal story so... where's the happy middle ground here?? Ha. For this read that's under 200 pages, the author manages to get us in enough to feel for Mark and Emma and what their characters go through in their respective years. However, I think things moved a bit quickly and I got a tad bit confused in a couple of areas but I think that has more to do with my own brain than to do with the writing.
I definitely feel this is on the more mature side of YA novels, which I absolutely appreciate. While the ending is a tad bit predictable, I do like how the two separate stories meld together and become cohesive. Old houses are beautiful and I love the gothic feel... but dang do they creep me out and this story didn't help to alleviate any creepy feelings I have for them.
If you like YA, horror and paranormal, this is a good read to pick up. I look forward to more from this author.
3.5 stars rounding to 4 for GR.
Thank you to the author for this copy.
I love YA novel and I love horror - combine the two and YAY for me!
I really enjoyed the two timelines. I may have even enjoyed Emma's timeline best as she's a feisty woman going against the grain and basically being a bad ass. Mark is living in teen angst - moving away from his best friend, who he has a crush on and is still discovering his sexuality. I actually wish we had explored this a little bit more as I wanted to see where Mark went in his discovery.. but I'm also glad we didn't get too far into any type of romance in this paranormal story so... where's the happy middle ground here?? Ha. For this read that's under 200 pages, the author manages to get us in enough to feel for Mark and Emma and what their characters go through in their respective years. However, I think things moved a bit quickly and I got a tad bit confused in a couple of areas but I think that has more to do with my own brain than to do with the writing.
I definitely feel this is on the more mature side of YA novels, which I absolutely appreciate. While the ending is a tad bit predictable, I do like how the two separate stories meld together and become cohesive. Old houses are beautiful and I love the gothic feel... but dang do they creep me out and this story didn't help to alleviate any creepy feelings I have for them.
If you like YA, horror and paranormal, this is a good read to pick up. I look forward to more from this author.
3.5 stars rounding to 4 for GR.
Thank you to the author for this copy.
September 17, 2018
The coolest part about this book is the timeline style in which it's written. We get Emma's POV from the 1800s (Which is awesome), and then we get Mark's POV from 1988 (Which is also awesome). And there's some cool ghosty paranormal business that goes down!
Mark was hands down my favorite character. He had a fun personality to where he felt like a real teen boy and said some pretty hilarious stuff. Also, there was great diversity with his character. Emma was also a well-developed character—you learn and grow with her as time in her chapters passes. There were some lovely, gruesome descriptions, and I was chanting "Yes!" each time!
The writing was fantastic and addicting! I've loved everything I've read from Braun so far, and I hope to see more full-length books from her soon!
Mark was hands down my favorite character. He had a fun personality to where he felt like a real teen boy and said some pretty hilarious stuff. Also, there was great diversity with his character. Emma was also a well-developed character—you learn and grow with her as time in her chapters passes. There were some lovely, gruesome descriptions, and I was chanting "Yes!" each time!
The writing was fantastic and addicting! I've loved everything I've read from Braun so far, and I hope to see more full-length books from her soon!
September 30, 2018
Fans of twisted tales of darkness, this one’s for you! Theresa Braun has brewed up a chilling tale that transects time and is perfect for young adult readers on up!
FOUNTAIN DEAD splits itself between Mark’s POV in 1988 and Emma’s POV in 1862. What manner of evil can cross decades and bring their stories together?
When Mark’s family tore him from his friends to move to an old, Victorian home, he is about to find that the rumors of its haunting are more than mere ghost stories. If walls could talk, what would they say? What secrets do they hold? What is the connection to young Emma, from over a one hundred years before? Is she haunting Mark or pleading for help?
What’s uncovered in that old Victorian home will unleash past horrors into the present and as Mark’s family seems to implode, he may be the only one able to save them…
Theresa Braun’s tale drips with a sinister feel, yet she gives great detail to making Mark a stellar and well-developed character with a teen’s sense of humor, attitude and mental meanderings. Emma feels as if she is from another era, yet these two share a connection and they are not the only ones to feel it.
This one is coming out in November, just in time to keep that Halloween spooky vibe going just a little longer, you know, when the trees are bare and the wind howls through the branches…and basements become a haven for terror...Read it, but keep a flashlight handy.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Theresa Braun!
Publisher: Unnerving (November 20, 2018)
Publication Date: November 20, 2018
Genre: YA Horror
Print Length: 187 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
FOUNTAIN DEAD splits itself between Mark’s POV in 1988 and Emma’s POV in 1862. What manner of evil can cross decades and bring their stories together?
When Mark’s family tore him from his friends to move to an old, Victorian home, he is about to find that the rumors of its haunting are more than mere ghost stories. If walls could talk, what would they say? What secrets do they hold? What is the connection to young Emma, from over a one hundred years before? Is she haunting Mark or pleading for help?
What’s uncovered in that old Victorian home will unleash past horrors into the present and as Mark’s family seems to implode, he may be the only one able to save them…
Theresa Braun’s tale drips with a sinister feel, yet she gives great detail to making Mark a stellar and well-developed character with a teen’s sense of humor, attitude and mental meanderings. Emma feels as if she is from another era, yet these two share a connection and they are not the only ones to feel it.
This one is coming out in November, just in time to keep that Halloween spooky vibe going just a little longer, you know, when the trees are bare and the wind howls through the branches…and basements become a haven for terror...Read it, but keep a flashlight handy.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Theresa Braun!
Publisher: Unnerving (November 20, 2018)
Publication Date: November 20, 2018
Genre: YA Horror
Print Length: 187 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
February 13, 2019
Fountain Dead blends YA and horror in this multi-timeline, multi-perspective story. Part of the story takes place in the 1860s and the second part takes place in the 1980s. I do not want to give anything away about either timeline, but with the two we have a combination of teen angst/sexuality issues, haunted houses, ghosts, Native Americans, and perhaps even some slight possession. There is definitely a lot going on here - one may even wager there is too much going on.
At times I was unsure of why there was a storyline from the 1860s - at least such a predominant one for what we got out of it in the end. I would have rather read more of the spooky things happening in the "present" and some of those plotlines fleshed out a little more to resolution.
There were a couple of scenes that definitely unnerved me and I would have been afraid for real if they happened to me. I would not want to be in our protagonist's shoes by any means. But most of the true horror was at the end. I enjoyed the horror that was there but definitely wanted more of it.
Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
At times I was unsure of why there was a storyline from the 1860s - at least such a predominant one for what we got out of it in the end. I would have rather read more of the spooky things happening in the "present" and some of those plotlines fleshed out a little more to resolution.
There were a couple of scenes that definitely unnerved me and I would have been afraid for real if they happened to me. I would not want to be in our protagonist's shoes by any means. But most of the true horror was at the end. I enjoyed the horror that was there but definitely wanted more of it.
Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2018
A stunningly ambitious time-traversing ghost story, following two different generations (1860s, 1980s.) An excellent and complex concept pulled off with aplomb!
More than just the same house links these characters. The themes of their lives intertwine and dovetail seamlessly as Braun expresses the roles fate forces us to play in life and how these tests teach us who we are--and aren't. As the plot drives forwards, it becomes clearer how two generations in the same house, at different times, will collide, with thrilling supernatural fun.
Also I kept thinking the title would have something to do with Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead. Unless you count this novel's clear anti-greed sentiments, it didn't. Thankfully ;D
Check it!!
More than just the same house links these characters. The themes of their lives intertwine and dovetail seamlessly as Braun expresses the roles fate forces us to play in life and how these tests teach us who we are--and aren't. As the plot drives forwards, it becomes clearer how two generations in the same house, at different times, will collide, with thrilling supernatural fun.
Also I kept thinking the title would have something to do with Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead. Unless you count this novel's clear anti-greed sentiments, it didn't. Thankfully ;D
Check it!!
November 15, 2018
Mark is not too happy his parents are forcing him to move to nowhere-ville. His mother wanted to move away from the Twin Cities to a place where everyone should live where the doors can be kept unlocked. Hence, the move to the middle of nowhere. But, the old Victorian home they have chosen to move to has secrets of its own. Secrets that lead Mark to discover as he tries to protect his family from the evil lurking inside. What happened to this old home that has the potential to destroy a family over one hundred years later?
Fountain Dead by Theresa Braun weaves a ghost a story that spans over one hundred years. Mark’s story is in the year 1988 and Emma in the 1860’s. Both stories interlock and verge into a stunning confrontation that pits both timelines together into one explosive finale.
I have always been fascinated with ghost stories and old Victorian homes. Homes that have history and a story to tell. There are quite a few old Victorian homes still left in my city that date back to the 1800’s. Imagine the stories they could tell! This is one of the reasons why I wanted to read Fountain Dead. We have an old house from the 1800’s and a ghost story befitting such a glorious estate. Sign me up!
To be honest, I really was not expecting this story to be quite as good as it turned out to be which really shocked me in a good way. I found myself really glued to the pages as I was reading through Emma’s story and trying to figure out how it is affecting Mark in the year 1988. This house sure does have its secrets. The backstory really held my attention and I found it quite fascinating as well as eerie at the same time. The things that went on in this home were atrocious. I really felt Emma was a great character and pretty independent given the time period. She lived by her terms even when faced with opposition from her family.
Mark is still trying to figure out his own sexuality. He left his friend Jack in the Twin Cities, a boy he was growing quite fond of. Still learning about himself, Mark doesn’t really know how to classify himself. He is a diverse character which is an added blessing as I don’t read enough books with diversity. I really loved his story as he learned about himself and his wants and needs. Even though he is young, he is not afraid. I mean sure, he is afraid, but he doesn't run and hide and he looks at things head on. He has a strong love for his family and I could easily see he would do anything for them even at his own peril.
With any horror book one has to suspend belief to really enjoy the story. But, I found that this story to be more believable especially given what happened in the 1800’s and this house. Do I believe in ghosts and the paranormal? Sure do! I am convinced my own house is haunted. Which makes me want to say I probably should not have read this story in the evening because I think I may have freaked myself out a bit. Ugh!
I would also like to mention how nostalgic this book was for me. I grew up in the 80’s. I am showing my age here. Hah! References to heavy metal and playing records backwards with parents thinking it was the devil’s music, walkmans, Van Halen, and even the Television series The facts of Life. Now I have the theme song stuck in my head!
If you are a huge fan of ghosts stories and the paranormal then you will definitely want to pick up a copy of Fountead Dead. I absolutely LOVED this book and this is by far one of my favorite horror/paranormal books of the year. This is definitely a five star read!
Fountain Dead by Theresa Braun weaves a ghost a story that spans over one hundred years. Mark’s story is in the year 1988 and Emma in the 1860’s. Both stories interlock and verge into a stunning confrontation that pits both timelines together into one explosive finale.
I have always been fascinated with ghost stories and old Victorian homes. Homes that have history and a story to tell. There are quite a few old Victorian homes still left in my city that date back to the 1800’s. Imagine the stories they could tell! This is one of the reasons why I wanted to read Fountain Dead. We have an old house from the 1800’s and a ghost story befitting such a glorious estate. Sign me up!
To be honest, I really was not expecting this story to be quite as good as it turned out to be which really shocked me in a good way. I found myself really glued to the pages as I was reading through Emma’s story and trying to figure out how it is affecting Mark in the year 1988. This house sure does have its secrets. The backstory really held my attention and I found it quite fascinating as well as eerie at the same time. The things that went on in this home were atrocious. I really felt Emma was a great character and pretty independent given the time period. She lived by her terms even when faced with opposition from her family.
Mark is still trying to figure out his own sexuality. He left his friend Jack in the Twin Cities, a boy he was growing quite fond of. Still learning about himself, Mark doesn’t really know how to classify himself. He is a diverse character which is an added blessing as I don’t read enough books with diversity. I really loved his story as he learned about himself and his wants and needs. Even though he is young, he is not afraid. I mean sure, he is afraid, but he doesn't run and hide and he looks at things head on. He has a strong love for his family and I could easily see he would do anything for them even at his own peril.
With any horror book one has to suspend belief to really enjoy the story. But, I found that this story to be more believable especially given what happened in the 1800’s and this house. Do I believe in ghosts and the paranormal? Sure do! I am convinced my own house is haunted. Which makes me want to say I probably should not have read this story in the evening because I think I may have freaked myself out a bit. Ugh!
I would also like to mention how nostalgic this book was for me. I grew up in the 80’s. I am showing my age here. Hah! References to heavy metal and playing records backwards with parents thinking it was the devil’s music, walkmans, Van Halen, and even the Television series The facts of Life. Now I have the theme song stuck in my head!
If you are a huge fan of ghosts stories and the paranormal then you will definitely want to pick up a copy of Fountead Dead. I absolutely LOVED this book and this is by far one of my favorite horror/paranormal books of the year. This is definitely a five star read!
February 20, 2019
** Edited as Review is now live on Kendall Reviews!**
3.5/5
This one first caught my attention through a twitter post announcing a number of new releases from Unnerving. Unnerving is one of those top-notch smaller publishers that strive to put out top-notch product, so I was excited.
Coincidentally, this was one of two books I was able to get through during a recent bout of staying home from a head cold, and this one also jumped between two-time periods.
At the heart of this tale is ghost story which is propelled, and in most spots held together by some really well done characters.
The tale moves along at a decent pace and Braun does a great job of using Mark’s ghostly encounters as ways to further the coming-of-age proponents nicely.
I really enjoy reading these coming-of-age stories where family dynamics is a big part of the mix and I thought this was one of the best elements of the entire story.
Braun did a great job of walking the tight-rope that is real life story with odd occurrences and to me that kept me wanting more.
As for the other time period, it is set in 1862, and the character of Emma is very fleshed-out dynamic character. I enjoyed her wanting to further herself and not simply be just a wife.
I enjoyed the ending to the story, but once I was done, I found that I felt like I had expected more from the tale. I felt like the story could have been elevated in a few places and the opportunity was missed.
Overall, I’m glad I explored Braun’s world. I look forward to reading more of her offerings!
3.5/5
This one first caught my attention through a twitter post announcing a number of new releases from Unnerving. Unnerving is one of those top-notch smaller publishers that strive to put out top-notch product, so I was excited.
Coincidentally, this was one of two books I was able to get through during a recent bout of staying home from a head cold, and this one also jumped between two-time periods.
At the heart of this tale is ghost story which is propelled, and in most spots held together by some really well done characters.
The tale moves along at a decent pace and Braun does a great job of using Mark’s ghostly encounters as ways to further the coming-of-age proponents nicely.
I really enjoy reading these coming-of-age stories where family dynamics is a big part of the mix and I thought this was one of the best elements of the entire story.
Braun did a great job of walking the tight-rope that is real life story with odd occurrences and to me that kept me wanting more.
As for the other time period, it is set in 1862, and the character of Emma is very fleshed-out dynamic character. I enjoyed her wanting to further herself and not simply be just a wife.
I enjoyed the ending to the story, but once I was done, I found that I felt like I had expected more from the tale. I felt like the story could have been elevated in a few places and the opportunity was missed.
Overall, I’m glad I explored Braun’s world. I look forward to reading more of her offerings!
February 22, 2019
This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
Fountain Dead is a YA ghost story with two interconnecting timelines and a creepy Victorian house at the forefront of the story.
It's 1988 and teenage Mark is forced to leave his life in the Twin Cites behind when his family moves to a creepy Victorian home in the small town of Winona. Mark gets bad vibes from the house almost immediately, especially when he notices a decrepit fountain in front of the house.
In a separate timeline in 1862, Emma and her family are moving to Winona as well. They buy the same house that Mark's family will move into over a century later, and thus the two stories establish a connection. Emma's move is fraught with tragedy, and Emma is left to help her physician father once her brothers leave to fight in the Civil War. Tensions between the local Indian tribe and the white residents of Winona are increasing, and Emma's family has little sympathy for the atrocities that are being committed against them. When Emma takes a wounded Dakota woman into her bedroom to care for her, the reader knows that it's only a matter of time before the Indian woman is discovered.
The narrative goes back and forth between Emma's life as nurse who dreams of becoming a teacher, and her budding romance with her father's hired hand. Soon it becomes clear that the horrible things that happen in Emma's time are haunting Mark's family, as he and his family members experience several ghostly interactions. Mark is a typical teen who is exploring his sexuality and unsure about his feelings. He knows that he is attracted to his friend Jack, but he had to move before his feelings were resolved. I love that Braun explores Mark's sexuality, especially since so many teens are going through the same thing. However, it's not ultimately resolved, and I wish that Braun had given Mark more time to understand his feelings.
I also wish the reader had a bit more time within each timeline before jumping back and forth. Just as I was getting into the story in Emma's timeline, Mark's would reappear and I would have to switch gears. Sometimes that made the story a bit confusing, but overall I was invested in the story, and curious to see how Mark's family would eventually banish the increasingly hostile entities from the house.
I don't read a lot of YA, but I think that YA horror lovers would enjoy this coming of age ghostly tale.
3.5 stars
Fountain Dead is a YA ghost story with two interconnecting timelines and a creepy Victorian house at the forefront of the story.
It's 1988 and teenage Mark is forced to leave his life in the Twin Cites behind when his family moves to a creepy Victorian home in the small town of Winona. Mark gets bad vibes from the house almost immediately, especially when he notices a decrepit fountain in front of the house.
In a separate timeline in 1862, Emma and her family are moving to Winona as well. They buy the same house that Mark's family will move into over a century later, and thus the two stories establish a connection. Emma's move is fraught with tragedy, and Emma is left to help her physician father once her brothers leave to fight in the Civil War. Tensions between the local Indian tribe and the white residents of Winona are increasing, and Emma's family has little sympathy for the atrocities that are being committed against them. When Emma takes a wounded Dakota woman into her bedroom to care for her, the reader knows that it's only a matter of time before the Indian woman is discovered.
The narrative goes back and forth between Emma's life as nurse who dreams of becoming a teacher, and her budding romance with her father's hired hand. Soon it becomes clear that the horrible things that happen in Emma's time are haunting Mark's family, as he and his family members experience several ghostly interactions. Mark is a typical teen who is exploring his sexuality and unsure about his feelings. He knows that he is attracted to his friend Jack, but he had to move before his feelings were resolved. I love that Braun explores Mark's sexuality, especially since so many teens are going through the same thing. However, it's not ultimately resolved, and I wish that Braun had given Mark more time to understand his feelings.
I also wish the reader had a bit more time within each timeline before jumping back and forth. Just as I was getting into the story in Emma's timeline, Mark's would reappear and I would have to switch gears. Sometimes that made the story a bit confusing, but overall I was invested in the story, and curious to see how Mark's family would eventually banish the increasingly hostile entities from the house.
I don't read a lot of YA, but I think that YA horror lovers would enjoy this coming of age ghostly tale.
February 9, 2019
I am always on the lookout for good haunted house narrative, but this book was not for me.
The book is set up with two alternating storylines—one of which is not even discussed in the cove copy—and I found them to be very disjointed. One is set in the early 1860s following a young woman determined to be a teacher and the other takes place in the late 1980s following a boy whose family has just moved to a new town and a creepy old house. Even though the narratives do eventually intermingle, each time the narrative switched to one or the other, I felt like I was reading an entirely unrelated story.
There were many threads that felt problematic or unresolved.
Mark, the 1980s character, has a strange connection to the house—even revealing he has had nightmares about the fountain upon first seeing it—but it is a coincidence that he ends up at the house; it isn’t like his parents or family had some kind of previous connection to it. I found this confusing.
The opening of the book, an excerpt from a newspaper, is only mentioned again in a brief aside at the very end, and I didn’t understand why it was considered crucial enough to be included.
There is also an interesting thread involving Mark’s burgeoning sexuality. He previously felt an attraction to his best friend that was never resolved since they moved away, and he experiences a few other things at the house that confuse him, but this thread is never resolved. It felt like an important part of his character and development, and with the rush of the ending it was completely ignored.
Mark also carries around this biography of Andrew Jackson that perplexed me. What is a preteen doing with a big, stuffy biography of a president? The only time is really comes into play is when he has a very strange conversation with his friend about politics and Native American rights that seemed way out of place, and not something that kids of their age would know about, let alone discuss.
I bring up all these instances not to nitpick the book, but to show examples of the wide-ranging inconsistencies throughout the narrative as well as the confusing nature of the story.
I think the main reason I wasn’t meshing with the 1860s thread in particular is because for much of the book, it has barely anything to do with the mystery and drama of the 1980s sections. The reader is just learning about this girl and her struggles in love, her work helping people, and her strong desire to make enough money to go to school. But there is this whole other story going on behind her story, and that’s what’s really important. The only problem is that she has no idea what’s going on, so the reader doesn’t either. It would have been a more interesting story from someone else’s perspective, or if she had been more in the know from the start.
The writing style was also not for me. It was often written in passive voice, which instantly bleeds all the action and interest from the scene. Often the train of though sputtered around as well, making it difficult to keep track of exactly what was being discussed, as a specific topic would come and go without being clearly introduced.
I would also be remiss not to mention the ending, which felt tacked on and the shock value of it relies solely on your feelings about a character who is barely in the book and doesn’t even have a name.
I can’t recommend this one.
My thanks to Unnerving Press and the author for sending the Nightworms copies of this one to review.
The book is set up with two alternating storylines—one of which is not even discussed in the cove copy—and I found them to be very disjointed. One is set in the early 1860s following a young woman determined to be a teacher and the other takes place in the late 1980s following a boy whose family has just moved to a new town and a creepy old house. Even though the narratives do eventually intermingle, each time the narrative switched to one or the other, I felt like I was reading an entirely unrelated story.
There were many threads that felt problematic or unresolved.
Mark, the 1980s character, has a strange connection to the house—even revealing he has had nightmares about the fountain upon first seeing it—but it is a coincidence that he ends up at the house; it isn’t like his parents or family had some kind of previous connection to it. I found this confusing.
The opening of the book, an excerpt from a newspaper, is only mentioned again in a brief aside at the very end, and I didn’t understand why it was considered crucial enough to be included.
There is also an interesting thread involving Mark’s burgeoning sexuality. He previously felt an attraction to his best friend that was never resolved since they moved away, and he experiences a few other things at the house that confuse him, but this thread is never resolved. It felt like an important part of his character and development, and with the rush of the ending it was completely ignored.
Mark also carries around this biography of Andrew Jackson that perplexed me. What is a preteen doing with a big, stuffy biography of a president? The only time is really comes into play is when he has a very strange conversation with his friend about politics and Native American rights that seemed way out of place, and not something that kids of their age would know about, let alone discuss.
I bring up all these instances not to nitpick the book, but to show examples of the wide-ranging inconsistencies throughout the narrative as well as the confusing nature of the story.
I think the main reason I wasn’t meshing with the 1860s thread in particular is because for much of the book, it has barely anything to do with the mystery and drama of the 1980s sections. The reader is just learning about this girl and her struggles in love, her work helping people, and her strong desire to make enough money to go to school. But there is this whole other story going on behind her story, and that’s what’s really important. The only problem is that she has no idea what’s going on, so the reader doesn’t either. It would have been a more interesting story from someone else’s perspective, or if she had been more in the know from the start.
The writing style was also not for me. It was often written in passive voice, which instantly bleeds all the action and interest from the scene. Often the train of though sputtered around as well, making it difficult to keep track of exactly what was being discussed, as a specific topic would come and go without being clearly introduced.
I would also be remiss not to mention the ending, which felt tacked on and the shock value of it relies solely on your feelings about a character who is barely in the book and doesn’t even have a name.
I can’t recommend this one.
My thanks to Unnerving Press and the author for sending the Nightworms copies of this one to review.
September 24, 2018
Thoroughly engrossing story set in two time periods – 1862 and 1988 – but in the same house. In the latter, we get the story of Mark who has been reluctantly moved with his parents from the Twin Cities to a backwoods small town, into a Victorian house that oozes sinister atmosphere. His parents though are so engrossed with their own lives, they fail to notice what is going on around them, or that the house is affecting their daughter Tausha. It is up to Mark to find out what is going on – and he is being haunted by a spirit from the past.
In 1862, we have Emma whose father has some pretty odd stuff going on down in the laboratory and, as the story unfolds, the true horror is revealed, and the evil that has infested the house is manifested. It seems the two timelines will merge as the evil from the past seeps into the present and no one is safe – least of all Mark and his family.
I had a great time reading this story. It had my favourite ingredients – ghosts, a frighteningly haunted house and, along with the horror, a poignancy especially in regard to Emma. I liked the way the threads came together and that the ending did justice to the story. Recommended.
In 1862, we have Emma whose father has some pretty odd stuff going on down in the laboratory and, as the story unfolds, the true horror is revealed, and the evil that has infested the house is manifested. It seems the two timelines will merge as the evil from the past seeps into the present and no one is safe – least of all Mark and his family.
I had a great time reading this story. It had my favourite ingredients – ghosts, a frighteningly haunted house and, along with the horror, a poignancy especially in regard to Emma. I liked the way the threads came together and that the ending did justice to the story. Recommended.
March 10, 2023
Mark is uprooted from his home and high school in the Twin Cities and forced to move with his family into a Victorian in Nowhere-ville. Busy with the relocation and fitting in, Mark’s parents don’t see what’s unfolding around them—the way rooms and left behind objects seem alive with a haunted past.
Of course, Mark keeps his ghostly encounters to himself, all the while sinking deeper into the house's dark, alluring, and ultimately terrifying history. As romantic entanglements intensify, the paranormal activity escalates. Past and present come together. Everything is connected—from the bricks in the walls to the hearts beating in their chests, all the secrets of Fountain Dead are finally unearthed.
This was a slow burner and took a while to get into but I am glad that I stuck at it because it was great. The tension and mystery mounted and I couldn’t put the book down. Braun expertly moulded the two storylines together that left me wondering and guessing at several connections and outcomes and without ruining the book, there is some eye opening revelations. Atmospheric and spooky this is a book to read with the lights on.
This was a slow burner and took a while to get into but I am glad that I stuck at it because it was great. The tension and mystery mounted and I couldn’t put the book down. Braun expertly moulded the two storylines together that left me wondering and guessing at several connections and outcomes and without ruining the book, there is some eye opening revelations. Atmospheric and spooky this is a book to read with the lights on.
February 6, 2019
"Don't ever let any one thing rule your life."
I read a short story from Theresa Braun in an anthology last year & I really loved it, so I was very excited when I heard about this book. Unfortunately, Fountain Dead didn't have the same result for me.
I feel like there was a solid framework for a good haunted house novel, but the pieces weren't fully woven together. It was disjointed, and I think a little too much was going on. There were two timelines, and the second character wasn't even introduced for almost 30 pages. The synopsis doesn't mention this character, so I was flipping around trying to figure out if I had missed something since they had their own chapter with no introduction. It didn't flow well.
One of the chapter sets is set in the 1860s and the other is set in the 1980s. There were no changes between the languages - the 1860s chapters had modern language for the most part, but still used the outdated terms for Native Americans. I wish there would have been a little more differentiation, or clearer chapter wrap-ups since it would just end in the middle of a scene.
I'm not really a fan of stories using Native American legends just to push ahead a story. There's something in the story that belongs to a different tribe than the one that was mentioned, and not very much background was given on top of that. I know this is really vague, but I'm trying to avoid spoiling anything.
I felt like this book had too many mundane details, and that most of the horror was crammed into the second half. Again, I feel like all the pieces for a great book were there, but it just didn't fit. There are plenty of positive reviews for Fountain Dead, so don't let my review deter you.
I read a short story from Theresa Braun in an anthology last year & I really loved it, so I was very excited when I heard about this book. Unfortunately, Fountain Dead didn't have the same result for me.
I feel like there was a solid framework for a good haunted house novel, but the pieces weren't fully woven together. It was disjointed, and I think a little too much was going on. There were two timelines, and the second character wasn't even introduced for almost 30 pages. The synopsis doesn't mention this character, so I was flipping around trying to figure out if I had missed something since they had their own chapter with no introduction. It didn't flow well.
One of the chapter sets is set in the 1860s and the other is set in the 1980s. There were no changes between the languages - the 1860s chapters had modern language for the most part, but still used the outdated terms for Native Americans. I wish there would have been a little more differentiation, or clearer chapter wrap-ups since it would just end in the middle of a scene.
I'm not really a fan of stories using Native American legends just to push ahead a story. There's something in the story that belongs to a different tribe than the one that was mentioned, and not very much background was given on top of that. I know this is really vague, but I'm trying to avoid spoiling anything.
I felt like this book had too many mundane details, and that most of the horror was crammed into the second half. Again, I feel like all the pieces for a great book were there, but it just didn't fit. There are plenty of positive reviews for Fountain Dead, so don't let my review deter you.
October 10, 2018
5 out of 5 stars
Two points of view. Two timelines. Too interesting!
That’s what I liked about Fountain Dead. Very engaging prose that kept my attention through the two POVs. We “live” through Emma’s eyes in 1862–how people survived at the time and all that she had to go through. Then, we switch to the future with Mark in 1988, when Walkmans, spiked hair, and shoulder pads ruled. Gorgeous writing in alternating POV chapters make this book fun and creepy! Which is good, because horror, right?
Now, what do Emma and Mark have in common? They live in the same house at different times, yet, they seem to be connected somehow. Lost souls, ghosts, supernatural? You name it.
Overall, an excellent read for horror fans!
More on my blog: https://gerardowrites.wordpress.com/2...
Two points of view. Two timelines. Too interesting!
That’s what I liked about Fountain Dead. Very engaging prose that kept my attention through the two POVs. We “live” through Emma’s eyes in 1862–how people survived at the time and all that she had to go through. Then, we switch to the future with Mark in 1988, when Walkmans, spiked hair, and shoulder pads ruled. Gorgeous writing in alternating POV chapters make this book fun and creepy! Which is good, because horror, right?
Now, what do Emma and Mark have in common? They live in the same house at different times, yet, they seem to be connected somehow. Lost souls, ghosts, supernatural? You name it.
Overall, an excellent read for horror fans!
More on my blog: https://gerardowrites.wordpress.com/2...
November 12, 2018
WOW what a creepy thrill ride! I was a little hessitant to read this, only because I've been on a bit of a romance kick. It's been a while since I dove into anything paranormal, but because I really enjoyed Theresa Brauns short tale, 'Dead Over Heels' did I ultimatly give it a go. I'm so glad I did too, this was just the change I needed! Move down the bench romance, because I'm back into horror for probably a few more books after this! I might even visit something Ahnia Alborn (my favorite horror author) because Theresa Braun is right up there with the best in writing such creepy, and utterly REALISTIC paranormal!
Fountain Dead is like a brutal blend of Amotyville Horror, Civil war antics, and modern teen boy life! Whew, what a mix! The gory/bloody details of murder and angony, along with the ghostly scenes in this book crawled under my skin and festered there while I devoured each page as quickly as I possibly could. I couldn't put this sucker down!! I'm sure that actually having a day to myself without my kids clawing at my ankles, demanding my utter attention helped. I was lucky enough to read the entire book in a day of peace and quiet. Days like this doesn't happen very often for me, and I couldn't have picked a better book to endulge in! I'm so glad that the quiet down time brought so much satisfaction in a read, I might not have been able to handle anything disapointing. This book DID NOT DISAPOINT!
The two main characters are a time hope.
First you have Mark. A teen boy in the 1980's. His family moved into an old Victorian style home. His parents have a flare for history, and rich authenticity. They couldn't have been more thrilled to find such a place to fall into their budget, dispite the fact that everything about it wreaked of possible doom and gloom. Once they've settled in, the odd happenings grew serious, and one thing after another threatened not only their health and sanity, but the lives of their entire family were soon laid on the line. I really liked Mark, and the personalities of his parents and sister are very well drawn out and developed!
Then you have Emma. She's a young woman in the 1800s, who's family built the home that Mark's is (in the future) now ocupying. Emma is a strong character. She's been raised in a time that war and trauma run so deep in the vein that the very thoughts of murder and hanus death seem to be a regular and even normal part of life. Her family's story is intense, the romance is felt on every level as the reader, and the tourture and death of Emma's loved ones leaves quite the unsettling taste in your mouth! Emma's story is one of tragity and betrail, from the murder of her mother, to other friends and family members (that I won't mention because spoilers are the devil), to her ultimate demise are insane! It's no wonder the house and the ghosts that have stuck around it for all those years are so intense for Mark and his family.
The ending of this book was somewhat predictable, which was totally fine because it was actually satisfying. Which is weird to say, because I don't usually like predicable endings. Kudo's on another win Theresa Braun! You're a phenmonial writer and I'll most definitly be reading your next book!
Fountain Dead is like a brutal blend of Amotyville Horror, Civil war antics, and modern teen boy life! Whew, what a mix! The gory/bloody details of murder and angony, along with the ghostly scenes in this book crawled under my skin and festered there while I devoured each page as quickly as I possibly could. I couldn't put this sucker down!! I'm sure that actually having a day to myself without my kids clawing at my ankles, demanding my utter attention helped. I was lucky enough to read the entire book in a day of peace and quiet. Days like this doesn't happen very often for me, and I couldn't have picked a better book to endulge in! I'm so glad that the quiet down time brought so much satisfaction in a read, I might not have been able to handle anything disapointing. This book DID NOT DISAPOINT!
The two main characters are a time hope.
First you have Mark. A teen boy in the 1980's. His family moved into an old Victorian style home. His parents have a flare for history, and rich authenticity. They couldn't have been more thrilled to find such a place to fall into their budget, dispite the fact that everything about it wreaked of possible doom and gloom. Once they've settled in, the odd happenings grew serious, and one thing after another threatened not only their health and sanity, but the lives of their entire family were soon laid on the line. I really liked Mark, and the personalities of his parents and sister are very well drawn out and developed!
Then you have Emma. She's a young woman in the 1800s, who's family built the home that Mark's is (in the future) now ocupying. Emma is a strong character. She's been raised in a time that war and trauma run so deep in the vein that the very thoughts of murder and hanus death seem to be a regular and even normal part of life. Her family's story is intense, the romance is felt on every level as the reader, and the tourture and death of Emma's loved ones leaves quite the unsettling taste in your mouth! Emma's story is one of tragity and betrail, from the murder of her mother, to other friends and family members (that I won't mention because spoilers are the devil), to her ultimate demise are insane! It's no wonder the house and the ghosts that have stuck around it for all those years are so intense for Mark and his family.
The ending of this book was somewhat predictable, which was totally fine because it was actually satisfying. Which is weird to say, because I don't usually like predicable endings. Kudo's on another win Theresa Braun! You're a phenmonial writer and I'll most definitly be reading your next book!
November 13, 2018
Forced to move by his parents to a new town, to a new house is probably every teenagers nightmare but that’s just the beginning for Mark. He knows there’s something not right with the house, especially the basement and the neglected fountain outside but his parents ignore his pleas.
As ghostly visions and strange things start happening in the house, Mark must delve into the past and uncover the house’s secrets.
I want to reiterate the fact this is definitely the more mature end of the YA spectrum with plenty of mature themes and gruesome scenes that are not suitable for younger readers.
There are two timelines in the story, the first is Mark back in the eighties and the other is Emma eighteen sixties. While both timelines seem really well researched, I have to be honest I preferred the eighties timeline mainly because I actually got some of the reference, yay!
Both Emma and Mark well really well drawn characters, in a way I felt they were coming of age within the story. Emma wants nothing more than to become a teacher and get away from her horrible father and brother. She also quite a feisty character, gambling when it was frowned upon for women and she’s crack shot with a pistol. Mark is a little more sensitive, a bit angry, and is trying to figure out who he really is.
The problem I did have was keeping each timeline straight in my head, because of the back and forth between the two eras but that’s probably more to do with my terrible memory than the actual book!
Fountain Dead is that combines the supernatural with teenage angst to create a spooky, if not slightly gruesome, read.
As ghostly visions and strange things start happening in the house, Mark must delve into the past and uncover the house’s secrets.
I want to reiterate the fact this is definitely the more mature end of the YA spectrum with plenty of mature themes and gruesome scenes that are not suitable for younger readers.
There are two timelines in the story, the first is Mark back in the eighties and the other is Emma eighteen sixties. While both timelines seem really well researched, I have to be honest I preferred the eighties timeline mainly because I actually got some of the reference, yay!
Both Emma and Mark well really well drawn characters, in a way I felt they were coming of age within the story. Emma wants nothing more than to become a teacher and get away from her horrible father and brother. She also quite a feisty character, gambling when it was frowned upon for women and she’s crack shot with a pistol. Mark is a little more sensitive, a bit angry, and is trying to figure out who he really is.
The problem I did have was keeping each timeline straight in my head, because of the back and forth between the two eras but that’s probably more to do with my terrible memory than the actual book!
Fountain Dead is that combines the supernatural with teenage angst to create a spooky, if not slightly gruesome, read.
November 26, 2018
“…killing rich Indians.”
The greed and ugliness of humanity arises when they hear of gold, and corruption makes it easy to steal from those that have it.
Mark and his family are moving…straight into his nightmare. My curiosity is aroused and I ‘dive’ in.
Mark wondered, “A house can’t be alive…can it”
Warning bells rang in his head, but finances deemed this is their new new home.
We flip from the 1860s to the present and Emma shined in the past and Mark in the future. He pays attention to the details and won’t quit until the job is done. So this is one mystery he WILL solve.
OMG…the safe… What happened n there explains why the past refuses to stay in the past, leaking into the future and making those in the house susceptible to ghosts of the past, which collide with the present and sparks fly. Reminds me of a Charmed episode.
The doctor doesn’t have a Hippocratic oath in the 1800s and feels he can do anything in the basement of his house…the dungeon. But his mistreatment of the Indians will bring the spirits down on him and his…but not all of them are bad.
I love haunted house stories and this one even has a fountain…a haunted fountain. At first I thought all the ghosts were bad, but I found out different. If you are a fan of Charmed and Ghost Whisperer, Mark will be talking to you. He will take you on a ride to hell and back.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Fountain Dead by Theresa Braun.
See more at fundinmental
The greed and ugliness of humanity arises when they hear of gold, and corruption makes it easy to steal from those that have it.
Mark and his family are moving…straight into his nightmare. My curiosity is aroused and I ‘dive’ in.
Mark wondered, “A house can’t be alive…can it”
Warning bells rang in his head, but finances deemed this is their new new home.
We flip from the 1860s to the present and Emma shined in the past and Mark in the future. He pays attention to the details and won’t quit until the job is done. So this is one mystery he WILL solve.
OMG…the safe… What happened n there explains why the past refuses to stay in the past, leaking into the future and making those in the house susceptible to ghosts of the past, which collide with the present and sparks fly. Reminds me of a Charmed episode.
The doctor doesn’t have a Hippocratic oath in the 1800s and feels he can do anything in the basement of his house…the dungeon. But his mistreatment of the Indians will bring the spirits down on him and his…but not all of them are bad.
I love haunted house stories and this one even has a fountain…a haunted fountain. At first I thought all the ghosts were bad, but I found out different. If you are a fan of Charmed and Ghost Whisperer, Mark will be talking to you. He will take you on a ride to hell and back.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Fountain Dead by Theresa Braun.
See more at fundinmental
August 27, 2019
I enjoyed the alternating timelines between the late 1980s and the 1860s. The characters from both time periods had distinctive elements I appreciated that propelled the plots forward, and I'm a sucker for a well-told haunted house story.
December 5, 2018
f you've been following me for any length of time, you know that horror is one of my preferred genres. You also probably know that I'm well aware of how rough it is to fit this genre into the YA spectrum. Authors who write YA horror have to walk a very fine line, and that's not an easy feat. So, I have to start this review with kudos to Theresa Braun for mastering that. This book may be on the upper spectrum of the YA group, but it's still firmly there.
This is a dual timeline book, with Mark settled in the 1980's and and Emma in the 1860's. I'll admit, it took me a little time to get comfortable with this situation. The story takes off without a lot of fanfare, and I had to rush to catch up with what was actually happening to both of these characters in their respective times. On top of that, the first 3/4 of the book is a little slow because of the need for the two timelines to merge. Although there was a decent amount of tension as Mark uncovered the mysteries of his new home, it still felt slower than I would have liked. I can say, however, that the horror aspect of this book is actually really intriguing. There's an element of history there, that really drew me into all of the madness that Mark's family was experiencing.
Honestly, this is a rough book to rate. Overall, I thought it was a solid read. There was just enough tension and scares to make things interesting, without the story ever becoming too much. However this book could use a little polishing. Some portions needed a little more excitement, some needed a little more clarity, and the whole plot could probably use a little tweaking. Still, the concept of Mark and Emma finding one another across time and space, and the addition of ghostly happenings, made this a book I did enjoy reading.
This is a dual timeline book, with Mark settled in the 1980's and and Emma in the 1860's. I'll admit, it took me a little time to get comfortable with this situation. The story takes off without a lot of fanfare, and I had to rush to catch up with what was actually happening to both of these characters in their respective times. On top of that, the first 3/4 of the book is a little slow because of the need for the two timelines to merge. Although there was a decent amount of tension as Mark uncovered the mysteries of his new home, it still felt slower than I would have liked. I can say, however, that the horror aspect of this book is actually really intriguing. There's an element of history there, that really drew me into all of the madness that Mark's family was experiencing.
Honestly, this is a rough book to rate. Overall, I thought it was a solid read. There was just enough tension and scares to make things interesting, without the story ever becoming too much. However this book could use a little polishing. Some portions needed a little more excitement, some needed a little more clarity, and the whole plot could probably use a little tweaking. Still, the concept of Mark and Emma finding one another across time and space, and the addition of ghostly happenings, made this a book I did enjoy reading.
October 10, 2018
Mark is uprooted from his home and high school in the Twin Cities and forced to move with his family into a Victorian in Nowhere-ville. Busy with the relocation and fitting in, Mark’s parents don’t see what’s unfolding around them—the way rooms and left behind objects seem alive with a haunted past.
Of course, Mark keeps his ghostly encounters to himself, all the while sinking deeper into the house's dark, alluring, and ultimately terrifying history. As romantic entanglements intensify, the paranormal activity escalates. Past and present come together. Everything is connected—from the bricks in the walls to the hearts beating in their chests, all the secrets of Fountain Dead are finally unearthed.
This is a great book for so many reasons. The main characters of Mark and Emma are great, very different but both very likeable, you really get behind them. I really felt like I got to know them as the book progressed which gives the book a really emotional feel when the horror begins to hit home, (literally!)
Fountain Dead is told via two story lines which meet up in dramatic conclusion. One is Emma's tale from 1860 who is uprooted from her home leaving behind her first love. Her father wants her to marry and live out her life as someone's wife but she has other plans...
Our other main character is Mark. A teenager from 1988 he shares lot in common with Emma. He too has been forced to move with his parents when they secure teaching posts at a university and leaves his first love far behind.I really enjoyed both timelines, and as the plot progresses it gets really tense for both characters so much so that when you're reading about Emma you're desperate to get back to Mark's POV and vice versa!
I loved Mark a brilliant portrayal of a teenage boy. I don't how I know this as to the best of my knowledge, I've never been a teenage boy! For him it's a real coming of age tale where he's forced to become a man, taking control and making decisions about what's best for his family. He's got a lot on his plate in this book, figuring out who he is, what's important to him, his family and how far he'll go to protect the ones he cares about which he goes about with a great sense of humour.
Emma is also a great character who refuses to settle as someone's wife but wants to teach and help shape young minds. She goes through a lot but she's a fighter.
And of course, there's a whole load of ghosts to entertain you too!
Fountain Dead is so much more than just a haunted house story, there's a lot of elements to this tale, the importance of families sticking together through thick or thin, duty vs desire, revenge and loss.
I've read a lot of great stories by Theresa Braun over the years, all of these have been horror themed. But in this book she also shows off her abilities as an amazing romance author which really adds a lot of depth to Fountain dead. I have to admit I'm not too keen on romance, clearly horror is my jam, but the romantic subplots in this are amazing, really poignant and moving.
The ending is great too, every tiny loose end is tied up in one great big ending!
Fountain Dead is out soon, November 20th via Unnerving.
Of course, Mark keeps his ghostly encounters to himself, all the while sinking deeper into the house's dark, alluring, and ultimately terrifying history. As romantic entanglements intensify, the paranormal activity escalates. Past and present come together. Everything is connected—from the bricks in the walls to the hearts beating in their chests, all the secrets of Fountain Dead are finally unearthed.
This is a great book for so many reasons. The main characters of Mark and Emma are great, very different but both very likeable, you really get behind them. I really felt like I got to know them as the book progressed which gives the book a really emotional feel when the horror begins to hit home, (literally!)
Fountain Dead is told via two story lines which meet up in dramatic conclusion. One is Emma's tale from 1860 who is uprooted from her home leaving behind her first love. Her father wants her to marry and live out her life as someone's wife but she has other plans...
Our other main character is Mark. A teenager from 1988 he shares lot in common with Emma. He too has been forced to move with his parents when they secure teaching posts at a university and leaves his first love far behind.I really enjoyed both timelines, and as the plot progresses it gets really tense for both characters so much so that when you're reading about Emma you're desperate to get back to Mark's POV and vice versa!
I loved Mark a brilliant portrayal of a teenage boy. I don't how I know this as to the best of my knowledge, I've never been a teenage boy! For him it's a real coming of age tale where he's forced to become a man, taking control and making decisions about what's best for his family. He's got a lot on his plate in this book, figuring out who he is, what's important to him, his family and how far he'll go to protect the ones he cares about which he goes about with a great sense of humour.
Emma is also a great character who refuses to settle as someone's wife but wants to teach and help shape young minds. She goes through a lot but she's a fighter.
And of course, there's a whole load of ghosts to entertain you too!
Fountain Dead is so much more than just a haunted house story, there's a lot of elements to this tale, the importance of families sticking together through thick or thin, duty vs desire, revenge and loss.
I've read a lot of great stories by Theresa Braun over the years, all of these have been horror themed. But in this book she also shows off her abilities as an amazing romance author which really adds a lot of depth to Fountain dead. I have to admit I'm not too keen on romance, clearly horror is my jam, but the romantic subplots in this are amazing, really poignant and moving.
The ending is great too, every tiny loose end is tied up in one great big ending!
Fountain Dead is out soon, November 20th via Unnerving.
March 17, 2019
Fountain Dead was one of my selections for the Ladies of Horror Fiction readathon. Unfortunately, the format of Fountain Dead didn't work for me. The timeline in Fountain Dead shifted back and forth between 1988 and the 1860s. There was a lot of jumping not just between timelines but also within the narrative of each section. It was hard to keep up with what was happening. I wasn't able to properly lose myself in the story or the lives of the characters.
Review copy provided by author
Review copy provided by author
May 23, 2020
Fountain Dead by Ms. Theresa Braun is fascinating read for those who enjoy, mystery, suspense, and of course a bit of the paranormal. I particularly enjoyed the way the author ties together different time periods, 1860's America at the time of the Civil War and America during the late 80's. Being from the Gen X generation, the eighties hold a special place in my heart as a time of coming of age. Much of the music and other pop culture references were sentimental for me. The story revolves around an awkward teen and his little sister who are uprooted to a new town, school, and specifically, a creepy old house which holds more secrets than meets the eye. The dark secrets held by the house begin back in the 1860's during the tumultuous period of Civil War and Native American unrest. An ancient Native American Shaman, A studious and ambitious female settler, and a rugged field hand's destinies all collide in this one house with a mysterious exterior fountain only to reappear over a century later. If Ghosts, demonic spirits, and Native American lore are your thing than your thing is Fountain Dead!!!
November 18, 2019
All this end of the year hoopla has gotten me thinking about books, especially the ones that I have read this year. I experienced some really great literature in 2019 and Theresa Braun's Fountain Dead is definitely in the Top 10.
You can read Jennifer's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Jennifer's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
April 30, 2019
In Fountain Dead, we’ve got a coming of age story woven into a ghost story, or is it the other way around? Both, perhaps. However you want to describe it, Braun makes what could be a confusing format, with both time jumping and POV shifts, work.
Initially, I wondered how she’d make the multiple timelines and POV work for the story, rather than against it. While a reader might find the shifts a little disconcerting at first, as you read, the story’s secrets are revealed in a way that keep you turning the page, eager to know more, and you begin to look forward to a jump back or forward in time, or from one character to another.
This unusual method of storytelling is enhanced by a cast of memorable and engaging characters (the MC's Mark and Emma aren't the only characters you'll think about after you reach the end).
At the end, I wanted more, but (for me) that means it was a great story, because I wasn’t ready to let go. If you need and ending that ties all the ends together without any questions left over, you might be a little disappointed. Good thing I'm not one of those readers.
Initially, I wondered how she’d make the multiple timelines and POV work for the story, rather than against it. While a reader might find the shifts a little disconcerting at first, as you read, the story’s secrets are revealed in a way that keep you turning the page, eager to know more, and you begin to look forward to a jump back or forward in time, or from one character to another.
This unusual method of storytelling is enhanced by a cast of memorable and engaging characters (the MC's Mark and Emma aren't the only characters you'll think about after you reach the end).
At the end, I wanted more, but (for me) that means it was a great story, because I wasn’t ready to let go. If you need and ending that ties all the ends together without any questions left over, you might be a little disappointed. Good thing I'm not one of those readers.
May 31, 2023
Mark has seen a fountain in a courtyard while having a dream. What he soon learns is there's weird stuff going on in the house he's in. Suspicious thingsnstart happening and he wonders if the house is haunted. However, he's the only one who seems to notice anything.
In 1862, in the same house Emma lives there. In 1988, Mark lives there. The 2 alternating timelines did seem confusing at times. I wish the 1862 timeline had the same layout as 1988.
Some of the supernatural experiences were rushed and confusing. Instead of leading up to the end of the story in a clear timeline, I felt the end just showed up while I wasn't expecting it.
However, I liked the book, I'm not sure I would recommend it to everyone.
If you can bounce back and forth, then definitely give it a try! But, it might have also been easier to keep up with if I read it on paperback and not on audio. But each reader is themselves.
In 1862, in the same house Emma lives there. In 1988, Mark lives there. The 2 alternating timelines did seem confusing at times. I wish the 1862 timeline had the same layout as 1988.
Some of the supernatural experiences were rushed and confusing. Instead of leading up to the end of the story in a clear timeline, I felt the end just showed up while I wasn't expecting it.
However, I liked the book, I'm not sure I would recommend it to everyone.
If you can bounce back and forth, then definitely give it a try! But, it might have also been easier to keep up with if I read it on paperback and not on audio. But each reader is themselves.
December 27, 2021
Mark and his younger sister Tausha move into an old estate with their parents. On the property there sits a fountain full of putrid green sludge. This fountain totally gives Mark the creeps, and not only because of the smell and the gross green gooey water. It's just "off" somehow.
Soon enough Tausha begins to act strange and mom starts sipping on the alcohol a bit more than before. Mark and his new friend Hexx have to get to the bottom of it before Mark's whole family goes down the drain.
This was an enjoyable book that went told it's story in two different time periods. Mark's time and decades ago we learn the house's story and that of those who lived in it. It's interesting when it all comes together. This is a strange take on a native america legend. Well told. Enjoy.
#netgalley #FountainDead
Soon enough Tausha begins to act strange and mom starts sipping on the alcohol a bit more than before. Mark and his new friend Hexx have to get to the bottom of it before Mark's whole family goes down the drain.
This was an enjoyable book that went told it's story in two different time periods. Mark's time and decades ago we learn the house's story and that of those who lived in it. It's interesting when it all comes together. This is a strange take on a native america legend. Well told. Enjoy.
#netgalley #FountainDead
December 8, 2018
This is a fun book.
It isn’t scary, but it is extremely interesting. You have two timelines here and it takes a bit before you see how they intersect.
I loved our main character. He’s simply wonderful and you’ve got a bit of a coming of age story going on with him.
The book is atmospheric and gives us some eerie elements.
Glad I read this one!
*Downloaded from KU
It isn’t scary, but it is extremely interesting. You have two timelines here and it takes a bit before you see how they intersect.
I loved our main character. He’s simply wonderful and you’ve got a bit of a coming of age story going on with him.
The book is atmospheric and gives us some eerie elements.
Glad I read this one!
*Downloaded from KU
February 6, 2019
***review soon***
January 25, 2019
A huge thank you to the author for sending me a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review!
Mark, our main protagonist, has moved into a Victorian home in Winona with his family. Having to leave behind his best friend and settle into a town that is small and not very friendly, Mark begins having weird situations arise with the house itself. His parents seem oblivious to it all, while his little sister may be getting caught up in things too. Our story jumps perspectives, from Mark's present time to the 1860s, the time Emma and her family inhabited the home. As more paranormal activity arises and Mark begins having encounters with the spirits in the home, we learn through the time jumps of the homes horrifying history. Secrets are unearthed, and Mark must rectify wrongs to save himself and his family.
I had a hard time getting into the story at first, not because the premise wasn't interesting (it definitely is), but because it felt like with the time jumps, we lost a bit of information along the way. There were several instances in the beginning where I found myself rereading sections because I wasn't sure if I had missed a scene. Plot holes initially made it a little difficult to get into the story, but about halfway in, things got on a better roll and I became thoroughly invested in the plot. I really like that the author kind of touched on a few subject matters like sexuality and racism, but I do wish she had expanded a bit more on both.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by Theresa! Her writing style, especially towards the end as things intensified, just sucks you in. I didn't want to put the book down!
Mark, our main protagonist, has moved into a Victorian home in Winona with his family. Having to leave behind his best friend and settle into a town that is small and not very friendly, Mark begins having weird situations arise with the house itself. His parents seem oblivious to it all, while his little sister may be getting caught up in things too. Our story jumps perspectives, from Mark's present time to the 1860s, the time Emma and her family inhabited the home. As more paranormal activity arises and Mark begins having encounters with the spirits in the home, we learn through the time jumps of the homes horrifying history. Secrets are unearthed, and Mark must rectify wrongs to save himself and his family.
I had a hard time getting into the story at first, not because the premise wasn't interesting (it definitely is), but because it felt like with the time jumps, we lost a bit of information along the way. There were several instances in the beginning where I found myself rereading sections because I wasn't sure if I had missed a scene. Plot holes initially made it a little difficult to get into the story, but about halfway in, things got on a better roll and I became thoroughly invested in the plot. I really like that the author kind of touched on a few subject matters like sexuality and racism, but I do wish she had expanded a bit more on both.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by Theresa! Her writing style, especially towards the end as things intensified, just sucks you in. I didn't want to put the book down!
June 4, 2023
I listened to the audiobook while reading the ebook.
I really enjoyed this story! I mean who does not love past and present, ghosts and a mystery.
It was a bit getting used to, since this was my first audiobook, but I truly enjoyed it. There could have been multiple narrators, for variation, but otherwise, the narrator did great.
My favorite setting was the past with Emma, it just gave me more mysterious vibes. However, I always love a past and present time-line.
I really LOVE how Theresa can have you thinking about the book after reading it.
I am hoping there is a side story on the ending 🙃
I really enjoyed this story! I mean who does not love past and present, ghosts and a mystery.
It was a bit getting used to, since this was my first audiobook, but I truly enjoyed it. There could have been multiple narrators, for variation, but otherwise, the narrator did great.
My favorite setting was the past with Emma, it just gave me more mysterious vibes. However, I always love a past and present time-line.
I really LOVE how Theresa can have you thinking about the book after reading it.
I am hoping there is a side story on the ending 🙃
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