What do you think?
The People in the Rickety House
By age 17, Leah has lost everything.
Her mother left 3 years ago and has not been heard from since. She is at risk of losing her relationship with her younger sister Tabitha, who suffers from injuries that Leah blames herself for. Not only has she lost her family, but her home. After their father’s unexplained suicide, the girls are sent to live with their reclusive aunt, Claire, who seems to live as far from civilization as a person can get.
They are sent to the rickety house.
While dealing with the idea of her father’s death and her mother’s absence, tolerating her handicapped sister as well as her despondent aunt, Leah finds out that there may be more to the old house than she suspected. She begins to find letters and photographs that tell of the family who used to live in the house, and her interest is drawn in further when she finds she can communicate with the ghost of a teenage boy through a window in the attic. In order to distract herself from her own troubled life, she delves fully into his, trying to uncover the mystery of his death in the house – but it remains to be seen how that will affect her own sanity, or if she will lose what little of her own life she has left.
Her mother left 3 years ago and has not been heard from since. She is at risk of losing her relationship with her younger sister Tabitha, who suffers from injuries that Leah blames herself for. Not only has she lost her family, but her home. After their father’s unexplained suicide, the girls are sent to live with their reclusive aunt, Claire, who seems to live as far from civilization as a person can get.
They are sent to the rickety house.
While dealing with the idea of her father’s death and her mother’s absence, tolerating her handicapped sister as well as her despondent aunt, Leah finds out that there may be more to the old house than she suspected. She begins to find letters and photographs that tell of the family who used to live in the house, and her interest is drawn in further when she finds she can communicate with the ghost of a teenage boy through a window in the attic. In order to distract herself from her own troubled life, she delves fully into his, trying to uncover the mystery of his death in the house – but it remains to be seen how that will affect her own sanity, or if she will lose what little of her own life she has left.
261 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2013
About the author
Lani Lenore
20 books141 followersLani Lenore is a writer of gothic horror and dark fantasy. In addition to rewriting well-known fairy tales with a twist, she also writes original stories in a style she calls ‘dark fairy tale’, which uses fantasy elements to build horror stories. Most of her tales, though horrific at times, have a subplot of romance. She loves to keep readers on the edge of their seat and immerse them in worlds of beauty and terror.
Lani currently lives in Tennessee with her husband, two dogs, and four cats.
Lani currently lives in Tennessee with her husband, two dogs, and four cats.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 23, 2019
A decent YA read
I had this on my to read shelf for a very long time. Finally read it. It's not too bad. If I was the target audience I would've loved this book.
I had this on my to read shelf for a very long time. Finally read it. It's not too bad. If I was the target audience I would've loved this book.
May 18, 2013
More like 3.5 stars. I'm not one to read many books that are creepy. For starters, I admit that I get scared easily. This book didn't necessarily scare me but I did find moments when I was happy I was reading during the day. The book definitely held my interest. Since I don't read many books like this it's hard for me to compare it to others. It was a good story and it was perfect to read for this month.
May 5, 2023
I really went into this with zero to no expectations because I heard this was one of Lani lenores first few works ever and I was expecting a generic loosely put together plot.
What was I was NOT expecting was a truckload of ensuing depression and literally chills.
The book starts off slow and I mentally geared up for what seemed like a slightly amateur and cliche book, only to found myself wholly gripped and lost in the rickety house. The characterization was so real in the way that few authors can ever depict. And talk about complex sister relationships, I couldn't help but mourn the two sisters relationship as much as Leah did and it was partly both their faults (I'm going to stop there because if I continue id end up with a 5 page essay on just the sisters relationship it was that intricate).
Now, the horror. Do not read this book at 2am at night. This book was reminiscemt of the twisted bones by T. Kingfisher-the creepy old house and more importantly the FEELS, I was genuinely scared shirtless and I do not get spooked easily. Unlike T. Kingfishers book though there was no witty narration to balance out the creepy backdrop and I found myself being pulled into a pit of despair whilst reading it.
The ending was the only saving grace-I wouldve thrown the book into the wall out of frustration if it continuing spiraling down any further. I like my happy endings thank you very much. All in all, this book is 100 times better than half the garbage floating on the mainstream market and I find this fact physically painful considering how incredibly indie Lani lenores books are. It is quite simple tragic. If I were given the chance to do so, I would set up a stall and promote her books myself because they most certainly do not deserve to be lost away and forgotten.
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Ps.
I LOVED the twist - not big on paranormal to begin with so the switch to time travel was lovely.This was also my first ever ebook purchase with my own credit card and couldn't have been a better choice-first time I actually felt like an adult since turning 18.
What was I was NOT expecting was a truckload of ensuing depression and literally chills.
The book starts off slow and I mentally geared up for what seemed like a slightly amateur and cliche book, only to found myself wholly gripped and lost in the rickety house. The characterization was so real in the way that few authors can ever depict. And talk about complex sister relationships, I couldn't help but mourn the two sisters relationship as much as Leah did and it was partly both their faults (I'm going to stop there because if I continue id end up with a 5 page essay on just the sisters relationship it was that intricate).
Now, the horror. Do not read this book at 2am at night. This book was reminiscemt of the twisted bones by T. Kingfisher-the creepy old house and more importantly the FEELS, I was genuinely scared shirtless and I do not get spooked easily. Unlike T. Kingfishers book though there was no witty narration to balance out the creepy backdrop and I found myself being pulled into a pit of despair whilst reading it.
The ending was the only saving grace-I wouldve thrown the book into the wall out of frustration if it continuing spiraling down any further. I like my happy endings thank you very much. All in all, this book is 100 times better than half the garbage floating on the mainstream market and I find this fact physically painful considering how incredibly indie Lani lenores books are. It is quite simple tragic. If I were given the chance to do so, I would set up a stall and promote her books myself because they most certainly do not deserve to be lost away and forgotten.
. (spoiler)
.
.
.
Ps.
I LOVED the twist - not big on paranormal to begin with so the switch to time travel was lovely.This was also my first ever ebook purchase with my own credit card and couldn't have been a better choice-first time I actually felt like an adult since turning 18.
October 7, 2017
This book gave me chills! It was creepy and horrifying, maybe on the levels of The Nutcracker Bleeds and I liked how the mistery was unfolded.
The ending was good but I would like to know more about Tabitha, even if I didn't like her character too much.
I definitely recommend this book to everyone who likes horror stories.
The ending was good but I would like to know more about Tabitha, even if I didn't like her character too much.
I definitely recommend this book to everyone who likes horror stories.
January 7, 2015
This book is a good way to spend time, specially if you like stories about ghosts, scary houses, and weird/supernatural stuff.
The writing was not as good as the author other works; there was a huge use of the word "That" and minor faults in spelling.
The first fifty pages or so from the book didn't interest me and had my focus on the writing, but as I got into the book more it became interesting, pulling me into finding answers to Leah's questions and the weird things happening inside the house.
I loved the thrill it gave me. And I loved every scene of Leah and Jake talking -I couldn't help but wanting romance between them.
The twist in the book was mind blowing, making a twist in the plot was always one of Lani's charms in writing, she can trick you into thinking you're walking through a straight road where in fact your road is forked, full of curves and turns but in the end everything will make since.
The story is not regrettable to read, in fact I would recommend you to read it.
One thing I disliked about the book was epilogue! The story had a good ending that won't leave you saying "why the fuck did I read this just to have such ending!" The ending is OKAY.
I hated the fact that Lani chose to not show us the aftermath, I know things are going to be okay but I want to see them to make sure, I want to know what happened to Tabitha, I want to know Jake and Leah end. Argh! But still, I don't regret reading the book, lovely read. :D
Should you read it?
The writing was not as good as the author other works; there was a huge use of the word "That" and minor faults in spelling.
The first fifty pages or so from the book didn't interest me and had my focus on the writing, but as I got into the book more it became interesting, pulling me into finding answers to Leah's questions and the weird things happening inside the house.
I loved the thrill it gave me. And I loved every scene of Leah and Jake talking -I couldn't help but wanting romance between them.
The twist in the book was mind blowing, making a twist in the plot was always one of Lani's charms in writing, she can trick you into thinking you're walking through a straight road where in fact your road is forked, full of curves and turns but in the end everything will make since.
The story is not regrettable to read, in fact I would recommend you to read it.
One thing I disliked about the book was epilogue! The story had a good ending that won't leave you saying "why the fuck did I read this just to have such ending!" The ending is OKAY.
I hated the fact that Lani chose to not show us the aftermath, I know things are going to be okay but I want to see them to make sure, I want to know what happened to Tabitha, I want to know Jake and Leah end. Argh! But still, I don't regret reading the book, lovely read. :D
Should you read it?
September 17, 2015
I'm not really into ghost stories, but I love Lani Lenore's style and I wasn't disappointed. I truly like the way the author plays with frightening situations, adding up elements from twisted fairy tales.
The ending is simply PERFECT; it leaves with a sense of hope for the protagonist and her future.
The ending is simply PERFECT; it leaves with a sense of hope for the protagonist and her future.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews