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3.96 AVERAGE

kaitlinliz's profile picture

kaitlinliz's review

4.5
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I went into this book not fully knowing the plot. So I won't say much in case they're meant to be twists. But it 100% is Epstein Island meets the supernatural. 

Some things, in my opinion, could have been omitted. I definitely cringed (my problem) at some of the sex scenes because it did have to do with pedophilia and I didn't really want to be reading the descriptions, but again, my problem since I was reading a book on pedophilia. But I absolutely loved the twists and turns. I was able to figure one out, but that didn't change how i felt. I enjoy trying to figure out the twists, so that's not ever a deal breaker for me. 

This book made me sad, mad, hopeful, grossed out, and everything in between. The ending was perfect. Loved it. 
angethology's profile picture

angethology's review

1.75

"Tonight, the predators were on the menu. Their prey would dine well."

This is a gorefest all about a bunch of disgusting predators getting the fate they deserve. Going on a cruise on the Little Pearl to expose the wealthy's degeneracy, Sven the investigative journalist finds out even more insidious and strange incidents that keep the crimes going, and this is a clear reference to what Jeffrey Epstein did. The novel also focuses on Clarissa and a few other characters throughout the book, who's on the lookout for her sister Ava. 

In terms of vileness, this book definitely achieved that — while I think the book is not as gratuitous as expected (as a horror fan), be sure to check all the trigger warnings because there were still a lot of graphic scenes. And there is quite a bit of bloodshed as expected. My main gripe is the amount of action that happens consecutively to the point where I got bored halfway through, and the plot simply didn't sustain my interest enough and ended up being a little banal. 

Ironically the first few parts with the investigative aspects where things were a little more slow paced captured my attention more, and even though I usually respect horror references in horror books, the ones in this book didn't flow as smoothly to me. As far as splatterpunk books go, this didn't quite do it for me. 

joanneburns's review

4.0
dark mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
drakaina16's profile picture

drakaina16's review

4.5
dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy. 
Can I just say how absolutely satisfying this book was to read? I only wish it had been a true story. Duncan Ralston is one of my must-read authors, and based on the title alone, I knew this was going to be a wild ride. I went into it completely blind, the only information coming from the book title. It was everything I hoped it would be. 4.5 stars, rounded up. 
thereadedit's profile picture

thereadedit's review

DID NOT FINISH: 11%

Just wasn't feeling it. 
chrissypops's profile picture

chrissypops's review

4.5
adventurous challenging dark funny tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Thank you Duncan Ralston and `netgalley for the ARC of Pedp island Bloodbath.

Ive read quite a few of Duncan's books and really enjoyed them. They seem to have such a good balance of everything and this one was a really fun read! Pedo Island Bloodbath is light on the "Pedo" front. There is a storyline of underage girls being on a cruise ship heading for Little pearl Island, However, the suggestion of underage sex is very subtle and well done. The heavier element of the storyline is following the stowaway, Clarisisa, her sister Ava and what awaits them all on Pearl island. A dark, sinister entity who's going to unleash a horror so terrible - Its gonna be a blood bath carnage! 

I found the main storyline really interesting, mixing these creeps on a cruise ship and a nice dose of folklore. The main characters are well fleshed out. I really bonded with Gabe and how his character grew throughout the book. Im looking forward to seeing any adventures he may appear in in the future! I also loved his shipmates Digby and Cheery.  It was nice to see Duncan having some LGBTQ representation in his storyline. I know it's not for everyone. To me though, I feel that these underrepresented people can and do find places within storylines as they do in real life and accepted for who they are.

The story itself has some nice little twists, nice little tie in reveals at the end ( A few OMG moments! ) and aahhh ha! I wouldn't really put this book into extreme horror or splatter punk but it has a nice mix of both with the folklore so it adheres really well. I also love the subtle dark humour and the banter between the characters and its very well paced.



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larry_l's review

3.75
dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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mafaichney's profile picture

mafaichney's review

3.25
challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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vinomanscott930's review

4.0

Easier on the "Pedo", heavy on the "Bloodbath", Duncan turns the modern news clip into a classic vampire story, with a few twists. Truly enjoyed this story, with the hopes of a continued "storyline" for Gabe and the rest of the group. The bloodline is strong. Oh, by the way...Epstein didn't kill himself.
jackiesspookyshelf's profile picture

jackiesspookyshelf's review

4.0
challenging dark funny mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes