Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

36 reviews

mossymossy's review

dark tense fast-paced

• 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

1.0

I feel really frustrated with this book. I enjoy the concept of paranormal IKEA, but felt the story could have taken a more interesting direction at almost every turn. It built little suspense and catapults the reader into a never-ending series of traumas (which can be enjoyable but it became boring quickly in this context).
Even though the story revolves around the paranormal and the unbelievable, I was constantly fixated on how unrealistic certain aspects were (like retail workers being set to the task of staying overnight in a store when possible criminal activity is going on.. I can't imagine any company risking the liability; also, the main character's motives didn't feel believable and seemed forced). I think I would have been able to suspend disbelief if the tone was more "campy."
I did appreciate the commentary about corporations motivated by capitalism and greed, while selling false ideals that some buy and others resist (but remain stuck regardless).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Gore, Confinement, Blood, and Body horror

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Excrement

Rats

librarymouse's review

adventurous challenging mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I'm glad I got this book in print to read, but now, I'm unsettled by it.

Ruth Anne's snoopy😭. Twice, when he came up, first in Amy's thoughts right after Ruth Anne succumbing to the pennetants, and again at Ruth Anne's memorial, I nearly cried. Grady Hendrix has a neat trick of characterizing his characters with little, branded quirks, like Ruth Anne's religious attachment to Blistex and Amy specifically stopping at the Speedway for coffee that somewhat break the suspension disbelief while making them a bit more interesting. Ruth Anne's Snoopy waiting for her on the couch at a home she'll never return to takes that almost comical brand name dropping and turns it on it's head. Making the thought of a mass produced toy waiting for it's loving owner to return home such a deeply gut wrenching thing in the slog of gore and terror in this book makes upsetting and gorgeous space for grief. Ruth Anne gouging out her own eyes to avoid seeing the things that terrified her, with the childlike belief that if she can't see them, they can't see her is equally upsetting.

Matt and Trinity are interesting characters, but they don't get as much space in the book to be known. The focus is on Amy, Basil, and Ruth Anne. Ruth Anne does a great job personalizing Basil to Amy, beyond the archetype of ineffective middle manager. He believes in her as a person. It just takes a while for the two of them to understand each other.

This book really takes the concept of the real evil being capitalism to the furthest degree possible beg it would fall into a spoof/satire category. Orsk is a corporate, bureaucratic nightmare.

The gradual shifting of the images from possible furniture pieces to torture equipment is honestly funny. I like how each item is showcased in the chapter. In some scenes, this book reads a bit like a fanfiction, which isn't a bad thing. It provides much needed moments of levity.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Medical content, Physical abuse, Body horror, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Self harm

thegayestghost's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Gaslighting and Suicide

joscelynhe's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Much scarier than his other books I’ve read, but still very entertaining. Hendrix knows how to do tension and suspense well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Torture, Violence, and Blood

akira_outofthegravity's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Surprisingly fun and dark! 

I like the gore (wish there was more) and I liked Basil and Amy too. The story is good, but the last scenes in Orsk are a little messy  and all over the place. But I liked the corporate greed that really shines through the whole thing. The ending is pretty good, overall a recommended read

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Body horror, and Gore

Moderate: Torture, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping

Minor: Grief

kristiemarie12's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I will never step foot in an IKEA again.........

The Séance scene and all the fingers in mouths????? No thank you

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Violence, Murder, Grief, Death, Body horror, and Blood

mallory10100's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

this was WILD 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Murder, Police brutality, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Confinement, Excrement, Grief, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Cursing, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Suicide, Death, and Vomit

carissa230's review

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Amy is just trying to survive her job at Orsk, make enough to pay rent, and move back to the original location she started at. When her boss asks her to stay late and investigate why problems keep popping up overnight. Amy reluctantly agrees to stay, just for the chance to get enough money to pay rent. 

Amy knows immediately this was a mistake. She is stuck with her boss and a co-worker that loves her job. When they start to walk the floors there are immediate issues. As the night progresses things get weirder and weirder until they hit a crescendo. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, and Grief

alastaire's review

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Body horror, Confinement, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Vomit, Blood, Murder, Death, Gaslighting, and Violence

Moderate: Grief, Classism, Sexual harassment, and Excrement

Minor: Animal death, Alcoholism, Biphobia, and Addiction

Mass murder, drowning, prison, ghosts

carbinara's review

adventurous dark mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

This was such a fun concept, and since uni is kicking my ass I sorta needed something quick and impactful. This deffo delivered. Loved the criticism of capitalism, loved Amy (which is rare for me to live main characters but Hendrix has always managed it so far), and loved the horror aspects. 

 I only wish we got more world building.

I’m assuming Orsk is more involved than we think. We assume its only the Ohio store affected since the prison was built there before it, but then we see that someone has gone missing from the New York location? And I sort of assumed it wasn’t the same ghosts since beehive was still under Planet Baby but idk. Considering its a criticism of capitalism, would make sense if Orsk was involved, especially with how they react.

Still a really fun story, but would love a sequel lol

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Grief, Vomit, Confinement, Death, Blood, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture

Minor: Cursing and Excrement