Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It was creepy and kept me reading, but now that I know the plot, I'm unlikely to revisit it.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Suicide, Death of parent, Gaslighting
I had heard that this was one of the scariest books of the decade. What?? Never at any point during this book was I ever nervous, afraid, or anything at all. Not even disgusted, except for the dog's leg after it was hit by a car. I was pretty disappointed in this book. Not poorly written, but not at all what I was expecting.
Heart Shaped box was OK. It starts fast and furious and I was hooked pretty quickly. I liked the character of the ghost but he was the only character written well. Jude and Georgia and Florida felt so flat. Too many horror tropes and not enough time between scares so they become redundant. Two stars because it’s technically well written but BLAH. Not my favorite.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An entertaining horror story, I just wish the protagonist wasn't so unlikeable. He gives me serious predator vibes, and no amount of personal growth shook that feeling. The romantic interest is nauseating because of this fact.
That said, the supernatural elements and horror scenes were very well done. I would read another of Hill's books and hope for a better protagonist.
That said, the supernatural elements and horror scenes were very well done. I would read another of Hill's books and hope for a better protagonist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood
Secret's out. Joe Hill is Stephen King's son.
The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree here, and that's not a bad thing. Although there were parts during the climax of the story that I had to roll my eyes a bit at, for the most part this was quite the engaging read.
I must say that through the first quarter or so, I was very creeped out. I wondered several times if the idea of the ghost was inspired by a movie I saw in the 70s, Burnt Offerings, which severely terrified my 14 year-old self in the theater. Craddock reminded me of the chauffeur. Brrrr.
This is a novel best read alone in the house. A little anecdote: one night I had difficulty sleeping (a condition I'm unfortunately burdened with more often than I would like) and I had gone downstairs to read.
I was in the midst of said state of creepiness, when at 3:45am I nearly hit the ceiling at a loud bang from somewhere. It was my newspaper being delivered, hitting the window by the front door.
Anyhow, Hill's pacing through the story is perfect. I'll definitely be reading more of him.
The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree here, and that's not a bad thing. Although there were parts during the climax of the story that I had to roll my eyes a bit at, for the most part this was quite the engaging read.
I must say that through the first quarter or so, I was very creeped out. I wondered several times if the idea of the ghost was inspired by a movie I saw in the 70s, Burnt Offerings, which severely terrified my 14 year-old self in the theater. Craddock reminded me of the chauffeur. Brrrr.
This is a novel best read alone in the house. A little anecdote: one night I had difficulty sleeping (a condition I'm unfortunately burdened with more often than I would like) and I had gone downstairs to read.
I was in the midst of said state of creepiness, when at 3:45am I nearly hit the ceiling at a loud bang from somewhere. It was my newspaper being delivered, hitting the window by the front door.
Anyhow, Hill's pacing through the story is perfect. I'll definitely be reading more of him.