Something I Keep Upstairs by J.D. Barker (Hampton Creek Press)

This novel tells the story of Billy Hasler and his friend David Spivey, who inherit a mysterious house on a remote island in New Castle, New Hampshire. The house has a dark and troubled history, making it the perfect place for a summer of freedom and adventure before college. Billy and David like the idea of no parents, no police, and no responsibilities, but as they dig into the island's past, they accidentally unleash an ancient evil that’s haunted generations.

The characters feel real and relatable. Billy and David are likable main characters whose friendship makes their terrifying experiences more believable and intense. The supporting characters add depth to the story, each with their own secrets and motivations that add to the mystery.

The atmosphere is suspenseful and foreboding, keeping readers on edge. The author uses the isolation of the island well to make it feel like there’s no escaping the horrors.

A sentient house isn’t just a backdrop in the story; it's a key player that pushes the plot forward with its dark influence. The house can change its layouts, create illusions, or even hurt people physically, making it hard to know what’s real and what’s not. The house acts like a character, controlling the people inside and often messing with their minds in scary ways.

In this story, the house goes through cycles, with two worlds—the living and the dead—existing in the same place but never at the same time. It’s like time isn’t fixed; it’s more like a fast-moving river you can step into from anywhere along the shore. You can even step out again, but here’s the tricky part: going with the flow is way easier than trying to swim against the current to get back to where you started. It’s not impossible, but it’s difficult. There’s another option, though: you can stand still in the river, looking both ways to see where the water has been and where it’s going.

As the story progresses, it brings out various emotions—excitement, curiosity, fear, and dread. The writing style is engaging and easy to follow. The author uses language vividly, clearly depicting the setting and characters.

The book explores themes of friendship, curiosity, and the consequences of messing with forces you don’t understand. It also shows how the past can affect the present and how some secrets should stay hidden.

The book balances action and suspense well with deeper thoughts on human nature.  

A lot of what you read is made up, but there’s also a good amount of truth mixed in to make things interesting. The author leaves it to you to figure out which parts are real and which aren’t. If you do some research, you might be surprised by how much of Billy’s story actually happened.

This novel is absolutely captivating, and J.D. Barker has truly delivered an exceptional read. It's a perfect fit for my tastes, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

5/5