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jaybie08's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sprinklesreads's review against another edition
4.0
What should I say? This is the third book by Kevin Brooks that I read and as I expected, I absolutely love it.
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
Warning: This book is not for the weak-hearted. Believe me, the book is gruesome and horrific at times.
I saw this book in the library and based on the blurb, I decided to read it. In the end, it was an interesting read, and I am glad I tried it out. Though I am also sad and my stomach is a bit queasy.
Not everything was perfect in this book. For one, we never really get a clue about the man (only how he looked) or why he kidnapped everyone, is there a reason for all 6 people? Is it random? Two, the ending, I won't spoil anything, but I would have loved an epilogue.
I did like the rest of the book. I was at first afraid it would be all teenagers, but soon you find out that everyone is of random ages. You got very young (Jenny, 9 years), Linus (not sure how old) and 3 adults (various ages) and one older guy. That made the story, for me, more believable.
It was still shocking, I never expected that he would kidnap a 9 year old girl and dump her in a place like that.
Of course, put 6 people in one small space, add to that punishments, cameras, microphones and you can imagine what will happen, people will argue, fight, things will happen. Good and bad.
The punishments were gruesome, if they did something wrong (in the eyes of the kidnapper) they got punishments, varying from being gassed, to no food for days, or at one point even get a mad dog send downstairs. I had to push through those parts. Really, horrific and my stomach was not all too happy with the details.
The book is written from the point of view from Linus, he tells us what happens, he tells us about the people, who they are, when they got here.
Also, like I said, I won't spoil the ending, but be sure to bring tissues, a lot.
All in all a great book, but really horrific at times and it doesn't give much answers to questions. If you can stand gruesome things and don't mind not getting answers, then I would recommend this book.
I saw this book in the library and based on the blurb, I decided to read it. In the end, it was an interesting read, and I am glad I tried it out. Though I am also sad and my stomach is a bit queasy.
Not everything was perfect in this book. For one, we never really get a clue about the man (only how he looked) or why he kidnapped everyone, is there a reason for all 6 people? Is it random? Two, the ending, I won't spoil anything, but I would have loved an epilogue.
I did like the rest of the book. I was at first afraid it would be all teenagers, but soon you find out that everyone is of random ages. You got very young (Jenny, 9 years), Linus (not sure how old) and 3 adults (various ages) and one older guy. That made the story, for me, more believable.
It was still shocking, I never expected that he would kidnap a 9 year old girl and dump her in a place like that.
Of course, put 6 people in one small space, add to that punishments, cameras, microphones and you can imagine what will happen, people will argue, fight, things will happen. Good and bad.
The punishments were gruesome, if they did something wrong (in the eyes of the kidnapper) they got punishments, varying from being gassed, to no food for days, or at one point even get a mad dog send downstairs. I had to push through those parts. Really, horrific and my stomach was not all too happy with the details.
The book is written from the point of view from Linus, he tells us what happens, he tells us about the people, who they are, when they got here.
Also, like I said, I won't spoil the ending, but be sure to bring tissues, a lot.
All in all a great book, but really horrific at times and it doesn't give much answers to questions. If you can stand gruesome things and don't mind not getting answers, then I would recommend this book.
zontheline's review against another edition
4.5
i really enjoyed this book when i was a teenager. found it a captivating read
evaromero's review against another edition
4.0
QUE AGOBIO, POR FAVOR. Este libro es toda una experiencia, y me ha encantado vivirla. Y a la vez no. Ha habido momentos en los que lo he pasado mal, pero lo considero algo positivo porque el libro ha logrado transmitirme mucho. A veces sentía que yo misma estaba en el dichoso búnker, otras que en realidad era el secuestrador. Retorcido pero maravilloso.
coinchantal's review against another edition
5.0
What an intense and claustrophobic story. I could not put this book down. Shocking, unbelievable, but there sense in it that this could really happen. Lots of unanswered questions. Great read!
fr_eddie's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 Molto claustrofobico, molto triste, molto crudo.
Mi è piaciuto finché non sono rimasti solo in tre; là mi è sembrato come se l'autore avesse finito le idee, teoria supportata dal fatto che la nota "Linus è il colpevole" che viene data dal rapitore è inutile ai fini della trama. Come se il rapitore si fosse dimenticato della promessa che aveva fatto e li abbia lasciati morire, dimenticandosi della loro esistenza. Come se dopo gli omicidi si fosse scocciato e se ne fosse andato.
Dò tre stelle solo perché mi ha appassionato e perché l'autore sa come scrivere, ma secondo me avrebbe dovuto riguardare il finale.
Mi è piaciuto finché non sono rimasti solo in tre; là mi è sembrato come se l'autore avesse finito le idee, teoria supportata dal fatto che la nota "Linus è il colpevole" che viene data dal rapitore è inutile ai fini della trama. Come se il rapitore si fosse dimenticato della promessa che aveva fatto e li abbia lasciati morire, dimenticandosi della loro esistenza. Come se dopo gli omicidi si fosse scocciato e se ne fosse andato.
Dò tre stelle solo perché mi ha appassionato e perché l'autore sa come scrivere, ma secondo me avrebbe dovuto riguardare il finale.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
I've just finished this. Having read and enjoyed a few of Kevin Brooks' books previously, this is by far the best.
Where do I start? You could make a loose comparison to Room - a 16 year old homeless boy is kidnapped. He awakens in an underground bunker, with a lift, kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom. Six bedrooms. Which fill up quickly. Their kidnapper is never seen (after he abducts each of them). They can't get out. They are watched constantly.
This is not a thriller. It's a bloody amazing psychological portrait of the fearful and restrained mind of Linus. Often I thought it was my thoughts on the paper, they sounded so like my own thoughts and how I'd feel in that situation.
The most terrifying thing though... We never learn WHY (just as in the amazing film Cube). They are there, they can't get out, we don't have explanation or exposition. Just six strangers, from a 9 year old girl to a pensioner dying from a brain tumour.
It's compelling and heart-rending. A word of warning though - do not expect a happy ending. But you can expect to ignore your chores for a few hours.
Where do I start? You could make a loose comparison to Room - a 16 year old homeless boy is kidnapped. He awakens in an underground bunker, with a lift, kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom. Six bedrooms. Which fill up quickly. Their kidnapper is never seen (after he abducts each of them). They can't get out. They are watched constantly.
This is not a thriller. It's a bloody amazing psychological portrait of the fearful and restrained mind of Linus. Often I thought it was my thoughts on the paper, they sounded so like my own thoughts and how I'd feel in that situation.
The most terrifying thing though... We never learn WHY (just as in the amazing film Cube). They are there, they can't get out, we don't have explanation or exposition. Just six strangers, from a 9 year old girl to a pensioner dying from a brain tumour.
It's compelling and heart-rending. A word of warning though - do not expect a happy ending. But you can expect to ignore your chores for a few hours.
ageekybibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
a good book I found in the library. such a horrible idea of a book as well as a heart breaking ending. I felt like I was living with the character in that bunker :(