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2.72 AVERAGE
2.72 AVERAGE
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the style but I actually feel like this one could have benefitted from a little more more time establishing characters and relationship dynamics before all hell broke loose. A little more show, don't tell, on that. Still, really viscerally horrific in a satisfying way.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Found the premise intriguing, the characters and their intra-friend group drama was messy, and it was scary enough but the ending is incredibly abrupt and unsatisfying. Thought it would be more of a scary, psychological horror/thriller, but it's just like... okay? It's disappointing, as I'd liked The Salt Grows Heavy, so I know that Khaw knows how to work an intricate plot in a small amount of pages. I don't know whether to check out the author's longer novels now out of fear that it might drag on forever with no good resolution.
dark
tense
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:
No
This was like the book version of a B movie. I don’t really get why these characters were together because they had the most wretched or confusing chemistry. And the ending… there are no consequences??
Weak characters/plot aside there were moments of really excellent, horrific writing. It’s such a short book so I think it’s worth trying out if you’re into horror novels/novellas.
Weak characters/plot aside there were moments of really excellent, horrific writing. It’s such a short book so I think it’s worth trying out if you’re into horror novels/novellas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood
Moderate: Death, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
Eh it was alright. Glad I listened to the audiobook through Libby tho. Nice entertainment for a while. I didn’t really sink my teeth into it tho so it was ok
Conceptually, I was in, and I think it would have worked well as a film. But character introductions were so rushed that it was hard for me to buy into histories of mutual animosity, missed opportunities for romance, etc., before we dived into a chaotic haunting. The writing style was also a little overwrought for me, like attempting to wring out the most unique combination of words, and the execution wasn't always there.
I couldn't say that I would recommend it but honestly, it's less than 150 pages, so if you love supernatural horror and the concept interests you, you may find it worth the read. Personally found it underwhelming, but hey, that's just me.
I couldn't say that I would recommend it but honestly, it's less than 150 pages, so if you love supernatural horror and the concept interests you, you may find it worth the read. Personally found it underwhelming, but hey, that's just me.