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killmoore_'s review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was so fun.
A haunted motel. A thrilling mystery. Ambitious and intelligent MC who very much kept the vibe of "young girl" alive - there were so many points that were beyond frustrating, but it felt intentional because it was exactly what an early 20 something would do in that situation. Intelligence gets you nowhere without the life experience to back it up.
The ending was a bit meh in comparison to rest of the book, but it does end wrapped up in a nice little package, complete with a budding romance bow that normally isn't my cup of tea, but in this situation it was nice.
Overall, I truly enjoyed The Sun Down Motel, and would love to see a movie or mini series adaptation - just don't cast Cory Michael Smith as Hess please, because that's who I kept imagining and I just can't with it.
A haunted motel. A thrilling mystery. Ambitious and intelligent MC who very much kept the vibe of "young girl" alive - there were so many points that were beyond frustrating, but it felt intentional because it was exactly what an early 20 something would do in that situation. Intelligence gets you nowhere without the life experience to back it up.
The ending was a bit meh in comparison to rest of the book, but it does end wrapped up in a nice little package, complete with a budding romance bow that normally isn't my cup of tea, but in this situation it was nice.
Overall, I truly enjoyed The Sun Down Motel, and would love to see a movie or mini series adaptation - just don't cast Cory Michael Smith as Hess please, because that's who I kept imagining and I just can't with it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Cancer, Death, Sexual assault, Murder, Grief, Rape, Stalking, Blood, Child death, Cursing, and Violence
westeggspinster's review
dark
mysterious
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism
sehenry20's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Rape, Murder, and Sexual violence
skeptic_hecate's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
3.75
I couldn't put it down, at least until almost the end. The Viv parts of the book were thrilling and told from the perspective of a very interesting, deeply caring, missunderstood and likable protagonist. Ther Varly chapters were not so great.
Carly reads like a run of the mill "pick me girl", with extra "not like other girls" sprinkled on top. Where Viv used her brains and worked hard, Carly got deus ex machinas in the form of Heather and Nick. The entire character of Nick read too much like a romance book, which is a genre I am not fond of. I found myself wanting to skip Carly's chapters just so I could read more about Viv.
All in all, a decent read, I would read more of the author. I heard this book in audiobook format, and the avllet girl accent of the voice of Carly only made me loathe that character even more. I do however recommend it as a fast and exciting read to get out of a reading slump.
Carly reads like a run of the mill "pick me girl", with extra "not like other girls" sprinkled on top. Where Viv used her brains and worked hard, Carly got deus ex machinas in the form of Heather and Nick. The entire character of Nick read too much like a romance book, which is a genre I am not fond of. I found myself wanting to skip Carly's chapters just so I could read more about Viv.
All in all, a decent read, I would read more of the author. I heard this book in audiobook format, and the avllet girl accent of the voice of Carly only made me loathe that character even more. I do however recommend it as a fast and exciting read to get out of a reading slump.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Child death
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual harassment
sunshine_sophia's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
this book had it all: mystery, suspense, serial killers, ghosts, and badass women 💪🏼
i was a little spooked, but not spooked enough to stop reading. this book, this mystery, this motel sucks you in and doesn’t let go. i was so enthralled by the story in it’s uniqueness and twists.
at times, i found it hard to remember which story i was reading: either viv’s or carly’s (which as another reviewer commented was intentional). it is like stepping into a time capsule back to 1982. both characters were meant to parallel each other, decades apart.
this was so close to a 5 star read, however, i did not love carly’s character. is was very much giving “i’m not like other girls, i’m just quirky and i wear glasses”. her energy was a little too “pick me” for me. i would have preferred different character traits, but it didn’t completely ruin the story for me.
overall, this was a fun, gripping, and chilling read. i loved all the twists and turns this book took me on. this book will definitely stick with me for a while.
i was a little spooked, but not spooked enough to stop reading. this book, this mystery, this motel sucks you in and doesn’t let go. i was so enthralled by the story in it’s uniqueness and twists.
at times, i found it hard to remember which story i was reading: either viv’s or carly’s (which as another reviewer commented was intentional). it is like stepping into a time capsule back to 1982. both characters were meant to parallel each other, decades apart.
this was so close to a 5 star read, however, i did not love carly’s character. is was very much giving “i’m not like other girls, i’m just quirky and i wear glasses”. her energy was a little too “pick me” for me. i would have preferred different character traits, but it didn’t completely ruin the story for me.
overall, this was a fun, gripping, and chilling read. i loved all the twists and turns this book took me on. this book will definitely stick with me for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence and Rape
gellyreads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is exactly my shit. Ghosts. Revenge. Girls killing serial killers. Mystery. Thrillers. A hint of romance. Yes! I was so happy to find Viv alive and I feel so stupid to not realize that Callum was the grandson of Simon Hess. I knew he was sketchy and violent, but I didn't realize he was going to be the grandson.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
sshpurple1's review
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
5.0
This is a two-timeline story with paranormal aspects. It's a little slow to start, but 100% worth the wait.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Stalking
racheldallaire's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I couldn't put this down and when I had to, I couldn't wait to get back to it. This was cleverly crafted and I enjoyed it all. I can find the jumping timelines/narrators annoying sometimes, but it worked well in this book. The characters were well-developed and the way everything was revealed as the story unfolded was fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Rape
ryendnae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Minor: Sexual assault, Cancer, and Death of parent
booklover_29's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The predictibility in this book was astonishing.When you take the suprise element out of a mystery book,to me it becomes dull and monotonous,which this book very much was.
I liked the whole eighties vibe this book had plus the whole " being a female" experience shown hence the two stars.Because the spooky element in this book was very much trash.I was as scared as I am while going out to disneyland.
In short,this book put me in a reading slump and the title should have been -"Two amateur women who think they are just<different>and therefore would try to solve crimes they have no business poking their noses in and ultimately get themselves into danger because they are stupid too " would have made more sense.
I liked the whole eighties vibe this book had plus the whole " being a female" experience shown hence the two stars.Because the spooky element in this book was very much trash.I was as scared as I am while going out to disneyland.
In short,this book put me in a reading slump and the title should have been -"Two amateur women who think they are just<different>and therefore would try to solve crimes they have no business poking their noses in and ultimately get themselves into danger because they are stupid too " would have made more sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Sexism
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Rape