I almost DNF’d this book, I was so confused about what was happening but since I got it from NetGalley I felt I had to keep going to leave a decent review. I’m glad I did because it came together and I’ll save you from being confused…it’s told in dual timelines. It was a decent folk/cult horror tale labeled as Southern Gothic. I liked it overall.

One complaint besides the confusing start is that it was a bit too long, could have been shorter to move the story along faster. I tried the audiobook but didn’t like the narrator very much so I switched back to the print version.

**Thanks to the author and Inkshares for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review**

Despite the potential that this book had with its creepy setting, it just didn't quite do it for me. I found myself drifting off and losing focus at multiple points during the book. I wanted to like it but just couldn't get into it.

This was a terrific debut novel with a creepy Southern gothic vibe. Set in the Deep South on a crumbling plantation where strange things start to happen, makes for a perfect atmospheric read. I love this style of story and highly recommend to those who enjoy the Southern Gothic genre. I’m looking forward to more from this author.
#TheHouseofDust #NetGalley #Inkshares

Unfortunately this one could not keep my attention and I ended up dnf’ing. I think a lot of people would love it, it just wasn’t for me

A creepy, eerie feeling falls over the pages as the story pulls you into this house of horrors. You can almost hear the music that plays just before the character gets killed in the movie. The "house" is a character in this story, it's history lends an authentic sense of unease to the characters as they hide from their past hoping to find a future.

Though I'm not necessarily a big horror reader, I enjoyed this book for the masterful plotting, deep psychological profiles, and vivid writing.

Three Summers is a small southern town with creepy residents and a cult-like connection to the spirit of Adamah. I found some of the child characters to be especially horrifying (think a boy who likes burying his pets alive). Certain themes like mud, addiction, and past trauma recur throughout. There are two couples that have well-considered, and clearly troubled, relationship dynamics that add to the underlying dread.

There is a bit of time-jumping that can be jarring at a times, but is actually a pleasure once the reader figures out what's going on. I really liked the intertextuality. Brad is a magazine writer, writing an article about this cursed town, and clippings of that article are interspersed throughout the book.

The climax is immensely satisfying and builds upon the mythology that's been established throughout the book. In retrospect, I find the vivid writing has burned some of the scarier images into my mind's eye. Overall, a fun horror read that sticks with you.

Noah Broyles' debut novel, "The House of Dust," beckons readers into the mysterious depths of rural Tennessee, where the forgotten town of Three Summers harbors secrets that transcend time. The endorsement from fellow authors John Langan and Scott Thomas sets high expectations, describing the novel as ambitious, and full of mysteries, histories, and rituals. However, my exploration of this Gothic horror tale left me with mixed feelings.

The setting, a decrepit house on an overgrown river island, becomes the focal point for failing crime writer Bradley Ellison and former prostitute Missy Holiday. Seeking refuge from their tumultuous pasts, they uncover an eerie presence that manifests through symbols and funeral rites. The premise is promising, blending elements of horror with a backdrop of rural decay.

Despite the novel's ambitions and endorsements, I found myself struggling to fully immerse myself in the story. The timeline and point-of-view switches disrupted the narrative flow, preventing me from sinking into the rhythm of the tale. These abrupt shifts proved to be a stumbling block, hindering my ability to connect with the characters and the unfolding events.

While the nightmarish imagery promised by the endorsements is present in Broyles' prose, it failed to create a seamless and immersive experience for me. The Gothic atmosphere felt somewhat disjointed, and the story's potential depth remained elusive. As a reader who typically enjoys Gothic horror, I was disappointed that the novel did not resonate with me as strongly as I had hoped.

In conclusion, "The House of Dust" is an ambitious debut with the hallmarks of Gothic horror, yet it fell short of my expectations. The disruptions caused by timeline and POV switches detracted from the atmospheric storytelling, preventing me from fully engaging with the narrative. While the novel may find its audience among those who appreciate a more fragmented storytelling style, I gave it a rating of 3 out of 5 stars, acknowledging its potential while acknowledging that it didn't quite reach me as a reader.

The first few pages of this one grabbed me. But by mid-way, it turned into a dusty, muddy slog--and not in a good way. There were interesting points, but overall, the mystery/history/sway of this creepy Southern cult did not hold me.
Full review on YouTube

DNF. It wasn’t bad, but I just couldn’t justify working it in with the heavy load I had at the time,

I always love a good Southern Gothic horror story. This was particularly enjoyable for me.

Thanks to Inkshares for this opportunity to read this book

I thought I'd get into it but unfortunately didn't. I usually love gothic horror, but this one simply didn't click with me.

Unfortunately this one wasn't for me. I think these style of gothic horror are a hit or miss. Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read it

This one was a DNF for me, unfortunately. I wasn’t immersed in the storyline or characters. It started out so promising but about a quarter of the way through, it lost me. I truly wanted to keep pushing through. I even purchased the physical book thinking it may help. I truly wanted to like this one. The star rating is only due to the fact that Netgalley requires a star rating. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have given any stars due to me not finishing it.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found this book incredibly interesting the author really kept me hooked until the end. very well written I highly recommend.

I thought this review was posted, but as I looked through my shelf, it had not. So here goes:

House of Dust is a decent debut novel, Southern gothic horror is usually a good time and Broyles definitely hits some of the right notes. This review, however, was almost a 2 because I just could NOT get into it and I thought the timeline/pov switches (etc) pulled me out of the story and then I had to work to get back in.

I honestly don't like to give negative reviews, but ... this was a tough read. The book needed some editing. It was far too long, windy, and was exhausting. At points I couldn't wait until it was over. It did have strong dialogue and solid characterization. I would have enjoyed the tale so much better if it wasn't so long. About two hundred pages needed to be removed from the book. Less would have been better.

This one was not for me.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I wanted to give Southern Gothic a try since it is a new genre to me but this probably is not the book to start with. The main characters were odd and I could not connect with the m

This book wasn't what I was expecting. It's eerie and a little weird but didn't quite terrify. An overall enjoyable read although I felt it was a little muddled in parts.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A great horror novel. Perfect for Halloween Month 🎃.