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inkwithimagination'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
clumsyknees'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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Animal death, Mental illness, and Stalking
hauntedantiqueshop's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I’m actually not sure we all read the same book. Y’all liked that lame ass ending?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, and Mental illness
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Medical content
Minor: Animal death and Death of parent
literary_liv's review against another edition
challenging
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
farrahwho's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
1.5
How much of you can fall off before something important is lost?
glad this was a quick read because i would've definitely dnf'd it if it was any longer. the writing aggravated me to no end due to how overwrought it was and made me feel like my two brain cells were constantly fighting for third place
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Minor: Animal death
illiterateape's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Local janitor has too many cooks in the kitchen
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Suicide
nettles's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
4.5
Check content warnings. Definitely a heavy, disturbing book but also a very interesting twist that makes the whole book different on a reread. Reading some analysis helps, and the audiobook makes the twist very clear where I heard the normal book is more confusing.
I read it to study how the author pulled off psychological horror and dread in a seemingly mundane situation (girl visiting her boyfriends family in a farm and their road-trip home)
I read it to study how the author pulled off psychological horror and dread in a seemingly mundane situation (girl visiting her boyfriends family in a farm and their road-trip home)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
kaleegannon's review against another edition
3.5
genuinely frightening!! very atmospheric, unsettling. enjoyed the dialogue in the first half a lot, too. minus points for the ending but really enjoyed the ride up until then.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Mental illness, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide
Moderate: Stalking and Gaslighting
Minor: Blood and Ableism
suicide: