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obsidian_blue's review against another edition
2.0
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
This was such a slow book with very little character development that just didn’t do it for me in the end.
Full review: I did not have much luck with horror books the past few weeks. I started "Horror Movie" more than a month ago and finally forced myself to finish it so I could move on. Honestly, I almost DNFed it a few times. There was nothing compelling to me about this book.
"Horror Movie" follows the only survivor of a horror movie from the 1990s. The narrator, is the so-called "Thin Kid" who played a kid in a movie called "Horror Movie" that starts to blur the lines between what is acceptable. We follow the back and forth between him in the past filming the movie, and in the present, about to be part of the 'reboot'. And then we also get to read the screenplay that the movie followed.
Eh. This wasn't good. Sorry, I can't really do books written as screenplays. I still to this day, have not read "Storm of the Century" because it started working my nerves too much. And this one wasn't that great because the screenplay gives you character motivations, etc. which I don't think any screenplay really does? I don't know. It just started taking me out after a while and I was so uninterested in it.
And I didn't really get the horror of the whole book/movie. We know upfront there was a tragedy and then it takes about 80 percent before we get there and it made zero sense and I maybe said okay and tried to move on.
The characters are shallow as anything. I didn't like "Thin Kid", Valentina, Cleo, etc. We never get enough time to spend with them to even really get what they are trying to do. The "Thin Kid" motivations for everything seem to change at the drop of a hat and I felt his character was just inconsistent.
The writing was so-so and the flow was pretty bad because of the above jumps between past, present, screenplay.
The ending was nonsensical. Yes, I understand what Tremblay was trying to do, I was just not that impressed with it and felt irritated. I honestly have only ever really enjoyed two of his novels and one stand alone short story. I may just need to move him to, you will never like him that much and stop reading his newest offerings.
This was such a slow book with very little character development that just didn’t do it for me in the end.
Full review: I did not have much luck with horror books the past few weeks. I started "Horror Movie" more than a month ago and finally forced myself to finish it so I could move on. Honestly, I almost DNFed it a few times. There was nothing compelling to me about this book.
"Horror Movie" follows the only survivor of a horror movie from the 1990s. The narrator, is the so-called "Thin Kid" who played a kid in a movie called "Horror Movie" that starts to blur the lines between what is acceptable. We follow the back and forth between him in the past filming the movie, and in the present, about to be part of the 'reboot'. And then we also get to read the screenplay that the movie followed.
Eh. This wasn't good. Sorry, I can't really do books written as screenplays. I still to this day, have not read "Storm of the Century" because it started working my nerves too much. And this one wasn't that great because the screenplay gives you character motivations, etc. which I don't think any screenplay really does? I don't know. It just started taking me out after a while and I was so uninterested in it.
And I didn't really get the horror of the whole book/movie. We know upfront there was a tragedy and then it takes about 80 percent before we get there and it made zero sense and I maybe said okay and tried to move on.
The characters are shallow as anything. I didn't like "Thin Kid", Valentina, Cleo, etc. We never get enough time to spend with them to even really get what they are trying to do. The "Thin Kid" motivations for everything seem to change at the drop of a hat and I felt his character was just inconsistent.
The writing was so-so and the flow was pretty bad because of the above jumps between past, present, screenplay.
The ending was nonsensical. Yes, I understand what Tremblay was trying to do, I was just not that impressed with it and felt irritated. I honestly have only ever really enjoyed two of his novels and one stand alone short story. I may just need to move him to, you will never like him that much and stop reading his newest offerings.
mother_of_doxies's review against another edition
1.0
I feel like I read something different then everyone else? Maybe I just didn’t get it? But this book was hard to get into and hard to keep reading. I kept thinking more would happen, like something to grab me, but nothing did. I would say more “weird” then scary (I can’t think of a better word)- and I typically enjoy weird but this wasn’t it.
snazzjazz's review against another edition
2.0
Hmm, I enjoyed the way the audiobook was produced but otherwise I just didn't like this story too much lol
Idk what else to say about it.
Idk what else to say about it.
devineirony18's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
princessjj14's review against another edition
dark
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
3.0
horror_reads's review against another edition
5.0
This novel dtips with atmospheric dread and bleeds tension on every page. And, in Paul Tremblay's unique fashion, leaves it up to the reader to decide if these things are real or not. I love that about his books.
A never released low budget film called Horror Movie is at the center of the story. Told through the first person perspective of the only remaining cast member, there's a reboot in the works and the producers want him involved.
Some would say the original film was cursed. But really, this isn't a cursed film novel. Not entirely anyway.
The narrative plays out as the script of the movie, in the present day leading up to the reboot, and as the original was being shot. This multi-perspective viewpoint let's us see how the horrifying events played out.
I won't mention specifics but the filming of the movie has certain effects on people associated with it. Sometimes we're not sure if these things have happened or if this is a case of an unreliable narrator.
This is one of those books that you can't put down. No matter your take on the events at the end, you'll be pulled onto the set with these characters and feel every bit of the tension and dread as they do.
This is a must read, in my opinion, and one of the best horror books of the year. Definitely recommend!
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
A never released low budget film called Horror Movie is at the center of the story. Told through the first person perspective of the only remaining cast member, there's a reboot in the works and the producers want him involved.
Some would say the original film was cursed. But really, this isn't a cursed film novel. Not entirely anyway.
The narrative plays out as the script of the movie, in the present day leading up to the reboot, and as the original was being shot. This multi-perspective viewpoint let's us see how the horrifying events played out.
I won't mention specifics but the filming of the movie has certain effects on people associated with it. Sometimes we're not sure if these things have happened or if this is a case of an unreliable narrator.
This is one of those books that you can't put down. No matter your take on the events at the end, you'll be pulled onto the set with these characters and feel every bit of the tension and dread as they do.
This is a must read, in my opinion, and one of the best horror books of the year. Definitely recommend!
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
triciareiter82's review against another edition
4.0
I had a hard time getting into the format of the physical book so I grabbed it on audio. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. But I'm still not sure how to rate it. Would I read this book again? No, thank you. Did I enjoy it? I'm not sure. Will I have nightmares tonight? Likely. Would I recommend it to someone who enjoys horror? Absolutely.
lettylowery's review against another edition
While I was reading, it was ok. I wasn't very invested in anything that was happening, but I didn't think it was bad. I ended up falling asleep at about 33% and decided to put the book down. Then I just kept forgetting it even existed and have decided that I don't care enough to finish it.
coribees's review against another edition
1.0
There wasn't enough to keep me interested and I gave up.