Synopsis:
She doesn’t exist. She can’t exist.
‘A uniquely gothic tale about grief, belonging and hiding in plain sight’ Jess Kidd, author of Things in Jars
’Those who live in the walls must adjust, must twist themselves around in their home,
stretching themselves until they’re as thin as air. Not everyone can do what they can.
But soon enough, they can’t help themselves. Signs of their presence remain in a house.
Eventually, every hidden thing is found.’
Elise knows every inch of the house. She knows which boards will creak. She knows where the gaps are in the walls. She knows which parts can take her in, hide her away. It’s home, after all. The home her parents made for her. And home is where you stay, no matter what.
Eddie calls the same house his home. Eddie is almost a teenager now. He must no longer believe in the girl he sometimes sees from the corner of his eye. He needs her to disappear. But when his older brother senses her, too, they are faced with a question: how do they get rid of someone they aren’t sure even exists?
And, if they cast her out, what other threats might they invite in?
My Review:
AHHHH! This book! Let me start by saying that this is one of the best literary thrillers that I have ever read. When I say it has freaked me out from start to finish, I wasn’t joking. It LITERALLY frightened me the whole time (maybe because I sat next to the fireplace when I read it?!😱😫). It is absolutely brilliant! A.J. Gnuse has created a story that is unforgettable, people will be talking about it, non stop, when it is out next year! Definitely one of my very favourite reads this year even though it totally creeps me out the entire time!
So here are a few highlights:
1.I have never ever read a book like this before. The premise of the story is so uniqued. I was totally frightened but also intrigued the entire time while I was reading it!
2.It felt so real. SO REAL! It was so real that any noise I heard in my house would make me jump out of my skin. I will never look at a house the same way like before ever again. It has changed my perspective to quite a lot of things…
3.The chapters are short and they flowed seamlessly after each other. The writing, the way A.J. Gnuse created the concept of space, of movement, of togetherness, of feeling eyes on you are so amazing. It totally felt like it was happening to you too right this moment and that’s why this book stood out for me!
4.It is so much more than just a gothic thriller. It is such a remarkable way to talk about loss of love ones, of grief, of hoping to belong and of finding your place in the world.
I love it. Girl in the Walls is out on 4 March next year and you will want to read it for sure! Thank you so much for the lovely Liv and 4th Estate Books for sending me this early copy to review!
Sissi Reads 