Reviews with content warning for Drug abuse - In a Dark, Dark Wood

Pros: Beautiful author voice. Characters were mildly engaging. Premise was good.

Cons: Halfway through, there hadn't been enough suspense or chills to keep me wanting to read further. Main character was kind of annoying, and her thoughts and moments of turmoil were repetitive. I just didn't care about her or any of the other characters enough to keep reading.

3.5 stars

Content Warnings

mreads379's review

Go to review page

dark sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

predictable.
--------

i mean come on. this "friend" with narcassitic tendencies invites you to a bach after not speaking and stealing your boyfriend following a traumatic event and you are surprised it's not going well?

Content Warnings

arti_27209's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious tense fast-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

2.75

Content Warnings

annreadsabook's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Content Warnings

xx_coco's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Nora hasn't seen her childhood best friend, Clare, for over ten years. When she receives an invitation to Clare's bachelorette party Nora is beyond confused, she can't imagine a single reason for the sudden invite out of the blue. Despite her reluctance, Nora decides it wouldn't hurt to pay a visit to an old friend before her wedding. The festivities kick off normal enough, but as the weekend devolves into a wild, unpredictable party, Nora feels that something isn't quite right. What could go wrong in a secluded cabin the woods?

Let's start off with the positives: this was a quick read, but that's about it. The structure of the mystery was pretty standard and the set up was one I'm familiar with. Take a group of near strangers, isolate them, and it's the perfect opportunity for something shocking to happen. The plot had promise, but the execution could have been better. I spent a lot of this book wondering when something was going to happen because so many moments read like filler–there were long stretches of stagnant plot before the story gets going. Even when the story gets going it's difficult to get into because the characters are flat and fairly annoying. There isn't a chance to get to know anyone in depth beyond Nora really, and I didn't enjoy my time spent with her inner monologue if I'm being blunt.

I wasn't a fan of the back and forth between the present and the events of the bachelorette party. It did create mystery around the big event that sets the second half of the book in motion, but the whole memory loss trope is hit or miss. Without that one aspect the entire mystery would fall apart.

The main reason this book suffers is the characterization of Nora. She's naive, whiney, and I had a hard time believing she would have accepted the invitation to Clare's bachelorette party once the big reveal happens. The plot relies on a lot of unbelievable circumstances lining up perfectly for the story to unfold the way it does. I couldn't suspend my disbelief that much.

Content Warnings

More...