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booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
3.0
This is a hard book for me to rate. I enjoyed the atmospheric and creepy writing style, and the overall concept. But I struggled to connect with Maddy (though her self discovery journey was lovely, her lack of connection with other characters made it very difficult) and the lack of explanation about anything frustrated me greatly.
Plus there is a couple of scenes around hurting animals - one post event discovery, and one on page. The latter was very hard for me to read.
Ironically the lack of explanation leaned into the atmospheric nature of the book, but in particular Mamó’s refusal to tell Maddy anything was very annoying. It seemed so selfish. Why does she so want Maddy to join her? We will never know! I liked Mamó but there’s so many questions.
Caitlin is a hard character too - we learn a bit about why she’s quite so hard to like at the end, but it does mean Maddy’s only real connection in the book is someone you don’t like lol.
Having said that, I liked what we see of Oona, I just felt there wasn’t enough of her on page.
Also the epilogue seemed unnecessarily confusing - now I have so many more questions! 😂 the book seemed finished and this made it feel like there needs to be more.
For me, it’s one of those books where none of the events would happen if people actually talked about the dangers around them. Here, I do get why the town are protective of their secrets, but when Maddy starts to notice things they all need to just sit down and tell her. She’s asking, just answer some questions!!
The concept works within the constraints, and the writing is honestly lovely in places, so I liked it more than this review implies I think 😂
Plus there is a couple of scenes around hurting animals - one post event discovery, and one on page. The latter was very hard for me to read.
Ironically the lack of explanation leaned into the atmospheric nature of the book, but in particular Mamó’s refusal to tell Maddy anything was very annoying. It seemed so selfish. Why does she so want Maddy to join her? We will never know! I liked Mamó but there’s so many questions.
Caitlin is a hard character too - we learn a bit about why she’s quite so hard to like at the end, but it does mean Maddy’s only real connection in the book is someone you don’t like lol.
Having said that, I liked what we see of Oona, I just felt there wasn’t enough of her on page.
Also the epilogue seemed unnecessarily confusing - now I have so many more questions! 😂 the book seemed finished and this made it feel like there needs to be more.
For me, it’s one of those books where none of the events would happen if people actually talked about the dangers around them. Here, I do get why the town are protective of their secrets, but when Maddy starts to notice things they all need to just sit down and tell her. She’s asking, just answer some questions!!
The concept works within the constraints, and the writing is honestly lovely in places, so I liked it more than this review implies I think 😂
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
emilyjhx's review against another edition
challenging
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
3.0
cant_stop_reading's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jackiescozyspace's review against another edition
Far too long winded, not much has happened yet and I am skimming it far too much. The language of the teens is quite jarring and cringy I just couldn't continue it.
emmagray13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
carrieat's review
2.0
I really wanted to enjoy this. The idea behind it is my kind of book. I’m not sure if it was the fact it took me 2 months to finish or if it was because I wasn’t enjoying it that it too so long. I also feel it could have been about 25% shorter than it was.
I didn’t mind Madaline’s character but really struggled with Catlin’s self centred whining.
The book is very beautiful in parts but when you struggle to be interested in a main characters it overshadows this.
It was ok but not good, certainly not great and defiantly not a favourite read.
Also completely ruined it when Buttons got dragged into it. The Fox was more than enough.
I didn’t mind Madaline’s character but really struggled with Catlin’s self centred whining.
The book is very beautiful in parts but when you struggle to be interested in a main characters it overshadows this.
It was ok but not good, certainly not great and defiantly not a favourite read.
Also completely ruined it when Buttons got dragged into it. The Fox was more than enough.
buffany's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0