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redrumreads's review against another edition
4.0
A bloody, campy slasher in the middle of the woods with a bunch of cancelled celebs/troublemakers/people wanting to "escape reality"
Could you hand over your phone for 2 weeks surrounded by strangers in the middle of nowhere? I've read enough horror so no thanks. I'm ALSO not getting cancelled for any heinous tweets, as our FMC is, so I have noooo reason to need electronic escape.
This book has near perfect pacing which is hard to do with a plot people tend to read over and over. Josh brought something new into this story and it was the uneasiness of not knowing anyone's real names or identities. I really enjoyed the use of creepy, bonfire horror stories to further the plot as well.
Typically with a story like this you wouldn't get any profound meaning out of it (and thats perfectly good in my book) but this story did hit some thinking points with its small focus on social media.
Thanks so much to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the ARC
Could you hand over your phone for 2 weeks surrounded by strangers in the middle of nowhere? I've read enough horror so no thanks. I'm ALSO not getting cancelled for any heinous tweets, as our FMC is, so I have noooo reason to need electronic escape.
This book has near perfect pacing which is hard to do with a plot people tend to read over and over. Josh brought something new into this story and it was the uneasiness of not knowing anyone's real names or identities. I really enjoyed the use of creepy, bonfire horror stories to further the plot as well.
Typically with a story like this you wouldn't get any profound meaning out of it (and thats perfectly good in my book) but this story did hit some thinking points with its small focus on social media.
Thanks so much to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the ARC
spiralinglit's review against another edition
4.0
So fun! Heads Will Roll is a classic camp slasher but make it queer. I loved it. The characters were a blast - all “cancelled” for one reason or another, escaping to Camp Castaway to unplug and unwind. As promised.. the heads will roll.
Heads Will Roll comes out July 30, 2024!
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for an advanced readers copy of this new book in exchange for an honest review.
Heads Will Roll comes out July 30, 2024!
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for an advanced readers copy of this new book in exchange for an honest review.
brandyleigh_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Did you even go to summer camp if you weren’t stalked by a killer?
This novel brings back the nostalgia of the 80s summer camp slashers movies mixed with modern day cancel culture drama.
It was fast paced and the death count was pretty high. Gore wise it wasn’t anything too crazy so if you have a weak stomach, I think you could handle it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC.
This novel brings back the nostalgia of the 80s summer camp slashers movies mixed with modern day cancel culture drama.
It was fast paced and the death count was pretty high. Gore wise it wasn’t anything too crazy so if you have a weak stomach, I think you could handle it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC.
ristretto's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After being cancelled Willow escapes to Camp Castaway to get away from social media and regroup. All attendees must give up their cell phones upon checking in so the camp is completely cut off from the outside world. This is fine by Willow, until she starts hearing knocks in the night and campers start disappearing.
This was a super fun read with 80s/90s slasher vibes and lots of twists and turns. I liked that it keeps you guessing as to whether the legend of knock knock Nancy is real or if there is a killer on the loose. And while there is mystery and tension and murder, it’s also has emotional moments.
Would recommend to those looking for a fun summer read that will keep you guessing.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
nisforneville's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received a copy of this book through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
An unnamed actress referred to as only as Willow—the name of a sitcom character she’s famous for playing—has been canceled and even received death threats after a tweet she made is sent to Camp Castaway for a technology free summer camp for adults. Another camper tells an urban legend about Knock-Knock Nancy. She isn’t there for long before one of the other campers disappears. Soon Willow starts to wonder if Nancy is real.
This book pulled me in pretty fast and kept my attention easily. It has short chapters, which I always like in a book. The characters were relatable. I liked the setting. I liked the ending. I definitely recommend it if you like slashers.
leel154's review against another edition
1.5
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Putnam Books for an ARC of this in exchange for a review!!!
I did not like this author’s previous book, and I don’t think I will continue reading from him. His concepts sound so good, but unfortunately the execution just doesn’t do it for me. I know I’m in the minority, and it makes me sad. The characters in this book felt very one dimensional and I could not connect with any of them. The plot felt all over the place and certain points were obvious, and others were just out of left field. I liked the LGBTQ+ representation, but some of it felt kind of forced. I liked the idea, setting, and the sprinkled mixed media, but it just didn’t work out.
I did not like this author’s previous book, and I don’t think I will continue reading from him. His concepts sound so good, but unfortunately the execution just doesn’t do it for me. I know I’m in the minority, and it makes me sad. The characters in this book felt very one dimensional and I could not connect with any of them. The plot felt all over the place and certain points were obvious, and others were just out of left field. I liked the LGBTQ+ representation, but some of it felt kind of forced. I liked the idea, setting, and the sprinkled mixed media, but it just didn’t work out.
kate907's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Arc review:
I loved this book. This has all the vibes of a classic 80s camp slasher movie, while being set in modern times and tackling social media cancel culture. This book follows “Willow,” a cancelled actress who just wants to get away from social media for a while and figure herself out. She checks herself in to a “tech detox” camp, which sees a lot of people come through who went viral for all the wrong reasons. As her fellow campers start disappearing, she is going to have to step into a role she’s never played before-Final Girl.
I loved everything about this book. I loved that there was a ghostly urban legend which leaves you guessing until the end if it’s going to be a true ghost story or simply a spree killer taking on that mantle. I loved the sprinkling of backstory in between chapters in the form of tweets and texts. I loved the general vibes of sleep away camp horror, which has always been one of my favorite settings for a horror story (thanks Goosebumps). And I loved that the nature of the camp means all of the characters are using fake names and have potentially shady backgrounds, and things they want to keep hidden. Overall, this checks all my boxes for a great horror novel.
I loved this book. This has all the vibes of a classic 80s camp slasher movie, while being set in modern times and tackling social media cancel culture. This book follows “Willow,” a cancelled actress who just wants to get away from social media for a while and figure herself out. She checks herself in to a “tech detox” camp, which sees a lot of people come through who went viral for all the wrong reasons. As her fellow campers start disappearing, she is going to have to step into a role she’s never played before-Final Girl.
I loved everything about this book. I loved that there was a ghostly urban legend which leaves you guessing until the end if it’s going to be a true ghost story or simply a spree killer taking on that mantle. I loved the sprinkling of backstory in between chapters in the form of tweets and texts. I loved the general vibes of sleep away camp horror, which has always been one of my favorite settings for a horror story (thanks Goosebumps). And I loved that the nature of the camp means all of the characters are using fake names and have potentially shady backgrounds, and things they want to keep hidden. Overall, this checks all my boxes for a great horror novel.
toriestories06's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
coric's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.0
I flew through this horror novel with a summer camp setting. However, this summer camp is actually an escape place for adults who’ve made bad decisions. Are the rumors about the camp’s past just campfire stories or did they happen? Suddenly, people start dying in this remote location and the biggest questions are who is doing it and will anyone survive before they figure out what is going on?
literaryland_livin's review against another edition
4.0
ARC by NetGalley and the publisher.
Camp Castaway, is the epitome of a perfect quiet getaway retreat to escape from all your problems; atleast that’s what Willow thinks upon arriving there. Willow is not only looking for some tranquil recharging, she’s also hiding from her own personal problems after losing her job. Willow is welcomed with s’mores and good vibes at camp but the peacefulness doesn’t seem to last long. One by one fellow campers are vanishing only to be found with their heads missing. Who knew a few weeks of relaxation would be such a killer good time.
Heads Will Roll… with a title like that you can only imagine what you are in for and boy does Josh Winning deliver! This horror/thriller has all the campy slasher vibes that will keep you reading to see who will be the next victim. From the setting of the hidden away secluded camp to the diverse cast of characters this had everything it promised to be and more. The book had so many fun horror fan Easter eggs and pop culture references making it a very meta and fun read that fit the slasher atmospheric vibes perfectly! Each character you are introduced to is unique in their own way and easily discernible, which helps with the multiple POVs you get. Sprinkled throughout and usually found at the beginning or ending of each chapter are screen grabs of text conversations, news articles, and found police reports giving the reader inside glimpses of what and who these campers really are. Fair warning there is some gore but what else would you expect from a title about heads rolling. I most definitely will be recommending this and checking out more of this authors works in the future.
If you are a fan of summer slashers, 80’s classic horror films like Friday the 13th, and thrillers that leave you guessing as to who our characters can trust and not then you will absolutely enjoy this book and every “campy” second of reading it.
Heads Will Roll comes out July 30th, 2024.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group, Putnam for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.