This was a unique and fun take on a Gothic ghost story! The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall follows Elegy, a woman living a haunted house and bound to attend the ghosts as her father’s heir to the collection. I enjoyed that I didn’t know what to expect as the story unfolded. The love story was adorable too! I would recommend this book for lovers of ghost stories and creepy mansions.

The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall was fascinating in premise, but lacking in execution. While I found the idea of the spirit collection fascinating, the novel loses much of its steam by focusing on Elegy's internal misery and not providing enough character work from its supporting cast. Many characters felt one-dimensional - Fletcher the stepmother driven mad, Floss the rich but caring friend, and even love-interest Atticus. He more than all of them felt underdeveloped; Elegy and Atticus are instantly in love and he is ultimately the perfect man, the only conflict in their relationship coming when Elegy's arranged betrothal is revealed to him. But that's easily resolved when she shows up on his doorstep and asks to sleep with him. The coven of "canny" magic users felt unnecessary, since it is really only Dorian who assists in the climax. Ultimately, the canny folk feel diluted across too many characters. Dorian's particular reveal was moderately surprising but poorly executed. We also completely loose the staff - the Griswolds and Lucy - in the climax of the story and no word is ever given of what happened to these only people to care for Elegy outside of the dead. I also had a hard time reconciling the character of Fletcher, who seems a headstrong capable woman, but allows herself to be trapped in the attic for 13 years. There doesn't seem to be any way for Thaddeus and the collection to reach people when they escape the house. So why didn't she? In the end, while the idea of the spirit collection haunting Thorne house and the Thornes themselves was interesting - and the ghosts hauntingly brought to life in the novel - I found myself more aggravated by the story and the unrealized stakes of Elegy's servitude. She hates her father, and the house, so why did she never just leave? The stakes are ill defined which makes the rest of Elegy's suffering seem self-imposed more than anything else.

This captivating novel will enthrall readers who are drawn to atmospheric, slow-burning Gothic fantasies, where romance, horror, and mystery intertwine. It will particularly appeal to those who delight in stories of forbidden love, haunted mansions, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. Fans of ghostly tales with a touch of the supernatural will find themselves immersed in the eerie and suspenseful world that the author has created.

With its richly-drawn characters, evocative setting, and intricate plot, this book promises to be a mesmerizing and unforgettable read. The author skillfully weaves together elements of Gothic literature, such as dark secrets, hidden desires, and supernatural occurrences, to create a story that is both chilling and alluring. The atmospheric setting of the haunted mansion adds an extra layer of intrigue and suspense, while the slow-burning romance and the characters' struggle for freedom will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was a slow and atmospheric novel about a young woman expected to uphold the family legacy. This would not be so bad if the family legacy wasn't controlling fifteen spirits tied to the family bloodline, each with its own idiosyncrasies and range of bloodthirstiness. She unexpectedly meets a handsome stranger and suddenly gets hope that her life can get better.

It's a bit on me for not reading the synopsis or comments as close as I should have, but this novel leaned wayyyyyyy heavier into the romance than the paranormal mystery when I was expeecgubg ut ti be the other way around. I'm a lot more of a fan of ghosts and spooky Gothic vibes than I am of romance novels, so this one just fell a little flat to me, especially since the romance was insta-love and felt very forced at the beginning.

I definitely this novels' themes of escaping societal constraints and expectations, as well as the writing style, it's just that the content was not quite for me. I desperately craved more of the Dorian, Brio, Thistle and other canny folks group, as well as Floss and Hugo and their friendship with Elegy. I think if they were a bit more central to the story and the romance was less central, I may have enjoyed it a bit more. BUT all that is just my reading and genre preference. This book has an audience that will LOVE it. It's just not me.

Publication date: 11 February 2025

A horror that is more creepy than scary, the real star of this novel is the atmosphere and the main character's characterization. It's a gothic horror, though on the whimsical side. A solid 3.5, but I round up!

If you enjoy gothic stories, but specifically Rebecca, you will enjoy this. I mention Rebecca not because this is a psychological horror by any means but because of the style of the prose. One of the tenets of the main character, Elegy's, lifestyle in the manor house is that she has to dress and act in Edwardian style, which is also reflected in how she talks. This is also reflected in the style in which the novel is written. While it's nothing like Victorian domestic fiction, it is a slower-moving and more languid novel than most horror today. It has more in common with Wilkie Collins than Starling House, for example, but that doesn't mean there isn't swearing and sex and violence. In truth, part of Elegy's character arc is learning to break free of the anachronism barriers her father has placed around her, including a really spicy sex scene.

Elegy herself is a likeable character, as we all like a smart but sheltered young woman wishing to break free of the chains that bind her. She has been mentally abused by her father her entire life, with his intention being that she will be the caretaker of the house when he dies. The closer he gets to death, as he's quite ill, the more she subconsciously sees that she does not have to abide by his rules. The story is just as much about getting rid of ghosts as it is about getting rid of an abusive parent.

The side characters, those who aren't ghosts, are fun. While we don't get a ton on them, they have a great dynamic, and the dialogue between characters really snaps.

The prose, as I mentioned, is really engaging, and while the plot is slow, it is such because there's a lot of detail provided. We know Elegy inside and out by the end of the novel, though more focus on the ghosts would have made the climax a lot stronger. While I loved the concept of the ghosts and how they were from different time periods and all of them had their particular quirks, I didn't feel like I knew the ghosts at all; some of them were only mentioned in passing until nearly the end of the story. In truth, while I was super into the novel while reading it, I had a lot of questions by the end.

The love story angle was also a little bit too rushed and insta-love. While I understood Atticus was the main impetus for Elegy to start thinking her life could go a different direction, I didn't really get his attraction to her. While I definitely enjoyed the spicy scene, and they did seem like a compatible couple in some ways, certain aspects of their relationship felt a bit too 'romance' novel, and there wasn't a great deal of sexual tension as it moved quite quickly. There were aspects about it I really enjoyed, though - it wasn't corny or anything; I just am not an insta-love person.

In terms of being a horror, while the novel had a few creepy parts, it really is not scary, and at times, it is almost whimsical, just in case you were looking to shit your pants. Your undergarments will remain unsoiled, but the book is very fun, and I definitely enjoyed it.

Read this if you enjoy:
- sprawling, haunted mansions
- a young woman breaking away from her demented father
- rich people parties in period dress

Thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press and J Ann Thomas for an eARC copy of “The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall”

The Haunted Mansion, but make it PG-13. Slow-paced, atmospheric, ghouly and perfect for those who enjoy cheesy Halloween movies/shows.

Elegy Thorne has known her whole life that eventually she will become Mistress of Thorne Manor and will be the only one who can control the spirits who haunt the ancestral home. But what she wasn’t expecting was to fall in love with a man who makes her rethink all of her choices. While the beginning of this book was a slower start and I was worried it would be like this the whole time, I’m so glad I continued reading! I enjoyed reading about the relationships Elegy has built with each of the spirits and the delicate balance between life and death.

Release date: February, 11th 2025

Thank you Netgalley & Alcove Press for an eARC ❤️

Not What I Expected, But Totally Obsessed!🤩

I dove into this book thinking it'd be a lighthearted, ghostly tale, but what I got was a dark, atmospheric story that totally captivated me. 😍
Elegy, the main character, is a total kindred spirit - she's quirky, relatable, and stuck in a life that's not really hers. I loved how she's just trying to navigate this weird world she's been born into, with all its ghostly inhabitants and creepy family secrets. And despite being surrounded by all these...unconventional characters, she's deeply lonely and yearning for adventure.
As I read, I was totally invested in Elegy's journey. Watching her grow and transform was amazing - she becomes more confident, self-assured, and willing to take risks. And I loved how she's not afraid to be herself, even when that means being a little weird.
The romance with Atticus was sweet, but it did feel a bit rushed. I mean, I get it, love can move fast, but I wanted a bit more build-up. Still, the rest of the story was so engrossing that I barely even noticed. The ending was super satisfying, and I loved how everything came together.
One thing that really stood out to me was the atmosphere of the book. The author does an amazing job of creating this creepy, Gothic world that's just begging to be explored. And Elegy's family home? Forget about it - that place is like a character in its own right.
I'm so glad I took a chance on this book. It was a wonderful surprise, and I'm totally obsessed! If you're into Gothic vibes, creepy mansions, and self-discovery, you'll devour this book.❤️

P.S. Can someone please turn this into a Netflix series? I need more Elegy and Atticus in my life!_

Honestly I put off reading this book, my hopes were so high it actually made me nervous to start it. I mean … what if it didn’t live up to expectations?!
But it did! And now I’m sat here wondering why I haven’t read it before now.
I live a good ghost story and this one didn’t disappoint. Once you get past the kinda slow beginning you get this beautifully written story.

An interesting take on the Gothic novel, Elegy is frozen in time but Atticus has arrived and changed things (there's-be warned-instalove). This moves slowly (perhaps a bit too slowly) but fans of the genre, which is seeing a resurgence, will appreciate the small details woven into the tale. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall by J. Ann Thomas is a contemporary twist on a gothic tale, offering readers an original and chilling ghost story. This captivating coming-of-age romance, infused with paranormal elements, kept me eagerly turning the pages.

4 Stars

The premise of this book was really intriguing. A woman, Elegy Thorne, literally frozen in time looking over this Hall/Manor. I loved the overall atmosphere and vibes that this brought, as it is told in modern day while Elegy is stuck in gothic times. This gives a really unique feeling of dark and light. Not only that she is living with all these spirits and not all of them are kind, but are vengeful.

The characters of this book are really well done. I found myself really rooting for Elegy to find her way out, while enjoying the romance that blossomed throughout the book. The MMC was really well cast and I found both her/his characters enjoyable. I also really liked that we get to know each of the ghosts that Elegy is living with.

The plot this book however is pretty slow and this could be off-putting for some. I didn't mind it but I did wish at times it was just a big quicker and engaging. Overall though I really did enjoy this one and I think I will be re-reading it again but in an audiobook format.

For a debut novel this was really great. I can't wait to see what else J. Ann Thomas comes up with as her story telling is unique and beautiful.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this advance reader copy. This review is voluntarily my own.

I quit reading at 50%. I was so bored and I didn't care what happened to any of the characters. I couldn't get a sense of the place- we're told we're in Massachusetts, but it might as well be in England since the folk songs are all English (and why is that, since there are plenty of American folk songs?). The language felt like the story was set in the 19th century, but we're told repeatedly that it's set in the 20th century. The dialogue sounds artificial, and it didn't read like a gothic novel at all. I was looking forward to reading this one since I love gothic novels, but it was very disappointing.

This book started out slow with a lot of descriptions and characters. There was a very strong gothic atmosphere, which was boosted by the way the characters in Thorne Hall dress and speak as if they are in the 1890s still.

The juxtaposition of the gothic hall and the modern world outside was really interesting. Elegy almost felt like a different person in the hall and outside of it. I liked the romance, but it felt very insta-love. I would’ve liked to see them connect a little bit more outside of the drama of the ghosts.

I had some trouble keeping track of the ghosts, but I did enjoy reading about their interactions with Elegy and her father. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with this type of ghosts and fantasy premise, so I really appreciated the creativity of it!

Thank you, NetGalley, and Alcove Press, for this eARC.

I think the idea of this book is fantastic but could've been executed better.
At times it was a little too slow for my liking, and I found myself easily predicting where it was going. I think I was expecting more of an eerie gothic horror than a gothic romance. All in all, it was a fun read at times and think it just wasn't my style, definitely a great spooky season read though!

This wasn't a bad book, it just wasn't really to my taste. It was a little bit too cutesy for my liking, but I thought the concept was really interesting and a lot of readers will love this!

Perfect for Halloween. It’s atmospheric and gothic with a romance that stops it becoming too dark. I loved the setting and characters but sometimes found the writing style a bit dense. The beginning was slow but worth getting through

Thank you to J. Ann Thomas, Alcove Press, and NetGalley for an eARC of The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall!

3/5 Stars

This concept of this book really drew me in. Set in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, Elegy and her father live in a mansion filled with spirits. Elegy is basically training to take over when her father dies, which he soon will. But Elegy is struggling to control the spirits and keep them in line. Elegy has accepted that she will live in the mansion forever, unable to leave and forced to marry her childhood friend to simply "produce an heir" until she meets Atticus and she realizes she may want more from her life.

I loved the setting. I'm from MA and went to college out near the Berkshires, so it was fun to read about the area and be able to create an accurate picture in my mind based on the descriptions. I also really loved the description of the house. It was basically another character in the book and gave the book a really gothic feel.

I wasn't super enamored with the characters, though Elegy's dad did absolutely disgust me. Atticus and Elegy's relationship seemed to move super fast from the time they first met, especially for someone like Elegy who hadn't ever been in a relationship before. I didn't feel like their interactions warranted such quick feelings. I also really wanted Fletcher, Elegy's stepmother, to get more air time! She was kind of a b*tch, but also really funny. I felt bad for her sometimes, but also didn't because she chose her life whereas Elegy was born into it. Either way, by the end of the book, I wanted her to get a happy ending too.

My overall feelings: This was an interesting read because of the setting and the concept. Those who enjoy quirky ghost stories and gothic novels would probably enjoy this book, too!

The premise was promising and I enjoyed the tense, atmospheric opening and introduction to the collection of spirits at Thorne Hall. Elegy was initially an interesting protagonist, but then the plot seemed to veer away from the eerie challenge of commanding the collection and more into a random romance that really seemed to grind all the action into a halt. A test of Elegy's ability that was mentioned in the first couple chapters did not come to pass until much later in the book. I also wanted more details about Elegy's supernatural training and why controlling the collection was such a struggle for her, as well as more of an emphasis on the backstory of the collection and the earlier masters of Thorne Hall. Although we do get some answers, they come much too late and with too little of a payoff for how long they were withheld. I thought the twist at the end was interesting but am a little confused about how some events then passed. Overall, I wish there had been much less focus on the romance and more attention given to the collection itself and the rules and rituals surrounding them. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a ghost story with plenty of romance and a character learning to stand on her own two feet.

"A young woman forced to live with ghosts in a mansion frozen in time must decide between forbidden love and the price of freedom in this Gothic fantasy where Jane Eyre meets The Haunting of Bly Manor, perfect for fans of Starling House.

At Thorne Hall, a grand estate nestled in the Berkshires, fifteen restless spirits roam, bound within the mansion's walls since the Gilded Age. Elegy Thorne bears the weight of her family's curse to preserve the mansion as it was in the 1890s, using ancient folk songs to keep the spirits secret and silent in order to avoid deadly consequences.

When a mischievous child spirit wreaks havoc on the manor, the Thorne family calls upon their trusted preservationist to restore the mansion. He brings along his son, Atticus - a vibrant man full of life and ideas of modernization - and Elegy is captivated by him, igniting a longing for freedom she's never dared to embrace.

Torn between her desire to follow her heart and her duty to her family and its legacy, Elegy begins searching for a way to release the spirit collection back to the afterlife and set both herself and the ghosts free. With century-old secrets, peculiar magic, and spirits both whimsical and deadly, Thorne Hall will haunt and enrapture readers - and you might just not want to leave."

This sounds like a very dark reboot of Ghosts.

I love gothic mysteries and stories in the spirit of “Jane Eyre” so I was absolutely thrilled to be granted an ARC of J. Ann Thomas’ latest book “The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall”. And this book was absolutely everything that I hoped it would be!

Elegy Thorne lives in a house frozen in time, haunted by fifteen spirits, and under the total control of her abusive father. One morning one of the spirits causes damage to the priceless Thorne Hall necessitating the family’s contractor and his son, Atticus, to visit. And Elegy’s life will never be the same.

“The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall” was a delightful cross between BBC’s “Ghosts” (but darker) and the book “Starling House”. It had just enough horror combined with a heartwarming romance and was absolutely compelling. Elegy was a great protagonist and I was really captivated by her story and character growth. This was a perfect book for the long winter nights and was my first five star read of the year. I can’t recommend it enough!

I do have a few small quibbles with the book. I was confused about the setting and time period for the first several chapters - I kept guessing between England and Massachusetts and the 1910s and present day. This definitely could’ve been indicated more clearly in the beginning but I did eventually figure it out.

Also, I was confused as to why Jasper Thorne raised the spirits to begin with - they definitely seemed to be more trouble than they were worth. I thought for most of the book that their existence was an accidental byproduct from the séance in the first scene (I didn’t think the 1902 séance was meant to keep the spirits, only raise them) and was very confused as to why none of Jasper’s descendants had tried to exorcise them. Everything was eventually explained but I spent way too much time trying to understand what was happening. I think this could’ve been fixed by having the narrative alternate between Elegy in the present day and William in 1902.

Regardless, the absolutely exquisite writing made up for the few small plot issues. And I can’t stress enough how absolutely beautifully this book was written. Yes, it was slow at times after the banger of an opening scene but the pace was perfect for this type of book - a slow build to a very strong finish. If you’re tempted to DNF please keep pushing just a bit more - the payoff at the end is totally worth it! This book cemented Thomas as an auto-buy author for me and I cannot wait to see what she writes next!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.