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ladysanctuary's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Cannibalism, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Vomit, Violence, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Religious bigotry, and Excrement
the_escapist's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I can't remember the last time I finished a book in less than 12 hours, but this had me gripped so tight I couldn't stop reading.
I loved the underlying tension throughout that builds and builds, loved how the author set up the story so you're not sure whether it's supposed to be an actual demonic possession, mental illness, or whether the sister is faking it. I think it was actually a very wise decision because, in a lot of ways, having a definite supernatural element made explicit from the start takes a lot of the scare factor out of the story because it stops feeling real and grounded (for me, anyway).
I've never really read/watched a possession story that felt so tense and messed up but believably so – that's what makes this work so well. Nothing feels too ridiculous. The characters feel like real people, the setting feels like a real setting, even the TV crew feels like a real crew. The POV was also really fun – it's written in the first person and during the flashbacks to her childhood, the author has a way of writing through the main character's eyes to really make her feel like a real child – all her wants and (mis)understandings and the things that she picks upon.
If it wasn't for the unique concept, I wouldn't have picked this up. I wouldn't have given it a go if it was just a straightforward possession story. But I really liked the idea of the uncertainty of it all and thought it was executed brilliantly. It's the first horror book I've read in ages. Ever since I finished it, every now and then I find my thoughts drifting back to it. Especially the ending. I really enjoyed how it ended.
I loved the underlying tension throughout that builds and builds, loved how the author set up the story so you're not sure whether it's supposed to be an actual demonic possession, mental illness, or whether the sister is faking it. I think it was actually a very wise decision because, in a lot of ways, having a definite supernatural element made explicit from the start takes a lot of the scare factor out of the story because it stops feeling real and grounded (for me, anyway).
I've never really read/watched a possession story that felt so tense and messed up but believably so – that's what makes this work so well. Nothing feels too ridiculous. The characters feel like real people, the setting feels like a real setting, even the TV crew feels like a real crew. The POV was also really fun – it's written in the first person and during the flashbacks to her childhood, the author has a way of writing through the main character's eyes to really make her feel like a real child – all her wants and (mis)understandings and the things that she picks upon.
If it wasn't for the unique concept, I wouldn't have picked this up. I wouldn't have given it a go if it was just a straightforward possession story. But I really liked the idea of the uncertainty of it all and thought it was executed brilliantly. It's the first horror book I've read in ages. Ever since I finished it, every now and then I find my thoughts drifting back to it. Especially the ending. I really enjoyed how it ended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, Vomit, Toxic relationship, and Excrement
Minor: Alcoholism, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Drug use
jennastopreading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
“Ideas. I’m possessed by ideas. Ideas that are as old as humanity, maybe older, right? Maybe those ideas were out there just floating around before us, just waiting to be thought up. Maybe we don’t think them, we pluck them out from another dimension or another mind.”
― Paul Tremblay, A Head Full of Ghosts
My book club chose this spooky read for October, and what a ride it was. I am relatively new to the horror genre, but since I’m not a sensitive reader, I had no issue jumping into the scary stuff. This book, part ghost story and part demon possession, had my mind reeling and left me thinking, “Wait, what?!” at the very end. I listened to this book on audio and also followed along reading the print when I had the time to sit down. I was engaged from beginning to end, and I give the audio a lot of credit for it! The voice actor did an excellent job.
― Paul Tremblay, A Head Full of Ghosts
My book club chose this spooky read for October, and what a ride it was. I am relatively new to the horror genre, but since I’m not a sensitive reader, I had no issue jumping into the scary stuff. This book, part ghost story and part demon possession, had my mind reeling and left me thinking, “Wait, what?!” at the very end. I listened to this book on audio and also followed along reading the print when I had the time to sit down. I was engaged from beginning to end, and I give the audio a lot of credit for it! The voice actor did an excellent job.
5 things about this book (4 I loved and 1 I didn’t):
- The storytelling. Whether or not you enjoy this kind of storyline, I think that the way it is told will absolutely captivate any reader.
- The unreliability of the lead characters. Normally this trope can bother me, but Tremblay wrote them so they were just unreliable enough that I could still like them, but also crazy enough that I had my jaw on the floor a few times.
- There is one totally good, totally kind character in a supporting role. I think every book needs a character that you want to see more of because you love them so much, and this book definitely had one.
- Loved the twisty ending. Can honestly say I never saw that coming.
- The ending left me with a big question mark and I didn’t like that. I need more closure!
Overall, I think this book was a solid spooky read that is not for the faint of heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Excrement, Mental illness, Self harm, and Vomit
Minor: Pedophilia
Content warnings (containing mild spoilers)
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