So dull.

When I first opened this book I was intrigued by the author's writing style and captivated by the lore. The first couple of chapters were fine, and I excused the slow pacing as the book was establishing its world and characters. But this slow pacing continued and continued, and continued for the entire book.

I am not opposed to a slow mystery, especially if the book is honing in on its character's development- but this one did no such thing. The characters felt very flat, and the mystery was poorly developed to me. I kept reading, expecting it to get better- but everything just dragged on so much. The few suspenseful moments early in the book didn't develop into anything interesting. This author attempts to create character development by giving us these weird glimpses of the side character's lives and backstories. Though these tangents make sense given the end of the story, they are uninteresting and don't do anything to heighten the story.

Then there's the twist. I won't go into too many details, to avoid spoiler territory, but I found the in the last few chapters of the novel dull and uninspiring. I didn't see it coming, because it was never once hinted at- not because it was a good twist. We are suddenly given random tidbits of backstory on the characters leading up to this moment, which would have served the story better- had it been told to us at the beginning of the book. The twist could have worked pretty well, had it been set up better from the start- had the story been tightened up and less rambly. I also found the author's overall writing style weakened towards the end of the book, and it was a sludge to get through.

I don't find this book comparable to R.L. Stine or any other young adult mystery/thriller writer for that matter. I feel this story had a lot of potential, but the author just dragged it on for far too long- without any real focus. I never felt compelled by the mystery, and the stakes just feel so low throughout the book. This was a tough one for me to get through, I am interested in reading some of the author's other work to see how it compares, but this one was a miss for me.

This book just couldn’t find its audience with me. I kept starting and stopping and restarting because I really wanted to get into it and like it. I just had a very difficult time with the writing style and felt really confused and never had the sense of getting any clarity.I do believe they’re having read other reviews that this is very much a problem and not indicative of the book.

This paranormal thriller meets horror novel gave me mixed vibes. After reading a few rave reviews, I was expecting something more mind-blowing, and honestly, until I reached the last third, I wasn’t sure what the hell I was reading. There were too many mysteries, unanswered questions about the hiding boy, why the entire family was running away, and why a group of kids was so obsessed with facing urban legends as if they were chasing their own deaths!

I also had a hard time connecting with the characters, who weren't layered enough and left me wondering why Nate fell for Max and what made her so special. Later, we learn more about the trio: Max has a soft spot for a couple next door, a wife suffering from dementia, and her devoted husband who used to give free candies to her when she was a kid. We also learn that Tyler is trying to cope with the high expectations of his crowded family, struggling to decide between sports and science, while Seb is still haunted by his family loss, grieving his big brother who died in a car accident in front of his eyes.

As for Nate, who might be the hero of our story, we know he comes from a broken family that might be running away from something related to Murder Road, where tragedies have struck the place several times, connected with the urban legend of the hiding boy, as they all suffer from insomnia. Why is the entire family dysfunctional? Why does Nate, a shy, skinny, introverted 16-year-old boy, do everything to avoid befriending three teenagers who are adamant about turning their group into a quartet to include him?

Until the last third, question marks were hanging over my head like bubble balloons. I felt like I was taking a long walk in the dark, trying to gather pieces, and I also hoped for some twist that would make this slow-burn horror path more interesting. There were some juicy parts, like the news columns found in the locker and the quartet’s urban legend explorations, that hinted at something eerie about Nate lurking sinister things. But when I reached the last third, with not-so-unexpected twists and explanations, along with some more semi-twists thrown our way, I thought, okay, things started to get interesting, and I also enjoyed the irritating conclusion that fit well with the entire nature of the plotline.

Overall, this book was slow-paced, and the characters didn't evoke much sympathy, but the writing style was unique, and the execution of events was refreshing, smart, and totally different from other books in the same genre. There were no clichés or stereotypical incidents that make you roll your eyes. That's why, even though I got a little impatient at first, I continued to read and tried to come up with some theories. Luckily, I couldn't predict the main twist, which increased my enjoyment.

That’s why I’m rounding up from 3.5 to 4 stars for reading something different and unexpectedly smart. I'm looking forward to reading more works by the author. The refreshing writing style absolutely intrigued me.

This was quite an interesting book. For most of it, it was clear and intriguing. The characters are engaging and interesting.. when it got to the pinnacle, it got very confusing and disorganized. If the climax had been better written, I would’ve adored this book and given it five stars. I absolutely loved the twist and it was mostly well written.

This book is full of urban legends that are perfect as campfire stories. When Nate moves to a new town and joins a small group of legend chasers, superstition comes to life. Nate appears to be the spirit magnet, and Max, Tyler and Seb excitedly invite him into their clique. Where once the group discussed local urban legends, they now actively pursue the summoning of spirits. Harmless fun takes a dangerous turn when Nate becomes a conduit to the otherworld. This is a spooky story indeed! The urban legends are scary, the friends are a fun and lively group, and their quest for adventure in a small town is authentic. The town's Bloodbath was an exciting element and a great addition to the story. Even seeing things from different points of view, the ending surprised me. This tale is on par with any spooky teen movie! Loved it!

Paranormal , Horror, and Thriller you got me there. Definitely something different for the paranormal horror fans worth giving it a read I highly recommend even if you think it’s not for you.

3.5 stars
The plot twist on this one was really solid. The characters were just alright, but since it's a mystery, I care more about the plot twist. I will say even though it's YA, I don't love the horror aspects of this book. Definitely not super graphic, but I purposefully avoid horror novels. I am coming around to paranormal mysteries and if done right, I am okay with them. I do genuinely enjoy this author, and will keep reading works by him, but I will skip anyones that call out elements of horror. It just isn't my cup of tea.

Wow! This book kept me entertained and engaged the whole time and that last 20% was definitely not was I was expecting! Absolutely Amazing!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"One House Left" by Vincent Ralph is a paranormal thriller blended with horror that had me intrigued from the start, but it wasn't until the final stretch that I truly grasped its direction. This is a book that will have you questioning what exactly is going on until a big twist part of the way through the book that will answer all your questions and leave you wanting for more.

Initially, I found myself adrift in a sea of unanswered questions. I get that Ralph was going for the mystery aspect in the first part of the book with giving you many questions without a lot of answers, but I found it to be a bit too much. My questions kept me from connecting to the different characters as I just found myself a bit confused by the motivations of these characters, especially with Nate’s family. The trio of teenagers—Max, Tyler, and Seb—each carried their own burdens, but their depths weren't fully explored until later in the narrative. Nate, the protagonist, seemed aloof and disconnected from their circle, adding to the layers of mystery surrounding the group's dynamics. This worked well in theory, though I again found myself disconnected from him.

The plot meandered through urban legends and familial secrets, leaving me grasping for solid ground until the last third. While some elements hinted at darker undertones, it wasn't until the conclusion that the pieces began to fall into place. The revelation of long-hidden truths and unexpected twists injected a newfound vigor into the story, redeeming its slower pace. I absolutely loved the book after the twist, which I definitely was not expecting whatsoever.

While the characters initially lacked depth, their gradual unveiling added layers to the narrative. Max's compassion, Tyler's internal struggle, and Seb's grief all contributed to a richer tapestry of emotions. Nate's troubled past and his family's connection to Murder Road added an additional layer of intrigue to the already complex storyline. "One House Left" diverges from traditional YA horror tropes. While it may not evoke the same nostalgic thrills as something like “Fear Street,” it offers a fresh perspective on the genre. The clever execution of events and unexpected twists kept me engaged, despite initial reservations.

Overall, "One House Left" offers a unique take on paranormal suspense. While it may falter in character development and pacing at times, its refreshing approach to the genre warrants attention. I have enjoyed every Vincent Ralph book, and while this book didn’t grip me from the start like other Ralph books, I definitely can’t wait to read more from him.

I’m not typically into YA fiction, but seeing this compared to R.L. Stine really got me excited. It was like hopes of nostalgia… a blast from the past…

Sadly, I didn’t really get R.L. Stine vibes off this book. Maybe it’s because I’m older, or maybe because it’s just not his trademark style, but I didn’t find the story to be terribly spooky or suspenseful. I did enjoy the premise and some of the twists, but it just fell a little flat for me. I’m really starting to think I should steer clear of YA books because I just can’t connect with them.

For fans of YA suspense/horror, this is an entertaining read with some surprises in store! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this ebook!

Vincent Ralph is fast becoming one of my favorite Young Adult Author. He writes great characters, the stories are page turners and you will definitely keep you up reading this book because you can't put it down.

I really loved the writing for this book, it was gripping and didn't let you put it down.

I started reading this as a break from happier books and WOW, it kept me on the edge of my seat and I was impressed straight to the end.

Sadly, One House Left didn’t quite hit the spot for me. The characters felt underdeveloped, which made it difficult to care and connect to them. I personally felt there were too many secrets and mysteries that dragged on and were explained far too late. I did find the twist at the end clever and original, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to revive my interest in the characters.

This paranormal thriller meets horror novel gave me mixed vibes. After reading a few rave reviews, I was expecting something more mind-blowing, and honestly, until I reached the last third, I wasn’t sure what the hell I was reading. There were too many mysteries, unanswered questions about the hiding boy, why the entire family was running away, and why a group of kids was so obsessed with facing urban legends as if they were chasing their own deaths!

I also had a hard time connecting with the characters, who weren't layered enough and left me wondering why Nate fell for Max and what made her so special. Later, we learn more about the trio: Max has a soft spot for a couple next door, a wife suffering from dementia, and her devoted husband who used to give free candies to her when she was a kid. We also learn that Tyler is trying to cope with the high expectations of his crowded family, struggling to decide between sports and science, while Seb is still haunted by his family loss, grieving his big brother who died in a car accident in front of his eyes.

As for Nate, who might be the hero of our story, we know he comes from a broken family that might be running away from something related to Murder Road, where tragedies have struck the place several times, connected with the urban legend of the hiding boy, as they all suffer from insomnia. Why is the entire family dysfunctional? Why does Nate, a shy, skinny, introverted 16-year-old boy, do everything to avoid befriending three teenagers who are adamant about turning their group into a quartet to include him?

Until the last third, question marks were hanging over my head like bubble balloons. I felt like I was taking a long walk in the dark, trying to gather pieces, and I also hoped for some twist that would make this slow-burn horror path more interesting. There were some juicy parts, like the news columns found in the locker and the quartet’s urban legend explorations, that hinted at something eerie about Nate lurking sinister things. But when I reached the last third, with not-so-unexpected twists and explanations, along with some more semi-twists thrown our way, I thought, okay, things started to get interesting, and I also enjoyed the irritating conclusion that fit well with the entire nature of the plotline.

Overall, this book was slow-paced, and the characters didn't evoke much sympathy, but the writing style was unique, and the execution of events was refreshing, smart, and totally different from other books in the same genre. There were no clichés or stereotypical incidents that make you roll your eyes. That's why, even though I got a little impatient at first, I continued to read and tried to come up with some theories. Luckily, I couldn't predict the main twist, which increased my enjoyment.

That’s why I’m rounding up from 3.5 to 4 stars for reading something different and unexpectedly smart. I'm looking forward to reading more works by the author. The refreshing writing style absolutely intrigued me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for providing me with this digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Such an awesome thriller! There were so many twists and turns, and it kept my attention the whole time. Definitely pick this one up!

I've been reading Vincent Ralphs book ever since the debut. The writing in this one is the perfect example as to why. The opening chapter is what you can expect the whole way through.