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onetrackmind77's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
hsheehan85's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This book is getting a new release by Cemetary Dance and I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story is short and was an easy read. I liked the idea of the story being told and it is interesting. However, I feel like the characters don't really develop or grow in anyway. Plus, the first part of the book feels like that should have been the shorter part and then more time should have been sent on the second part. The second part of the book felt rushed. I think the second part should have been more flushed out and not written as though the author was trying to wrap everything up quickly.
This story is short and was an easy read. I liked the idea of the story being told and it is interesting. However, I feel like the characters don't really develop or grow in anyway. Plus, the first part of the book feels like that should have been the shorter part and then more time should have been sent on the second part. The second part of the book felt rushed. I think the second part should have been more flushed out and not written as though the author was trying to wrap everything up quickly.
drakaina16's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
In the Scrape is the kind of realistic horror I really love. It feels like a true story, and that's what makes something truly horrific to me. The story of two boys desperate to escape their abusive father morphs into a horror story of a different kind. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
rock_n_reads's review
5.0
This is the second collaboration I’ve read between James Newman and Mark Steensland, and I’m anxiously awaiting another. In the Scrape is a novella that will not be easily forgotten. These two authors have delivered an emotional and memorable story, with a focus on real life horror.
If you’ve read my other reviews, by now you know that I love books that make me feel, and this one is no exception. This story goes on the shelf next to Boden and Lutzke’s Out Behind the Barn as one of my favorite “horror with heart” books.
If you’ve read my other reviews, by now you know that I love books that make me feel, and this one is no exception. This story goes on the shelf next to Boden and Lutzke’s Out Behind the Barn as one of my favorite “horror with heart” books.
unwrappingwords's review
5.0
Full review on Dead Head Reviews
In the Scrape is a coming of age story, reminiscent of Stephen King. At points, it feels like one of King’s more grounded tales, though much more tightly packed. The two authors involved have put together a story that feels familiar, yet has their own unique spin on it. The twists in the story feel natural, but the reader is still kept on the edge of their seat, wondering if it’s heading in the direction they think it is. It’s one of those stories that manages to get you right into the head of the main character, rooting for them as they move along, understanding every action they take, even when it’s downright stupid.
In the Scrape is a coming of age story, reminiscent of Stephen King. At points, it feels like one of King’s more grounded tales, though much more tightly packed. The two authors involved have put together a story that feels familiar, yet has their own unique spin on it. The twists in the story feel natural, but the reader is still kept on the edge of their seat, wondering if it’s heading in the direction they think it is. It’s one of those stories that manages to get you right into the head of the main character, rooting for them as they move along, understanding every action they take, even when it’s downright stupid.
jimbob_luke's review
5.0
James Newman and Mark Steensland have knocked the ball out of the park with this collaboration. This heart wrenching coming of age tale hits you in the feels. With short chapters and perfect prose I kept reading until I finished, pulse pounding, in one sitting. Highly recommended.
- Danny
- Danny
prophit718's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
readbydusk's review against another edition
4.0
This is an engrossing, heartbreaking novella about two brothers who yearn to escape their abusive father. I love the relationship between Jake and Matthew. Their love and care for each other shines in every page. Jake, as the older brother, tries his hardest to protect Matthew from their father and the local bully, Caleb. But odds are against them, and I found myself rooting for them to get away from their terrible situation. When their father takes them to a hunting trip and all hell breaks loose, it made for a frightful and shocking climax to the story.
I couldn't tell that two writers had a hand in this because of the seamless and concise writing. The chapters are brief and the story takes place over one week so it moves fast. If there's one thing I could pick on is that I wish the story doesn't allude to the fate of the characters early on. I think it would have made for a more suspenseful read if we have no idea what happens to them until the end. But I really enjoyed this great coming-of-age story about the horror of abuse and the strength in the brothers' relationship.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
I couldn't tell that two writers had a hand in this because of the seamless and concise writing. The chapters are brief and the story takes place over one week so it moves fast. If there's one thing I could pick on is that I wish the story doesn't allude to the fate of the characters early on. I think it would have made for a more suspenseful read if we have no idea what happens to them until the end. But I really enjoyed this great coming-of-age story about the horror of abuse and the strength in the brothers' relationship.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
spookyoctopusreads's review
5.0
You know when you finish reading a book and you love it so much and you're just inflated with all kinds of emotion? That's me with this book right here. Seriously, what a great coming-of-age, suspenseful, relatable, and emotional novella.
I was so impressed with the character development in this story. The relationship between the brothers was so real and authentic. I found myself getting very invested in their story and rooting for their escape from their ruthless father. The father was a character that I loved to hate, but he was a complicated character. There were times when I understood some of the things he said or did, and these times were glimmers of the good father he could have been, but then there were other times that I truly wanted something terrible to happen to him. His alcohol infused cruelty that left his sons cowering in their beds waiting for him to just pass out really got to me. However, as much as these characters ripped at my heart and made me run the gamut of emotions, they were so very well-written. This story made my heart ache, had me smiling, had me filled with rage, and had me downright scared. I commend Newman and Steensland for being able to elicit so many emotions from readers in such a brief story. If you like your horror with a side of emotion, this is totally for you!
4.5/5 - My only complaint lies in the epilogue of the story. It read like one of those "where are they now" portions of a movie or TV show where the writers sum up how everyone has moved on with their lives after the traumatic events they experienced. I just don't enjoy those types of endings. In most stories, I would much rather not have everything all neatly wrapped up for me. Leave me turning that last page, with my jaw dropped, reassuring myself that everyone will get their own deserved form of karma.
**Thank you Silver Shamrock Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
I was so impressed with the character development in this story. The relationship between the brothers was so real and authentic. I found myself getting very invested in their story and rooting for their escape from their ruthless father. The father was a character that I loved to hate, but he was a complicated character. There were times when I understood some of the things he said or did, and these times were glimmers of the good father he could have been, but then there were other times that I truly wanted something terrible to happen to him. His alcohol infused cruelty that left his sons cowering in their beds waiting for him to just pass out really got to me. However, as much as these characters ripped at my heart and made me run the gamut of emotions, they were so very well-written. This story made my heart ache, had me smiling, had me filled with rage, and had me downright scared. I commend Newman and Steensland for being able to elicit so many emotions from readers in such a brief story. If you like your horror with a side of emotion, this is totally for you!
4.5/5 - My only complaint lies in the epilogue of the story. It read like one of those "where are they now" portions of a movie or TV show where the writers sum up how everyone has moved on with their lives after the traumatic events they experienced. I just don't enjoy those types of endings. In most stories, I would much rather not have everything all neatly wrapped up for me. Leave me turning that last page, with my jaw dropped, reassuring myself that everyone will get their own deserved form of karma.
**Thank you Silver Shamrock Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**