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Haunted Souls
Death brings January Miller home, back to a house that’s taken so much from her over the years – Stone Acres. After years away from the manor, January finds herself drawn back there. To a place soaked in horror and tragedy, the scope of which she cannot imagine…
Samuel M. Hallam’s debut novel will bring both January and the reader face to face with a relentless evil which has plagued Stone Acres for centuries.
Samuel M. Hallam’s debut novel will bring both January and the reader face to face with a relentless evil which has plagued Stone Acres for centuries.
- GenresHorror
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2022
5 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 8, 2022
Haunted Souls is a remarkably engaging story thanks to it’s compelling characters, creepy twists and tense atmosphere.
June 5, 2022
My debut novel. A twisted tale that I am genuinely very proud of and I hope that you enjoy it too.
June 6, 2022
This is a story I've been anticipating for a while now, and the debut by Sam Hallam will not disappoint you. It's about the story of Stone Acres and its horrific history. Our main character is January, a young woman who grew up with her aunt and uncle after the unexpected death of her father. We are transported through different time periods and characters to show the horror that is Stone Acres. While this can be difficult and daunting to pull off, I feel Hallam did an excellent job at the transitions between the time jumps from the present to the past and back to the present. It was a nice change to see in a story and the transitions with the different characters/history connected well with the overall story and didn't seem like it was unnecessary filler. I won't give away any spoilers or the ending, but I admired January as an overall character with her tenacity and fearlessness. This was an overall well written first novel, and I cannot wait to see what Hallam has in the future.
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June 13, 2022"Like a cross between FRIGHTENERS and Disney's HAUNTED MANSION, HAUNTED SOULS is equal part mystery and chase...a suspenseful and fast-paced thriller marking the debut of an author with a dramatic flourish in horror."
June 10, 2022
Samuel M. Hallam’s debut HAUNTED SOULS is a fun little haunting that hits all the notes you’d want out of a paranormal story.
I loved the main character, January, a young woman tormented by her memories of growing up in Stone Acres—a haunted mansion with its own terrible history—and the passing of her father. She must return to confront her past, her grief, and the evil that plagues the manor.
This book has a classic feel to it, with an originality from Hallam that was exciting to experience. Our villain (who shall remain nameless in this review) was quite the baddie, bringing all the creeps and uniqueness I could have wanted. I especially loved the sordid history of the manor that Hallam explored, slowly unwinding the mystery behind the walls of Stone Acres.
I am so lucky to have been a beta/ARC reader for this one, and am looking forward to what Hallam releases in the future.
I loved the main character, January, a young woman tormented by her memories of growing up in Stone Acres—a haunted mansion with its own terrible history—and the passing of her father. She must return to confront her past, her grief, and the evil that plagues the manor.
This book has a classic feel to it, with an originality from Hallam that was exciting to experience. Our villain (who shall remain nameless in this review) was quite the baddie, bringing all the creeps and uniqueness I could have wanted. I especially loved the sordid history of the manor that Hallam explored, slowly unwinding the mystery behind the walls of Stone Acres.
I am so lucky to have been a beta/ARC reader for this one, and am looking forward to what Hallam releases in the future.
July 23, 2022
Haunted Souls by Samuel Hallam is equal parts the freaking floorboard at 3 am and the chunk of wood smashing through your bedroom door. Reads like Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witch series thrown into a blender with some of the Dark Castle movies of the 90’s/00’s. I really enjoyed the parallels Hallam created within the book between what happened in the past and what is happening currently. Time jumps like that, especially when covering more than two time periods, can feel distracting to me but Hallam uses them to success. Each time period’s entries feeling just as meaningful and important as the present. Looking forward to seeing what Hallam does next! K thx.
October 20, 2023
Social media has a unique ability to connect and get work out there from all levels of authors, from Internationally Recognized Best Sellers all the way to the Debut Author. It’s been a phenomenal tool for me personally, to connect with and discover new authors and it was through my 3Q’s series that I was exposed to a significant amount of new authors. That series – which is actually technically still going on, I have one I need to post and there’s probably close to fifty that haven’t been sent back – is how I connected with Samuel M. Hallam, over on Instagram.
At some point around that time, I snagged his debut novel, ‘Haunted Souls,’ and when it arrived at the top of my ever-expanding TBR, I was excited to see what he’d created.
What I liked: The novel follows the events that take place in and around a house known as Stone Acres. We follow a family, torn apart when two members perish and they take in their niece, as they navigate the every growing reach of this seemingly haunted place.
On its surface, ‘Haunted Souls’ follows a very tried-and-true paranormal formula. We get throwbacks to the 1800’s and learn about the history and the ‘why’ of this place becoming the place it has become, and we see how the Reaper of Souls, this inhabitant that is duty-bound to Stone Acres, goes about its devilish business.
Hallam then veers off to really grab the reins and make the story his own. The family dynamics are great, the love that these two have for their niece is palpable as, is the love (and loss) for their family members and its within that aspect of the story that Hallam grabs the reader and holds them tight.
The story takes us in some really great directions and we get to stress along with the characters over how they can possibly overcome this centuries old evil that has taken root and won’t let go.
The ending helped to wrap things up (while keeping a few loose ends for further follow ups if warranted), but it was great to see how Hallam tied things together and closed the doors on Stone Acres.
What I didn’t like: For a debut novel, this was a really solid read. Some people may find aspects of the book ‘light’ and not as fleshed out as they’d like, but considering the amount of ground Hallam covers, I was impressed how he handled the trickier aspects of the story.
Why you should buy this: If you’re looking for a spooky book that’ll keep you company for an evening while wrapped up in your favorite blanket, reading in your reading chair, look no further. Hallam gives us everything you’d expect in a haunted/paranormal house tale and does so with characters you’ll root for and want to see succeed.
At some point around that time, I snagged his debut novel, ‘Haunted Souls,’ and when it arrived at the top of my ever-expanding TBR, I was excited to see what he’d created.
What I liked: The novel follows the events that take place in and around a house known as Stone Acres. We follow a family, torn apart when two members perish and they take in their niece, as they navigate the every growing reach of this seemingly haunted place.
On its surface, ‘Haunted Souls’ follows a very tried-and-true paranormal formula. We get throwbacks to the 1800’s and learn about the history and the ‘why’ of this place becoming the place it has become, and we see how the Reaper of Souls, this inhabitant that is duty-bound to Stone Acres, goes about its devilish business.
Hallam then veers off to really grab the reins and make the story his own. The family dynamics are great, the love that these two have for their niece is palpable as, is the love (and loss) for their family members and its within that aspect of the story that Hallam grabs the reader and holds them tight.
The story takes us in some really great directions and we get to stress along with the characters over how they can possibly overcome this centuries old evil that has taken root and won’t let go.
The ending helped to wrap things up (while keeping a few loose ends for further follow ups if warranted), but it was great to see how Hallam tied things together and closed the doors on Stone Acres.
What I didn’t like: For a debut novel, this was a really solid read. Some people may find aspects of the book ‘light’ and not as fleshed out as they’d like, but considering the amount of ground Hallam covers, I was impressed how he handled the trickier aspects of the story.
Why you should buy this: If you’re looking for a spooky book that’ll keep you company for an evening while wrapped up in your favorite blanket, reading in your reading chair, look no further. Hallam gives us everything you’d expect in a haunted/paranormal house tale and does so with characters you’ll root for and want to see succeed.
June 21, 2022
This is a story of a dark presence that picks up at the start and lurks throughout the whole story. I especially liked getting to know this presence throughout several centuries prior to the present day, and the havoc It wreaked.
January is to go look at the estate her deceased parents left her when they died as as child. Back in town for her Aunt Zara's funeral and to be a support for Uncle Ed, she has also brought her partner, Dave and she feels like she can easier go through these motions. But there is something about the estate she was shielded from as a child...only this something NEVER forgot her.
For a debut, this reads well. In some areas it repeats a little, but the voices are strong strong the plot leads to a fine laid out culmination. If you like evil spirits and the supernatural you should give this one a try. I read this really fast, it was hard to put down!
January is to go look at the estate her deceased parents left her when they died as as child. Back in town for her Aunt Zara's funeral and to be a support for Uncle Ed, she has also brought her partner, Dave and she feels like she can easier go through these motions. But there is something about the estate she was shielded from as a child...only this something NEVER forgot her.
For a debut, this reads well. In some areas it repeats a little, but the voices are strong strong the plot leads to a fine laid out culmination. If you like evil spirits and the supernatural you should give this one a try. I read this really fast, it was hard to put down!
July 20, 2022
3.5*
A solid spooky debut!
I enjoyed the atmosphere in this one, the building tension of what was in store for our characters next kept me turning the pages.
In terms of the story, this wasn’t perfectly suited to my tastes (tbh what is, I’m such a fussy reader) but if you like stories about strong family ties and haunted houses, with plenty of different timelines to keep you entertained, you should give this one a try!
A solid spooky debut!
I enjoyed the atmosphere in this one, the building tension of what was in store for our characters next kept me turning the pages.
In terms of the story, this wasn’t perfectly suited to my tastes (tbh what is, I’m such a fussy reader) but if you like stories about strong family ties and haunted houses, with plenty of different timelines to keep you entertained, you should give this one a try!
March 25, 2023
It actually hurts my heart a bit to give this book a poor review. I want to say that I've read a few short stories by this author and enjoyed them (I can't recall titles right off). I also follow him on social media, and he's a lovely individual.
But to the book. The concept was very cool. And it had a few execution quirks that could have been a lot of fun and interesting. However, it didn't really work, IMO.
Here are the main things that didn't work for me:
- it needed an editor. The name of the manor, Stone Acres, was repeated so often at one point I had to set the book down. There was also some repetition of character thoughts that could have been edited out for a more enjoyable read. Overall a good editor would have helped tremendously.
- The timeline jumps felt jarring. It didn't feel like we had enough time in some of the timelines to connect the overall story to the event that was happening. I get that something in the house was killing people, it was just hard to see how knowing the details of those killings connected me to present day any better. The idea of it is excellent, it just didn't quite work for me though.
- Parts of the plot felt not well thought out. The boyfriend disappears and no one calls the police?! There are just several character actions that don't feel very realistic. I feel if more time was spent developing the characters, then their actions may have made more sense. As it was, I was often confused. (One example from the beginning: Kyle calls his brother Ed to come pick up his child. Ed does, notices Kyle is acting erratically, and takes the kid home. But Ed doesn't immediately turn around and go back to check on Kyle? He just lays awake all night? The kid would have been fine with his wife, so why didn't he go check on Kyle?)
- I also am not sure why the name of the demon/ghost/etc was smudged out in the journals? I feel like that was really important and I missed it. Also the number of souls to capture felt like a low amount for someone who had been doing this for centuries? IDK, I felt like I missed some crucial things.
I do feel like this would have been an excellent short story. The concept was a lot of fun and there were some great ideas included. As this is a debut novel, I hope he keeps writing, refining, and hires an excellent editor.
But to the book. The concept was very cool. And it had a few execution quirks that could have been a lot of fun and interesting. However, it didn't really work, IMO.
Here are the main things that didn't work for me:
- it needed an editor. The name of the manor, Stone Acres, was repeated so often at one point I had to set the book down. There was also some repetition of character thoughts that could have been edited out for a more enjoyable read. Overall a good editor would have helped tremendously.
- The timeline jumps felt jarring. It didn't feel like we had enough time in some of the timelines to connect the overall story to the event that was happening. I get that something in the house was killing people, it was just hard to see how knowing the details of those killings connected me to present day any better. The idea of it is excellent, it just didn't quite work for me though.
- Parts of the plot felt not well thought out. The boyfriend disappears and no one calls the police?! There are just several character actions that don't feel very realistic. I feel if more time was spent developing the characters, then their actions may have made more sense. As it was, I was often confused. (One example from the beginning: Kyle calls his brother Ed to come pick up his child. Ed does, notices Kyle is acting erratically, and takes the kid home. But Ed doesn't immediately turn around and go back to check on Kyle? He just lays awake all night? The kid would have been fine with his wife, so why didn't he go check on Kyle?)
- I also am not sure why the name of the demon/ghost/etc was smudged out in the journals? I feel like that was really important and I missed it. Also the number of souls to capture felt like a low amount for someone who had been doing this for centuries? IDK, I felt like I missed some crucial things.
I do feel like this would have been an excellent short story. The concept was a lot of fun and there were some great ideas included. As this is a debut novel, I hope he keeps writing, refining, and hires an excellent editor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2023
3.5 Stars
A decent horror story that had me turning the pages. I did find it a little slow to start with and it didn't flow that well due to lack of dialouge in places, but it certainly ramped up at the end. Grisly and spooky and freaky.
A decent horror story that had me turning the pages. I did find it a little slow to start with and it didn't flow that well due to lack of dialouge in places, but it certainly ramped up at the end. Grisly and spooky and freaky.
June 7, 2022
I throughly enjoyed this haunted house ghost story. Definitely recommend for fans of gothic stories like Haunting of hill house.
The short chapters, multiple timelines and characters made this story very engaging and a fast paced read.
I look forward to reading more stories from Sam in the future
The short chapters, multiple timelines and characters made this story very engaging and a fast paced read.
I look forward to reading more stories from Sam in the future
July 14, 2022
When you mix the gothic atmosphere from Susan Hill and the movie The Haunting with the paranormal horror from stuff such as The Conjuring, Insidious and recently Vecna (from the fourth season of Stranger Things), you might have an inkling of an idea what Samuel wanted to obtain with his debut novel: scaring his readers by combining all those elements in a fast paced story! Actually another allegory would fit as well: what if Susan Hill (yes, her again) had written The Hellbound Heart instead of Clive Barker? Well, Sam wrote just that story!
��️‼️‼️The next part will contain spoilers for the story‼️‼️‼️ do not read yet if you still have to read the novel!
The Soul Reaper is definitely one of the baddest meanies or meanest baddies I’ve seen appear in a horror novel lately. His hunger for new souls and his motivation (and modus operandi) to ‘harvest’ these and the way he appears to his victims is for sure an image that will haunt some readers in their nightmares. Bones with rotting flesh here and there… and a way to invade other people’s bodies and jumping bodies, so they do his bidding… not being in control of your own body… that is no fun!
No more spoilers from here on out… (unless mentioned)
As a villain, The Reaper is definitely one of the worst out there. I haven’t had so much fun reading about a bad spirit or creature since Pennywise from Stephen King’s It. I always have a bit of a soft spot for the monsters in books and movies… I can never get enough of Pennywise or Freddie Krueger or even a human monster such as Jigsaw from the Saw movies (whomever it is, the way they taunt their victims… it always brings a smile to my face, guess I am a bit sadistic)
As for the writing, Sam uses a very clear and legible language with chapters that aren’t overly long. His pace is really fast going so the story never feels dull or boring. There’s always a lot going on, the scares never really stop… January is a powerful character, clearly a chip from the block because her father Kyle was as well!
So this is one debut I highly recommend to all fans of (gothic) horror and especially fans of indiehorror will enjoy this book! And isn’t it just great to support another great writer to the indie community?!
Finally I do wish to thank the author, Samuel, for giving me the opportunity for being an ARC reader and reviewer and for the confidence he gave me with his work. I am always happy to help spread the word because I am a true believer in support for indie authors!
��️‼️‼️The next part will contain spoilers for the story‼️‼️‼️ do not read yet if you still have to read the novel!
The Soul Reaper is definitely one of the baddest meanies or meanest baddies I’ve seen appear in a horror novel lately. His hunger for new souls and his motivation (and modus operandi) to ‘harvest’ these and the way he appears to his victims is for sure an image that will haunt some readers in their nightmares. Bones with rotting flesh here and there… and a way to invade other people’s bodies and jumping bodies, so they do his bidding… not being in control of your own body… that is no fun!
No more spoilers from here on out… (unless mentioned)
As a villain, The Reaper is definitely one of the worst out there. I haven’t had so much fun reading about a bad spirit or creature since Pennywise from Stephen King’s It. I always have a bit of a soft spot for the monsters in books and movies… I can never get enough of Pennywise or Freddie Krueger or even a human monster such as Jigsaw from the Saw movies (whomever it is, the way they taunt their victims… it always brings a smile to my face, guess I am a bit sadistic)
As for the writing, Sam uses a very clear and legible language with chapters that aren’t overly long. His pace is really fast going so the story never feels dull or boring. There’s always a lot going on, the scares never really stop… January is a powerful character, clearly a chip from the block because her father Kyle was as well!
So this is one debut I highly recommend to all fans of (gothic) horror and especially fans of indiehorror will enjoy this book! And isn’t it just great to support another great writer to the indie community?!
Finally I do wish to thank the author, Samuel, for giving me the opportunity for being an ARC reader and reviewer and for the confidence he gave me with his work. I am always happy to help spread the word because I am a true believer in support for indie authors!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2023
Bella copertina, che evoca bene un racconto horror.
Gli elementi per spaventare ci sono tutti, ma devo ammettere che per una come me che non si spaventa facilmente, alcune scene con l'entità dietro a tutto il libro mi hanno fatto sorridere, e forse non era lo scopo dell'autore.
Comunque lo promuovo.
Gli elementi per spaventare ci sono tutti, ma devo ammettere che per una come me che non si spaventa facilmente, alcune scene con l'entità dietro a tutto il libro mi hanno fatto sorridere, e forse non era lo scopo dell'autore.
Comunque lo promuovo.
December 31, 2022
I was fortunate enough to get eyes on this book before release.
Sam has shown his love for the genre in this book, weaving in all the best elements of famous ghost stories whilst still telling an original story.
Though unconventional at times, Hallam's writing tells a chilling tale that challenges everything you thought you knew about ghost stories.
We explore a variety of time periods that come together to reveal the story of our setting, and Sam keeps us guessing throughout. We are introduced to a variety of characters, everyone bringing something different to the story.
Our main protagonist is January, who is returning home to Stone Acres many years after her father died there. Will she uncover the secrets?
This is an effective debut. Sam writes well, and I look forward to seeing his style mature and evolve. I struggled with some of the storytelling elements, but that was personal preference for me as I always struggle with books that use alternative storytelling methods, and Haunted Souls does have an experimental feel to it.
For a first novel, I'm impressed. It has its flaws, but it's also a promising start for this indie author. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I'm glad I got the chance to read it.
It's definitely one worth trying, and from other reviews I've seen I think many readers will enjoy it.
Thank you to Sam for providing me with an advance copy.
3.5 ⭐ / 5
Sam has shown his love for the genre in this book, weaving in all the best elements of famous ghost stories whilst still telling an original story.
Though unconventional at times, Hallam's writing tells a chilling tale that challenges everything you thought you knew about ghost stories.
We explore a variety of time periods that come together to reveal the story of our setting, and Sam keeps us guessing throughout. We are introduced to a variety of characters, everyone bringing something different to the story.
Our main protagonist is January, who is returning home to Stone Acres many years after her father died there. Will she uncover the secrets?
This is an effective debut. Sam writes well, and I look forward to seeing his style mature and evolve. I struggled with some of the storytelling elements, but that was personal preference for me as I always struggle with books that use alternative storytelling methods, and Haunted Souls does have an experimental feel to it.
For a first novel, I'm impressed. It has its flaws, but it's also a promising start for this indie author. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I'm glad I got the chance to read it.
It's definitely one worth trying, and from other reviews I've seen I think many readers will enjoy it.
Thank you to Sam for providing me with an advance copy.
3.5 ⭐ / 5
July 27, 2022
Haunted Souls is a love letter to gothic horror and I'm very happy Sam is letting the legacy of haunted houses to live on.
Stone Acres has been haunted for a very long time. Claiming the lives and souls of many unfortunate residents and visitors, the entity is growing stronger with each death.
To divide chapters into many different timeliness was a brilliant idea. A little birdie told me that there's even more stories in progress to add to Stone Acres and I can't wait to read them too!
Stone Acres has been haunted for a very long time. Claiming the lives and souls of many unfortunate residents and visitors, the entity is growing stronger with each death.
To divide chapters into many different timeliness was a brilliant idea. A little birdie told me that there's even more stories in progress to add to Stone Acres and I can't wait to read them too!
June 26, 2022
Something sinister is going on at Stone Acres, a building cursed with a long, dark history. One of its many victims, January Miller, must confront what happened to her family there when she was a child, and now as an adult, conquer the unseen evil that lurks within.
This is a classical ghost story with a lot of new twists. Hallam has a unique style that brings a breath of fresh air to the genre. One of my favourite parts of Haunted Souls is the little anecdotes of what's come before to make this house so dangerous. There's a lot of perspectives and time jumps but they all help weave a masterful tapestry.
January is a tragic heroine and half of the tale is about her growth and coming-of-age. Hallam manages to make us root for her and identify with her quest for knowledge and justice over the supernatural, and she has a great supporting cast around her as she goes ghost-hunting!
I don't really do ghost stories, but I have to admit this one took me by surprise. I've read Haunted Souls three times now, all in marathon sessions. The story oozes charm and the style is extremely readable. The imagination her is excellent and this is a hell of a debut novel from a new, exciting horror writer!
4.5 stars.
This is a classical ghost story with a lot of new twists. Hallam has a unique style that brings a breath of fresh air to the genre. One of my favourite parts of Haunted Souls is the little anecdotes of what's come before to make this house so dangerous. There's a lot of perspectives and time jumps but they all help weave a masterful tapestry.
January is a tragic heroine and half of the tale is about her growth and coming-of-age. Hallam manages to make us root for her and identify with her quest for knowledge and justice over the supernatural, and she has a great supporting cast around her as she goes ghost-hunting!
I don't really do ghost stories, but I have to admit this one took me by surprise. I've read Haunted Souls three times now, all in marathon sessions. The story oozes charm and the style is extremely readable. The imagination her is excellent and this is a hell of a debut novel from a new, exciting horror writer!
4.5 stars.
July 12, 2022
In the town of Osterpole is January Miller's family home, Stone Acres. A place where both her parents died under mysterious circumstances when she was a child. A place where she first encounters the haunting Bone Man. Now, after so many years away, she's pulled back to Osterpole for the funeral of her aunt.
On her return, she decides to revisit Stone Acres - pondering whether she will keep her inherited home or sell it... Little does she know that her parent's deaths are not the only tragedies to stain Stone Acres and something much more sinister lies within it's walls.
I was all in for this story the second I realised it had a bit of a gothic horror/ghost story feel to it. Getting to see the history of Stone Acres through the lens of different characters and time jump sequences was one of my favourite things about this book. It kept me so engaged in the story.
January was an engaging character - she was sympathetic, brave and strong. I loved how her character grew throughout the book. She was great opposite to the antagonist who I don't want to say too much about because spoilers but, damn, he was one interesting bad guy.
Overall this was one read I would happily recommend to anyone looking for a spooky tale!
On her return, she decides to revisit Stone Acres - pondering whether she will keep her inherited home or sell it... Little does she know that her parent's deaths are not the only tragedies to stain Stone Acres and something much more sinister lies within it's walls.
I was all in for this story the second I realised it had a bit of a gothic horror/ghost story feel to it. Getting to see the history of Stone Acres through the lens of different characters and time jump sequences was one of my favourite things about this book. It kept me so engaged in the story.
January was an engaging character - she was sympathetic, brave and strong. I loved how her character grew throughout the book. She was great opposite to the antagonist who I don't want to say too much about because spoilers but, damn, he was one interesting bad guy.
Overall this was one read I would happily recommend to anyone looking for a spooky tale!
July 27, 2022
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Haunted Souls from Sam Hallam - which was really exciting as I know how much time and work he had put into writing this novella and the care, love and attention really shows in the result.
Told through time jumps and multiple character experiences, Haunted Souls tells the terrifying tale of the gory and disturbing goings on at Stone Acres.
I enjoyed the time jumps and the multiple character perspectives gave so much credence to the evil creature that lurked in the halls of the mansion. It’s clear that the author loves the horror genre and pays homage to classic ghost story tropes with this fresh and easy to digest tale.
Told through time jumps and multiple character experiences, Haunted Souls tells the terrifying tale of the gory and disturbing goings on at Stone Acres.
I enjoyed the time jumps and the multiple character perspectives gave so much credence to the evil creature that lurked in the halls of the mansion. It’s clear that the author loves the horror genre and pays homage to classic ghost story tropes with this fresh and easy to digest tale.
July 14, 2022
#WelcomeToStoneAcres
A big thank you to @still_reading_sam for supplying me with an E-ARC of his debut horror novel.
Get ready to visit Stone Acres. Publication date is 14th July 2022.
As you may be able to tell from the title and the atmospheric cover this is a horror novel with a haunting at the centre of it.
The Soul Reaper makes an excellent villain. A ghostly spirit responsible for evil deeds in the centuries old manor house of Stone Acres.
Sam wears his horror fandom on his sleeve by providing haunting, ghosts, possession, evil spirits and some good old fashioned gruesome murder and mystery in this entertaining debut.
Main character January Miller is a great heroine to root for. Orphaned at a young age and brought up by her Uncle and Aunt it's her Aunt's funeral that brings her back to stay with Uncle Ed and look into the mystery of her past and her inheritance of Stone Acres.
The novel jumps around in time providing different points of view and the gradual unraveling of the mystery behind the Soul Reaper and the spirits intentions towards January.
Sam is able to hold the plot threads together and provide an engaging story with a well written support cast leading to a compelling conclusion.
As with most debut novels it's not without its flaws. The constant time jumps and information may not be to everyone's taste and the prose could be more polished in places but in all honesty these are minor quibbles in what turns out to be a quick and exciting read.
I'm staying away from empty old manor houses 😱 but I'm glad I had the courage to enter Stone Acres and meet the Haunted Souls.
✨✨✨✨4 star
A big thank you to @still_reading_sam for supplying me with an E-ARC of his debut horror novel.
Get ready to visit Stone Acres. Publication date is 14th July 2022.
As you may be able to tell from the title and the atmospheric cover this is a horror novel with a haunting at the centre of it.
The Soul Reaper makes an excellent villain. A ghostly spirit responsible for evil deeds in the centuries old manor house of Stone Acres.
Sam wears his horror fandom on his sleeve by providing haunting, ghosts, possession, evil spirits and some good old fashioned gruesome murder and mystery in this entertaining debut.
Main character January Miller is a great heroine to root for. Orphaned at a young age and brought up by her Uncle and Aunt it's her Aunt's funeral that brings her back to stay with Uncle Ed and look into the mystery of her past and her inheritance of Stone Acres.
The novel jumps around in time providing different points of view and the gradual unraveling of the mystery behind the Soul Reaper and the spirits intentions towards January.
Sam is able to hold the plot threads together and provide an engaging story with a well written support cast leading to a compelling conclusion.
As with most debut novels it's not without its flaws. The constant time jumps and information may not be to everyone's taste and the prose could be more polished in places but in all honesty these are minor quibbles in what turns out to be a quick and exciting read.
I'm staying away from empty old manor houses 😱 but I'm glad I had the courage to enter Stone Acres and meet the Haunted Souls.
✨✨✨✨4 star
July 30, 2022
It takes a lot of effort and gumption to publish a book and I’m so glad to read Sam’s debut!
He does really well with character relationships and I loved how emotionally available each character was. Though, I’d really have loved to have seen more character development for January rather than just having her age.
As for the plot, I loved the idea but didn’t quite love the execution. I’m sure Sam’s writing skills will absolutely grow as he continues to write and I’d take a chance on future books.
He does really well with character relationships and I loved how emotionally available each character was. Though, I’d really have loved to have seen more character development for January rather than just having her age.
As for the plot, I loved the idea but didn’t quite love the execution. I’m sure Sam’s writing skills will absolutely grow as he continues to write and I’d take a chance on future books.
October 25, 2023
HAUNTED SOULS is the debut novel by Samuel Hallam, co-author of the delectable PROJECT JOTUNHEIM. HAUNTED SOULS is a compelling Haunted House tale of a statuesque Medieval manor, unfortunately and inextricably the haunt of a selfish, callous individual who in the late 16th century, suffering a terminal health condition, inherited Stone Acres, then discovered in its library an 11th century Dark Arts compendium offering a chance at immortality. In a true "Be careful what you wish for" continued series of failed choices and fallen consequences, this shortsighted individual passes into a purgatorial unending existence, harvesting souls in his quest to return to Earthly existence and to relocate his lost love.
The author winningly interweaves historical eras and incidents with the contemporary and near-contemporary [2018, 1995] events at Stone Acres. Emphasis on family and found family is a strong theme throughout, as is grief, and the converse, unbridled self-centeredness and rampant Narcissism.
The author winningly interweaves historical eras and incidents with the contemporary and near-contemporary [2018, 1995] events at Stone Acres. Emphasis on family and found family is a strong theme throughout, as is grief, and the converse, unbridled self-centeredness and rampant Narcissism.
July 15, 2022
With the release of his debut novel, Haunted Souls, Samuel M. Hallam joins my list of auto-buy authors. With his take on a haunted house tale, Hallam manages to creep you out and make you feel a wide range of emotions, and his use of alternating timelines to give you the history of Stone Acres and the tragedies that have occurred within its walls over the centuries is both effective and very well-done. As he tells us the tale of January Miller and her attempt at untangling the secrets and trauma within her family home, we are introduced to characters who are genuine and flawed, and care deeply about each other, and because of this, we come to care about them, too. But perhaps one of the most impressive features of Haunted Souls is in its examination and exploration of grief and its impact, sometimes virtually imperceptible, on every aspect of life. Within this gothic ghost story, hurt and healing can be found, if you're brave enough to dive into its currents and let it carry you away. Hallam is absolutely an indie author to watch as he continues his writing career, and I am looking forward to every step of it.
June 25, 2022
So good, I read it all in one evening!
It’s got a classic gothic air to it, with fantastic characters including our headstrong protagonist January and of course the star of the show, the cursed Stone Acres Manor - talk about a chilling history 😱 We’re swept back and forth seamlessly through time lines to learn the wicked past of the manor and all the while, experiencing grief and deliverance along with January while she confronts her sad and dark past.
I’m so lucky to have gotten this as an ARC from the author. It’s a great debut horror novel. Looking forward to more from Hallam
It’s got a classic gothic air to it, with fantastic characters including our headstrong protagonist January and of course the star of the show, the cursed Stone Acres Manor - talk about a chilling history 😱 We’re swept back and forth seamlessly through time lines to learn the wicked past of the manor and all the while, experiencing grief and deliverance along with January while she confronts her sad and dark past.
I’m so lucky to have gotten this as an ARC from the author. It’s a great debut horror novel. Looking forward to more from Hallam
July 13, 2022
"All fear the soul reaper!"
The death of her aunt brings January Miller back to her childhood home, Stone Acres - the home that has taken so much from her, yet draws her back in. Soon she will face the truth of the house and the evil that lurks there.
I had a lot of fun with this debut from Sam! I love me a haunted house story so this novella hit the right spot. A classic horror story that was engaging and filled with a tense atmosphere. It was a compelling read that had me racing through the pages to see what would happen next.
I enjoyed the multiple timelines throughout the years to get a sense of how long the Soul Reaper was wreaking havoc and the flashbacks to other characters in the past. It really added to the story and fleshed out our reaper.
The only thing I would have liked to see was more backstory on January and her personal experiences with the Soul Reaper when she was a child, as well as a little more backstory on the Soul Reaper. However, it is a novella so it was kept short and sweet.
3.5⭐️ rounded up.
The death of her aunt brings January Miller back to her childhood home, Stone Acres - the home that has taken so much from her, yet draws her back in. Soon she will face the truth of the house and the evil that lurks there.
I had a lot of fun with this debut from Sam! I love me a haunted house story so this novella hit the right spot. A classic horror story that was engaging and filled with a tense atmosphere. It was a compelling read that had me racing through the pages to see what would happen next.
I enjoyed the multiple timelines throughout the years to get a sense of how long the Soul Reaper was wreaking havoc and the flashbacks to other characters in the past. It really added to the story and fleshed out our reaper.
The only thing I would have liked to see was more backstory on January and her personal experiences with the Soul Reaper when she was a child, as well as a little more backstory on the Soul Reaper. However, it is a novella so it was kept short and sweet.
3.5⭐️ rounded up.
October 12, 2022
Haunted Souls is a beautifully melancholy story of a woman who lost her parents to the very house she called “home.” Years later, she returns to her hometown to attend her aunt’s funeral and faces her past head-on. She has decisions to make about the house that’s been sitting empty for years. Should she keep it, or should she sell, never to look back again? Does the sinister presence that stole her parents still reside within these walls?
I love that Samuel married the present with the past, weaving a rich tapestry of historical significance with brilliant connections that bring this story full circle.
It was the perfect spooky read, filled with a gothic sense of doom and gloom, while providing heartwarming moments that will leave you wanting more.
I love that Samuel married the present with the past, weaving a rich tapestry of historical significance with brilliant connections that bring this story full circle.
It was the perfect spooky read, filled with a gothic sense of doom and gloom, while providing heartwarming moments that will leave you wanting more.
May 25, 2023
Haunting
This book was a surprisingly quick read for me, and it kept my interest from start to finish (not all indie books do that, to be honest). I didn’t connect with too many of the characters, but I loved January and how she is driven to return to face her demons after the death of her aunt.
I enjoyed the back and forth between centuries as we learn the history of Stone Acres. Although the Soul Reaper was a bit over the top at times, and his dialogue somewhat overdramatic, he was a brutal antagonist without a conscience, which is usually the best kind in a horror story.
This book was a surprisingly quick read for me, and it kept my interest from start to finish (not all indie books do that, to be honest). I didn’t connect with too many of the characters, but I loved January and how she is driven to return to face her demons after the death of her aunt.
I enjoyed the back and forth between centuries as we learn the history of Stone Acres. Although the Soul Reaper was a bit over the top at times, and his dialogue somewhat overdramatic, he was a brutal antagonist without a conscience, which is usually the best kind in a horror story.
July 14, 2022
3.5 rounded up
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Spoiler Free Review
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This spooky tale centers around Stone Acres, a country estate with a sinister history. January Miller called Stone Acres home when she was a little girl, until her childhood was violently ripped away. Years later, January is all grown up and ready to face the demons, real or imagined, from her past.
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Sam did a great job exploring the history of the estate and the evil that haunts its halls with a timeline that alternated from past to present. I enjoyed getting to know January and her family, and I liked the twists on the typical haunted house/ghost trope.
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This is a solid debut and a perfect choice for a reader looking to dip their toe into the horror genre. While there were aspects of the writing that felt like a newer author finding their way, the potential is clear throughout and I look forward to reading more from Sam in the future!
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I appreciate the copy of this ARC for my honest review.
•
Spoiler Free Review
•
This spooky tale centers around Stone Acres, a country estate with a sinister history. January Miller called Stone Acres home when she was a little girl, until her childhood was violently ripped away. Years later, January is all grown up and ready to face the demons, real or imagined, from her past.
•
Sam did a great job exploring the history of the estate and the evil that haunts its halls with a timeline that alternated from past to present. I enjoyed getting to know January and her family, and I liked the twists on the typical haunted house/ghost trope.
•
This is a solid debut and a perfect choice for a reader looking to dip their toe into the horror genre. While there were aspects of the writing that felt like a newer author finding their way, the potential is clear throughout and I look forward to reading more from Sam in the future!
•
I appreciate the copy of this ARC for my honest review.
December 17, 2022
A very creepy, well written story which completely grips you. Enjoyed following the history of this haunted house and all the unfortunate people who have entered. Some good character development too. I really liked January.
Despite the creepiness, I also really liked the thoughtful message around death and grief.
Perfect for any horror lover :)
Despite the creepiness, I also really liked the thoughtful message around death and grief.
Perfect for any horror lover :)
August 31, 2023
Really enjoyed this - a spooky premise with an original evil being, plenty of dread, plenty of mystery and a satisfying conclusion. Can definitely recommend!
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