I have not read Priest's writing in several years, but I remember both the evocative Eden series and the super-fun Clockwork Century. In many ways this felt like a love-letter to the style of horror novels I grew up with in the 80's mixed with some nice touches of dark Weirdness. Told through both flashbacks to the 80's and 90's as well as a cotemporary plotline, Priest does a great job building a uniquely creepy story that grows out of the relationships between the characters. This might be one of the best horror novels I read this year.

Many thanks to the publishers for my copy - all opinions are my own.

The Drowning House is one of the more unique horror books I've read this year - the setting and paranormal aspects of the plot feel fresh, and I love a book that has moving character POV's and timeline shifts. I loved that this story felt like a complicated puzzle with each piece slotting into place the further into the plot you went.

That being said, this also felt like a fairly slow burn for a good majority of the book for me, and I struggled just a bit with staying engaged at times. The intensity is there all the way through, but I really wanted more action in the first half. It did pick up as the last act came into play and there are some absolutely phenomenal shifts that scratch the itch for action - which generally made up for sticking with the slower action in the start.

Overall, an enjoyable read if you want something horror genre that isn't too overtly scary or gruesome!

**3.5-stars rounded up**

The Drowning House is the second book that I have read from Cherie Priest. The first being, Cinderwich, which I read earlier this year and thoroughly enjoyed. Upon finishing this one, I had to really sit and think how I would ultimately rate it. I've finally decided to round up to 4-stars, mainly because I just had such an enjoyable time with the experience of taking in this story.

I did Buddy Read this one with a friend, and as we were discussing it after we were both done, it made me realize, I really didn't understand what happened here as far as the conclusion goes. However, and this is a very big however, the journey getting to the end was so intensely-interesting for me that I don't even care. I genuinely-enjoyed this story and the process of trying to figure it out.

So, what's it all about?

In this story, we are following Melissa and Leo. They're adults now, but have been friends since childhood, having spent many Summers together on Marrowstone Island, a remote island in the Pacific Northwest.

Their other really good friend, Simon, recently reached out to them in distress from Marrowstone. In the middle of the night, during a terrible storm, a mysterious house ((yes, a house)) washed ashore on the beach adjacent to where Simon lives with his grandmother, Mrs. Culpepper. Seeing the house upon the sand, Mrs. Culpepper's heart stops. The woman who presided over these ruffians, Simon, Melissa and Leo, every Summer for years is now gone.

In the immediate aftermath, Simon reaches out to his friends, but by the time they are able to reach his Grandmother's house, Simon is nowhere to be found. What follows is Melissa and Leo digging in, trying to discover the truth behind that night, the mysterious house on the beach and Simon's sudden disappearance. They know he wouldn't just leave, so where is he?

From the very start, I was gobsmacked. This kicks off quickly as far as the events surrounding Simon and his grandmother, and then getting Melissa and Leo to the island. What in the hell was going on?

Then it slows down a little as Melissa and Leo re-acclimate to being around one another, settle in and decide what to do about Simon's disappearance. I enjoyed the slow burn of it and I did appreciate all the work that Priest put into these two main characters. Their relationship is complicated, as they both felt more deeply connected to Simon. Simon was really the link keeping them all together, and as the Reader, you get to watch these two process their feelings about Simon possibly being gone for good.

I wouldn't say either Melissa, or Leo, were particularly likable people, but I enjoy the messiness. Characters that are too perfect aren't generally believable to me anyway, so I was happy with what I was served here. Additionally, I like a lot of what Priest explored within this story. To me, it was a surprising blend of Folk Horror mixed with Occult elements and a solid mystery. It even at times, held a bit of a Cosmic Horror flair. The thing I appreciated most though, was the atmosphere.

Marrowstone Island was remote and isolated. The locals that Leo and Melissa interacted with while trying to find Simon, were helpful, but also a little odd. It had a very creepy vibe. With this being said, there is a lot happening at once. There's no denying that and it was hard to track at times, particularly in the later half. Once it got to a certain point, while I was following the action, I can't say I could explain to anyone what was actually happening, or what the true meaning of it was.

I'm also not really sure if that was Priest's intent, to leave much of it up to the Reader's own imagination, or if she had the answers there and I was too dense, or perhaps too distracted, to see them. Overall though, I walk away a happy girl and I'll continue to pick up Cherie Priest's work. I loved the mystery of it, so who cares if a lot of it is still a mystery to me.

Thank you to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm looking forward to seeing what Priest comes up with next. Her creativity cannot be denied!

When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew right then and there that this book would have me hooked. And have me hooked, it did! If you are a fan of Stephen King's writing, then I think you will really enjoy this book. There were a few times I had to double check to make sure it wasn't a Stephen King book.

This book will have you white knuckling your book as you try to figure out what is happening and what's going to happen next. Here's a hint, you won't be able to predict the ending of the book. There are so many twists and turns that once you think you know what is going to happen, something else happens and changes everything you thought you read.

What I loved most about this book is how that past and the present are interconnected with three different friends that are going through this nightmare. All of these stories are all tied together with the old worn down house that get's washed ashore onto a very much secluded beach. Where even more sketchy things start happening!

10/10 recommend this book to anyone and everyone. If I could rate it more than 5 stars, I totally would. I didn't stop thinking about this book for days after I read it!

I am still torn on whether or not I loved it. The synopsis drew me and I wanted my mind blown. Sadly, this book did not blow my mind. I loved the idea of this book more than the actual book m.

The Drowning House by Cherie is a captivating read set in a small coastal town, filled with mystery and family secrets. Cherie's evocative writing creates a haunting atmosphere that draws you in from the start. The story centers on a family burdened with hidden truths and a mysterious house key to their past.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of unexpected twists, making it an engaging and suspenseful read. If you enjoy atmospheric, character-driven mysteries, The Drowning House is highly recommended. It's a beautifully written novel that lingers in your mind long after you've finished it.

I reached an ARC of The Drowning House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you to the publisher Poisoned Pen Press and Cherie Priest for the opportunity to read and review!

The first half of the book sucked me in, and I was so engrossed in the story. The perspective flip flops between two childhood friends, who return to an area they frequented as children to support their best friend through the loss of his grandmother…when that friend has disappeared without a trace they start investigating and happen upon some magical history to a house they practically grew up in.

The character development was pretty dynamic, and I enjoyed the camaraderie between the two main characters as they dig through the past and present for clues to what has happened to their friend. The supernatural aspects threw me off a little bit, and made the book a little more eerie than I was expecting. All in all I would recommend it as a fast paced, slightly creepy read!

Thank you, #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress, for a chance to read this story in exchange for an honest review.

The idea of a creepy haunted house washing up on a beach was so exciting! The beginning of the novel captivated me from the start, and I found myself excited to meet these characters. I also liked the dual timelines that created an interesting parallel between the characters' childhoods and adult experiences on the island.

Despite the engaging premise and atmospheric setting, the story had its drawbacks. The dialogue felt a little bloated, with conversations that droned on without adding much to the overall story. This, coupled with the slow pacing, detracted from the book's potential to be a gripping read. While the third-person perspective effectively shifted between past and present, the slow start and extended dialogue made it hard to maintain interest. However, the solid supernatural elements and intricate backstories made for an overall engaging read. I liked this book, but I didn't love it like I really wanted to.

The story started off slow for me and never really picked up. By 30% I felt myself being pulled away. I decided to dnf.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for my gifted copy!

This one was disappointing for me.

I was really drawn to the premise of this one, but I found it to be overwhelmingly boring.

Most of the story is providing context of Leo, Melissa, and Simon’s past, and Leo and Melissa looking for Simon present day. Mostly they’re just going from place to place on the island Simon lives on, asking if they’ve seen him or know anything about his disappearance/his grandmother’s death.

The mystery surrounding the house and Charlotte’s past is barely touched on. All we got was a really short epilogue giving us the FAINTEST idea of what went on. Far too much of this book was spent on mundane, pointless events of the present rather than focusing on the actual meat of the story.

I did not jive with this book.

I appreciate Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this advance copy.

The basics are a couple of childhood friends investigating the disappearance of the third member of their trio, after a creepy old house washes up on the beach after a violent storm, and their childhood friend's grandmother is found dead.

That's the summary, but it doesn't convey the delicious sense of wrongness that makes this such a solid read. Childhood friends Leo and Melissa aren't likeable. Heck, they don't even like each other, but shared memories and their love for their friend Simon spur them into investigating after he vanishes without a trace. They uncover an ancient evil which has only been held at bay by protectors who are now unable to protect Marrowstone Island. If those with actual power couldn't stop a monster intent on taking over, what chance do two former misfits have?

Each clue Leo and Melissa uncover and each step they take adds to the unease and frissons of horror you'll feel. It honestly doesn't seem like they can win. They don't want to win. They don't want to be doing any of this. But, to find Simon, or to at least honor his memory if they can't, they do their best.

Why you should read this book: It's a good story, and just creepy enough for you to want to keep the lights on while you read it...and for awhile afterward, too. It's also a great story about how far we'll go for our friends.

Why you might not want to read it: The story is told in multiple POVs, and frankly, Leo and Melissa aren't people you'd want to spend a lot of time with. However, they do tell a good story, and there are also enough flashbacks and info on other characters to give you a break when you might need one.

I received an advance copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

4 out of 5 stars. Recommended.

“I HAVE WHAT I NEED AND I’LL TAKE WHAT I WANT”

The Drowning House
by Cherie Priest

This slow burn had me HOOKED on the atmosphere and then in the end, it was … fine. A mysterious house washes up on a small island village on the property of an elderly woman who is scared to death … literally. Leaving the grandson Simon who immediately calls for childhood best friends, Melissa and Leo who rush to his aid only to find he has disappeared.
For me it was the main characters that annoyed me and kept taking me out of the atmosphere and feelings that was so amazing in this story.

The author did a good job with a creepy thrilling start with the mysterious appearance of a house washing up, causing Mrs. Culpepper to drop dead and her grandson to go missing. And their is way more to that housewreck than meets the eye! Cue the two friends that used to summer with Simon to find out what happened and to keep the past from repeating itself. The premise was good and the subtle wrongness that Leo and Melissa keep feeling as they both search for Simon and dive into the mysterious past of the house kept me hooked, even when it got a bit confusing with the runes and the two sisters and Gunnar. I wish there had been a bit more explanation about Gunnar's plans and also more history about the sisters and how they learned magic.

I think if the story had gone more into the history, especially why you had the boys in the corners that only some could hear and see, that room in the basement, and what answered Gunnar then it would have been awesome. But is was pretty good and hard to put down and nicely creepy.

Melissa receives a phone call from her dear friend Simon about the sudden death of his grandmother. She and Leo, another childhood friend, rush to the island where they grew up. They discover Simon has vanished and an old house has washed up on shore, a house that might have scared Simon’s grandmother to death.

While the first half of the book felt a bit slow, it picked up significantly in the second half, where I found myself captivated by the magic and the mystery.

The bulk of the story is told through Melissa and Leo’s perspectives with a present time line as well as one that shows them with Simon and his grandmother in the past.

Both Melissa and Leo come with tons of baggage. She’s living in Seattle and enjoys her job as a graphic designer, but she doesn’t have a robust social life. Leo is an up and coming realtor, but he hasn’t found Mr. Right. While they have a common interest in supporting Simon and mourning the death of his grandmother, petty rivalries create obstacles. Once they learn to appreciate each other’s unique talents, they can focus on finding Simon and just maybe saving the world.

Priest excels in creating realistic characters, a spooky mood, and a weird world where old houses are swept to shore, whispers come from corners, and basements are beyond eerie. As a big fan of epilogues, I found this one to be the cherry on the top of a great read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press, an imprint of Sourcebooks, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.

I had high hopes for this book because the description reminded me of The Elementals by Michael McDowell. However, the book didn't resonate with me, and I didn't connect with any of the characters. I found myself losing interest halfway through. While I didn't vibe with the story, I think others might.

A haunting and gorgeous ride through a psychedelic and thriller of a book. This book did not disappoint. The characters were easy to identify with and the flow kept your interest and a good pace about itself. I didn't guess the ending and that makes me like this book just s bit more.

In all honesty this book grabbed me for the first 6 chapters and then it started to slowly decline for me. I’m all for weird and unusual stories but this was almost too boring and very slow paced for me to be able to enjoy.

Two days ago I got an email saying happy release date and relIzed I hadn’t read one of my most anticipated books yet! So I smashed it out using an ebook and audiobook combo and I’m so happy I did. I came for the sinister vibes and interesting premise, I stayed for the creepy house and immersive writing style! This atmospheric horror kept me hooked until the final page. Also can we have a moment for the cover.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen press for access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this one at 30%. I've promised myself that in the back half of this year, I'll stop forcing myself to push through books that I'm simply not enjoying, and I've hit that point with The Drowning House.

I had such high hopes going into this one that I was going to have the time of my life. I mean, a musty, decrepit old house washes up on a beach exuding a sinister aura? It sounds right up my alley. But the first 30% has moved so slowly and the flashbacks have been the most enjoyable part, which is hard when I'm here for a horror story. Also, and this is more of a personal reason, but the two characters you follow for the first act or so of the book are just not very likeable as people, and while I can get behind an unlikeable character, I can't handle that on top of a book that has bored me to the point that I've started other books instead of continuing it. So...yeah. I'd love to try another of Priest's books because the writing is great, but this one just falls flat for me compared to my expectations.

I enjoyed The Drowning House and appreciate getting a free copy from the publisher. There are interesting hints of the supernatural that I really enjoyed without it taking over the book. The Drowning House goes back in forth in time from present day to the mid-1980s and this is done really well, giving you information you need about the relationship of the three friends and their repeated summers on the island, before bringing you back to the present mystery of where is Simon and why is there a house on the beach.