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kmoore98's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Fatphobia and Racism
ertrunnell's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
There were things I hated about this book, but I still couldn’t stop listening so can’t knock it down too much. I definitely didn’t guess the major plot twist like some other readers did. Had more of a YA feel than adult.
Hated: transphobia, religious commentary, plot holes, irritating narrator, fatphobia
I thought it would have been interesting if the twist was that the whole thing was based on an unreliable narrator.
Other than what’s mentioned in “hated,” the writing was decent and I did want to figure out what the hell was going on.
Hated: transphobia, religious commentary, plot holes, irritating narrator, fatphobia
I thought it would have been interesting if the twist was that the whole thing was based on an unreliable narrator.
Other than what’s mentioned in “hated,” the writing was decent and I did want to figure out what the hell was going on.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Transphobia
monstersinspace's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Infertility, Alcohol, Body shaming, Car accident, Death, Drug abuse, Blood, Addiction, Fatphobia, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Transphobia
jasreads__'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Tw: Substance addiction, recovery, kidnapping of a child (in some extent: Fatphobia, Racism & Transphobia)
Summary:
Mallory Quinn is a recovering addict who's looking for steadiness in her life after getting out of rehab. She takes a job of babysitter for the summer with The Maxwells: Caroline, Ted and their 5 year old son Teddy.
Finally getting that stability she's hoped for, great job, her own place to stay, income and getting her passion for running again.. But things start to go wrong shortly after bonding with Teddy who loves to draw her pictures and tell her about his mystery friend Anya. The pictures become darker and darker with a man, a forest and a woman being harmed.
The problem is Mallory is a recovering addict, so she has to figure this out on her own without raising too much attention to what she's doing.
Thoughts:
I understand peoples concerns with fatphobia, racism and transphobia and all other controversy but I think it's all based on the reader and how they want to react to it. As a queer person I didn't find harm in Spoilerlearning that Teddy was a girl and it was hidden. I know there's questions regarding what was the end goal for the parents but I think the parents didn't even know themselves what they were going to do! They just wanted a child of their 'own'. I don't think it was transphobic, it was just them trying to literally try and hide the fact they out of random had a 2 year old child and it was a girl - they needed to cover what they did even if it wasn't a masterfully crafted plan. I could go on as to why I disagree with some people but I want to leave that up to the reader. Our actual living world still isn't perfect and it needs to be worked on more yes, but I also believe we need to stop taking everything too intentional or too direct because again, as a queer person I'm not hurt by this book.
I enjoyed this book and read it within a day and stayed up much later just to finish this book. This story was sweet at times, whenever Teddy would burst into laughter I just could hear it in my head the sweet innocence of a young child. I did expect more spook to it as everyone claimed there would be some, but I found I wasn't really scared or spooked just intrigued to learn the story. I'm glad the story ended on a much happier note. Teddy Spoiler (Flora), Margite and József deserved a happier ending.
⤍ What I liked: The pictures were such a nice touch to the story, being able to see what was being drawn you were able to actually picture the shock on Mallory's face when you saw them because I was even shocked looking at them. I enjoyed the play on the recovering drug addict because although some people see it as unrealistic, it unfortunately is realistic for some.
⤍ What I disliked: While I did enjoy the addict part, I also found it weighed a bit too heavy on the book and that's why it only get's 4.5 stars for me. I also found it more mystery based than horror or thriller.
Summary:
Mallory Quinn is a recovering addict who's looking for steadiness in her life after getting out of rehab. She takes a job of babysitter for the summer with The Maxwells: Caroline, Ted and their 5 year old son Teddy.
Finally getting that stability she's hoped for, great job, her own place to stay, income and getting her passion for running again.. But things start to go wrong shortly after bonding with Teddy who loves to draw her pictures and tell her about his mystery friend Anya. The pictures become darker and darker with a man, a forest and a woman being harmed.
The problem is Mallory is a recovering addict, so she has to figure this out on her own without raising too much attention to what she's doing.
Thoughts:
I understand peoples concerns with fatphobia, racism and transphobia and all other controversy but I think it's all based on the reader and how they want to react to it. As a queer person I didn't find harm in Spoilerlearning that Teddy was a girl and it was hidden. I know there's questions regarding what was the end goal for the parents but I think the parents didn't even know themselves what they were going to do! They just wanted a child of their 'own'. I don't think it was transphobic, it was just them trying to literally try and hide the fact they out of random had a 2 year old child and it was a girl - they needed to cover what they did even if it wasn't a masterfully crafted plan. I could go on as to why I disagree with some people but I want to leave that up to the reader. Our actual living world still isn't perfect and it needs to be worked on more yes, but I also believe we need to stop taking everything too intentional or too direct because again, as a queer person I'm not hurt by this book.
I enjoyed this book and read it within a day and stayed up much later just to finish this book. This story was sweet at times, whenever Teddy would burst into laughter I just could hear it in my head the sweet innocence of a young child. I did expect more spook to it as everyone claimed there would be some, but I found I wasn't really scared or spooked just intrigued to learn the story. I'm glad the story ended on a much happier note. Teddy Spoiler (Flora), Margite and József deserved a happier ending.
⤍ What I liked: The pictures were such a nice touch to the story, being able to see what was being drawn you were able to actually picture the shock on Mallory's face when you saw them because I was even shocked looking at them. I enjoyed the play on the recovering drug addict because although some people see it as unrealistic, it unfortunately is realistic for some.
⤍ What I disliked: While I did enjoy the addict part, I also found it weighed a bit too heavy on the book and that's why it only get's 4.5 stars for me. I also found it more mystery based than horror or thriller.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping and Drug use
Minor: Fatphobia, Transphobia, and Racism
thecozyrogue's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Gaslighting, Car accident, and Gun violence
Minor: Fatphobia and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
coeurloyal's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I eagerly purchased Hidden Pictures for my 2023 TBR shortly after it won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror in 2022. I am appalled that this book not only was nominated but won the award given its hidden extreme right propaganda. I was disgusted to be surprised by a plot full of transphobia, religious elitism, fatphobia, racial stereotypes, and hidden political propaganda. I will not be giving this book a proper review as I do not recommend anyone read it and wish I could take my money back from having supported it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Car accident, Fatphobia, Kidnapping, Murder, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
arnold_shelby's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This is the worst written book I have ever read. It's absolutely ridiculous and the "twist" doesn't hold up to any level of scrutiny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Fatphobia
Moderate: Addiction, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Blood and Racism
Truly this is just the worst. Do not waste your time.ayisharasheed's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Racism, and Fatphobia
talsbooknook's review against another edition
This is a poorly written book full of right wing dog whistles, religious propaganda and transphobia. Absolute nonsense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Death of parent, Death, Violence, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Fatphobia, Classism, Body shaming, and Blood
notsarahconnor's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Transphobia. Copaganda. Fatphobia. All of these things are found in Jason Rekulak's Hidden Pictures, yet this book managed to be the 2023 Goodread's Reader's Choice Horror winner and is being raved about on TikTok.
Read the full spoilerific review on my blog!
Read the full spoilerific review on my blog!
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia and Transphobia