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sjexley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I haven't read a scary book in a long time and this one creeped me out! A mom and her two kids are home alone during a blizzard when she sees an intruder in the house. She grabs her sleeping kids and they rush to hide in a secret room. What happens next is nothing short of nightmares, and that's just the present day plot. This book jumps around bw the past and present and really had me unsure of who to believe. It was so suspenseful, I couldn't read parts of it fast enough! Do not recommend if you are anxious about intruders bc you may never sleep again. Also, this is the first book I've read that takes place during Covid but the pandemic ITSELF wasn't a huge character. It was interesting to read a story where it was referenced but not focused on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Terminal illness, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, and Body shaming
Minor: Blood
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Finished reading: April 16th 2024
“Easier to believe a woman’s lying than that bad things happened on your watch. Easier to believe the simplest thing is always correct. And it’s simple to say a woman is crazy.”
I kept seeing this debut everywhere and the premise sounded delightfully creepy, so of course I ended up giving in and decided to add Nightwatching to my priority TBR. It's true that hyped books can go both ways for me, but I'm SO glad I listened to my intuition here... Because the fact is: I was completely bowled over by this claustrophobic and simply spine-chilling story. WHAT a read! It's funny how part of me absolutely hated my time with Nightwatching, while I was also completely hooked and in awe at the same time. This sounds completely contradictory, but I think that if you have read this story you will probably know what I'm talking about. I absolutely loved the chapters set in the present, which were both intense, daunting and had that perfect ominous atmosphere. The setting itself is simple, as most of the story is set at the house... But in only worked in this story's favor for me. I initally wasn't a fan of the flashbacks at all, but as soon as you start to understand the importance of those same flashbacks all is forgiven. I absolutely loved the writing style, which I admit won't be for everyone... But if you are able to connect with it, it will truly take this debut to the next level for you. The way the plot is built up and how you start questioning everything that you are reading is also extremely cleverly done, and it only made me want to turn those pages even faster. I simply HAD to know what really happened that night! All in all a fantastic debut and I already can't wait to see what Tracy Sierra will come up with next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Abandonment, Body shaming, Alcoholism, Blood, Gun violence, Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Death, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pedophilia, and Sexism
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