Reviews

Bad Things Happen Here by Rebecca Barrow

daisyellejames's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

annithebookaholic's review against another edition

4.0

This was an entertaining ya mystery! I really liked the writing style and how the author built the characters.

I found the mystery really interesting and the quick pace of the book made me read it completely in two sittings! 

I think the only disappointment to me was the ending. I liked the reveal but everything after it was a bit rushed and a lot was left open. I wouldn't mind a sequel to the story to really tie up the loose ends together!

todayisbee's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

charlottereidsma's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

ch1406's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

2.0

kheitman's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

emuhly's review against another edition

3.0

i have so many questions??? (derogatory) / 3.5 stars

lesbrary's review against another edition

4.0

One of my favourite YA books is This is What it Feels Like by Rebecca Barrow, so when I saw Barrow was coming out with another sapphic YA title, I knew I had to pick it up. But while This Is What It Feels Like is a heartwarming slice-of-life story, Bad Things Happen Here is a sun-drenched murder mystery about the dark side of a postcard-perfect island getaway.

This is a mystery in two parts: one is the murder mystery of what happened to Whitney specifically, while the other is about what’s going on in Parris in general. I think some people will find them ending frustrating because (Vague spoilers:)

Spoiler

one of these mysteries gets a neat, satisfying puzzle conclusion, while the other is messier. To me, though, that was a positive: I think it perfectly fit the story Barrow was trying to tell, and although it wasn’t satisfying in terms of everything slotting neatly into place, it did complete Luca’s story in a satisfying way.

In some ways, this is a great summer read: it is set on an island in the summer, and the rich people murder mystery has lots of reveals and drama. On the other hand, this is a dark read that’s equally about Luca’s isolation and pain. It’s also a novel about the inescapable horrors of wealth inequality and the obscene power that a tiny fraction of the population holds.

Full review at the Lesbrary.

hitbooksnotgirlz's review against another edition

5.0

I put off reading this novel for months because I just didn’t didn’t think it would be that great, but it totally surprised me. I actually loved it. It had great character development and a very fluid storyline.

dontfeedthebook's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

2.0