{"id":636,"date":"2024-10-10T12:03:35","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T12:03:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=636"},"modified":"2024-10-10T12:03:35","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T12:03:35","slug":"this-cursed-house-by-del-sandeen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=636","title":{"rendered":"This Cursed House by Del Sandeen"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s something about old Southern mansions that just screams \u201chaunted,\u201d isn\u2019t there? The crumbling paint, the overgrown gardens, the secrets lurking behind every locked door. Del Sandeen\u2019s debut novel \u201cThis Cursed House\u201d taps into that delicious Southern gothic vibe<\/a> and cranks it up to eleven.<\/p>\n

Picture this: It\u2019s 1962, and Jemma Barker is desperate to escape her life in Chicago. Oh, and did I mention she can see ghosts? Yeah, that\u2019s kind of important. When a mysterious job offer comes from the Duchon family in New Orleans, Jemma jumps at the chance for a fresh start. But honey, she has no idea what she\u2019s getting herself into.<\/p>\n

Welcome to the Family\u2026 If You Dare<\/h3>\n

From the moment Jemma steps foot on the Duchon property, you can feel something ain\u2019t right. The family is Black, but light-skinned enough to pass as white\u2014and boy, do they look down on brown-skinned Jemma. There\u2019s haughty grandmother Honorine, beautiful but unstable cousin Fosette, and a whole cast of relatives that\u2019ll make your head spin.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the kicker: the Duchons are cursed. Like, seriously cursed. And they think Jemma has the power to break it. No pressure or anything, right?<\/p>\n

A Tangled Web of Secrets<\/h4>\n

Sandeen weaves a complex tapestry of family history<\/a>, racial tension, and supernatural horror. As Jemma digs deeper into the Duchon family secrets, she uncovers layer upon layer of disturbing truths. We\u2019re talking century-old curses, hidden identities, and some seriously dark stuff that\u2019ll make your skin crawl.<\/p>\n

The pacing is relentless. Just when you think you\u2019ve got a handle on things, Sandeen throws another curveball that\u2019ll knock you flat. It\u2019s like peeling an onion, except each layer makes you more likely to sleep with the lights on.<\/p>\n

Characters That\u2019ll Haunt Your Dreams<\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s talk about the cast of characters, because hoo boy, are they a piece of work:<\/p>\n

Jemma: Our protagonist is a complicated woman. She\u2019s running from her past, desperate for acceptance, but also strong-willed and determined. Watching her navigate the treacherous waters of the Duchon family is both frustrating and deeply satisfying.
\nThe Duchons: Where do I even start? Honorine is the matriarch from hell, manipulative and cold as ice. Fosette teeters on the edge of sanity, while her brother Laurence\u2026 well, let\u2019s just say he\u2019s got some issues. They\u2019re all gloriously messed up, and you can\u2019t look away.
\nMagdalene: The one bright spot in Jemma\u2019s new life. This no-nonsense woman living in the woods becomes a much-needed ally and voice of reason.
\nThe Ghosts: Oh yeah, did I mention the ghosts? They\u2019re characters in their own right, with agendas and unfinished business that complicates everything.<\/p>\n

A Master Class in Atmosphere<\/h4>\n

Sandeen\u2019s greatest strength might be her ability to create atmosphere. The Duchon house becomes a character itself, full of creaking floorboards, hidden rooms, and dark corners where unspeakable things have happened. You can practically smell the decay and feel the oppressive Louisiana heat.<\/p>\n

The supernatural elements are handled with a deft touch. The ghosts aren\u2019t just cheap jump scares \u2013 they\u2019re woven into the fabric of the story in a way that feels organic and deeply unsettling.<\/p>\n

Themes That\u2019ll Make You Think<\/h3>\n

\u201cThis Cursed House\u201d by Del Sandeen isn\u2019t just a spooky story. Sandeen tackles some heavy themes:<\/p>\n

Colorism within the Black community<\/a>
\nThe lingering effects of slavery and generational trauma
\nThe power of forgiveness (and the dangers of holding onto hate)
\nFinding your own identity in the face of family expectations<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a lot to chew on, and Sandeen doesn\u2019t offer easy answers. But that\u2019s what makes the book stick with you long after you\u2019ve finished the last page.<\/p>\n

A Few Bumps in the Night<\/h4>\n

Look, no book is perfect, and \u201cThis Cursed House\u201d has a few minor issues:<\/p>\n

The pacing drags a bit in the middle section
\nSome of the side characters could use a bit more development
\nA couple of plot twists feel a tiny bit predictable<\/p>\n

But honestly? These are nitpicks in what is otherwise a stellar debut novel.<\/p>\n

The Verdict: A Must-Read for Horror Fans<\/h3>\n

\u201cThis Cursed House\u201d by Del Sandeen is a tour de force of Southern gothic horror. Sandeen has crafted a story that\u2019s equal parts terrifying, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down. If you\u2019re a fan of Shirley Jackson, Octavia Butler, or Tananarive Due, you need to add this book to your TBR pile immediately.<\/p>\n

What Sets It Apart<\/h4>\n

The exploration of colorism within a Black family adds a fresh perspective to the haunted house genre
\nJemma is a complex, flawed protagonist you can\u2019t help but root for
\nThe blend of historical and supernatural elements<\/a> feels seamless
\nSandeen\u2019s prose is rich and evocative without ever feeling purple<\/p>\n

Who Should Read This Book?<\/h3>\n

Horror fans looking for something beyond the usual haunted house tropes
\nReaders interested in complex family dynamics and generational curses
\nAnyone who loves a good Southern gothic atmosphere
\nThose who appreciate stories that tackle social issues within a genre framework<\/p>\n

Who Should Maybe Skip It?<\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re easily scared or prone to nightmares, this might be a bit much
\nReaders looking for a light, breezy read (this ain\u2019t it, folks)
\nThose who prefer their horror with more gore and less psychological tension<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts: A Promising Debut<\/h3>\n

\u201cThis Cursed House\u201d announces Del Sandeen as a major new voice in horror fiction. It\u2019s a confident, assured debut that left me eager to see what she\u2019ll come up with next. The way she blends historical elements, family drama, and supernatural chills is truly impressive.<\/p>\n

Is it perfect? Nah. But it\u2019s a damn good read that\u2019ll keep you up way past your bedtime, jumping at every creak in your house. And really, isn\u2019t that what we want from a horror novel?<\/p>\n

Similar Books You Might Enjoy<\/h3>\n

If \u201cThis Cursed House\u201d leaves you hungry for more, check out these other fantastic haunted house stories with a twist:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Good House\u201d by Tananarive Due
\n\u201cWhite is for Witching\u201d by Helen Oyeyemi
\n\u201cThe Invited\u201d by Jennifer McMahon
\n\u201cBeloved\u201d by Toni Morrison (for a different, but equally powerful take on generational curses)<\/p>\n

A Note on Representation<\/h4>\n

It\u2019s worth mentioning how refreshing it is to see a haunted house story centered on Black characters, especially one that delves into the complexities of colorism within the community. Sandeen doesn\u2019t shy away from difficult conversations, and the book is richer for it.<\/p>\n

In Conclusion: Don\u2019t Sleep on \u201cThis Cursed House\u201d<\/h3>\n

Del Sandeen has crafted a chilling, thought-provoking debut that deserves a place on any horror fan\u2019s bookshelf. It\u2019s a story that\u2019ll get under your skin, make you think, and maybe\u2014just maybe\u2014have you looking at your own family history in a new light.<\/p>\n

So grab a copy, settle in for a long night, and prepare to be thoroughly creeped out. Just don\u2019t blame me if you start seeing ghosts in every shadow. You\u2019ve been warned!<\/p>\n

A Word to the Author<\/h4>\n

Ms. Sandeen, if you\u2019re reading this \u2013 bravo. You\u2019ve created something special with \u201cThis Cursed House.\u201d I can\u2019t wait to see what nightmares you conjure up next. Just, uh, maybe give us a chance to catch our breath first, okay?<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s something about old Southern mansions that just screams \u201chaunted,\u201d isn\u2019t there? The crumbling paint, the overgrown gardens, the secrets lurking behind every locked door. Del Sandeen\u2019s debut novel \u201cThis Cursed House\u201d taps into that delicious Southern gothic vibe and cranks it up to eleven. Picture this: It\u2019s 1962, and Jemma Barker is desperate to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-636","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/636"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=636"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/636\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=636"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=636"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=636"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}