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raesreadingcorner's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Death, Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
3.5
🎧
I got a bit confused at times and had to rewind and listen again. Very creative.
I got a bit confused at times and had to rewind and listen again. Very creative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, Murder, Death, Blood, Body horror, Gore, and Vomit
kajoreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The gore and body horror really delivered. The slasher vibes were on point. If I was rating this based on that alone, it’d be 5 stars. Ellis did an incredible job making it all gross and unsettling.
There was lots of interesting lore involved. Unfortunately it got kinda incoherent at times, or maybe it just didn’t click for me. I was trying to figure out rules for the supernatural elements. Definitely not the right approach.
I really enjoyed Temple and her dad’s relationship. It was a twisted, abusive one, but it felt real. The flashbacks were well implemented imo.
Overall, it’s a strong debut. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for this author.
There was lots of interesting lore involved. Unfortunately it got kinda incoherent at times, or maybe it just didn’t click for me. I was trying to figure out rules for the supernatural elements. Definitely not the right approach.
I really enjoyed Temple and her dad’s relationship. It was a twisted, abusive one, but it felt real. The flashbacks were well implemented imo.
Overall, it’s a strong debut. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Gore, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Body horror
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Child death, and Gun violence
Minor: Drug use, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Police brutality, and Ableism
thegoddessamongyou's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, Body horror, Death, and Gore
blakeandbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley, Harry N. Abrams, and RB Media for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
At first, I honestly didn’t know if I was going to enjoy this book, because I was constantly getting go distracted while listening like it wasn’t capturing my attention enough. But wow! I was so surprised by how much I ended up enjoying this story. It definitely reminded me of You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron, which I also enjoyed.
It was so wild, and I love when a book has me anticipating what comes next. Temple’s family??? WILD. I was not expecting any of that! And I love how she is able to find a found family/real friendships in the midst of all the insanity that happens at the queer, girls camp. It’s a great YA horror novel, and I am looking forward to more from Sami Ellis!
At first, I honestly didn’t know if I was going to enjoy this book, because I was constantly getting go distracted while listening like it wasn’t capturing my attention enough. But wow! I was so surprised by how much I ended up enjoying this story. It definitely reminded me of You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron, which I also enjoyed.
It was so wild, and I love when a book has me anticipating what comes next. Temple’s family??? WILD. I was not expecting any of that! And I love how she is able to find a found family/real friendships in the midst of all the insanity that happens at the queer, girls camp. It’s a great YA horror novel, and I am looking forward to more from Sami Ellis!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Cursing, Blood, Death, Gore, Murder, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
tranvnguyen's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I received this audiobook as an ARC through NetGallley.
This usually isn’t my usual kind of read/listen, but it was phenomenal! The story itself was captivating, the perfect combination of spine chilling horror with touches of perfectly placed humor to break it up.
Tamika Katon-Donegal was amazing bringing the characters to life, showcasing everyone’s diverse personalities!
10/10 would watch this if it ever gets optioned for a movie.
This usually isn’t my usual kind of read/listen, but it was phenomenal! The story itself was captivating, the perfect combination of spine chilling horror with touches of perfectly placed humor to break it up.
Tamika Katon-Donegal was amazing bringing the characters to life, showcasing everyone’s diverse personalities!
10/10 would watch this if it ever gets optioned for a movie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gore
Moderate: Bullying, Blood, Death, and Murder
courtneys_shelves's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Gore, Blood, Violence, Death of parent, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Physical abuse, Stalking, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Body horror, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Homophobia
This book is incredibly intense, as it covers topics of abuse and family curses. However, for this who can read it, it Carrie’s an ultimately hopeful message, and watching a hopeless character grow to realize that she does indeed have hope and support and is ultimately good is worth the read.librarytribute's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to RB Media and NetGalley for a free advanced listener’s copy. I received this copy in exchange for my honest review.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book in the end. I was originally scared this would fall into the failures of most written slashers I’ve read before, which tend to rely too heavily on the physicality of the slasher genre. Though this book plays with the shasher tropes I think it navigates our main character’s mind in such a way that lends itself to suspense and it really kept me engaged. I loved the underlying conversation around the consumption of true crime media and how it painted all of Temple’s interactions with her peers. Her distrust and jaded outlook was a great tool for the narrative to keep you guessing. I genuinely felt frustration and anger on her behalf, separate from the plot of the book and Temple’s own temper was something that made her feel really complex, you could tell she was just a girl putting up a wall to keep herself safe even as she firmly roots herself as an outsider (which can read a bit ‘not like other girls’ but the way Sami Ellis deals with Temple’s anger does a good enough job offsetting it for me.)
Even though I thought the tension of the narrative overall was really enjoyable I do feel like some of the character interactions in the beginning felt weak and rushed which kind of affected the way I felt towards the middle and end when consequences started happening. I could have been more attached to some of these characters over all and it would have felt more weighty when you see choices being made towards the climax. This was definitely a plot-driven story which may not check boxes for people looking for a lot of heavy lifting from the characters.
If you liked the survival aspects of Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly DeVos and the vibes of 80/90s slashers with a twist, I’d definitely recommend Dead Girls Walking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Blood and Fire/Fire injury
jazzyjbox's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What a wild ride!
Temple is the daughter of a serial killer, and she goes back to the farm where she grew up which is now a horror camp for queer, Black girls. Temple isn't there for camp; she's trying to find answers about her mom who disappeared 5 years ago.
This is such an intense story! Temple isn't very likable, but she grew up that way. The twist was an interesting take, and there were small bits of humor throughout. My only big complaint is how many characters there were, which made it hard to keep track of who was who for the first half. Horror is by far not my primary genre, but I really enjoyed this.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
Temple is the daughter of a serial killer, and she goes back to the farm where she grew up which is now a horror camp for queer, Black girls. Temple isn't there for camp; she's trying to find answers about her mom who disappeared 5 years ago.
This is such an intense story! Temple isn't very likable, but she grew up that way. The twist was an interesting take, and there were small bits of humor throughout. My only big complaint is how many characters there were, which made it hard to keep track of who was who for the first half. Horror is by far not my primary genre, but I really enjoyed this.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, and Murder
storiesatstarfall's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Blood, Death, Gore, and Body horror
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Bullying, and Death of parent
Minor: Stalking