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bookswithlauren's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
Firstly, none of the characters actually seemed to get along with each other which made me wonder why they were taking a trip together.
Secondly, the plot and plot twists just became more ridiculous as the book went on. Personally, each twist and turn seemed to be going for the shock factor more than anything else, no matter how much it actually made sense within the story.
Thirdly, the character of Oliver. He completely changed from this ambitious, slightly bossy, older brother, there to supervise the group to this horrible, violent and manipulative person. The personality change just did not make any sense to me at all. I understand that the entire situation the characters find themselves would generate panic and stress but this just seemed completely unnecessary.
Now this might not bother some people but it really bothered me. Fourthly, throughout the entire book, the shooter/gun is referred to as a sniper by multiple characters. Then, all of a sudden, the shooter/gun is being referred to as a rifle. I understand you can get sniper rifles but this term was never used.
I might be too old for this kind of YA book now but I just did not enjoy it at all. It was over-dramatic, unrealistic even for a YA thriller book and there was no real character development to allow that connection to form between the reader and the characters.
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
dielilla's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Police brutality, and Alcohol
Minor: Classism
library_of_al's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
mxdegroot's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
I've seen a lot of people talk about how they're bothered by the lack of multiple perspectives, since this is a thriller, but it did not bother me at all. I think it would have revealed too much about
Red is a wonderfully written character. Grief about a family member's death and the struggle to find closure about it because you don't know what happened, and the things you do don't make sense, really messes with your brain, and that's evident in Red.
You'd think that a book of which the majority takes place within the same square hundred feet would get bored, but it didn't. The tension that comes with being confined with six people in such a small space (with an active shooter watching at all times) built up bit by bit and had a perfect climax.
To make a long story short, Jackson wrote great characters and a great story, with a gripping climax and a satisfying, albeit open, ending.
And, yes, I'm going to say it: even though bullying is not a justification for murder,
January 6th, 2024 - January 7th, 2024.
“What if I said you were the right people, in the right place at exactly the right time.”
"This is turning into Lord of the Fucking Flies."
" 'Can we please remember who the real enemy is?’ he pleaded, voice breaking. ‘The guy outside with the fucking rifle. Not any of us.' "
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Minor: Confinement, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Alcohol
khucc's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Cursing, Medical content, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
atherly_jane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Violence
smurff328's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism
hannahlsmith's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Alcoholism
bones_jackson's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol
ajaje's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Alcohol