The Companion

This fast paced YA gothic thriller had me reading into the wee hours of the night.
Written from 16 year old Margot's point of view, this story has all the suspense of an adult thriller, but without the gratuitous adult themes (which I found refreshing).
Being the lone survivor of an accident that killed her entire family, Margot is battling inner demons. When a generous and wealthy family takes her in, it seems too good to be true. And it is. Margot, who's sanity is questionable on a good day, is to be a companion for the family's once charismatic, but now catatonic daughter.
The writing was excellent, very atmospheric and dark. A secluded estate, off the grid with locked rooms. Family secrets and someone who wants them to stay buried.
I show more enjoyed the many directions this plot went, and how the author tied everything back together. This book would be a great read for a young adult/teen. show less

THE COMPANION is a creepy and addictive YA thriller that put me on edge. Sixteen-year old Margot is orphaned when her family dies in an accident, and she ends up in a group home for several months. The other girls consider her “lucky” when a prestigious family takes her into their home, a remote Gothic mansion in the country. But there’s a catch — Margot was chosen because the Sutton family wants her to be a companion to their silent and curious daughter, Agatha.

Copeland Hall may be beautiful and grand, but Margot can sense that something is off. She slowly uncovers its disturbing history, while always looking over her shoulder. What secrets are lurking in the shadows of the ominous manor, and what’s behind the locked garden show more gate?

Margot was a compelling character, and I loved the bravery and humor she kept throughout the book. Agatha was a mystery! I enjoyed the unique bond that formed between the two girls. You knew there was something just below the surface that Agatha so badly wanted to say…..

THE COMPANION was an intriguing mystery, and though I guessed right at some of the twists, it was an enjoyable read. If you’re looking for a tense and eerie page-turner perfect for the spooky season, this is it.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review. show less

I absolutely loved The Companion. I knew from the first look on Bookish First that I was going to like it, but I did not know how compelling and utterly chilling this book would be.

From the very first page, I felt very sympathetic for Margot. After losing her family in a terrible car accident, she is now living in an orphanage and still grappling with the grief. And when she's "rescued" to live with the Suttons, you just know something is not quite right.

Every step of the way, the reader is taken on this journey with Margot. I can honestly say that there was not much about this book that was predictable, with the exception of "something is messed up with these people." Sure, I had my theories and some of them played out close to how I show more expected. And the further you read the more you're able to start to piece together. But I really felt like I was piecing it together WITH Margot, not way ahead of her like in the movies when you're telling the heroine "don't go up the stairs!"

I really loved the ending and how it all plays out in the epilogue, but I'll keep it spoiler free and just tell you to go read this one as soon as you can! It's especially great for the upcoming fall season, if you're a mood reader like me. This psychological thriller will have you turning the pages as fast as you can, but isn't scary enough to keep you up at night. show less

Margot is the survivor of a devastating accident in which her entire family drowns in their car. She is taken in by the family of a lawyer, a former colleague of her dad's who owes her father his life. They live on an enormous, isolated family estate. She is asked to be a companion to their daughter, Agatha, a vivacious 16-year-old girl who has inexplicably become catatonic. Laura, Agatha's mother has very strict codes of behavior in general and in how Margot relates to Agatha. The house is remote and completely cut off from the outside world, no cell service, no wi-fi and a long way from the nearest town. Margot starts to sense that things are not as they seem. The author is very skillful in creating an unsettling, foreboding and show more claustrophobic atmosphere. The reader is on edge throughout. The Companion feels like classic gothic horror, although it is set in the present day. It's a perfect haunting, creepy thriller and I read it in two days. show less

Actual Rating: 4.25 stars

What a crazy, wild ride! I absolutely meant to just read a little bit before bed, but now it’s nearly 5:00 am and I’ve finished it. I definitely felt some chills reading it and the ending had me feeling SO many ways. I really don’t want to say too much, because I think going into any horror or thriller with minimal details is the best approach.

It was just a tad too long for me though, and there were a few spots where it felt like it was dragging. It was like the momentum would get rolling and then we’d be bogged down.

The creepy old house was the perfect setting for this horror story. The characters were also perfect for the creepy old house. Combined it should have been a perfect tale…but…the characters reactions, or lack of, made the story off setting. Margot…orphaned and alone and chosen to come to this family, often appeared weak and rather dense. It began to drag out toward the end… almost as if the author needed so many words to complete the story so they just kept adding up when it could have been done faster and still produced the same results. Still a good read that would make an excellent movie.

CW: loss of loved ones. Drowning scene after car accident described, mother is drugging teens to keep them docile and seemingly unwell, ableism.

2.5 Stars

Well there were definitely some chilling moments, but overall this didn't quite deliver in the thriller department for me.

There were some brilliantly gothic elements in this novel - a large creepy mansion in an isolated area, a grieving and traumatised orphan, a disturbed and slightly menacing girl, and parents (one distant and inaccessible, and the other claustrophobically close) who want a 'companion' for their unwell daughter. Unfortunately, a random, awkward and unnecessary romance acted like a big anchor and dragged this book down into the depths of 'just okay for me'. It's such a show more shame because there were some pretty hair raising moments dotted throughout this book. I love a good romance but only when it makes sense for the characters and the story. If Barrett had been removed, the story would have pretty much remained the same. This just comes down to personal preference. Just okay for me. show less