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nicole_g_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, Murder, Police brutality, and Rape
theakilahbrown's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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
4.0
This was a fast read for me, in that I burned through about half of it in one day. The premise is basically "What if horror movies were real? What happens to those final girls after their movies are over?" The short answer is that they would form a support group. The long answer is that the horror is never truly over for them for a variety of reasons.
This is a horror book that critiques horror books, so, on the one hand, a lot of the commentary was on point, but on the other hand, I found myself wishing at times that it wasn't a *horror* book so that the point could be made in other ways, but that's not really the point of the book. As much as it is about movie monsters, it's also about real life monsters and the impact they have on the women (and children) they harm and what the glorification of movie monsters means. So, basically, it's like Scream but with a feminist bent.
I thought Lynnette was an interesting choice of a main character for many reasons, but one of the big ones is that she's not a "true" final girl because she didn't kill her monster like the other women did, and she also has the smallest life and is the most paranoid. I think there was a missed opportunity for Hendrix to get into WHY the other women made different choices because it almost seems like he's saying Lynnette made the right choice, which I don't necessarily agree with. There also should have been way more female friendship stuff in here, but it is there so I can't complain too much.
Those are relatively minor quibbles, though. I liked the book overall and thought it was smart and engaging. I wasn't sure at first how I felt about the ending, especially who the real life monster turned out to be, but the more I think about it, the more I like and appreciate it, so there's also that.
Some quotes:
Does this ever end? Will there always be someone out there turning little boys into monsters? Will we always be final girls? Will there always be monsters killing us?
I won't let messed-up parents keep making monsters, and I won't let these boys keep making more final girls. It's not some profound and ancient ritual. It's just a waste of life.
All in all, I would recommend it, especially if you're a fan of horror movies and/or badass women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Stalking, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Chronic illness and Addiction
Minor: Rape, Animal cruelty, Pedophilia, and Sexual violence
jenny_librarian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I have to say, as disturbing as it was, I enjoyed The Book Club's Guide a lot more. This book is just a slasher in novel form, and the transition from screen to written word just doesn't work.
It's a thriller (there's little gore apart from details of mutilated bodies here and then) and it feels too easy and not thought out enough to really hit the mark. It's enjoyable, but nothing amazing.
I also kept wondering if this kind of story really should be written by a man. The commentary on slasher movies and the violence done to women didn't feel as genuine knowing they came from someone who isn't subjected to this kind of things.
Not completely devoid of interest, but stick to slasher movies if you like the genre.
It's a thriller (there's little gore apart from details of mutilated bodies here and then) and it feels too easy and not thought out enough to really hit the mark. It's enjoyable, but nothing amazing.
I also kept wondering if this kind of story really should be written by a man. The commentary on slasher movies and the violence done to women didn't feel as genuine knowing they came from someone who isn't subjected to this kind of things.
Not completely devoid of interest, but stick to slasher movies if you like the genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, Gaslighting, Gore, and Gun violence
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug use, Medical trauma, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Vomit
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