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pchamblee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is the first audiobook I’ve tried and made it all the way through, so I have to give major credit to Candace Thaxton and the rest of the narration team for pulling it off so well. Considering the psychological suspense factor, I’ll forever be curious what it would have been like to experience it the first time in print (possibly would have been even more mind-boggling)—but, I thoroughly enjoyed the delivery of the narration.
This is a very eerie and disturbing story. It’s obvious early on that there’s mystery involved and there will be a twist at the end, but I don’t think any reader can be fully prepared for what comes (despite all the hints woven in). Even though I typically go for comfort fiction with happily ever afters, I love a good psychological thriller story and this book does it really well. It’s unique in the way it balances a meandering intellectual commentary with a thoroughly terrifying cautionary tale.
I’ve heard the Netflix film adaptation isn’t 100% true to the book and many fans say it doesn’t do it justice, but once I get a chance I’m gonna watch it out of curiously and just because I liked this story so much.
This is a very eerie and disturbing story. It’s obvious early on that there’s mystery involved and there will be a twist at the end, but I don’t think any reader can be fully prepared for what comes (despite all the hints woven in). Even though I typically go for comfort fiction with happily ever afters, I love a good psychological thriller story and this book does it really well. It’s unique in the way it balances a meandering intellectual commentary with a thoroughly terrifying cautionary tale.
I’ve heard the Netflix film adaptation isn’t 100% true to the book and many fans say it doesn’t do it justice, but once I get a chance I’m gonna watch it out of curiously and just because I liked this story so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Death, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Blood, Death, Mental illness, and Self harm
Minor: Alcohol, Medical content, Violence, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
charlottelikestoread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I feel so seen by this book. An absolute masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
mary_stormageddon's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Just wish the reveal of the twist, which I saw coming, wasn't so casual.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Suicide, Animal death, and Confinement
drpeeper's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Blood, Suicide, and Mental illness
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Grief
josieee_p's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
khauhelo's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Yoh, this book? Damn.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
alliefresh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A quote from the book that almost brought me to tears:
What if the maggots continue to feed and feed and feed and continue to be felt.
A detailed yet small book, filled with philosophical questions left without an answer.
A horror of the human mind.
A book of small, yet seemingly large, human anecdotes that are tied into a bow at the end. Wrapping it up perfectly for a sinister ending.
I highly recommend this and it's film. A film that takes the book and twists it into a kafkesque existential dream. It may be different, but it's core is the same. Only the decorations are different.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Blood
heather_ethaa's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Honestly, I don't have much to say about this book. I picked it up after hearing a lot of hyped from readers, which piqued my interest. Initially, the story gripped me with its odd, tense, and unsettling atmosphere. However, as I delved into the second half, it lost its spark, becoming boring, stale, and dragging. I found myself struggling to stay engaged, especially with the confusing ending and plot twist.
In conclusion, while the book started off strong, its lackluster second half and perplexing conclusion left me feeling let down. I'd only recommend it to readers deeply invested in the genre who don't mind slower pacing. Otherwise, there are better reads out there.
In conclusion, while the book started off strong, its lackluster second half and perplexing conclusion left me feeling let down. I'd only recommend it to readers deeply invested in the genre who don't mind slower pacing. Otherwise, there are better reads out there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Dementia
jane_moriarty's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was so eerie and creepy and uncomfortable. I don't know if a book has ever made me this uncomfortable. Naturally I loved it.
For once I think the audiobook (german translation on spotify) actually worked better for me. I still get goosebumps just thinking about it. It's not so much the plot twist for me, and this is also not horror in a traditional way, although we get super creepy scenery like an old isolated spooky farm and an old abandoned spooky school building.
It is much more about the scenes that should be normal. Meeting a guy at a pub, starting a relationship, taking a road trip to meet his parents, stopping at dairy queen for ice cream. Normal things. But there is something so unnerving about all of these scenes, something so OFF, like you know there's something wrong but you just can't put a finger on it. And so the sense of impending doom keeps growing until the grand finale...
I could have done with a little less of the pseudo-intellectual philosophy talk though, I feel like the book makes itself seem smarter than it really is. Although considering the solution, that might be more on the character than the book.
For once I think the audiobook (german translation on spotify) actually worked better for me. I still get goosebumps just thinking about it. It's not so much the plot twist for me, and this is also not horror in a traditional way, although we get super creepy scenery like an old isolated spooky farm and an old abandoned spooky school building.
It is much more about the scenes that should be normal. Meeting a guy at a pub, starting a relationship, taking a road trip to meet his parents, stopping at dairy queen for ice cream. Normal things. But there is something so unnerving about all of these scenes, something so OFF, like you know there's something wrong but you just can't put a finger on it. And so the sense of impending doom keeps growing until the grand finale...
I could have done with a little less of the pseudo-intellectual philosophy talk though, I feel like the book makes itself seem smarter than it really is. Although considering the solution, that might be more on the character than the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
zgreyz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I’m still processing but i absolutely loved this.
I wish i hadn’t seen the movie first but i still enjoyed and understood the book way more.
the way things connected and the composition of this was cleverly done. i can’t stop thinking about it
I wish i hadn’t seen the movie first but i still enjoyed and understood the book way more.
the way things connected and the composition of this was cleverly done. i can’t stop thinking about it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Blood and Animal death
Minor: Alcoholism