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kirstycarson1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ozshark's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.0
I don't think I've read any horror since reading a lot of Stephen King in the 80s and 90s, so this was a very different book for me. I find nearly all short-story collections are hit and miss, but this one was at times too much for my tastes.
Some highlights:
The first story, Earworm, was suitably creepy and intriguing. It strongly captured my attention, but ended with an anti climactic finish.
How to Sell a Holiday was amusing and very clever.
Slim and Almost-Queen was probably my favourite story, although the twist was predictable. I was surprised to read in the notes at the end it is generally not as well received.
Tannenbaum was sweet and, while unusual, didn't seem to fit the horror theme. I liked the author's note about it at the end.
However, there were a couple of very big misses. New Game and Just a Kiss Away were back to back and both really didn't work for me. They were both OTT and gratuitous with violence. While in New Game that unfortunately reflects a reality that exists in our society - I don't want to read about it or dwell on it. When I reached Click Bait, which was also offensive (but clearly done as a comment about males who are offensive in our society), I wondered if I would finish the book, but the good stories kept me going..
I enjoyed the horror, not so much the violence and misogynistic sex.
Some highlights:
The first story, Earworm, was suitably creepy and intriguing. It strongly captured my attention, but ended with an anti climactic finish.
How to Sell a Holiday was amusing and very clever.
Slim and Almost-Queen was probably my favourite story, although the twist was predictable. I was surprised to read in the notes at the end it is generally not as well received.
Tannenbaum was sweet and, while unusual, didn't seem to fit the horror theme. I liked the author's note about it at the end.
However, there were a couple of very big misses. New Game and Just a Kiss Away were back to back and both really didn't work for me. They were both OTT and gratuitous with violence. While in New Game that unfortunately reflects a reality that exists in our society - I don't want to read about it or dwell on it. When I reached Click Bait, which was also offensive (but clearly done as a comment about males who are offensive in our society), I wondered if I would finish the book, but the good stories kept me going..
I enjoyed the horror, not so much the violence and misogynistic sex.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Pedophilia, Torture, and Misogyny
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