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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
"If you hunt for monsters, you'll find them."
3 1/2 stars. Wow. I hadn't dared to hope that this book would actually satisfy my craving for a creepy book just in time for Halloween, but [b:The Creeping|23309610|The Creeping|Alexandra Sirowy|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1439787121s/23309610.jpg|25878877] really is a strange and unsettling story.
I've heard this premise so many times. Two children disappear in a small town, only one returns. The "survivor" cannot remember what happened to them. The other child is never found. In this case, the two children are Jeanie and our narrator - Stella. And when Stella is found, all she does is repeat the same line over and over: "If you hunt for monsters, you'll find them."
Years later and Stella is a popular teenager with friends and crushes, but her life is tainted by the blurry memory of Jeanie. Then, on the anniversary of Jeanie's disappearance, a body of a young girl is found. Can it be Jeanie? Or is it just one more in a long line of something much older than their town?
There are so many things to praise.
For one, the creepy atmosphere. I would say the pacing is relatively slow for a typical YA novel, but that actually just heightened the tension for me. There's this ongoing sense of both the supernatural and human evil, and they are equally terrifying. It's hard to know which is worse: that an ancient evil lurks in the woods, or that the evil is in the hearts of people you have known all your life.
Secondly, the single biggest criticism I have seen for this book is about the dysfunctional friendship between Stella and her friend Zoey, though I personally loved it. I thought it was an interesting and honest portrait of the web of affections and jealousies between teenage girls.
Neither are particularly likable characters, but that makes the story ever more interesting. I also like that the author directly addresses slut-shaming and generally portrays the message that being a virgin, promiscuous or something in between is totally okay.
My criticism (hence the 3 1/2 rating) is the completely unnecessary romance. I'm not saying this because I hate romance, I'm saying it because it honestly feels like publishers list romance as a requirement for any YA book, whether the story needs one or not.
And this story definitely didn't. I wanted to skim read the romantic parts between Stella and Sam so I could get back to the good stuff.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this for those looking for a creepy read that constantly straddles the line between mystery and horror. It's the kind of book that keeps you wondering right up until the very end: monsters or men?
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mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you hunt for monsters, you'll find them.
I don't usually read paranormal or suspend books, not because I don't enjoy it, but I can't find books that have these genres, moreover good ones.
This book is carefully constructed, it's a bit slow at first because it wants to introduce you to the whole scenario and let you know what's going on. I actually enjoy the slow pace, you can feel how Stella was haunted from Jeanie, and how Jeanie's disappearance had affected her life. I kinda emphasize Stella though, she needs to bear a heavy past, her parent's divorce, her dad's been MIA for the most part of her life due to work, and her friends are quite shitty too. She has too much bad influence around her, and you kinda understand if she makes stupid decisions because she wants to mend the broken pieces in her life. Even though I don't like her character, but in a general view point, she's actually the perfect character for this book. With all the heavy emotions and mystery going on, it makes the book a very enjoyable read.
I would give it a 5 star if it has just a little bit more drama to it. There's just too less blood-shed and the ending is a little bit too flat if you want to compare it to the hype that's been building throughout the climax. Nevertheless, a good book indeed. I'll be paying this author more attention in the future.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book lost my interest. I wanted to like it but I have had it on my shelf for a while now and I just can't continue the book. I have to say I am sad I couldn't get into this book. The summary made me want to read it but I lost it about 25% in. I may pick it up again some other time and give it another go and if so I will update my review if I change my mind. But for now, I could not finish it.
The first thriller or mystery book that gives me a full closure on everything(except maybe a tiny, little part which I still think is a kind of closure)
Usually the mystery will be explained and then it ends with something that makes you think that maybe there's something else or there might be some details or questions that are left unanswered(not that it's a bad idea, some books are better when some things are left unanswered), but this book definitely answers all of my questions so it's definitely a new experience for me(a refreshing experience?) This book definitely makes me wonder which one is worse: monster-hunting -people or trusted humans killing people
However, the story's pace is a bit slow and the romance felt forced(?), it's like an unnecessary part of the novel; I couldn't wait for it to end so I can get back to the mystery.
Rant:
And that stupid Daniel, blaming everyone for his own mistakes; I pity him when his mother didn't believe him though. I mean come on, no matter how mean and horrible he was, he's still 9y/o! No 9 y/o are capable of murder with intention(as far as I know).
How Stella's dad could keep on working late and left his daughter alone at home most of the time during all these is beyond me.
Spoiler
Stella remembers what really happened to Jeanie but still wonder what happened to her body, but eventually decided not to ponder on it and drives herself crazyUsually the mystery will be explained and then it ends with something that makes you think that maybe there's something else or there might be some details or questions that are left unanswered(not that it's a bad idea, some books are better when some things are left unanswered), but this book definitely answers all of my questions so it's definitely a new experience for me(a refreshing experience?) This book definitely makes me wonder which one is worse: monster-hunting -people or trusted humans killing people
However, the story's pace is a bit slow and the romance felt forced(?), it's like an unnecessary part of the novel; I couldn't wait for it to end so I can get back to the mystery.
Rant:
Spoiler
why would Daniel stayed quiet about what happened to Jeanie?! It's an accident! I think all 3 of them could carried Jeanie back home though; and they obviously wouldn't need Stella to wait for Jeanie before coming back because they did went to that place by themselves so how can they forget how to get back there already?! Even if they don't, I don't think Stella's going to wait anyway because she's a 6y/o who's traumatized, panicked and afraid(even most adults couldn't think straight in that kind of situation)And that stupid Daniel, blaming everyone for his own mistakes; I pity him when his mother didn't believe him though. I mean come on, no matter how mean and horrible he was, he's still 9y/o! No 9 y/o are capable of murder with intention(as far as I know).
How Stella's dad could keep on working late and left his daughter alone at home most of the time during all these is beyond me.
Wow, I don't really know where to begin with this book. I picked it up from the library super excited about another YA paranormal mystery because that's what this book is marketed as. Oh boy, I was so wrong!
Stella is a survivor. When she was 6, she went into the forest with her friend Jeanie and only Stella returned. She can't remember anything from that day, except for the phrase "If you hunt for monsters, you'll find them." A phrase she repeated 253 times. With the help of Sam and her life-long friend Zoey, Stella tries to unearth the mystery of the young girls that have disappeared from Savage over the years and to remember that horrific day that her friend Jeanie went into the woods and never returned.
To be honest, this book was great. The characters were so realistic it was painful sometimes. The atmosphere was perfectly set. The plot was perfectly paced (although I will admit that the last 15 pages seemed a little unnecessary, but still added to the book). The reason for the 2 stars is because it wasn't what I was expecting. Usually, that boosts my rating of a book, but this was a huge detriment to my enjoyment of The Creeping. I was hoping for something along the lines of [b:Bad Girls Dont Die|16067444|Bad Girls Dont Die (Bad Girls Don't Die, #1)|Katie Alender|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1349382719s/16067444.jpg|3722007], [b:Blue is for Nightmares|477338|Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, #1)|Laurie Faria Stolarz|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350054787s/477338.jpg|465559], or [b:Deadly Little Secret|2820533|Deadly Little Secret (Touch, #1)|Laurie Faria Stolarz|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1325558484s/2820533.jpg|2846471]. Unfortunately, it turned out to be more psychological than mystical. The story was creepy for sure, but it wasn't what I was hoping for. I just wish I knew what type of story I was getting into when I read it. Had I been better prepared, I may have given it a higher rating.
The characters were out of this world in terms of realisticness. Stella is a ~17 years old, about to start her senior year as one of the popular girls with her best friend Zoey at the head of the pack. Stella initially is concerned with what people think, especially what Zoey thinks, and makes most of her choices based on what would be best for her "image". On a scale of how likable Stella is I'd give her a 3.5. She's a completely realistic teenage girl, and while that's great, it was sometimes painful to read because I could totally identify with her actions (which was very troubling).
Honestly, I'd say read the book. But don't go into it under the guise of a paranormal novel. You won't get what you're expecting.
Stella is a survivor. When she was 6, she went into the forest with her friend Jeanie and only Stella returned. She can't remember anything from that day, except for the phrase "If you hunt for monsters, you'll find them." A phrase she repeated 253 times. With the help of Sam and her life-long friend Zoey, Stella tries to unearth the mystery of the young girls that have disappeared from Savage over the years and to remember that horrific day that her friend Jeanie went into the woods and never returned.
To be honest, this book was great. The characters were so realistic it was painful sometimes. The atmosphere was perfectly set. The plot was perfectly paced (although I will admit that the last 15 pages seemed a little unnecessary, but still added to the book). The reason for the 2 stars is because it wasn't what I was expecting. Usually, that boosts my rating of a book, but this was a huge detriment to my enjoyment of The Creeping. I was hoping for something along the lines of [b:Bad Girls Dont Die|16067444|Bad Girls Dont Die (Bad Girls Don't Die, #1)|Katie Alender|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1349382719s/16067444.jpg|3722007], [b:Blue is for Nightmares|477338|Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, #1)|Laurie Faria Stolarz|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350054787s/477338.jpg|465559], or [b:Deadly Little Secret|2820533|Deadly Little Secret (Touch, #1)|Laurie Faria Stolarz|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1325558484s/2820533.jpg|2846471]. Unfortunately, it turned out to be more psychological than mystical. The story was creepy for sure, but it wasn't what I was hoping for. I just wish I knew what type of story I was getting into when I read it. Had I been better prepared, I may have given it a higher rating.
The characters were out of this world in terms of realisticness. Stella is a ~17 years old, about to start her senior year as one of the popular girls with her best friend Zoey at the head of the pack. Stella initially is concerned with what people think, especially what Zoey thinks, and makes most of her choices based on what would be best for her "image". On a scale of how likable Stella is I'd give her a 3.5. She's a completely realistic teenage girl, and while that's great, it was sometimes painful to read because I could totally identify with her actions (which was very troubling).
Honestly, I'd say read the book. But don't go into it under the guise of a paranormal novel. You won't get what you're expecting.
I liked the plot but hated the high school narrator. She just got annoying with the whole popularity and boys and things. I preferred when she just focused on the story. It seemed like the author tried to make the narrator young, but seemed more immature. It didn't seem consistent.
This is one of the best mysteries I've read! I loved every minute of it and couldn't put it down. Making up my own theories as I went along! There were even part that creeped me out! Parts were quite spooky. And I wanted to punch Zoey a great deal!!!! Great Book!
I lived it. It didn't end up where I expected, but overall, I liked the story. The friendships were also good.