Member Reviews

This was a really solid YA gothic horror! It took me a while to connect with the main character but overall, I enjoyed the way the plot was weaved together and the twists!

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This one was hard to put down! I loooove a good haunted house and Lovelace house had all the trappings of one: an old house sinking into the sea, skulls on the ceiling tiles, rooms no one is permitted in, and a mysterious family who never leaves.

The story kept me guessing as it became more and more intricate and the family's lore and history was revealed. The romance between Marin and Evie was a nice touch amid the creepy atmosphere of the book. The gothic vibes were great and very consistent, and the chapter names were a fun touch.

I definitely will recommend this book to queer horror fans.

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𝓐𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓛𝓲𝓮 𝓓𝓸𝔀𝓷 by Kyrie McCauley gave me the creepy vibes that I love in a spooktacular book. I wish I would have saved this book for the Fall because it would have aligned perfectly with the season. Either way, I enjoyed reading this book. The author did a really good job of establishing the creepiness and making certain scenes/moments feel eerie. I questioned what was going to happen next and found myself engrossed in the story. The characters were mostly well developed, so I was genuinely interested in the outcome of the story. I think the pacing was as good as it can be for a story of this type. I would definitely read this to others to read.

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This book was a little step outside of my comfort zone and I kind of loved it!

When Marin loses her mom, she realizes she has no idea what she's going to do with her life. She when her mother's long lost best friend invites her to nanny at Lovelace house, Maren figures she has nothing to lose.

Alice, Marin's mom's old best friend, is creepy at best, as is the house. While Marin first finds it hard to nanny the children in her care, she begins to get settled as best she can into her role. But when the eldest daughter, Evie, arrives, things spiral out of control.

I loved being able to explore Marin's relationships with Evie and the two younger girls, and the island and home were definitely their own characters. I wasn't sure what to expect in this novel, and about halfway through I was definitely in for the shock of my life.

This book is absolutely a mix of <i>The Haunting of Bly Manor</i> and <i>Night of the Living Dead</i> and I really enjoyed every moment of it. If you need a dark read, this is for you.

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This is a beautiful book that had me captivated from the very first page. The writing is superb and I would highly recommend this one.

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I really enjoyed this book. The writing was so descriptive that I felt that I was watching a movie. It was the perfect amount of creepy and I could not put it down!

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I'm not really a romance or YA person (this wasn't listed as a Romance in NetGalley), but something about All the Dead Lie Down was compelling and entertaining enough for me to see it through. The gothic feel was carried throughout, and I felt that the events, characters, and plot were appropriate for a YA novel.

The chapter names were quirky, humorous, and spot on. That's not something I'd typically notice, but thought it was a nice touch here. My only complaint is that the summary made the book sound scarier than it actually was, but I'm not a frequent reader of YA so am not sure if this is the norm.

Note: I received a free ebook copy of All the Dead Lie Down from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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I half wish I would have saved this read for spooky season because I feel like I might have enjoyed it more. But, that’s obviously not a problem with the book, but more about my mood going into this read. I enjoyed the gothic vibes and the dysfunctional family/family secrets theme. I did really like the psychological aspect that allows the reader to question how many of the creepy occurrences are real and how many are the sisters torturing their nanny to try to get her to quit. Some of those instances left me laughing out loud! However, I’m not a huge fan of the insta love trope, and that’s what the love story between Marin and Evie felt like. Overall, an enjoyable read.

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This one sounds like something I would’ve have loved, however I had to put it down. I couldn’t connect to any of the characters. I do think it was a me thing and other will love it.

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I was definitely ready for the spooky aesthetics that I hoped were in this book and I was not disappointed. To me there was never a dull moment and I was really shocked and pleased with the examination of grief and different ways of coping with it. The only detractor for me was the romance in the book, but mostly because it wasn't what I was expecting and kind of broke me out of the dark and twisty parts of the book. That aside, I loved the journey this book took me on overall, it was just what I was looking for with the creepy factor and the writing was engaging and kept the pace going.

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WOW, the vibes with this one!! Spooky & gothic, and including one of my favorite horror tropes: dolls! I felt like I was in the Sleeping House myself. I read this later at night while I was the only one awake and every creak in the house made me anxious as heck, lol, I was so creeped out. Loved this.

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I loved the idea of this one. Queer horror is right up my alley and this was billed as House of Salt and Sorrows meets The Haunting of Bly Manor, both of which I loved. Unfortunately, the character development was severely lacking in this one. All of the characters fell flat for me and were completely forgettable. I finished this just a few days ago and I don't remember any of the characters' names. There were some creepy moments, but the setting also didn't draw me in the way I hoped. And the romance was super insta-lovey, which was disappointing.

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In a word, this book was amazing! I'm a bit ashamed it took me so long to read it, but I'm grateful that NetGalley provided a copy in exchange for an honest review. This hit all the right notes for gothic romance and horror without being overbearing. I found that I couldn't stop reading it once I started and I was rewarded with twists and turns and a thoroughly satisfying ending. I can't wait to recommend this to my library kids looking for a book that feels like Crimson Peak.

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All the Dead Lie Down had a little bit of everything I enjoy in horror - haunted house vibes, creepy plants, strange family members, a little necromancy…and it all came together beautifully!

Marin Blythe is desperate to figure out what to do with her life after her mother dies in a sudden train accident. Her salvation comes in the form of horror novelist Alice Lovelace, who used to be close with her mother. Alice invites Marin to live at Lovelace House in exchange for acting as a nanny to her young children, Wren and Thea. But the inner workings of Lovelace House and the peculiar habits of the children have Marin questioning reality. When Alice’s oldest daughter Evie returns home, Marin thinks she might finally have a partner in the uncertainty; however, danger continues to lurk around every corner and Marin must quickly figure out who she can trust…and how to answer the question of what’s really going on at Lovelace House.

Disturbing and atmospheric, this story gripped me from beginning to end! At first I thought it was going to be exactly like The Haunting of Bly Manor, but it definitely took a turn I didn’t expect! Thea and Wren were so fun to read, and Marin and Evie’s relationship was a slow burn but worth it.

Thank you NetGalley and Katherine Tegen Books for this arc!

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"When will you understand, Marin? Lovelace House has its own rules."

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of All the Dead Lie Down in exchange for an honest review.

I'd recommend this book to fans of Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Katrina Leno's Horrid.

I'd describe this book as soft horror or cozy horror. Throughout the book, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort despite the eerie atmosphere, making it a truly cozy reading experience. The initial plot follows a familiar pattern found in horror books: a young woman becomes the caretaker of peculiar children living in a strange house with an even stranger family. While this may sound cliché, I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed these familiar tropes. McCauley's writing is skillful, capturing my attention from start to finish, and I found myself engrossed in the story, devouring it at a rapid pace.

What sets "All the Dead Lie Down" apart is the unique plot twist that unravels the mysteries surrounding the house and its occupants. The explanation, though fantastical in nature — an aspect that typically doesn't resonate with me — fits seamlessly with the overall tone of the book. I appreciated that the author took the time to provide explanations rather than leaving loose ends hanging. Furthermore, we have a sapphic main couple, which is awesome!

This was my first foray into Kyrie McCauley's writing, and I can confidently say that it won't be my last. "All the Dead Lie Down" captivated me with its cozy yet unsettling atmosphere, expert storytelling, and well-executed ideas. I eagerly look forward to exploring more of McCauley's works in the future.

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Even though it’s a horror novel, All the Dead Lie Down is such a dark and beautiful book. The immense love just made my heart so happy. The family love aspect was perfectly woven into the story, not disturbing the suspense.

Seeing how Marin grew as a person, especially as her love for others grew, was a great touch. It wasn’t an overnight, snap of the fingers progress. You’re walked through every hurdle, tear, and lightbulb moment.

I can generally guess what’s coming but I couldn’t with this. I’d have an idea or feeling of what to expect but never guessing completely and I thoroughly enjoyed that.

The overall biggest thing I liked about All The Dead Lie Down is that the suspense is well worth it. It’s the perfect perfect balance of suspense and surprise.

Oh, and Thisbe’s love for her brother? Just precious!

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I ended up listening to the finished audiobook version of this book from my local library. I'll be honest, I got this as a 'read now' book and I wasn't really sure what it was about. I was expecting some sort of creepy haunted house but things got so much darker than I predicted. I think this one will be very popular for the spooky season this year. I will definitely be recommending it. I had to only listen during the day because it was creeping me out. There is a female/female romance and I loved it.

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All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McAuley is a captivating gothic read that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Blending elements of "Haunting of Bly Manor" and "The Shining," with its haunting atmosphere and spine-chilling plot, this book had me on edge from start to finish.

The claustrophobic house theme adds to the ambiance, while the creepy sisters play the meanest and most terrifying pranks on their unsuspecting nanny. The dysfunctional family dynamics and each character's unique way of dealing with their grief add depth to the story, immersing readers in a world that keeps you on alert. The twists are scream-worthy, I don't mind some insta-love but this was less believable for me. Though they provided a brief respite from the dark and disturbing scenes, it slightly diminished the overall dramatic impact.

The conclusion of the story was satisfying. There were unforeseeable and shocking twists that kept me hooked until the very end.

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Another solid horror novel from Kyrie McCauley. This one wasn't particularly my cup of tea but it was a solid novel with lots of suspense. A fair amount of Mexican Gothic vibes for those that are a fan of gothic horror in that vein. A solid pick for a HS library.

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All The Dead Lie Down is reminiscent of The Haunting of Bly Manor with a dash of necromancy and generational horror. I thought the book takes some time to get going. The first half is basically about Marin adjusting to living in the house and taking care of the children while grieving for her mother. The story becomes a tad more interesting when Evie, the oldest sister, arrives at the house. She carries her own mystique and Marin is immediately smitten. While their relationship moves quickly, I thought their connection is sweet and believable. The picturesque setting has shades of darkness, making you feel blanketed in Marin's experience.

However, the book’s pace leaves a lot to be desired. It’s told in starts and stops, where something ominous happens but is forgotten or breezed by in the next moment. By the time Marin figures out what’s going on, the story is close to its denouncement. There is less character development and more dealing with the present danger. I was waiting for something sharper and scarier but this is a gentle tale of love, life, and loss. For readers looking for a gothic fantasy with sapphic romance, give this book a go.

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