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tifftastic87's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
The story is kind of predictable, but that wouldn't have been a problem if the characters were more developed. We immediately got into the "tense" part of the story without learning anything about the characters. Well, we did learn two things one is that Monica struggles to parent her strong willed daughter and that Troy is a f**k boy.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Rape, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Animal death, Grief, Gun violence, Body horror, Sexual content, Confinement, and Medical content
Moderate: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Murder, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Pregnancy
mikkareads'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? It's complicated
1.25
TRIGGER WARNING:
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There are numerous sex scenes, many of which are part of the horror aspect of the book. Two of them are scenes where a man is forcibly tied up and forced to have sex against his will - but of course, he secretly enjoys it because the woman is sooooo incredibly attractive and kinky. This is, in my eyes, a trivialization of sexual violence, which I find distasteful even in an exaggerated campy horror novel.
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Body shaming
meganrae047's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body shaming, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Sexism
kellyreadingbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
I usually don't "yuck someone's yum", but I don't understand how someone could enjoy this book. This read like an R rated Lifetime horror movie mixed with the cheese of the Disney Channel Original movie Smart House (Smart Demon Nana?? lol). The characters were so naïve I couldn't even fathom the story to begin with. I think there are much better books out there exploring ageism and gender inequality. I read this for an online book club and I am genuinely curious if this will be a hit for anyone. I honestly should've stopped reading it at multiple points because nooooooooot my cup of tea!
Moderate: Sexual assault, Body horror, Sexual content, and Rape
Minor: Animal death
ruthypoo2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The book begins with a legitimately creepy opening titled, "Before..." Picture an elderly widow returning after dark to the large home she lives in alone, and hearing something upstairs she feels compelled to investigate. It's amazing how a good writer can take a setting that you normally feel so safe in, like your own home, and turn it into a sinister haunted house. All it takes is a little creak or open door here and there to get the goosebumps rising on this reader's arms!
The bulk of the story is told from the perspectives of Troy and his wife, Monica who live with their young daughter and son. Early in the story, Monica's estranged mother, Grace, enters the picture and ends up staying with her daughter's family so she and Monica can get reacquainted. Then odd and tragic things start affecting the family, but can these incidents be traced back to the arrival of Monica's mother?
I enjoyed the evolving cat and mouse game that was woven throughout the story between Troy and his mother-in-law, Grace. I think all the characters were well crafted and you either love, hate, or can get terribly frustrated with their action or inaction. The plot was interesting and though not entirely unique, it was presented in a modern and brutal way.
I listened to the audiobook edition and enjoyed the narration of Leon Nixon. Mr. Nixon did an excellent job voicing all characters and presenting their unique and disparate personalities. The narration contributed to the eeriness of the story and built momentum with good pacing.
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Rape
Minor: Death and Animal death
eve81's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Gaslighting, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Violence, Murder, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Body horror, and Abandonment
polo's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Rape, Animal death, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Murder, Drug abuse, and Child abuse