You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Captivating. Couldn't put it down. Loved the nuanced portrayal of a young woman in recovery battling preconceptions at every turn and triumphing.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
4 stars, maybe 3.5 rounded up?
Only because it felt like a twist for the sake of a twist with little to lead up to it, but boy was it a twist! Maybe there were a few clues that I can pinpoint. But I also personally hate a lying trope to throw our protagonist under the bus, I’m glad it didn’t go too far but it went far enough that I was frustrated. I also think honestly it wasn’t necessary at all, it didn’t progress the plot at all and was completely put aside when it was no longer happening. Also the drawing that Adrian got didn’t make a lot of sense, unless we’re supposed to believe Margit could inhabit any body including his to make the drawing? And that went no where as well so again it didn’t seem necessary at all.
But it was creepy and the drawings added to the creep factor by a lot, I’m glad it was kind of like a “Shutter” vibe and our creepy ghost was a much more benevolent spirit.
Only because it felt like a twist for the sake of a twist with little to lead up to it, but boy was it a twist! Maybe there were a few clues that I can pinpoint. But I also personally hate a lying trope to throw our protagonist under the bus, I’m glad it didn’t go too far but it went far enough that I was frustrated. I also think honestly it wasn’t necessary at all, it didn’t progress the plot at all and was completely put aside when it was no longer happening. Also the drawing that Adrian got didn’t make a lot of sense, unless we’re supposed to believe Margit could inhabit any body including his to make the drawing? And that went no where as well so again it didn’t seem necessary at all.
But it was creepy and the drawings added to the creep factor by a lot, I’m glad it was kind of like a “Shutter” vibe and our creepy ghost was a much more benevolent spirit.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars -- If you enjoyed Weapons, I have a feeling you'll like this one.
✰ Overall, the plot was more drawn out than it needed to be. Kid draws creepy pictures, it becomes clear kid can't be the one drawing the pictures, who could be the ghost drawing them? This does not require almost 400 pages.
✰ I enjoyed Mallory as a narrator. I was intrigued to learn more about her life and past after the first chapter.
✰ Hidden Pictures had a killer story opening.
✰ Mallory and Adrian's romance felt hollow. Plus, his willingness to believe in the paranormal from the jump was purely for story convenience purposes and made no sense.
✰ Mallory's connection with Teddy felt forced as well. The only emotional beats of the story that hit for me were between Mallory and Russell.
✰ The writing wasn't "atmospheric" so much as it was "fraught with unnecessary extraneous detail." I listened to the audiobook, but if I had been physically reading this book and not doing another task while reading, I would have gotten so frustrated at each random description of the contents of the fridge or the menial tasks of Mallory's job.
✰ Rekulak buried the lead with too much detail, but the twist was set up and concealed well.
✰ My friends told me about the "explosive twist," and I absolutely tore through the last half of this book so I could know what they were talking about.
✰The moment Mallory asked, "When were you going to tell me Teddy was a girl?" MY JAW DROPPED.
✰ Teddy asking, "Are we being arrested?" was such an unsettling moment as well.
✰ I also appreciated the baby plot twists after the big reveal.
✰ The epilogue was a bit drawn out.
✰ I'll take my horror with a happy ending, yes please. Especially when it involves children.
✰ Overall, the plot was more drawn out than it needed to be. Kid draws creepy pictures, it becomes clear kid can't be the one drawing the pictures, who could be the ghost drawing them? This does not require almost 400 pages.
✰ I enjoyed Mallory as a narrator. I was intrigued to learn more about her life and past after the first chapter.
✰ Hidden Pictures had a killer story opening.
✰ Mallory and Adrian's romance felt hollow. Plus, his willingness to believe in the paranormal from the jump was purely for story convenience purposes and made no sense.
✰ Mallory's connection with Teddy felt forced as well. The only emotional beats of the story that hit for me were between Mallory and Russell.
✰ The writing wasn't "atmospheric" so much as it was "fraught with unnecessary extraneous detail." I listened to the audiobook, but if I had been physically reading this book and not doing another task while reading, I would have gotten so frustrated at each random description of the contents of the fridge or the menial tasks of Mallory's job.
✰ Rekulak buried the lead with too much detail, but the twist was set up and concealed well.
✰ My friends told me about the "explosive twist," and I absolutely tore through the last half of this book so I could know what they were talking about.
✰
✰ Teddy asking, "Are we being arrested?" was such an unsettling moment as well.
✰ I also appreciated the baby plot twists after the big reveal.
✰ The epilogue was a bit drawn out.
✰ I'll take my horror with a happy ending, yes please. Especially when it involves children.
I honestly have no words in the best way possible. This book had me gripped in its pages until the very end. I was very pleased with the way this was written. Once I found out the plot twist and the real meaning behind the photos drawn by Teddy, I was shocked. I would have never guessed the ending of this gripping thriller.
I love the character development and how you really had an understanding for Mallory and got to see her go through her journey of sobriety and finding a real purpose again. This book will definitely be remembered and recommended for a long time.
I love the character development and how you really had an understanding for Mallory and got to see her go through her journey of sobriety and finding a real purpose again. This book will definitely be remembered and recommended for a long time.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated