The Uninvited was interesting in that it was only really what it was described as on the back cover of the book – a thriller – for a few chapters. After that it metamorphosed into something deeper, more of a family drama (with some out-there plotline like you’d see in a thriller), though still with suspenseful elements. It was surprising, and I think some readers might feel a bit ripped off by the fact that the story delivers something so different than what is promised. I quite liked the fact that what seemed as if it was going to be same-old same-old thriller (creepy guy leaves strange artefacts in locked house, stalks pretty girl, suspense!) became something a whole lot different.
I’m not sure whether this novel is classified as YA or not, and to me it didn’t really seem like one. Mimi is a university student, and nineteen years old, and other central characters are only slightly older. There isn’t any content that would make it unsuitable for a YA audience (nothing you wouldn’t find in your average YA, anyway – slight swearing and themes), and it definitely read like a book that could be enjoyed by any reader.
I’m not even sure who to recommend this to, because I haven’t read anything a lot like it (you’ll notice I say this a lot. This is because I don’t read widely enough! I’m always reading in the genre I write). There was a whiff of Jodi Picoult about it – her books, I find, I can never say I exactly enjoy, though I think most of them are fantastic. Hopefully you understand. This book was strange and unexpected, more about family than any creepy intruder, and if you like your books a little bit weird and a little bit different you might want to check it out.
The Uninvited on Amazon / Goodreads