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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-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
Preface: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Explicit content: Over-the-top violence/gore, death/murder, maimings, poisoning, etc.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This book is exactly what the blurb promises. It's just bloody, ridiculous fun - I would almost classify it as a horror/comedy. It's a silly premise, and the novel knows it. There's lots of little one-liners and tongue-in-cheek moments. The wedding theme is incorporated in surprisingly clever ways. The main character ends up being pretty take-charge and sympathetic, I liked her a lot. Even her state of shock as events unfold is pretty realistic and understandable. The villains are a fun mixture of semi-sympathetic and utterly insane.
My one real qualm is the inclusion of the main characters' parents. It kinda shifts a story that should be just self-indulgent fun into more serious territory, which I have mixed feelings about. It does give the main character additional motivation for her actions and a reason for the emotionless state in which she finds herself (an excellent foil for Lilith), but I'm not sure that was necessary. And it makes the ending more poignant, I suppose. It just seems like an odd thing for the story to do - kinda like it wanted to be something deeper. I suppose it's a matter of opinion.
I also felt like the epilogue was pretty weak - typical horror-sequel-bait schlock. But that's also personal preference.
Overall, I was pretty pleased. I got exactly what I was promised, and for the most part, it was a fun (if messy) ride.
Explicit content: Over-the-top violence/gore, death/murder, maimings, poisoning, etc.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This book is exactly what the blurb promises. It's just bloody, ridiculous fun - I would almost classify it as a horror/comedy. It's a silly premise, and the novel knows it. There's lots of little one-liners and tongue-in-cheek moments. The wedding theme is incorporated in surprisingly clever ways. The main character ends up being pretty take-charge and sympathetic, I liked her a lot. Even her state of shock as events unfold is pretty realistic and understandable. The villains are a fun mixture of semi-sympathetic and utterly insane.
My one real qualm is the inclusion of the main characters' parents. It kinda shifts a story that should be just self-indulgent fun into more serious territory, which I have mixed feelings about. It does give the main character additional motivation for her actions and a reason for the emotionless state in which she finds herself (an excellent foil for Lilith), but I'm not sure that was necessary. And it makes the ending more poignant, I suppose. It just seems like an odd thing for the story to do - kinda like it wanted to be something deeper. I suppose it's a matter of opinion.
I also felt like the epilogue was pretty weak - typical horror-sequel-bait schlock. But that's also personal preference.
Overall, I was pretty pleased. I got exactly what I was promised, and for the most part, it was a fun (if messy) ride.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
T. J. Payne is now an auto-buy author for me. His other book Intercepts is one of my favorite from this year and this was right up there with it.
The Venue follows Amy who is invited to Caleb’s wedding at The Venue. Amy has not spoken to Caleb in years and is not too sure why she was invited but it’s an all expenses paid trip to Europe so why not go! Right from the start things are very weird as Amy realizes most guests are people she knows Caleb hated back in elementary, middle and high school. We also get POVs from the Lilith (the bride) and Caleb showing their unstable minds. It does not take long for things to take a very dark turn and for the blood to start spilling. The wedding turns into a survival game where you must kill someone to earn your own freedom.
This book was great! I loved every minute of it and the gore was perfect. I do not think this book is for everyone but it certainly was for me. Trigger Warnings for this book include - gore, violence, and poisoning.
T. J. Payne is now an auto-buy author for me. His other book Intercepts is one of my favorite from this year and this was right up there with it.
The Venue follows Amy who is invited to Caleb’s wedding at The Venue. Amy has not spoken to Caleb in years and is not too sure why she was invited but it’s an all expenses paid trip to Europe so why not go! Right from the start things are very weird as Amy realizes most guests are people she knows Caleb hated back in elementary, middle and high school. We also get POVs from the Lilith (the bride) and Caleb showing their unstable minds. It does not take long for things to take a very dark turn and for the blood to start spilling. The wedding turns into a survival game where you must kill someone to earn your own freedom.
This book was great! I loved every minute of it and the gore was perfect. I do not think this book is for everyone but it certainly was for me. Trigger Warnings for this book include - gore, violence, and poisoning.
*Side-eyeing this entire book!! *
This is what happens with people with money don’t deal with pass traumas. Lol. Therapy is ok! There is nothing wrong with seeking help!
This is what happens with people with money don’t deal with pass traumas. Lol. Therapy is ok! There is nothing wrong with seeking help!
This was a fast-paced, addictive, and delightfully gory read! Highly recommend!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced