Scan barcode
softasapanda's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
2.5
The kitten scene was unnecessarily gruesome, but maybe I was just sensitive because my own kittens were sitting next to me during it.
My first audio book, because I'd caught up to all my podcasts and needed something to listen to while doing the dishes. It felt extremely slow with not much actually happening, and then the big event wasn't really resolved satisfactorily. I noticed there's a sequel but don't care enough to find out what happens next. If I'd been reading the physical book I probably wouldn't have finished it.
Also, why was nobody bothered about a 20 year old lurking around a school and then dating a 16 year old student??
My first audio book, because I'd caught up to all my podcasts and needed something to listen to while doing the dishes. It felt extremely slow with not much actually happening, and then the big event wasn't really resolved satisfactorily. I noticed there's a sequel but don't care enough to find out what happens next. If I'd been reading the physical book I probably wouldn't have finished it.
Also, why was nobody bothered about a 20 year old lurking around a school and then dating a 16 year old student??
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Gore, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Body horror, Death, and Toxic relationship
celine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
this book is so weird omg
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Animal cruelty, Child death, Animal death, Body horror, and Child abuse
Moderate: Cannibalism, Death, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
mollyv's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
2.0
I would have given the initial premise of the book a much higher rating, however the ending destroyed any enjoyment I had out of the book. Firstly, the mystery is extremely obvious as to who it is, to the point where I was waiting for a plot twist that never came.
Secondly, the ending was disgustingly graphic for no reason, I did not need to read what happened to her sister in such detail. Furthermore, every character is exactly as perceived from the time they are first introduced - if you are expecting development, hidden depths or anything, read a different book. The "grandma" like figure is horrible throughout and is horrible at the end too, the creepy older man, whilst creepier in a whole other way than expected, was still creepy and the mum was absolutely useless
I would like to forget I ever read this book.
I would like to forget I ever read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cannibalism, Toxic relationship, Torture, Murder, Stalking, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, Death, Animal cruelty, Gore, and Adult/minor relationship
kaleidoscope_heart's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, and Animal death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Murder, Death, and Toxic relationship
wardenred's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
We’re so close to nature here. Lots of hidden life. And hidden death.
Wow. This book turned out to be way creepier than I expected.
It started mild enough: two twin sisters move to a mysterious little town as a result of their mother's second marriage, and then one gets obsessed with an older guy who is clearly bad news while the other struggles to figure out all sorts of things: what to do about her sister's destructive romance, what to make of this strange new place, how to figure out her own sexuality. There's also witchcraft. Dark and disturbing things happening in the local woods. Promises of more creepiness to come.
For the first 2/3 to 3/4 of the book, the story mostly stays rooted in the regular confusing teenage experience, with some mystery/witchy stuff added in for flavor, and it does the job rather well. Maddie's struggles are relatable. Lon, the older guy, is clearly a creepy abuser whether there's anything supernatural about him or not. The twins' family relationships are compelling.
Then, in the final part, the author decides to deliver on all those dark and disturbing promises, and my, does she go all out. There were several scenes there, in rapid succession, that made me physically cringe. I wish I was more thorough about checking the trigger warnings going in.
I mostly like the conclusion everything worked up to, but that last part was honestly jarring. It didn't come out of nowhere; it did flow quite logically out of all the earlier foreshadowing. But I felt like some of it was sort of too much for a young adult book somehow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Gore, Death of parent, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Cannibalism, Death, and Animal death
Minor: Homophobia
More...