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Roseneath
Winner of the Next Generation Indie Book Award (2021)
NYC Big Book Award (2021)
Indie Reader Discovery Award (2021)
Silver Benjamin Franklin Award (2021)
“An unsettling psychological terror…This is exactly what horror should be.” Indie Reader Discovery Awards 2021
“Dark and absolutely riveting...flawlessly paced and suspenseful. Roseneath is a winner.” The Prairies Book Review
“A Gothic tale of horror with a touch of fantasy, Roseneath reads like a beloved book from your childhood that you've just rediscovered in your mother's attic. McSwain's prose is poetry, smooth jazz, and oftentimes charming even when describing the darkest terrors.” -James Renner, author of The Man from Primrose Lane
Georgia Pritchard's dream house has a dead child in the attic and a monster in the basement but, she can't tell her husband because she's not sure it's really him anymore. After a shocking tragedy, Georgia and Nathan Pritchard seek refuge in the abandoned estate called Roseneath. In the attic, Georgia finds the ghost of a lost child and her own version of heaven. However, in the cellar below, Nathan finds something darker and is lured into his own personal hell. And the only thing that can breach the divide between this world and the next, and close Roseneath’s hellish gates, is the ghost of a little girl who can grow.
NYC Big Book Award (2021)
Indie Reader Discovery Award (2021)
Silver Benjamin Franklin Award (2021)
“An unsettling psychological terror…This is exactly what horror should be.” Indie Reader Discovery Awards 2021
“Dark and absolutely riveting...flawlessly paced and suspenseful. Roseneath is a winner.” The Prairies Book Review
“A Gothic tale of horror with a touch of fantasy, Roseneath reads like a beloved book from your childhood that you've just rediscovered in your mother's attic. McSwain's prose is poetry, smooth jazz, and oftentimes charming even when describing the darkest terrors.” -James Renner, author of The Man from Primrose Lane
Georgia Pritchard's dream house has a dead child in the attic and a monster in the basement but, she can't tell her husband because she's not sure it's really him anymore. After a shocking tragedy, Georgia and Nathan Pritchard seek refuge in the abandoned estate called Roseneath. In the attic, Georgia finds the ghost of a lost child and her own version of heaven. However, in the cellar below, Nathan finds something darker and is lured into his own personal hell. And the only thing that can breach the divide between this world and the next, and close Roseneath’s hellish gates, is the ghost of a little girl who can grow.
468 pages, Paperback
Published October 6, 2020
10 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Dana McSwain
7 books28 followersDana McSwain is the author of five books including, the the genre-bending Gothic horror novel Roseneath (2020), winner of four national indie awards. Her work has been published in Belt Magazine, Literary Cleveland, The Atherton Review, The Observer, and Scene Magazine. In 2023, her chilling short story “Bus Stop” was released as part of Akashic Books’s Cleveland Noir anthology. Her essay "The Perfect Stranger," part of the 2024 Connecticut Literary Anthology (Woodhall Press), was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Learn more at danamcswain.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
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April 14, 2021Review sometime in the hopefully near future😉
May 22, 2021
Such an unexpected freshness to a ghost story! This novel is so character driven and has you engrossed/invested in everyone of their stories. So uniquely profound and poised. This novel totally caught me off guard and had me in tears by the end ( no spoilers, I just really loved these characters. ) So beautifully written and original! I loved this novel!
September 20, 2020
3.5 stars - Long review ahead, but I have so many thoughts about this book!
Roseneath attracted me initially because it was many things that I loved: indie published, gothic horror, and it claimed to be in the vein of Rebecca and The Yellow Wallpaper. Um, excuse me! Those are huge shoes to fill. In the most barebones summary I can give, our main character Georgia and her husband Nathan have just moved into an old house named Roseneath. A lot of work needs to be done to restore this house, and the book is largely about Georgia and Nathan's relationship, their time at the house, and them eventually struggling with indescribable madness as a huge war between good and evil rage inside the old house.
Starting with what I liked about Roseneath... Dana McSwain's writing style is DELICIOUS. She definitely has that florid style that marks a lot of old gothic classics. In fact, it tends to get into purple prose territory sometimes. The characters are well-imagined, so real and compelling. Georgia, the main character, was so sympathetic that I warmed up to her immediately. And I loved the evolution of Georgia and Nathan's relationship. I underwent a lot of emotions seeing their relationship go downhill with the ensuing madness, but I always rooted for them. And the story itself brought so many interesting elements; we definitely get the haunted house feel in this, and it also plays with some romance and dark fairy tale aspects.
Some things I didn't enjoy: First off, it has to be said that these things are mostly due to my own preference, and not so much because this is a BAD book. I struggle with scenes of madness. Our characters both interact with an unknown "something" intruding into their internal thoughts. This back and forth left me a bit confused, and sudden bouts of uncharacteristic actions (it's implied that creeping madness is the cause) felt jarring and strange. Also, the story suffered from some pacing issues. Sometimes I felt that things were moving at a snail's pace, but in the next 5 pages, time would jump forward and it felt quite disorienting.
All these things considered though, Roseneath is a gorgeous book. I hope McSwain writes more in this genre, as she's clearly so talented with words. If you don't have the same hangups as me, and you:
- Love gothic horror with a flowery writing style
- Love haunted houses, ghosts, and dark fairy tales
- Enjoy slow-boiling dread / slow-paced thrills
- Books driven by character relationships
...You'll definitely enjoy picking up Roseneath. If anything else, you can see from my long review that you'll definitely have a lot to say about this (as do I) when you're done!
I received a copy for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Roseneath attracted me initially because it was many things that I loved: indie published, gothic horror, and it claimed to be in the vein of Rebecca and The Yellow Wallpaper. Um, excuse me! Those are huge shoes to fill. In the most barebones summary I can give, our main character Georgia and her husband Nathan have just moved into an old house named Roseneath. A lot of work needs to be done to restore this house, and the book is largely about Georgia and Nathan's relationship, their time at the house, and them eventually struggling with indescribable madness as a huge war between good and evil rage inside the old house.
Starting with what I liked about Roseneath... Dana McSwain's writing style is DELICIOUS. She definitely has that florid style that marks a lot of old gothic classics. In fact, it tends to get into purple prose territory sometimes. The characters are well-imagined, so real and compelling. Georgia, the main character, was so sympathetic that I warmed up to her immediately. And I loved the evolution of Georgia and Nathan's relationship. I underwent a lot of emotions seeing their relationship go downhill with the ensuing madness, but I always rooted for them. And the story itself brought so many interesting elements; we definitely get the haunted house feel in this, and it also plays with some romance and dark fairy tale aspects.
Some things I didn't enjoy: First off, it has to be said that these things are mostly due to my own preference, and not so much because this is a BAD book. I struggle with scenes of madness. Our characters both interact with an unknown "something" intruding into their internal thoughts. This back and forth left me a bit confused, and sudden bouts of uncharacteristic actions (it's implied that creeping madness is the cause) felt jarring and strange. Also, the story suffered from some pacing issues. Sometimes I felt that things were moving at a snail's pace, but in the next 5 pages, time would jump forward and it felt quite disorienting.
All these things considered though, Roseneath is a gorgeous book. I hope McSwain writes more in this genre, as she's clearly so talented with words. If you don't have the same hangups as me, and you:
- Love gothic horror with a flowery writing style
- Love haunted houses, ghosts, and dark fairy tales
- Enjoy slow-boiling dread / slow-paced thrills
- Books driven by character relationships
...You'll definitely enjoy picking up Roseneath. If anything else, you can see from my long review that you'll definitely have a lot to say about this (as do I) when you're done!
I received a copy for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2021
Nathan and Georgia Pritchard have a whirlwind, fairytale romance until Georgia falls into a deep depression after losing their baby. Nathan, a budding architect, secretly purchases a rundown Victorian home to restore in hopes of regaining their happiness. Georgia loves the house, especially after connecting with Edie, a ghost child in the attic. As Georgia spends more time with Edie, Nathan meets a much darker presence in the basement.
This is an amazingly addictive story of good and evil that will keep you off balance—Beautiful, lyrical prose contrasting unbelievably horrific action.
I actually woke up last night dreaming about trying to get out of the house and save the baby!!!!
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I’ve just learned that even though I PURCHASED THIS KINDLE BOOK ON AMAZON, they will not let me post a review there because because I haven’t spent $50 on a credit card in the past year (I used a gift card) 😡😡😡
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This is an amazingly addictive story of good and evil that will keep you off balance—Beautiful, lyrical prose contrasting unbelievably horrific action.
I actually woke up last night dreaming about trying to get out of the house and save the baby!!!!
************************
I’ve just learned that even though I PURCHASED THIS KINDLE BOOK ON AMAZON, they will not let me post a review there because because I haven’t spent $50 on a credit card in the past year (I used a gift card) 😡😡😡
************************
August 16, 2020
Roseneath is a horror novel written by the author Dana McSwain. The protagonist of the story is Georgia. She lives in an old home with her husband Nathan Pritchard. He is a workaholic with long working shifts most of the time.
As the story progresses, we see Georgia finding solace in a little dead girl named Edith whose body was hidden in the attic. She was called Edie by her dad. Georgia secretly go down the staircase of Roseneath to play with her or to read to her.
With the beast, the monster in the basement, the horror increases. The story is intriguing and I couldn't put the book down. I binge read it. It felt like I was watching a horror movie.
The cover page of the book showing the front gate of the haunted house Roseneath is something that I like. After reading this book, I won't be able to go to basement alone especially at night.
As the story progresses, we see Georgia finding solace in a little dead girl named Edith whose body was hidden in the attic. She was called Edie by her dad. Georgia secretly go down the staircase of Roseneath to play with her or to read to her.
With the beast, the monster in the basement, the horror increases. The story is intriguing and I couldn't put the book down. I binge read it. It felt like I was watching a horror movie.
The cover page of the book showing the front gate of the haunted house Roseneath is something that I like. After reading this book, I won't be able to go to basement alone especially at night.
February 7, 2021
Felt like I was reading an episode of Supernatural. The beginning started off a bit slow but the second half had me gasping and omging to the very end.
October 13, 2023
You know what is sad? That this award-winning book would have escaped my attention had a staff member at Loganberry Books (Cleveland, OH) not brought my attention to it with a mini review. It is definitely one of the better horror books I have read in some time and it shocks me that less than 100 people have read it on Goodreads.
I've read my share of books featuring a haunted house. But this book had an interesting twist, with a benevolent ghost in the attic, and something more demonic in the basement. When Georgia and Nathan Pritchard move in, these two paranormal elements both help and harm them. The question remains, can they survive?
I loved the relationship Georgia forms with the young ghost, Edie. Still recovering from a miscarriage, the bond they form helps Georgia to heal in a way and serve the motherly role that was taken from her.
On the flip side, you have Nathan's darker connection to the basement. It made me think of Amityville in a way, with the husband being consumed by the forces below. And those forces sink their claws, or in this case, thorns, into Nathan to control everything about him. With that control, the demonic creature is able to drive the couple apart, without either of them really realizing what is going on. It was fascinating and disturbing all at once.
What was the goal of it all? I can't say, but the darker forces in the house do have a goal, and it has nothing to do with driving the couple out of the house, like you might assume. Given how everything spirals out of control, I did begin to lose hope that either of these main characters could survive. Even worse, I grew to love Edie and didn't want her harmed, again.
While some parts near the end were a little over the top, it didn't diminish my overall love for this book. If you are a fan of this genre and looking for a spooky read for October, don't pass this one up!
For more reviews, visit
I've read my share of books featuring a haunted house. But this book had an interesting twist, with a benevolent ghost in the attic, and something more demonic in the basement. When Georgia and Nathan Pritchard move in, these two paranormal elements both help and harm them. The question remains, can they survive?
I loved the relationship Georgia forms with the young ghost, Edie. Still recovering from a miscarriage, the bond they form helps Georgia to heal in a way and serve the motherly role that was taken from her.
On the flip side, you have Nathan's darker connection to the basement. It made me think of Amityville in a way, with the husband being consumed by the forces below. And those forces sink their claws, or in this case, thorns, into Nathan to control everything about him. With that control, the demonic creature is able to drive the couple apart, without either of them really realizing what is going on. It was fascinating and disturbing all at once.
What was the goal of it all? I can't say, but the darker forces in the house do have a goal, and it has nothing to do with driving the couple out of the house, like you might assume. Given how everything spirals out of control, I did begin to lose hope that either of these main characters could survive. Even worse, I grew to love Edie and didn't want her harmed, again.
While some parts near the end were a little over the top, it didn't diminish my overall love for this book. If you are a fan of this genre and looking for a spooky read for October, don't pass this one up!
For more reviews, visit
June 2, 2021
Roseneath is my first book by Dana McSwain, and my bookclub's February 2021 Read!
This book tells the story of Georgia and Nathan Pritchard. After losing their baby, Georgia fell into a deep depression. Losing a child can drive someone into a horrible depression, that seems impossible to release yourself from. Nathan and Georgia moved into a rundown Victorian home as a fresh start, with plans to restore the house, their happiness, and drive for life.
Georgia fell in love with the house, especially after she met and connected with Edie. She discovered Edie in the attic, and started to spend more and more of her time with Edie, especially when Nathan was away for work. Little did she know Nathan grew a connection to something in the house as well, just in the basement. Ultimately Dana writes a tale that is hard to put down in regards to the forces between good and evil. I was not expecting to fall in love with this story as much as I did! I am so excited to read the sequel to Roseneath, and to read more of the work from Dana McSwain, who is such an awesome down-to-earth human being!
This book took me ~3 hours to read.
This book tells the story of Georgia and Nathan Pritchard. After losing their baby, Georgia fell into a deep depression. Losing a child can drive someone into a horrible depression, that seems impossible to release yourself from. Nathan and Georgia moved into a rundown Victorian home as a fresh start, with plans to restore the house, their happiness, and drive for life.
Georgia fell in love with the house, especially after she met and connected with Edie. She discovered Edie in the attic, and started to spend more and more of her time with Edie, especially when Nathan was away for work. Little did she know Nathan grew a connection to something in the house as well, just in the basement. Ultimately Dana writes a tale that is hard to put down in regards to the forces between good and evil. I was not expecting to fall in love with this story as much as I did! I am so excited to read the sequel to Roseneath, and to read more of the work from Dana McSwain, who is such an awesome down-to-earth human being!
This book took me ~3 hours to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2020
Roseneath by the author Dana McSwain is a gothic horror. It is the story of Nathan and his wife Georgia. A traumatic incident has left Georgia fragile and pushed her into depression. Being a caring and loving husband, Nathan decided to do whatever it takes to make Georgia feel better again. He bought a 100-year-old house, Roseneath which cost him a fortune. They were completely unaware of what Roseneath is holding for them in surprise. As days passed by, Georgia continued living in her peculiar way but she found her solace in Roseneath in the form of a ghost of one murdered child in the old attic. She started feeling maternal instincts for that ghost girl, Edie, and was really afraid of losing her totally unexpecting the severe unusual events. The couple was unaware of the evil lurking from the basement of Roseneath, which was the sole part of the house.
There is a lot that I want to talk about this book but a bit concerned about not giving any spoiler. The whole story is set in the backdrop of war between evil and the good and the depiction of inner unrest of Georgia, Nathan and Edie give deep psychological perspectives to the story. Character portrayal was done in a staggering manner. Georgia’s character is sketched with all the intricacy and pureness. The disturbance in her mind and soul and the love in her heart will make the readers feel for her. Nathan is also shown as a very protective and supportive husband. The relationship between Nathan and Georgia provides a sustainable base to this unsettling horror story. The character of Edie took me by all surprise and I was completely amused for sympathizing with the ghostly character. Creepy, Isn’t it?
I was taking pleasure in the lyrical narrative style of Dana McSwain. In the beginning, it felt like how can such lyrical narration craft a haunting story. But as I continued flipping pages, I found the same narration to be capable of sending chills down my spine. What didn’t work for me was the pace of the story, at some part, it was really fast as if it felt like something is leaving behind and for some parts, the pace became really slow than required. Also, the narration for those parts where the characters were having conversations with their inner turmoil could have been more crisp and clear because they were sometimes getting really difficult to crack. But all these are my personal opinion in the end.
Lastly, if you enjoy reading the horror genre, You must give this book a try. It is capable of giving you sleepless nights.
There is a lot that I want to talk about this book but a bit concerned about not giving any spoiler. The whole story is set in the backdrop of war between evil and the good and the depiction of inner unrest of Georgia, Nathan and Edie give deep psychological perspectives to the story. Character portrayal was done in a staggering manner. Georgia’s character is sketched with all the intricacy and pureness. The disturbance in her mind and soul and the love in her heart will make the readers feel for her. Nathan is also shown as a very protective and supportive husband. The relationship between Nathan and Georgia provides a sustainable base to this unsettling horror story. The character of Edie took me by all surprise and I was completely amused for sympathizing with the ghostly character. Creepy, Isn’t it?
I was taking pleasure in the lyrical narrative style of Dana McSwain. In the beginning, it felt like how can such lyrical narration craft a haunting story. But as I continued flipping pages, I found the same narration to be capable of sending chills down my spine. What didn’t work for me was the pace of the story, at some part, it was really fast as if it felt like something is leaving behind and for some parts, the pace became really slow than required. Also, the narration for those parts where the characters were having conversations with their inner turmoil could have been more crisp and clear because they were sometimes getting really difficult to crack. But all these are my personal opinion in the end.
Lastly, if you enjoy reading the horror genre, You must give this book a try. It is capable of giving you sleepless nights.
February 8, 2021
Roseneath by Dana Mcswain.
WOW, just wow!! A snowball of a read. Starts off almost paranormal ghost story romance and as it snowballs gathering up snow getting bigger it turns complete celestial gothic horror. I grew so attached to the little ghost girl Edie! The story is written so beautifully and the second half of the book answers all the questions from the first half. So well orchestrated, I can picture this story on the "Big Screen". Was not what I expected at first but then it was all worth it. I loved it by completion. Some beautiful writing, some sentences just worth highlighting to ponder over. ""Though She be but little, she is fierce" (that she is, hats off to you Edie)
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#danadmcswain
@DanaMcSwain
WOW, just wow!! A snowball of a read. Starts off almost paranormal ghost story romance and as it snowballs gathering up snow getting bigger it turns complete celestial gothic horror. I grew so attached to the little ghost girl Edie! The story is written so beautifully and the second half of the book answers all the questions from the first half. So well orchestrated, I can picture this story on the "Big Screen". Was not what I expected at first but then it was all worth it. I loved it by completion. Some beautiful writing, some sentences just worth highlighting to ponder over. ""Though She be but little, she is fierce" (that she is, hats off to you Edie)
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#danadmcswain
@DanaMcSwain
July 7, 2021
I am generally not into Gothic literature; I have been unlucky enough to choose books that are thick and plodding and with terrible pacing. But I have found gems among the independent shelves and so I let the clerk talk me into this one. I was not disappointed.
It was enthralling and kept me off balance with both the pacing and the ability to make the reader feel as isolated and lost in time as the subjects in the story. And despite the encroaching darkness there was just enough light in this book - in certain characters - that I not only liked them, but I kept reading because I wanted them to succeed. Wonderful world building and I would love to see another book with these characters and Michael and the dead child. Quite a charismatic pair.
It was enthralling and kept me off balance with both the pacing and the ability to make the reader feel as isolated and lost in time as the subjects in the story. And despite the encroaching darkness there was just enough light in this book - in certain characters - that I not only liked them, but I kept reading because I wanted them to succeed. Wonderful world building and I would love to see another book with these characters and Michael and the dead child. Quite a charismatic pair.
October 7, 2021
4 stars!!
Super solid ghost story written by someone near my hometown. It was absolutely bizarre seeing the Cleveland area described in a horror book but knowing a lot of the houses and area this was most likely based on was very fun. Edith especially was such a wonderful character and the creepy parts very sufficiently eerie when they appeared.
This definitely had a more fantastical than horror lean about halfway through but I enjoyed it all the same and was glad to be able to support a local author 😋
To the author if you’re reading this: I will be reviewing this on my Booktube channel by the end of the month 😛
Super solid ghost story written by someone near my hometown. It was absolutely bizarre seeing the Cleveland area described in a horror book but knowing a lot of the houses and area this was most likely based on was very fun. Edith especially was such a wonderful character and the creepy parts very sufficiently eerie when they appeared.
This definitely had a more fantastical than horror lean about halfway through but I enjoyed it all the same and was glad to be able to support a local author 😋
To the author if you’re reading this: I will be reviewing this on my Booktube channel by the end of the month 😛
March 16, 2021
The slow start allowed me time to get invested in the characters, then it felt like watching them through a window and screaming (in a good way) as they headed towards what eventually happened to them. Dark and disturbing (again, in a good way) are just a few of the words I could use to describe this book.
August 9, 2021
I haven’t felt all the emotions the characters have felt in a really long time. Dana McSwain has done it with Roseneath. I started off loving all the characters, unsure of a few, and absolutely hating one, but then the ending of the book has made me love them all over again. This book watches characters work through their grief after a terrible loss in their own ways.
April 15, 2021
I don’t usually read this genre of books but this was very well written and the author made the characters come alive. It is a haunted house story with an interesting plot and an intriguing way of telling it.
August 11, 2020
Beautifully written gothic horror. It’s a winding path with an old house, a ghost and so much suspense I had to put it down way before I crawled in to bed every night.
August 1, 2021
Shelve Roseneath beside classic haunted house novels. It will delight fans of Stephen King’s The Shining, Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic, and Dan Chaon’s Ill Will.
October 7, 2021
Well... that was interesting.
But it left me with so many questions.
If this is just a first book in a series, ok, the questions will be answered later.
If this isn't a series, then I guess I'll remain confused.
Even so, it was generally well written, just a bit long winded and
But it left me with so many questions.
If this is just a first book in a series, ok, the questions will be answered later.
If this isn't a series, then I guess I'll remain confused.
Even so, it was generally well written, just a bit long winded and
January 20, 2021
An old abandoned house is the home of something sinister when a young couple moves in. What begins as a gothic horror quickly turns into a tale of fantasy and terror. I couldn’t stop reading this book and the prose kept me guessing at the next plot points. This is an original horror novel that is worth the read!
February 12, 2021
When it doesn’t take itself too seriously, Roseneath is fairly enjoyable, like a cult horror flick from the 1960s—but the purple prose weaved throughout diminishes the novel’s inherent strengths as a haunted house story, and more often than not results in odd descriptors, overwritten phrases, and nonsense metaphors.
The parts where Georgie interacts with the ghost girl, Edie, begins interestingly. It’s a unique take on ghosts; tied in with Georgia grieving a miscarriage and using Edie as a sort of surrogate child was really intriguing. Unfortunately, this plotline soon becomes difficult to take seriously when Edie, like a Disney princess, twirls seven times and a beautiful new dress appears on her like magic—and then, with a single paint set Georgia gifts her, transforms a dark, dusty attic into an enchanted painted fairyland from the floor to the ceiling.
The flashback scenes of Georgia and Nathan’s relationship don’t add any substance to the story. They seem better suited for a Harlequin romance, or an indie rom-com featuring a manic pixie librarian (who spends her shifts reading obscure books and hiding under tables) and a blue-collar wannabe who, in a scene right out of Twilight, romantically picks up Georgia’s dropped apple and presents it to her. It all reads as ridiculous and overly saccharine, and distracts from the more interesting plotline of the cursed home.
(And, for what is supposed to be a ghost story, a large portion of the word count is spent on detailing this boring couple’s sex life.)
When the story became a literal—and cartoonish—battle between Heaven and Hell, it completely lost me. In between sounding like a bad villain from a mob movie, Roseneath’s Lucifer speaks in constant exposition.
Why was this particular house chosen to be a battlesite between good and evil? Is it something interesting, like Edie’s parents cursed it? No, it’s an evil house because - it’s evil. That’s it.
The last fifty pages or so of this book is confusing and near impossible to follow with so much happening all at once, yet so dull. The last chapter, in comparison, is rushed and unsatisfying. We get a brief overview of the aftermath of the house on Georgia, Nate, and Galliana, their terrifyingly long-limbed child who grows super quickly ala Renesmee from Twilight. (In fact, a great deal of Georgia’s pregnancy was reminiscent of Bella’s supernatural vampire pregnancy in the final Twilight book.)
Roseneath takes obvious cues from Twilight, Rosemary’s Baby, and The Shining, and offers nothing new and hardly anything unique. With more workshopping and structural editing, Roseneath might have been a fun, Gothic romp; instead, it takes itself too seriously for all of its ridiculousness and ends up falling flat on its face.
The parts where Georgie interacts with the ghost girl, Edie, begins interestingly. It’s a unique take on ghosts; tied in with Georgia grieving a miscarriage and using Edie as a sort of surrogate child was really intriguing. Unfortunately, this plotline soon becomes difficult to take seriously when Edie, like a Disney princess, twirls seven times and a beautiful new dress appears on her like magic—and then, with a single paint set Georgia gifts her, transforms a dark, dusty attic into an enchanted painted fairyland from the floor to the ceiling.
The flashback scenes of Georgia and Nathan’s relationship don’t add any substance to the story. They seem better suited for a Harlequin romance, or an indie rom-com featuring a manic pixie librarian (who spends her shifts reading obscure books and hiding under tables) and a blue-collar wannabe who, in a scene right out of Twilight, romantically picks up Georgia’s dropped apple and presents it to her. It all reads as ridiculous and overly saccharine, and distracts from the more interesting plotline of the cursed home.
(And, for what is supposed to be a ghost story, a large portion of the word count is spent on detailing this boring couple’s sex life.)
When the story became a literal—and cartoonish—battle between Heaven and Hell, it completely lost me. In between sounding like a bad villain from a mob movie, Roseneath’s Lucifer speaks in constant exposition.
Why was this particular house chosen to be a battlesite between good and evil? Is it something interesting, like Edie’s parents cursed it? No, it’s an evil house because - it’s evil. That’s it.
The last fifty pages or so of this book is confusing and near impossible to follow with so much happening all at once, yet so dull. The last chapter, in comparison, is rushed and unsatisfying. We get a brief overview of the aftermath of the house on Georgia, Nate, and Galliana, their terrifyingly long-limbed child who grows super quickly ala Renesmee from Twilight. (In fact, a great deal of Georgia’s pregnancy was reminiscent of Bella’s supernatural vampire pregnancy in the final Twilight book.)
Roseneath takes obvious cues from Twilight, Rosemary’s Baby, and The Shining, and offers nothing new and hardly anything unique. With more workshopping and structural editing, Roseneath might have been a fun, Gothic romp; instead, it takes itself too seriously for all of its ridiculousness and ends up falling flat on its face.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2020
McSwain makes her foray into the genre of horror with this chilling tale about a couple’s gradual descent into bizarre madness as they try to confront evil lurking in the shadows of their newly-purchased house.
An unfortunate incident sends the fragile Georgia Pritchard into a downward spiral of depression from where she is unable to get back. Trying to pull his wife out of her misery, Nathan Pritchard relocates themselves at Roseneath, a 100-year-old house in need of critical restoration, that he bought months ago on a whim. Settling in Roseneath changes their lives dramatically: Georgia starts living in a bizarre but contented state of exhilaration after she discovers company in the form of a ghost of a murdered child in the old attic unaware of the upcoming drastic events; and Nathan finds solace in the basement, the sole part of house he keeps off-limit for Georgia. The couple’s life soon turns upside down with Georgia wondering about the thing lurking in the basement: is it a trapped soul waiting to be released or a clever, manipulative demon with an ulterior motive?
The parts that include characters’ inner conversations with the unknown make the narrative slightly difficult to comprehend. However, centered around the theme of the war between good and evil, the story is thoroughly shaped by different characters’ point of views.
McSwain paints a credible portrait of a couple in extremis both emotionally and physically as they try to cope with the unexplainable while the wall between reality and illusion wears away. The sections that convey Georgia, Edith, and Nathan’s inner turmoil add a thorough psychological depth to the deviously dark and not-so-subtle horror narrative.
The characters are sketched with skill and depth: Georgia is carved with gentle care and utmost precision, and readers will find themselves rooting for her throughout. Nathan as a protective husband is equally convincing. Precocious Edith, who hauntingly evokes readers’ sympathy is a triumph of a character; Michael is delightfully dotty and utterly intimidating at once; The antagonist is the devious, ultimate villain readers will love to hate.
McSwain’s lyrical prose combined with visual imagination offers the eerie horror atmosphere, and Roseneath as the violent, volatile realm of dark fairy tales provides perfect backdrop for the wonderfully creepy story. The narrative is both flawlessly paced and suspenseful.
This taut tale of horror provocatively keeps the reader waiting for final revelation as an eerie juxtaposition of good and evil is revealed.
This is a winner.
An unfortunate incident sends the fragile Georgia Pritchard into a downward spiral of depression from where she is unable to get back. Trying to pull his wife out of her misery, Nathan Pritchard relocates themselves at Roseneath, a 100-year-old house in need of critical restoration, that he bought months ago on a whim. Settling in Roseneath changes their lives dramatically: Georgia starts living in a bizarre but contented state of exhilaration after she discovers company in the form of a ghost of a murdered child in the old attic unaware of the upcoming drastic events; and Nathan finds solace in the basement, the sole part of house he keeps off-limit for Georgia. The couple’s life soon turns upside down with Georgia wondering about the thing lurking in the basement: is it a trapped soul waiting to be released or a clever, manipulative demon with an ulterior motive?
The parts that include characters’ inner conversations with the unknown make the narrative slightly difficult to comprehend. However, centered around the theme of the war between good and evil, the story is thoroughly shaped by different characters’ point of views.
McSwain paints a credible portrait of a couple in extremis both emotionally and physically as they try to cope with the unexplainable while the wall between reality and illusion wears away. The sections that convey Georgia, Edith, and Nathan’s inner turmoil add a thorough psychological depth to the deviously dark and not-so-subtle horror narrative.
The characters are sketched with skill and depth: Georgia is carved with gentle care and utmost precision, and readers will find themselves rooting for her throughout. Nathan as a protective husband is equally convincing. Precocious Edith, who hauntingly evokes readers’ sympathy is a triumph of a character; Michael is delightfully dotty and utterly intimidating at once; The antagonist is the devious, ultimate villain readers will love to hate.
McSwain’s lyrical prose combined with visual imagination offers the eerie horror atmosphere, and Roseneath as the violent, volatile realm of dark fairy tales provides perfect backdrop for the wonderfully creepy story. The narrative is both flawlessly paced and suspenseful.
This taut tale of horror provocatively keeps the reader waiting for final revelation as an eerie juxtaposition of good and evil is revealed.
This is a winner.
August 11, 2020
From the moment we are plunged into the mysterious and intriguing prologue of Roseneath, it’s clear that this novel will be something else entirely - if you want a breezy beach read, you’ve come to the wrong place. The curtain is pulled back just long enough to reveal a glimpse of death, ancient betrayal, the literal forces of good and evil clashing behind it before snapping back to introduce the reader to Georgia Pritchard. Having suffered tremendous and unspeakable loss, we meet her as a haunted shell of the bright and hopeful mother-to-be she had been just weeks before. Her devoted and equally heartbroken architect husband, Nathan, struggles to find a way to lift her from her despair and build a bridge across the chasm that has formed between them. He thinks he may have found the answer in Roseneath, a sprawling and long-neglected Victorian estate just begging to be restored to its original beauty. And at first it seems to work - each of them discover something secret and compelling within their new surroundings that takes their mind off their sorrow and hints at a fresh start, a viable and promising future. But not all that glitters is gold, and as Georgia and Nathan plunge blindly ahead on the paths that have opened before them, the darker forces manifesting those paths begin to make themselves known. But is it too late for them to turn back? Sometimes the only way out is through, and never is that more true than in Roseneath. A breathless and exhilarating ride that takes the reader through time, space, hell and high water; we discover that the bonds of love can never be too strong, and the fire can never be hot enough.
August 20, 2020
Roseneath is just my kind of book, the kind of book I was looking for and it just turned the way I expected and I am forever grateful of myself for discovering it and reading, if I wouldn't have, I just would have missed so much. The story will leave the readers scared with each page. I loved how the book itself started on a fast pace and it's not even a chapter and I was so glued to it, I was living Georgia's character myself, I don't know how but I totally was, it was heavy, it was dark and deep, and darker than one can imagine. The writing is so mysterious and so thrilling and the paranormal and ghostly elements they just fitted in so perfectly that you get immersed in the settings and premise of the story.
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.
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Dana did an amazing job, especially when I said I was afraid and was scared, I am a hardcore horror lover and I read tons of it, but when if I loved it means it's definitely something that's truly truly worth it. I would say, this book is not for people who are not into it, not for readers looking for a light read, if you are into dark - ghost stories with sharp characters and interesting plotline with many breathtaking scenes, this is your book, go grab it. Filled with many twists and turns and much unpredictable stuff, it's truly a enthralling and a captivating read. It's totally a spine chilling story and won't leave you even afyer you complete it. Are you ready to give yourself? To the ghost? Are you ready to live Nathan's and Georgia's life? Go read it.
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Rating: 4.5🌟
October 14, 2021
I probably would not have known about this book if the author, @danadmcswain (another Clevelander), hadn't started following me on Instagram. I'm always up for a ghost story but I especially love them in October so once spooky season hit, I knew it was time to give this a read. It was extremely inventive, felt fresh, and featured a host of interesting characters in horrifying situations. I would definitely recommend this, especially i it's from a smaller publishing house and you probably haven't heard of it (but now you have, so go get a copy). Bonus for old Cleveland architecture (of which I'm a fan - I run a house Instagram @americancastles), particularly Roseneath, which used to be on Lake Ave in Lakewood and burned in the 1960s (I think). The gatepost still has the name of the house, despite the space being occupied by the highrise apartment building, Winton Place. This book was genuinely creepy and, once in the groove, I had a hard time putting it down.
May 22, 2022
[Snack-Size Review] Roseneath, by Dana McSwain
Quick Bite: My three favorite G's - Gothic, Gory, and Gorgeous
What It’s About: Honestly, I can’t top this blurb for accuracy and brevity: “Georgia Pritchard's dream house has a dead child in the attic and a monster in the basement but she can't tell her husband because she's not sure it's really him anymore.”
A Word From The Nerd: That description grabbed me by the jibblies and wouldn’t let go for months. I finally cleared my deck and grabbed it, and WHOA. This one is a ride and a half. The scary stuff is definitely effective, but there’s more than just the blood and guts and bumps in the night (although those are plentiful). Nathan and Georgia would rival any other couple in the capital-R Romance section of the library, and there’s even a ghost who has the most charming way with words. And have I mentioned how much I love a good haunted house?
The Nerd’s Rating: FOUR HAPPY NEURONS (and a refreshing handful of snow.)
Quick Bite: My three favorite G's - Gothic, Gory, and Gorgeous
What It’s About: Honestly, I can’t top this blurb for accuracy and brevity: “Georgia Pritchard's dream house has a dead child in the attic and a monster in the basement but she can't tell her husband because she's not sure it's really him anymore.”
A Word From The Nerd: That description grabbed me by the jibblies and wouldn’t let go for months. I finally cleared my deck and grabbed it, and WHOA. This one is a ride and a half. The scary stuff is definitely effective, but there’s more than just the blood and guts and bumps in the night (although those are plentiful). Nathan and Georgia would rival any other couple in the capital-R Romance section of the library, and there’s even a ghost who has the most charming way with words. And have I mentioned how much I love a good haunted house?
The Nerd’s Rating: FOUR HAPPY NEURONS (and a refreshing handful of snow.)
August 11, 2020
Roseneath grabs you from the first page and pulls you deeply into its world of miracles and terrors. Dana McSwain deftly weaves together genres while delivering shocks that land with the force of a punch to the chest. The pacing is intense, the characters are richly developed, and the dread is palpable. It's a modern gothic horror that is impossible to put down, even after you’ve finished reading it.
August 21, 2020
𝑻𝒊𝒕𝒍𝒆: Roseneath
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: Dana McSwain
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
Recently I picked a horror novel Roseneath. It is written by the author Dana McSwain. The story is about a woman Georgia who shifted to an ancient house with her husband Nathan Pritchard after the tragic loss. Name of this ancient home is Roseneath. When the couple shifted here, they were unaware of the supernatural things in this house.
Nathan mostly stay away for work. One day, Georgia find the dead body of a girl in the attic. Soon, she started playing with her and find her solace in it. The horror is not just from the little dead girl Edith, the presence of monster in the basement is what scared me the most.
The story is written well with a fast pace that made it more interesting for me. Narration is smooth and clear. I really love the cover page and the title of the book. Horror stories and movies scares me a lot but still I love to read or watch them. Definitely I won't be able to sleep with lights off now.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 4.5/5
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: Dana McSwain
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
Recently I picked a horror novel Roseneath. It is written by the author Dana McSwain. The story is about a woman Georgia who shifted to an ancient house with her husband Nathan Pritchard after the tragic loss. Name of this ancient home is Roseneath. When the couple shifted here, they were unaware of the supernatural things in this house.
Nathan mostly stay away for work. One day, Georgia find the dead body of a girl in the attic. Soon, she started playing with her and find her solace in it. The horror is not just from the little dead girl Edith, the presence of monster in the basement is what scared me the most.
The story is written well with a fast pace that made it more interesting for me. Narration is smooth and clear. I really love the cover page and the title of the book. Horror stories and movies scares me a lot but still I love to read or watch them. Definitely I won't be able to sleep with lights off now.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 4.5/5
February 1, 2024
This was a beautiful gothic novel, that also reinvents the tropes of possession and a haunting in an incredibly terrifying way.
Georgia and Nathan are a deeply in love couple who just experienced a traumatic late term miscarriage. McSwain handles Georgia’s despair with heartrending grace, couching raw emotion in a lilting lyricism.
Nathan purchases an abandoned estate for a song and the couple moves in hoping to recapture their lives “before.”
Immediately, the house begins to woo them in very different ways. Georgia finds joy and hope in the attic, while Nathan loses himself in the darkness hiding in the basement.
Good vs evil, ghosts, demons, archangels, loss of self, depression, love and hope. An enthralling read. I loved it.
June 18, 2024
I really enjoyed this book there was a mixture of sorrow, sweetness and incoming darkness swirling around the main characters.one of which was the ghost of a sweet, young girl. I only put it the book down when I was too tired to keep reading.
March 23, 2025
This gives readers a lot of unexpected elements in a gothic horror novel--I don't want to say what they are, because I don't want to post spoilers. But this is definitely worth a read. It's a bit of a slow-burn start, which I never mind, and when it gets going it gets WILD. I really enjoyed it.
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