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mitskacir's review against another edition
3.0
Going to wait to rate/review this one until after book club!
Post-book club review:
I really enjoyed listening to this book - the narrator was great and I stayed hooked on what would happen next. I was very surprised by the plot twist, and felt like most of the red herrings were explained and addressed (with the main exception being what got me hooked into the book in the first place -). I didn't know there were pictures in the book, and looking at a friend's copy I would recommend getting your hands on one to enhance the reading experience, even if you listen to the audiobook.
It wasn't until after reading the book that I explored all the controversy in the Goodreads reviews. *Potential spoilers, but I'll try not to be spoiler-y* After discussing the elements of transphobia with my book club, I definitely see how this book can come across as transphobic and how some of the narrative could reinforce some misconceptions about trans people. It was hard to decipher what the author intended though from reading the book - the characters certainly have religious and political identities, but I'm not sure there is really an agenda in pushing a specific narrative (at least not an intentional one). There was a lot of explicit verbal acceptance of trans people despite some of the more questionable portrayal of some characters, their decisions, and their identities. I think I come down on the side of any transphobia being an unintentional (although I understand perhaps not less negative and impactful) side affect of a plot point rather than the author intentionally pushing conservative messaging. If it was trying to make a point one way or the other, some more editing and attention to detail would be necessary.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book for someone looking for a great mystery read - although fun and catchy, it wasn't good enough to justify it's controversial messaging.
Post-book club review:
I really enjoyed listening to this book - the narrator was great and I stayed hooked on what would happen next. I was very surprised by the plot twist, and felt like most of the red herrings were explained and addressed (with the main exception being what got me hooked into the book in the first place -
Spoiler
the "research study" that happens in the first chapter never came up substantially again!It wasn't until after reading the book that I explored all the controversy in the Goodreads reviews. *Potential spoilers, but I'll try not to be spoiler-y* After discussing the elements of transphobia with my book club, I definitely see how this book can come across as transphobic and how some of the narrative could reinforce some misconceptions about trans people. It was hard to decipher what the author intended though from reading the book - the characters certainly have religious and political identities, but I'm not sure there is really an agenda in pushing a specific narrative (at least not an intentional one). There was a lot of explicit verbal acceptance of trans people despite some of the more questionable portrayal of some characters, their decisions, and their identities. I think I come down on the side of any transphobia being an unintentional (although I understand perhaps not less negative and impactful) side affect of a plot point rather than the author intentionally pushing conservative messaging. If it was trying to make a point one way or the other, some more editing and attention to detail would be necessary.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book for someone looking for a great mystery read - although fun and catchy, it wasn't good enough to justify it's controversial messaging.
leahfen13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.0
I read this book in one sitting as I didn’t want to put it down! Such a creepy read.
uruseibaka's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
max_mercury's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe I would've liked this better if I read it vs audiobook, but I felt like the twists didn't have a great lead-up and at least one of them kind of felt like it came out of nowhere. Also it felt pretty slow up until the last 20% and that last bit was exhausting.
megmcclure's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
melly420's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
anniewright3006's review against another edition
5.0
So creepy!! But so amazingly written, loved the part at the end of the book with information about the illustrator too.
fozzy31's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
justinkhchen's review against another edition
2.0
2.75 stars
Is tolerating absolute mediocrity worth it for a decent twist (or two) at the end? Hidden Pictures is the perfect book to ask that question — and the answer really depends on one's patience for bland writing, weak character work, and a slew of genre cliches.
Hidden Pictures is Jason Rekulak's first novel marketed primarily towards adults, but it still reads very early-YA in execution; the writing is basic and plain to a fault, never establish the tension and mood this conceptually dark story desperately needs. The physical book compensates the lack of flavor in writing by having pictures physically inserted throughout, but this multimedia approach feels more like a last-ditch effort than a clever supplement to an already self-sufficient material (I also received my ARC as an audiobook, so this visual aid has no benefit to me).
For veteran thriller/horror readers, the first half of Hidden Pictures will test one's patience with its explosion of cliches: an unreliable young female narrator with traumatic past who constantly makes dumb decisions, creepy kid 101 (draws disturbing pictures, doesn't make friends, has imaginary playmate, talks to the air), and responding to these strange occurrences with the most worn-out methods (Ouija board, baby monitor, library research, etc.). There's nothing fundamentally wrong with any of these elements, but when a story in 2022 is still trying to sell baby monitor with static noises and ghostly visuals as one of its pivotal, climatic scares, then there's a problem.
Now, those twists... I have to admit I didn't see them coming (based on general consensus there are 2 major ones): one is pretty laughable and as it was revealed I immediately see logistic plot holes, but I commend the author for even going there. The other is objectively decent, and actually turns earlier events on their head.
Hidden Pictures will find its audience in readers who just transitioned to adult fiction, someone who's new to the thriller/horror genre, or someone who's willing to let a few good twists to erase all sins — everyone else can stay clear.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
Is tolerating absolute mediocrity worth it for a decent twist (or two) at the end? Hidden Pictures is the perfect book to ask that question — and the answer really depends on one's patience for bland writing, weak character work, and a slew of genre cliches.
Hidden Pictures is Jason Rekulak's first novel marketed primarily towards adults, but it still reads very early-YA in execution; the writing is basic and plain to a fault, never establish the tension and mood this conceptually dark story desperately needs. The physical book compensates the lack of flavor in writing by having pictures physically inserted throughout, but this multimedia approach feels more like a last-ditch effort than a clever supplement to an already self-sufficient material (I also received my ARC as an audiobook, so this visual aid has no benefit to me).
For veteran thriller/horror readers, the first half of Hidden Pictures will test one's patience with its explosion of cliches: an unreliable young female narrator with traumatic past who constantly makes dumb decisions, creepy kid 101 (draws disturbing pictures, doesn't make friends, has imaginary playmate, talks to the air), and responding to these strange occurrences with the most worn-out methods (Ouija board, baby monitor, library research, etc.). There's nothing fundamentally wrong with any of these elements, but when a story in 2022 is still trying to sell baby monitor with static noises and ghostly visuals as one of its pivotal, climatic scares, then there's a problem.
Now, those twists... I have to admit I didn't see them coming (based on general consensus there are 2 major ones): one is pretty laughable and as it was revealed I immediately see logistic plot holes, but I commend the author for even going there. The other is objectively decent, and actually turns earlier events on their head.
Hidden Pictures will find its audience in readers who just transitioned to adult fiction, someone who's new to the thriller/horror genre, or someone who's willing to let a few good twists to erase all sins — everyone else can stay clear.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**