Reviews

Shutter by Ramona Emerson

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mistymountainreads's review against another edition

5.0

"Grandma always said to me that you never do things for people to get something in return. That is the white man's way of living. You do it because they need you. You do it because if you don't, no one else will."

taygram's review

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dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.25

leweylibrary's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious medium-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? It's complicated

1.5

It only gets points for the kind of fun setting and indigenous rep, sorry 🤷‍♀️ otherwise I kinda hated it lol.

I did not enjoy reading it, I had to force myself to finish it for a book club, and I had sooo many issues with it that completely took me out of the story. Like her awful friends wtf??? They were horrible and I really hope they weren't inspired by the author's real friends lol. What kind of friends automatically ask if you've murdered someone or destroyed your own apartment?? I wanted to like the supernatural element, and it was one of the few things keeping me interested, but there could've been so much more done with it. I felt like a lot of the conversations, situations, and relationships just made no sense. I truly don't know how this was long listed for the National Book Prize. Like how.

Content Warnings

lala_tour's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

3.5

Something about this novel left me feeling unsatisfied. The writing was good, the concept was great, but I feel like the author pulled back from the horror. I think the protagonist felt somewhat removed from the action and unable to deliver deep into her feelings, which made this reader feel disconnected as well.

I think what would have helped me connect would be hearing more about the Navajo perspective of death. It is alluded to but never really delved into in a meaningful way. Without that piece, that clearly makes Nina a person who straddles two cultures and two worlds, I think the concept of her seeing ghosts falls a bit short.

I also felt like the author pulled her punches when it came to the horror. Sure there were some disgusting mutilated bodies, but the horror and dread of having to see the dead but not acknowledge them seemed more fertile ground. (There was the one scene in the hospital that was terrifying... Where the unseen ghosts were gripping her and would let go...)

Overall, I felt more terrified by the crooked cop. Maybe that was on purpose?

toreadistovoyage's review against another edition

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4.0

An interesting mystery centered around a forensic photographer - one who can see and talk to ghosts - working for the Albuquerque Police Department. The mystery itself was fairly straightforward. The strength of this story is in both the backstory of Rita and the interactions she has with ghosts.

I will definitely be reading the second book when it publishes.

dlajoie's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.25

indrad173's review

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2.0

I definitely would not call this one "blood-chilling" as it wasn't in the least bit scary and it was just ok for a crime-thriller. I listened to the audiobook and it was nice to hear the Navajo words pronounced out loud, especially for Native American Heritage month. Overall, it dragged a bit for me and the main character being shamed by everyone in her life for something she can't help (seeing dead people) also got old for me.