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hisghoulfriday's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
This book was such a blast to read. It had a great '80s vibe, and I loved that most of the book took place in a video rental store which made me nostalgic for the local video store I used to visit. It's a quick read that's got dark humor, gore and interesting characters. Highly recommend checking this one out!
matthewclan's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Cannibalism
dthndk's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
a_j0n_3s's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
marys_killer_reads's review
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
tobin_elliott's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's only when we peer into the darkness that we realize that the horror isn't out there.
It's in us.
I just read this book in a single sitting. My first experience with Marcus Hawke.
I decided to jump on this today specifically, because I saw a review this morning where someone on IG stated that this is a book that instills dread.
That's my kind of horror, I thought. And the book I'm currently reading is massive, not horror, and can easily be set aside at times, so I thought, what the hell, let's give this a shot.
And the book didn't disappoint. This is a nihilistic nightmare that eases the hooks into you so quietly that you don't even feel the piercing of flesh as they glide into you. But when Hawke decides to give a good hard yank on them, that's when you know how deep they've been set.
I'm guessing there'll be some readers that dislike the format of this book. There's the main story, but there's also Evan's thoughts that border on commentary about the world we live in as much as they are just a character slipping deeper into the void.
But for me? Those commentaries sunk a deeper set of hooks into me and, though I've finished this slim story, they're still there.
The ending initially threw me, but then I had the revelation of the sign over the door of the shop as customers exit, and it all got clear. And it became even more impressed with Hawke as a writer.
And finally, I read the author's Afterthought, and it confirmed all the things I'd been thinking, all the disquieting thoughts, all the—yes, the dread—that had moved in and settled in my mind.
And to answer the questions asked there...Anyone else feel this way? Anyone else think these things?
The answer is, yes. Yes I do.
It's in us.
I just read this book in a single sitting. My first experience with Marcus Hawke.
I decided to jump on this today specifically, because I saw a review this morning where someone on IG stated that this is a book that instills dread.
That's my kind of horror, I thought. And the book I'm currently reading is massive, not horror, and can easily be set aside at times, so I thought, what the hell, let's give this a shot.
And the book didn't disappoint. This is a nihilistic nightmare that eases the hooks into you so quietly that you don't even feel the piercing of flesh as they glide into you. But when Hawke decides to give a good hard yank on them, that's when you know how deep they've been set.
I'm guessing there'll be some readers that dislike the format of this book. There's the main story, but there's also Evan's thoughts that border on commentary about the world we live in as much as they are just a character slipping deeper into the void.
But for me? Those commentaries sunk a deeper set of hooks into me and, though I've finished this slim story, they're still there.
The ending initially threw me, but then I had the revelation of the sign over the door of the shop as customers exit, and it all got clear. And it became even more impressed with Hawke as a writer.
And finally, I read the author's Afterthought, and it confirmed all the things I'd been thinking, all the disquieting thoughts, all the—yes, the dread—that had moved in and settled in my mind.
And to answer the questions asked there...Anyone else feel this way? Anyone else think these things?
The answer is, yes. Yes I do.
questionablereads's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wowed by the 90s nostalgia, yet equally floored by the feeling of dread this quick novella gave me. I also wasn’t expecting the illustrations, which was a nice touch into the character’s wild thoughts. Honestly, five starts isn’t enough.
aiden_e_messer's review
4.0
This was a real page turner! Weird, mysterious, and full of surprises. I really liked the commercial break toward the end. I also didn't see the ending coming at all
thathorrorbish's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0