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bludgeoned_by_hail's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The amazing concept is also pretty heavily dragged down by the book's "dudebro-isms": the almost fetishistic amounts of gendered violence used for horror, the mean-spirited portrayal of small town folks as bloodthirsty Bible-thumping idiots, and the entire character of Robert Grim, the epitome of "Reddit cool". Sometimes even the language of the writing slips into these cringy tropes, which makes the big sweeping declarations about the evils of humanity and mass hysteria feel even more adolescent.
This all makes it sound like I didn't like the book, which is not true. It's an incredibly spooky and engaging read and I'd still definitely recommend it to horror fans everywhere. I'm just kinda pissed about the ending still ;-;
(Also the setting should've stayed Beek in the English version, WHERE IS THE DUTCH HORROR REP)
Graphic: Gore and Body horror
Moderate: Suicide, Sexual violence, and Rape
chainsawheartbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The combination of characters and insane morals people will drop to all for the “good of the town” were really interesting, and I found the actual setting intriguing, I loved learning more about its rich and fucked up history.
But this felt like a slog. I really wanted to enjoy it more than I did, and I can’t really put my finger on why I didn’t.
There was a whole host of characters that I both wanted more information on, while also not really caring what happened to them.
And I really wish that the witch had more to do, especially in the end. I understand the whole metaphorical aspect of it, but I wanted her to get shit done.
All in all, I’m content with the fact I’ve read it, but I sadly can’t see myself revisiting this. Evidently this just wasn’t for me.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death, Confinement, Grief, Gore, Suicide attempt, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Rape, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, and Islamophobia
acorn192k's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Animal death, Body horror, Mental illness, Police brutality, Self harm, Sexual violence, and Torture
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Islamophobia, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
jilly_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, and Grief
Moderate: Self harm, Child death, Suicide, Rape, Medical content, Violence, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Death, Sexual violence, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Abortion
aparker89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Good f&cking book! Definitely not for the faint of heart but damn- my heart hurts after reading this!
Graphic: Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, Classism, Genocide, Medical trauma, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Hate crime, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Blood, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Torture, Confinement, Gore, Police brutality, Colonisation, Death, Grief, Homophobia, and Islamophobia
maddie1280's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Gore, Grief, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Suicide, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Vomit, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Blood, Animal death, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Self harm
quazimodo's review against another edition
2.75
Wat was dat einde, man? Ik had dit misschien niet moeten lezen voor het slapengaan...
Boek bevat een redelijke lijst aan trigger warnings, zoek ze op voor je gaat lezen, alsjeblieft?
Een interessant boek maar het was gewoon denk ik niet voor mij. Blij dat ik het heb gelezen maar ik heb nu een lichter boek nodig haha
Graphic: Torture, Suicide, Animal death, Sexual violence, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Blood, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Self harm and Excrement
cluelesspixie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Suicide, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Child death
Minor: Rape
kellyofcali's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mass/school shootings, Confinement, Child death, Grief, Bullying, Violence, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Animal death, Suicide, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Religious bigotry and Rape
thekatd's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.25
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Animal death, Body horror, Rape, Death, Domestic abuse, and Fire/Fire injury