The Haunting Season by Michelle Muto
Genre: New Adult Horror
Format: ebook from author
Read: 1/27/2013 — 2/1/2013
In Six Words: The Haunting Season: scary, sexy, fun.
Links
Michelle Muto — Website | Facebook | Twitter
Amazon — Paperback | Kindle
Add it to Goodreads
Synopsis
Be careful what you let in…
Siler House has stood silent beneath Savannah’s moss-draped oaks for decades. Notoriously haunted, it has remained empty until college-bound Jess Perry and three of her peers gather to take part in a month-long study on the paranormal. Jess, who talks to ghosts, quickly bonds with her fellow test subjects. One is a girl possessed. Another just wants to forget. The third is a guy who really knows how to turn up the August heat, not to mention Jess’s heart rate…when he’s not resurrecting the dead.
The study soon turns into something far more sinister when they discover that Siler House and the dark forces within are determined to keep them forever. In order to escape, Jess and the others will have to open themselves up to the true horror of Siler House and channel the very evil that has welcomed them all.
-from Goodreads
Why I Started Reading This Book and Final Verdict
It should be no surprise that I love Michelle. She’s one of those self-published authors doing it right. From The Book of Lost Souls to Don’t Fear the Reaper to The Haunting Season, Michelle puts out good books. Period. The Haunting Season gives us ghosts, an old haunted house, and a little romance.
My Thoughts
I do believe this was the first New Adult book I’ve read. New Adult seems more on par with YA, but with older main characters and more adult situations (read: SEX). (And feel free to correct me on my summation.) The Haunting Season provides us with characters ranging from just shy of 18 to a sophomore in college. And Michelle gives us sex! Errr. That’s probably not the best way to explain it, yeah? But well, I’m sure you get the idea. There are sexy times!
The Haunting Season is a good bridge for those who are hesitant to try horror books. If you’re easily scared, The Haunting Season is horror-lite; the month-long time frame stretches the story so that it becomes less urgent (and therefore less scary). Is it scary? Yes, definitely. It just might not give you the “read with the lights on” fear. (Or maybe I don’t scare easily and you’ll never be able to turn the lights off again. You’ll just have to read the book for yourself to find out.)
If it’s one thing I’m a sucker for, it’s old houses. I love them. And, like the Siler House, old houses provide an excellent backdrop for paranormal stories. With four kids–I say kids because they’re still kids to me, college bound or no–stuck in the house for a month, you know there is bound to be shenanigans. Toss in paranormal shenanigans, and the enjoyment factor goes up even more. This is more than just a ghost story–the kids (the boys especially) have talents that extend beyond ghosts.
With an ending that I did not see coming (always a bonus), The Haunting Season provided me with a romp in a haunted house. A little scary, a little sexy, and a lot of fun.
Mary @ BookSwarm February 20, 2013 at 7:22 am
I”m a sucker for old houses, too. There’s just something about them that feels more alive, more interesting than a new one. Make it a setting and throw in a creep-factor and I’m there.
This is a great cover design! Definitely doesn’t have a self-pub vibe (thank goodness).
Amanda @ On a Book Bender February 20, 2013 at 8:58 am
I definitely love this cover! Michelle’s covers have been fabulous. :)
Smash Attack February 20, 2013 at 8:31 am
Old houses are really the perfect setting for scary time. I really need to read a Michelle Muto book one of these days. :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender February 20, 2013 at 8:59 am
They really are. Michelle has some great books out–and a bit of a variety too (from lighthearted to dark to scary). :)
Jenny February 20, 2013 at 11:28 am
I’m madly in love with the New Adult genre Amanda. I just love the slightly older age and the fact I get a few more details during smexy times (WIN!) so I’m thinking I might try this. I’m a wimp though, so I’ll likely scare myself silly and then write you a scathing email in which I say it’s all your fault that I have to sleep with the light on. You’re welcome in advance for that:)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender February 20, 2013 at 11:31 am
SMEXY TIMES! There is some of that here.
Also, I look forward to your scathing email. ;)
Tara SG (25 Hour Books) February 20, 2013 at 3:49 pm
For someone that loves me a gruesome battle in a UF, I’m a scaredy cat… And I’m scared of ghosts. Maybe this isn’t the book for me…
What’s with this “New Adult” genre. I was gone for a few months and they invented a new genre?!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender February 20, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Yes. They waited until you were gone and then they created an entirely new genre.
I’m laughing at you because you like gruesome battles, but not scary books. lol.
Amy @ bookgoonie February 20, 2013 at 4:21 pm
I need Muto in my life. An Indie Writer doing it right!! Spooky, Scary (for wimps & I’m a wimp) & Sexy!!! I’m putting her only list.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender February 20, 2013 at 5:09 pm
Yes, you do! :)
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal February 20, 2013 at 4:22 pm
I LIKE SEXY TIMES! I also like things really scary so… hmm. You know what? Sexy times trump scary times. Sometimes. Except maybe when the scary times happen during the sexy times. That’s not fun. Well, it’s fun for me to read…
You know what? I’m going to stop here. Excellent review!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender February 20, 2013 at 5:10 pm
Whoa. Wait. You like sexy times? Nooooo. o.O
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) February 21, 2013 at 8:50 pm
Oooh … this one sounds good! I love a good haunted house story and am ALWAYS on the lookout for a good, scary read! I might have to add this one to my wishlist. :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender February 21, 2013 at 9:45 pm
Yes! This is a good scary one.