Would you choose to live in a neighborhood with a haunted house nearby?
Honestly, yes — but only if the ghosts are well-mannered. If they limit their haunting to business hours and don’t borrow my Wi-Fi without permission, we can peacefully coexist. I might even appreciate the free late-night security patrols. Imagine never worrying about burglars because the real residents are already “handling” things.
But if they start knocking on my windows at 3 a.m. or rearranging my furniture, I’m putting the house up for sale immediately. Even bravery has its limits.
Name of Book: A Box Full of Darkness
Author: Simone St. James
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: 22 Jan 2026
No. of Pages: 336
Format: Digital
It all started with a game of hide and seek.
The four Esmie children were playing together when the youngest brother, Ben, went off to hide, and was never seen again.
That was long ago. It’s been eighteen years since the siblings fled their childhood home, Fell House, the one that holds all the ghosts of the past. They’ve built separate lives, but all of them carry the psychological scars of that fateful day.
But then Violet receives a call from the house’s caretaker. He’s too scared to keep working there. He says he saw the spirit of a young boy whispering two words . . .
Come home.
My Opinion
A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James is a multi-POV horror story that leans more toward emotional depth than outright terror. If you’re expecting jump scares or spine-chilling moments, this might not fully satisfy that craving. I went in with high expectations, hoping for a more intense horror experience.
That said, the character development is undeniably strong. Vail, Violet, and Dodie are all distinctly crafted, each with unique personalities and emotional layers. The author clearly invested significant research and effort into shaping them with care. However, the narrative feels heavily centered on defining these characters, sometimes at the expense of the central plot. The actual horror storyline seems to fade into the background. By the time the climax arrives, it feels somewhat rushed, as though the story hurries to tie everything together instead of delivering a powerful final impact.
- Characters ------------------ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Atmosphere ---------------- ⭐⭐⭐
- Writing Style -------------- ⭐⭐⭐
- Plot ------------------------- ⭐⭐⭐
- Intrigue -------------------- ⭐⭐⭐
- Logic ---------------------- ⭐⭐⭐
- Enjoyment ---------------- ⭐⭐⭐
0 Comments
Comment :