“Curiosity killed the cat and the snooping seventeen-year-old girl.”


Like everyone else, I've been obsessed with Josh Malerman since I read BIRD BOX, and I've been happily devouring everything with his name on it ever since. When I saw A HOUSE AT THE BOTTOM OF A LAKE was being rereleased, I jumped at the chance to request it on NetGalley. I wasn't quite sure what it was about aside from it being a horror tale about a house literally at the bottom of a lake, but it did have Malerman's name on it so I was sure I'd like it to some degree. While it turned out just a little differently than what I expected, it was still enjoyable nonetheless.

This little short story isn't exactly horror and it isn't exactly a thriller, falling instead in some weird grey area between the two. There are a few moments where you expect to be given a frgiht and Malerman delivers, albeit very, very subtly. Where this little gem shines though is in it's ability to make you think and wonder with its use of metaphors and symbolism. I'm pretty sure the entire premise is one big psychological metaphor, and I'm still left deciphering it and questioning parts of it days after I've finished.

All told, A HOUSE AT THE BOTTOM OF A LAKE is a weird little gem of a story that gives readers plenty of things to think about and chew on. But be warned -- if you're looking for the traditional thrills and chills kind of horror, you won't find it here.

*eARC received courtesy of NetGalley and Del Rey Books.

This is so weird. Is this poetry? Is this horror? Is this fantasy? I have no idea but I love it. I read this in one sitting pacing, heart pounding, anxiety riddled. Would recommend.

On their first date, seventeen-year-olds James and Amelia went canoeing on a lake and discovered a normal but unusual house at the bottom of the lake.
They were deeply fascinated by it, and decided to dive deeper to explore it, not knowing that their lives would change forever.
A House At The Bottom Of A Lake is a very original, appalling thriller brimful of mysteries and hideousness! I highly recommend it to fans of such genre!
Josh Malerman is an outstanding author who is adept at transforming ordinary letters and words into extraordinary hair-raising suspenseful thrillers.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Del Rey/Random House for this enjoyable thriller.
#NetGalley
#AHouseAtTheBottomOfALake

Malerman is undeniably on fire. I have yet to be unimpressed by something he has written, and as a picky, selfish reader like myself, that's a powerful statement.

Malerman draws you into each story with wonderfully written characters and a plot that continuously develops, leading you to keep reading one more chapter, just one more, until the books is finished.

I just did that thing where you accidentally stay up until 4am because you just can’t NOT finish a book.

I might change my mind and give this 5 stars...

I definitely found this suspenseful. I couldn’t put it down because I HAD to know. Just like them. I wouldn’t call it horror. It kind of reminded me of an Are You Afraid if the Dark? episode. Not a specific one, but just that kind of feeling.

I’m not sure how I feel about the ending which is why I gave it 4 stars. But I’m sitting here trying to figure it all out now, though, so that might just make the ending perfect.

This novella leaves a lot to talk about. It would be perfect for a book club read, or maybe even to read as a class. Is it one giant metaphor? Is it magical realism? Did I even just read this?? I have questions. They have questions!!! Life just isn’t fair sometimes with these lack of answers.

I have to thank NetGalley for letting me read a copy of this.

Well this was real weird and creepy little book! I don’t always read horror, but I liked Bird Box and was really intrigued when I heard about this one. Two teens on a first date to a lake come across a fully submerged, fully furnished house and can’t seem to stop themselves from exploring it. Pretty quickly their romantic feelings and this compulsion to explore get tangled up and things start to get creepy. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know the answers to the questions the main characters agreed not to ask, for fear of breaking the spell. Why? How? ...Who?

I'm embarrassed by how long it took me to read this short novella. I just couldn't stay focused while reading, probably because I felt like I was holding my breath the entire time I was reading. The atmosphere and vibe of this story can be explained with one word: unsettling. The story wasn't necessarily scary, which made me even more uncomfortable reading because you just know something isn't right with everything. I was interested in this mystery house and what the secret behind it was and I loved watching James and Amelia fall in love. It felt so realistic reading about these two kids getting to know each other and being nervous around each other, while simultaneously exploring this strange underwater house. I can see why a lot of people might be upset or confused by the ending but I liked how things ended a bit more open ended.

I really enjoyed the author’s writing style in this book. The characters and subject matter also were very interesting to me. The thought of a house abandoned (or is it?) beneath the surface also struck me as fascinating.

Suspend reality, curl up in your favorite reading spot, have a couple hours to binge, grab your favorite drink, and don't ask how or why!

This book sucks you in and won't let go. The setting itself is almost a character in the story. The story was creepy, but the reader is also always aware that the main characters are under water and relying on an air hose. This to me was even scarier than the story. I read it so quickly, all the while feeling claustrophobic, that I might need to go back to enjoy the decsriptions I flew over.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read a proof of this book.

I was very excited to get my hands on this book because I am a huge fan of "Bird Box" by this same author. I found "A House at the Bottom of a Lake" to be absolutely exhilarating! I was on edge and had chills pretty much the entire time I read this book, which is not normal for me and I read and watch A LOT of horror. Just something about it that's hard to put into words. Just read it! If you are a fan of horror or fantasy bordering on horror - read it! I will say it does lose one star from me because the ending just felt.. I don't know.. flat. I do not regret reading it due to this though. I just wish there were an extended ending somewhere or a sequel coming out.

Summary: Love is in the air when Amelia and James, two nervous teens, head out onto the lake for their very first date. It seems like the perfect spot, beautiful and serene, but they will soon discover that there is more to this lake than meets the eye. Below the water sits something impossible—a fully furnished, two-story house just waiting to be explored, almost as if it was put there just for them. And maybe it was, because every trip they take into the house brings them closer and closer together, until the love for each other and the love for the house have become one in the same. It seems like paradise, but as strange things start to happen, the two lovers can’t help but wonder; are they alone in this house at the bottom of a lake? It would seem not.

Josh Malerman’s re-released short novel, A House at the Bottom of a Lake, doesn’t stray far from its titular promise, but it really doesn’t need to. The premise is intriguing, the execution is gratifying, and the added touch of dark, whimsical magic—à la Neil Gaiman—is especially endearing, even in a relatively small space. Add to this an effective balance of skin-crawling creep factor and nostalgia-tickling teen romance, and what you get is a unique story that never fails to dive enthusiastically into the very things that make it different. Hardcore fans of the horror genre might find it a little tame, especially in comparison to Malerman’s other work—most notably the critically acclaimed Bird Box—but the true value of this novel is not measured in monsters alone, proving that the maze can be just as compelling as the Minotaur.

The length and depth of the story will be where most people stumble, and the abrupt ending leaves a bit to be desired, but there is something to say for calculated brevity, especially in the hands of a storyteller like Malerman, who’s love for the strange and unusual shines through on every page. In the end, nothing can take away from what is, in the grand scheme of things, an endearing character study of two likable teens who are falling in love for the very first time. Some may be left wanting more, and others may find themselves scratching their heads trying to figure out the bigger picture, but, for those who can appreciate this story for what it is and not what it isn’t, there is more than enough proof that big things can come in small packages.

Verdict:

From any angle, Josh Malerman’s A House at the Bottom of a Lake is sure to please, even if its smaller size and limited scope holds it back from making any top ten lists. However it ranks, this spooky little novel has a lot to offer, and we feel confident that most people will finish it for the same reason they started it; because there is a house at the bottom of a lake, and that’s pretty damn cool.

I think this is categorized incorrectly as horror. Maybe mystery or thriller. I like the premise of this story and it was a quick read.

A House At The Bottom Of The Lake. This is my fourth Josh Malerman book. It is completely diffrent from what he is most know for. Bird Box the dystopian world where you must cover your eyes to be safe. In A House At The Bottom Of The Lake you have an Neil Gaiman style cramp fire tale mixed with a eerie presence. You are on the edge while reading is this going to be a happy ending or eerie? Short quick fun read.

This was an incredibly spooky and unsettling book about first love. Framed by two teens exploring an impossible house at a bottom of a lake, they fall in love but begin to wonder what th reality of the house may mean for them. This kept me on the edge of my seat, heart racing. The ending was a little disappointing, but it still works for the most part.

The first half of the book really had me interested. I was willing to suspend my disbelief and follow the rules of the world that was being built, but the second half really threw me. I was expecting some payoff and ultimately was left confused. I didn't need everything spelled out to me, but there was a shift from things feeling like magical realism to more metaphorical and that just didn't work for me. Maybe if it felt more metaphorical earlier on I may have liked it more, but I was hoping this story would push a bit more and get deeper into horror.

This was the freakiest book I have ever read. It was extremely verbose with no characterization. I was very disappointed.

I received an ebook ARC from NetGalley and this is my voluntary, honest review.

Sort of a crazy-weird love story. Not actually what you'd expect from the debut novelist of "The Bird Box". This is not a post-apocalyptic horror novel. But, rather a graceful magical novella spiced with nostalgia and a burgeoning relationship between two seventeen-year olds. Amelia enters the hardware store searching for a hose replacement, but this is forgotten when mutual sparks fly when she encounters James. James is smitten at first site of Amelia and immediately proposes an unusual first date. Not a coffee or movie date, but a canoe trip, next Saturday morning. The first lake is beautiful but doesn't compare to the gorgeous smaller connecting second lake. While traversing this lake they notice a small drainage tunnel and cannot help but explore. The canoe barely fits the narrow passage and unexpectedly they are expelled into yet a third lake. Much smaller and not as pretty, but yet has a sense of overwhelming isolation and wonder. As they journey around the lake a sudden bizarre event occurs. As they gaze into the waters they note the impossible presence of a house submerged at the bottom of the lake. Unable to avoid their wonderment, they dive into the lake to explore this phenomena. How could a two-story house, fully furnished, with even a basement exist? James is perplexed how nothing is floating inside ... it all seems to defy the natural laws of science. They decide to take scuba lessons and return to conduct a thorough investigation. As their obsession to explore expands, so does their feelings for each other. What starts as an infatuation, gradually grows into a loving relationship. Amelia insists that they not ask, the "hows and whys" of the house ( almost a pleading not to burst the "magical bubble" )
Malerman utilizes short enchanting chapters from each teenager's point of view to create a fast paced and propulsive narrative. An unexpected sense of dread and foreboding pervades the tale ... waiting for the proverbial sinister shoe to drop.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine Publishing for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.

So, I like everyone else really enjoyed Bird Box and I had heard of this book or lets call it a novella. So when it popped up on netgalley I was very excited. Obviously it is a short novella, so you can read it in one sitting. My biggest problem is how it is being marketed right now. THIS IS NOT HORROR. Friends, this is not even scary. This is not a thriller either. Perhaps a little mystery, but we get no resolve there.

Here is your quick rundown of the story. Teens meet, decide on a date, and go canoeing on said date. While canoeing they find secret lake #1 then find secret lake #2. Secret lake 2 is weird and the fish float sideways and wow there is a house under the lake. Kids are curious and start to explore. House is in perfect condition just underwater. And there we go, there is the whole story. Things go bump in the house. Kids get scared but keep coming. Things are weird. The end.

No joke, that's it. It is not at all scary or what I would call horror. I think the publishers are doing Mr. Malerman a disservice by calling it that. Readers expecting one thing are going to be very disappointed. Just like I was.

2.5 stars rounded to 3 because honestly if it had been marketed differently I would have expected a different story.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for an advanced copy to read and review.

Hmmmm...still not sure what I just read. It's not horror. It's not scary. It's a little more twilight zone wtf.

"Taking turns in a crazy place. Sounded like...like love"

But it's a twilight zone episode that explores the awkwardness of falling in love and (view spoiler)

Unique for sure. Dreamlike at times. But there is so much left unexplored that leaves the reader scratching their head. But I'm guessing that is the point from the author who wrote Bird Box.

***Copy obtained from Random House Publishing-Ballantine via Netgalley***