Blackford Manor

by J.W. Grey

Blackford Manor consists of ten episodic chapters that follow our protagonist, a sixteen-year-old maid Josette, who attempts to unravel the mysteries around Sir Montague Blackford and his family curse.

Genres: Horror

213 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Allie O'Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE these characters. The stories are so spooky and mysterious, and at times, ridiculously hilarious.

I saw on J.W. Grey's Kickstarter that she is working on more books like this, I seriously can't wait!!!

Finished this yesterday and I'm starting it over again.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is this a continuation to the YouTube animation Blackford Manor? Not really. The book plot is not too consistent to the animation plot. It's the basic concept and storyline but it does not match up. They don't even include the scenes from the animation. I wish they had done a better job aligning it. Plus the characters were off. It was difficult for me to like Josette the way her character was written. In the animation she was investigative, polite, and (although theatrical) a semblance of sanity within the maze and mystery of Blackford Manor. In this novel she seems nosy, oblivious, and kind of irritating.

Is this a romance book? If you consider the last chapter being dedicated to the supposed love interests having an interaction (once), then yes. Otherwise no. Is this a comedy? I breathed out in amusement once throughout this book. So...

In terms of this as a stand alone novel honestly, I hated the first half of the book. I thought I would give it a 1 star. It felt like a book I would buy at an elementary book fair. Additionally, the plot felt like I was constantly falling through rabbit holes and just did not work well. Usually I could read a book of this length in one day but it took me about 3 because it was difficult to digest.

The second half is where the book redeemed itself. It had extremely interesting concepts that I wish had someone to look over them and clean up. Generally, this could have been a good book as it felt the author was getting warmed up. I wish they had not simply wrote it and called it a day. They could have reorganized and deleted some unnecessary plot lines. If they continue their writing journey I can only hope they take their time and ask for advice of professionals. They definitely have a talent within them that can flourish into something.

As for Blackford Manor I think it should be continued as an animation or turned into a graphic novel. This is a difficult task and very time consuming but if the animation were to get more exposure with a go fund me in the description I feel like it could also flourish. I wish Cartoon Hangover would revisit this.

If this is impossible the best solution would be the graphic novel route. The novel already has some drawings that could be included and there is already an art style that carries the atmosphere.

Overall 3/5. Would I recommend? If the book was convenient to get and $10 or under, yes to my middle school self. Otherwise, I would only recommend this to Blackford Manor fanatics like myself that are desperate for a semblance of a lifeline to assure us this story is not dead.

[Joseph Hamm · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delight to read!!

I love the unique tone this novel encompasses! The setting of Blackford Manor is full of atmosphere and every single character is wonderfully weird, whether that be the old butler Mr. Boggs or the enigmatic master of the house Sir Montague.

I also enjoyed the structure of this novel! From my understanding, this story was originally conceived as an animated show, and that doesn’t surprise me one bit. Consisting of ten chapters, each one feels like a mini-adventure that takes place over the course of Josette Grey’s employment as the maid at Blackford Manor. These exciting escapades consistently kept the pacing fresh and engaging!

This is a self-published novel that was funded by kickstarter, and I am so very thankful that Jiwook Kim was able to get the financing to make it! According to her kickstarter page, Kim is hoping to write at least two more books set in this world. I hope these come to fruition as really my only complaint with the story is it ends pretty ambiguously and I’d love to see the story continue on.

I would highly recommend this book!!

[Ace From Outer Space · Rating 4 out of 5]

Congrats on your first novel. I would give a 4.5/5 I quite enjoyed it. There are some things I want to share. The Prince Charles chapter reminded me when Robert Sheehan played a King Louie when he was younger and that's all I could think of. I even read the "Medium" chapter at the graveyard. It was cold and almost snowing, but very nice. I can't do that anymore because it has gotten really cold.

What frustrated me about this book included the over use of proper nouns I think one could read "Mrs. Cook" and "Mr.Boggs." so many times before going mad. I also think Josette's character development is lacking. I thought she would tell Sir Montague about her feelings because it is clear that it is mutual. Why she devolves personality-wise into a ghost is quite disappointing. Unless there is a sequel planned.

[Corrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little book that expands upon the amazing short on Cartoon Hangover. I've never stopped thinking about this series ever since it aired on Youtube. I was really happy when it was released as a book! All of the characters are quirky and fun, there's a sense of mystery about Blackford Manor and Sir Montague's curse and the tragedy of his family home. I love seeing a story about a maid--admittedly my weakness. Each chapter is a fun little episodic adventure, giving life to the manor and the characters that inhabit the halls. I would love to see more from this series! My favorite episode was "Sick People" it was really trippy and sad, and it gave a little insight to the family and my heart broke a little by the end in a good and melancholic way. Keep up the awesome work :)

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the animated short, so when I saw there was a full novel, I was so excited.

Overall this book did not disappoint. Getting a chances to learn more about Josette and her journey in/around Blackford Manor was thrilling. I could definitely see this as a show. It reminded me a bit like a mix between Over the Garden Wall and the Misadventures of Flapjack with the absurdist horror vibe it conveys.

The characters of Josette, Mr. Boggs, and Mrs. Cook are so fun to read. Their verbal style is so unique.

My only critique is that I wished there was more! More Sir Montague!!! It felt like things were finally progressing, but it happens in the last chapter.

I pray that there is more one day!!

Rating: 4/5

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished the blackford manor! Favorite parts are:
Ms cook trying to make food for the rats but they are not impressed
Josette trying to stop mr Boggs from reaching the door and she keeps flinging herself in his way but he's so freakishly tall that he steps over her and keeps walking
When the piper came over and mr Boggs couldn't look at him the whole time because his clothes were so bright, colorful, and cheerful
Ms Cook comforting Josette after mr Boggs yelled at her forgetting the sugar bowl, I think Ms Cook is my favorite but Mr Boggs is close 2nd ( there’s only 3 main characters but don’t worry about it lolol)

[Hailey Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is episodic, so there’s not necessarily a plot, just lots of spooky and random things happening at Blackford Manor. The characters were actually quite charming, and there were plenty of funny parts, but overall the writing was confusing. Since it’s episodic, the chapters don’t really get explained or even make sense sometimes. It’s a fun read if you think of it as individual stories rather than one cohesive plot.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grey’s quirky first-person account of being the domestic servant of enigmatic Lord Montague at shadowy ‘Blackford Manor’ delivers eccentric characters and curiouser situations in a manner that recalls Jane Eyre and Edward Gorey. ‘Blackford Manor’ is droll, dark, and then some, with spot illustrations adding a nice touch. The ‘Prince Charles’ episode is my favorite.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

like reading a series of crackfics for a fandom you know nothing about

[a.k.a. forest · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a delightful, macabre little novel. bittersweet, but satisfying. if you're looking for a book that makes you think of tim burton's movies, this is it!

[Aleksander Kendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has the exact vibe of the animation, with humorous and episodic scenes, but I wish the pacing was different!! I so badly wanted to see more of Sir Montague and Josette interacting, with more hints towards his lycanthropy - but overall I REALLY can't complain to have more of a series that I thought was gone forever. If there's a sequel to this, I'm preordering ASAP.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've liked the short animated movie and the story seemed very fun, so I've backed this on Kickstarter. And I wasn't disappointed! It says on the back that it's "a comedic gothic romance novel" and yeah, it is. Except maybe for the romance. There was less than I've hoped for, and yet, I love the twist at the end.

For information, it's a short young adult novel (212 pages) and it's a perfect summer read. For me anyway. :) The only thing I wish now is a sequel!