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ophelia_so_sad's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, Murder, Blood, and Death
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Infidelity
cloud_of_eden's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
marina_michelle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Great premise that could have used a lot more polish
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Grief, Mental illness, Alcohol, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Excrement, Gore, Murder, Violence, Confinement, Death, Self harm, Toxic friendship, and Vomit
vavocado's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Felt thin, good concept but I would have enjoyed it more if it had been fleshed out further.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, and Murder
star_charter152's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Murder, and Gore
beanaroni's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.0
I really liked Khaw's prose but I think that the story could've benefited from another hundred pages or so. the ending wasn't what I expected, nor hoped, it would be, and it came far too soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Gore, Blood, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Confinement and Mental illness
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
bebidocrimes's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The horror really drew me in, but I just couldn't get myself to care about the characters or their petty drama. Maybe it was just the narrator's vocal choices. It's fun to juxtapose ghosts from centuries ago with modern characters and technology, but I think it might date itself kind of quickly because of how much it leans into it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Blood, Gore, and Murder
darkdyce's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I see what this book was trying to do, but the execution was just terrible. I like the idea of wrapping insecurities around a horror story, merging the terror of the human condition with the terror of the otherworldly. This story just does not deliver in a satisfying way, ending up shallow and contrived. A great example of good idea; poor execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
stephanieluxton's review against another edition
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book is about a group of 20 somethings who go to a spooky haunted house and then spooky things happen.
I picked up this book because it's short and I liked the cover.
A lot of people hate this book. It has a reputation. People complain about the strange choice of words. I knew this going into it but I also wanted to see for myself. After reading it, I definitely see where people are coming from.
The use of big words and strange metephors was weird at times and distracting. It's quite over the top. Even if ti was toned down a but to the point where it was just a poetic way of writing, I don't think it works for this book because the complicated prose doesn't align with the way our characters speak.
Our charcacters are all stereotypes. We have the protagonist (humble final girl type), rich preppy guy, the mean hot girl, the nice guy, and the jokester. This book is short so there isn't time to flesh out these characters. I think the smidge of backstory we get is really interesting and I wish it was explored more.
The use of big words and strange metephors was weird at times and distracting. It's quite over the top. Even if ti was toned down a but to the point where it was just a poetic way of writing, I don't think it works for this book because the complicated prose doesn't align with the way our characters speak.
Our charcacters are all stereotypes. We have the protagonist (humble final girl type), rich preppy guy, the mean hot girl, the nice guy, and the jokester. This book is short so there isn't time to flesh out these characters. I think the smidge of backstory we get is really interesting and I wish it was explored more.
I didn't like this book because the plot was rushed. Group goes to haunted cursed place. Group faces haunted curse. Group wants to leave. Group figures out pretty quickly how curse works from convenient library. Tensions run high as group fractures and there's drama. Suboptimal solution presents itself. Problem kind of solved. The end.
The plot line is typical and basic but it still could have been good with some effort and character development. I think I am extra mad because the way the events unfold and the problem is solved doesn't even bother me that much. I just feel like it lacked proper emotional impact because it was so rushed.
Do I recommend? Not really. Is it totally unreadable? No. The fact that its short is both a blessing and it's downfall.
Do I recommend? Not really. Is it totally unreadable? No. The fact that its short is both a blessing and it's downfall.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Murder, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
everamplify's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Self harm, Murder, and Grief