Brief summary:

Elegy Thorne is trapped in her ancestral home by her ailing, controlling father, a collection of ghosts, and the expectations that have been passed down through generations.

My thoughts:

I was really excited to get this arc but it was just not for me. I'm normally a big fan of ghost stories, but this wasn't really much of a ghost story, it was more of a gothic tale of a woman fighting generational trauma. I'm not against those stories either, just wasn't quite what I was expecting.

It took until about 75% for me to actually be invested in this book. If it were not an arc I had promised to review, likely I would have given up around the 30-40% point. Now, I was reading this while dealing with some pretty stressful life situations, so we could blame it a bit on that, but reading is usually an escape for me, and the only escape I was getting here was me closing my iPad. There was a good ending, so I am glad I stuck it out, but it was quite a difficult journey in terms of readability.

I really enjoyed this book! If you’re looking to settle into a good spooky novel with Halloween coming up, I would give this book a chance!

super thrilling and downright addicting!! i loved this from start to finish. it was such a quick read because the content itself was so addicting you couldn't put the book down. i will definitely read more from this author.

This is not at all what I expected, in all the best ways. I thought this would have been more Casper the Friendly Ghost than Bly Manor but I was thrown off by how creepy and lonely this story felt. Poor Elegy, a perfect name that fits our gothic and haunted FMC. She’s unapologetically weird and is comfortable being different, but those things were forced upon her being a Thorne and the next to inherited her extremely gothic and haunted house.

Even though she is surrounded by the undead and a few family members, she is extremely lonely. Forced to stay in her home and small town, she lives through her friends adventures while she longs for her own. She has excepted she can never want for anything because of the life she was born in to. She is bound to her house and inheritance, no matter how little the ghosts listens to her. All of that is okay until she meets Atticus and he makes her realize there could be more to her life.

I love the little transformation she has throughout this story. She grows more confident and into herself. She learns more about her life and family history and learns it’s okay to want. I adored the ending of this book and was satisfied with pretty much everything. My only qualm was how quick the relationship between Elegy and Atticus developed.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to babysit a bunch of ghosts, then Thorne Hall by J. Ann Thomas is the book for you. Elegy Thorne lives in an eerie, atmospheric mansion where she’s surrounded by spirits and bound by the constraints of a bygone era, thanks to her father’s strict expectations. As the future heir to Thorne Hall, she’s set to inherit not just the house, but its ghostly inhabitants. To avoid being overpowered by them, she’ll need to learn how to navigate their haunting presence. This book is a prime example of horror done right. If you’re a fan of gothic chills!

J. Ann Thomas's book, The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall, is a gripping mix of gothic fantasy and romance. It pulls you into a world where time doesn’t matter and the past still haunts the present. The story follows a young woman who ends up living in a mansion full of ghosts, each with their own stories and secrets. This spooky setting highlights themes of love, freedom, and the messy emotions we all deal with.

The plot is about the main character, Elegy, who suddenly finds herself surrounded by spirits trapped in a mansion that seems frozen in time. She’s got to choose between a love that’s off-limits and her own freedom. This internal battle drives the story, taking readers on a journey through desire and sacrifice. The ghosts, representing different parts of the main character's struggles, add depth and make the book more than just a romance; it's also about self-discovery and the hunt for autonomy.

Thomas's writing is easy to get lost in, with detailed descriptions and a story that moves at a good pace. She creates an atmosphere that's both creepy and magical, bringing readers into the mansion's eerie vibes. The vivid setting, dim hallways, creaky floors, and whispers from the past, adds tension and mystery. This gothic setting pulls you in, making you feel like you're walking through the mansion's shadowy halls alongside the main character.

The characters are well-rounded, making the story even richer. The main character feels real as she deals with her emotions and decisions. The ghosts, even though they're not alive anymore, are complex, showing us bits of their past lives and why they're still hanging around. The way these characters interact deepens the story, with moments of tension and tenderness.

Some readers might say the plot relies too much on gothic clichés, which could make it predictable for hardcore gothic fans. But Thomas's unique voice and emotional characters give a fresh take, keeping the story engaging. The forbidden love angle, mixed with the main character's fight for independence, gives readers lots to think about when it comes to love and the things we give up for it.

The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall combines love, freedom, and the supernatural awesomely. With its spooky setting, well-crafted characters, and engaging writing style, J. Ann Thomas's debut is perfect for readers who appreciate a thoughtful exploration of gothic romance.

I would die for Elegy (pun absolutely intended). the Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall is a delight from start to finish, and the perfect Halloween story to add to my collection! Recommended for fans of The Widow of Rose House, for sure.

This modern-day gothic novel has a lot to recommend it, including some wonderfully original ghosts, a lovely romance, and a story about the bonds of friendship. I felt like the "why can't we banish the ghosts" question popped up too late in the book, and there were a few things logic-wise that took me out of the story. But overall it's a good read.

The Spirit Collection of Throne Hall is a truly captivating tale of forbidden love, restless haunting spirits and self-discovery. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal, historical fiction and romances. I would love to own the physical copy of this book.

The tale follows Elegy, a young woman, who was forced into a life revolving around the fourteen spirits bound to the Thorne Hall mansion. A bleak life full of century old decaying house fittings, out-dated mannerisms and old moth-eaten attire. Until one particularly naughty spirit wreaked havoc in the kitchen and reinforcements were called. The family's trusted preservationist (AKA repair man) brings his son, Atticus and instantly Elegy and Atticus are captivated by each other. The story follows Elegy's internal and external battles of choosing between her duty to Thorne Hall and her desire to follow her heart and leave it all behind.

This book is unlike any other book I've read. I was truly captivated at the level and expertise in which the spirits were portrayed and how the events of the story played out. I really enjoyed the physical descriptors and features the spirits had; it was unexpected but added to the thrill of the book. Especially all the uncertainty and unpredictable behaviour the spirits possessed. I enjoyed getting to know the individual spirits personalities and backstories; however, it was a little difficult to keep track of all of them and I often found myself backtracking to try and remember who exactly they were. I did also find myself wanting to see a little more connection between Elegy and the spirits, especially ones she was closer to. I believe it would have made the ending slightly more impactful. In regard to the Epilogue, it was nice and cute to read, however it felt unnecessary, and I would have preferred to go without or perhaps not so far into the future.

Elegy and Atticus. I loved their bond and their connection. The small interactions and the denial. The angst. I was on my toes and could not stop reading. I was vying for them from the start. It was such a beautiful and captivating tale; however, I would have liked to see a little more building and connection as I personally was getting 'INSTANT-LOVE' vibes. I would have loved to see/read about small in-between moments, where I would be shown the love and connection, they have. Rather than being told about it.

I've rated this book 3.75 stars as it was a little confusing to read to begin with which made it hard to get into the book and I, personally, was left wanting to see more in-depth connections and relationships throughout. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Slow moving at the start but so worth it to push through! I really enjoyed this spooky fall book! I love a good gothic setting and this did not disappoint. Lots of ghosts and twisty turns. Will be recommending to my fellow spooky readers.

Elegy Thorne lives at Thorne Hall amongst many ghosts. She lives speaking and dressing like a woman from another era. Her father insists upon this. As the lady of the house Elegy will inherit Thorne Halls ghosts when her father passes away. She will have to learn to master them before they master her.
If you want to know what babysitting ghosts is like this is the book for you. I really loved this book so much it's definitely horror done right!

The amount of names for the living people and the ghosts were confusing at first but over time, and with personality descriptions, it became easier. A little slow at first but it felt very atmospheric and I love a good ghost(s) story. I liked the addition of the songs and lyrics as well.

To be honest, I almost DNF’d this. (I was so stoked when I got the arc on Netgalley too.) The beginning was slow and the amount of ghosts was almost overwhelming. Dude…am I happy I stuck with it. It did get better. With its modern gothic atmosphere and a slow burn romance that paid off BIG TIME oh, and all those side characters really did get easier to keep up with. It kind of reminded me of Crimson Peak at times!

Modern Gothic done well is difficult to find; outstanding modern gothic is exceedingly rare. The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall is surprising in that while the expected broody manse, haunting spirits and sinister vibes are all well and accounted for, J. Ann Thomas turns this story into a memorable one by including found family, a slow burn romance, and even some spice. The cast of characters is long; I’ve seen some complaints about this, but I had no issue keeping up, because all of their personalities are so fleshed out. I will say the first third tends to be slow, but the atmospheric writing, along with a main character you’re rooting so hard for (and a romance that’s so slow burn and hot), and the side quests all hold your attention. The ending is surprising but brings the appropriate resolution to what is a wonderful story about letting go to find the love we all deserve. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and thanks to Alcove Press for the advance readers copy. I will be adding the hardcover edition to my
shelf when it releases February 2025.

I found this book really slow to start, but based on other reviews, I stuck with it and was pleasantly surprised! It was beautifully written, very atmospheric. I was hoping for Crimson Peak vibes and was not disappointed. Will definitely be purchasing this when it releases in the real world!

this was absolute PERFECTION. it serves the most perfectly atmospheric read and the spooky vibes were top notch as someone who’s trying to get into the fall mindset!!!! i loved everything about this gothic story and the writing was positively gorgeous. i 100% recommend this one!!!!

I really hate to DNF a book but I had to with this one. I just did not enjoy reading it enough to finish

I have this weird habit where I DNF a book if it fails to get my attention by the 15% mark. The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall, with it’s slow pace almost made me put the book down for good, and yet something told me to stay for the ride. And I am glad that I did.

Elegy Thorne is bound to Thorne Hall and its fourteen spirits by blood, honor, and a promise made more than a hundred years ago by her ancestor. When Atticus Hart arrives and shakes up Elegy’s frame of mind, hope blooms within her as she fights against the curse wrought upon her bloodline.

Elegy’s characterization was by far the strongest point of the novel. Her simultaneous want for freedom and her acknowledgement that she can never have it is at the core of her being and all the decisions she makes. Her stalwart determination in the face of grim circumstances is a product of her grisly upbringing and it all ties in to the story.

Her relationships however, are a bit lacking. After all, there are several (living and dead) to which she has an established connection with. But even if I did think that we could have spent more time building deeper relationships, I still found myself misty eyed as I ended the book.

This book contains a lot of descriptions of architecture and fashion, both of which lends to the modern gothic atmosphere of the story. I, at times, found myself at a loss when trying to picture the grandeur of it all, but I still found myself fully immersed in the story.

There is a lot to take in with this book, especially with such a wide range of characters to keep track of. From Elegy’s ancestors, the Collection, Elegy’s friends both new and old, there is much to remember and much to be read about. I often found myself losing interest at the amount of infodumping that came after a character was introduced. I spent a lot of time reading and re-reading passages because I could not make heads nor tails of the prose or dialogue or descriptions. But at the end, it still lent itself to the story.

Overall, I am happy with my decision to finish this book rather than shelving it. Though I do have to say for future readers: stick with the book until the 35% mark!

What if your family inheritance was a collection of more or less murderous ghosts that you had to keep in check so that they didn't hurt the world? What if that kept you locked in a decaying manor, away from all changes, from any modernity, because change angered the undead...
The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall is a fantastic gothic novel, amazingly well written and exceedingly atmospheric. I enjoyed it a lot despite some clumsiness and a couple of plot-holes.
I did not think the last chapter was necessary at all, I would have vastly preferred not to have it, but I enjoyed all the rest so much, I won't complain too much. Though it did lose the book 1 star, I really disliked the implications of that resolution.
This was a fresh stand alone take on gothics and I recommend to anyone who likes "All the Murmuring Bones", "The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt" or "Mexican Gothic".
Elegy was a lovely character to follow and all the gothic feels shone bright.

The fantastic opening drew me in immediately! The number of ghosts was a bit excessive but I loved that they ranged from friendly and mischevious to downright malevolent. The real, physical threat they posed, as well as the uncertainty around when they would be released from the father's control was nerve-wracking and made the book hard to put down. I only had a couple of issues. Elegy's personal evolution included quite a bit of unnecessary stubbornness which, at times, made her rather unlikeable. The other aspect was her friends and the 'real world' outside Thorne Hall. They were quite jarring in comparison with the wonderfully gothic atmosphere elsewhere, but I suppose that's unavoidable when setting it in present day and so is a reflection of my preferences, rather than a shortcoming of the book.