Scan barcode
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Classism, Violence, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Stalking, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Cursing
elysianbud'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
2.75
Plot was decently engaging and spooky, but the ending a little flat. I expected a twist, hoping that maybe the obvious villain wasn't the villain after all, or at least not so cartoonishly evil. The ending went a little quick, I got to the last few pages and thought "really, we're resolving everything in so few pages?"
There are some preachy moments where the book seems to turn to the reader and is like "don't you agree this is a terrible thing?" This contributes to some stiff dialogue that doesn't sound like people talk.
I liked Gabe but he was a wildly unrealistic teenager, far too good. I was a good child, but this lad was a saint who knew therapy speak.
There was also the fact that they kept saying this horror director had a film win multiple Oscars. I kept dragging me out of the book. I suppose this was the writer trying to saying "that's just how much of a genius director he is, even the academy takes him seriously," but it more came across that it was just the fanciest film accolade they knew. Horror films are traditionally ignored at the Oscars, and they definitely don't win multiple for one film. If anything it would have made more sense if the author had pointed out that he'd never won an Oscar despite being brilliant because it would fit far better into the sprinkling of "horror films are the underdog" moments throughout the book, like when she talks about movie budgets. It would also be something for Javier to be bitter about, seeing as he's so convinced of his own genius. A tiny detail, but one that irritated me like a stone in my shoe.
There are some preachy moments where the book seems to turn to the reader and is like "don't you agree this is a terrible thing?" This contributes to some stiff dialogue that doesn't sound like people talk.
I liked Gabe but he was a wildly unrealistic teenager, far too good. I was a good child, but this lad was a saint who knew therapy speak.
There was also the fact that they kept saying this horror director had a film win multiple Oscars. I kept dragging me out of the book. I suppose this was the writer trying to saying "that's just how much of a genius director he is, even the academy takes him seriously," but it more came across that it was just the fanciest film accolade they knew. Horror films are traditionally ignored at the Oscars, and they definitely don't win multiple for one film. If anything it would have made more sense if the author had pointed out that he'd never won an Oscar despite being brilliant because it would fit far better into the sprinkling of "horror films are the underdog" moments throughout the book, like when she talks about movie budgets. It would also be something for Javier to be bitter about, seeing as he's so convinced of his own genius. A tiny detail, but one that irritated me like a stone in my shoe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Stalking, Violence, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Pandemic/Epidemic
reading_under_covers's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to Berkley for an early finished copy of this one in exchange for an honest review!
This book has such a fun, unique, spooky premise - told from the point of view of a house cleaner, tasked with cleaning a famous horror director's prop and memorabilia-filled home, who soon starts hearing and seeing things that can't be full explained away 👀
It was so interesting to learn about our main girl, Harry's backstory, while also showcasing her and her teen son's shared love of horror films! I also just love when filmmaking is tied into a book, and a horror book makes it even more fun.
However, I found this book to, ultimately, be incredibly predictable and repetitive and there was more talking about spooky stuff than there was actual spooky stuff happening.
Definitely not my favorite horror book about horror movies, but I can see someone younger (teen me!!!) enjoying this one!
Publication Date: May 14
This book has such a fun, unique, spooky premise - told from the point of view of a house cleaner, tasked with cleaning a famous horror director's prop and memorabilia-filled home, who soon starts hearing and seeing things that can't be full explained away 👀
It was so interesting to learn about our main girl, Harry's backstory, while also showcasing her and her teen son's shared love of horror films! I also just love when filmmaking is tied into a book, and a horror book makes it even more fun.
However, I found this book to, ultimately, be incredibly predictable and repetitive and there was more talking about spooky stuff than there was actual spooky stuff happening.
Definitely not my favorite horror book about horror movies, but I can see someone younger (teen me!!!) enjoying this one!
Publication Date: May 14
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Gaslighting, and Child death
Minor: Stalking
infinitelibrary's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Abandonment and Stalking
Minor: Fatphobia
More...