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kaleereads's review against another edition
2.0
let’s get into it.
so the truth is that I only picked up this book because I am weirdly obsessed with the Netflix movie version. It’s like my favorite Netflix horror movie and I really couldn’t tell you why except the guy who plays Ollie is really hot and the main actress who plays Makani was in The Walking Dead. that’s all i got. but i’ve also been getting into YA horror so i had to add this to my roster.
okay so the movie is better than the book which isnt as rare as some people like to pretend it is. but the movie isn’t only better, it makes the book look bad.
spoilers.
Makani’s backstory was way more heavy in the movie. In the film, she was expelled from her school in Hawaii and sent to live with her grandmother because at the hazing ritual she pushed a girl into a fucking bonfire and maimed her for life. Imagine my disappointment reading this book and finding out that in this version she was sent away because she… *Checks notes*… Cut off a girl’s ponytail? also, the killer in the movie and his motivations were way better. It was also kind of a plot twist because the killer was one of their friends in the movie and he was exposing his victims for being hypocrites. The killers motivation in this book was so fucking stupid. He was just killing people because he was jealous that they would most likely be able to escape their hometown. It’s just so unfortunate because the movie is so much more cohesive and believable. Plus the authors decision to reveal the killer so early in the book was very strange but on the other side of the coin, the killer is no one to our main character so it doesn’t really matter anyway, I guess? the ending is so rushed, and poor Alex is just dead and we barely spent another sentence on her after spending the whole book with her. the whole story is just not very well fleshed out.
I will say the highlight of this book was the romance. I was kicking my feet and blushing with these two. but that’s it.
anyway, lemme go watch the movie for the literal 12th time in my life.
so the truth is that I only picked up this book because I am weirdly obsessed with the Netflix movie version. It’s like my favorite Netflix horror movie and I really couldn’t tell you why except the guy who plays Ollie is really hot and the main actress who plays Makani was in The Walking Dead. that’s all i got. but i’ve also been getting into YA horror so i had to add this to my roster.
okay so the movie is better than the book which isnt as rare as some people like to pretend it is. but the movie isn’t only better, it makes the book look bad.
spoilers.
Makani’s backstory was way more heavy in the movie. In the film, she was expelled from her school in Hawaii and sent to live with her grandmother because at the hazing ritual she pushed a girl into a fucking bonfire and maimed her for life. Imagine my disappointment reading this book and finding out that in this version she was sent away because she… *Checks notes*… Cut off a girl’s ponytail? also, the killer in the movie and his motivations were way better. It was also kind of a plot twist because the killer was one of their friends in the movie and he was exposing his victims for being hypocrites. The killers motivation in this book was so fucking stupid. He was just killing people because he was jealous that they would most likely be able to escape their hometown. It’s just so unfortunate because the movie is so much more cohesive and believable. Plus the authors decision to reveal the killer so early in the book was very strange but on the other side of the coin, the killer is no one to our main character so it doesn’t really matter anyway, I guess? the ending is so rushed, and poor Alex is just dead and we barely spent another sentence on her after spending the whole book with her. the whole story is just not very well fleshed out.
I will say the highlight of this book was the romance. I was kicking my feet and blushing with these two. but that’s it.
anyway, lemme go watch the movie for the literal 12th time in my life.
caitie145's review against another edition
3.0
This was a bit of a meh read. It combined romance and slasher horror which I feel a complete opposite genres and for me it just did not mix. I did enjoy the slasher scenes but other than that it was just okay
heidipretzel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Blood, Alcohol, Murder, Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Stalking
Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, Deadnaming, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Transphobia
skyereadss's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.5
katechore's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
reader4evr's review against another edition
3.0
I was super intrigued by this book when I found out she was writing a horror because Anna and the French kiss is one of my FAVORITE books!
I thought it started great with the first murder but then I felt like it was super heavy on the romance. I did think Ollie was going to be involved some how with the killer but was surprised he was not. I’m not sure why she revealed the killer so early on because I felt like it was kind of a goose chase to find him the rest of the book. I did not like his motive, kind of stupid if you ask me.
Overall, if you liked the movies Scream and I know what you did last summer you’ll like this.
I thought it started great with the first murder but then I felt like it was super heavy on the romance. I did think Ollie was going to be involved some how with the killer but was surprised he was not. I’m not sure why she revealed the killer so early on because I felt like it was kind of a goose chase to find him the rest of the book. I did not like his motive, kind of stupid if you ask me.
Overall, if you liked the movies Scream and I know what you did last summer you’ll like this.
heather1999's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jaycie_90's review against another edition
3.0
Makani is trying to survive high school without anyone in her new hometown of Osborne, Nebraska, learning about why she left Hawaii. Until a serial killer is unleashed on her classmates, and soon she has more to worry about on top of keeping her secret.
This isn't a thriller or suspense story, and it's more of a gory YA. I like gore, so it worked out well for me. I thought the serial killer was dull, and their motives were unrealistic for someone who got away with as much as they did. The two main characters didn't have much chemistry. If you're going to include a romantic relationship in a story like this, at least have reasoning behind it or put more effort into it. Overall, this story was lacking, but it was an enjoyable read. I recommend it to anyone who likes reading high school drama and the movie Scream.
This isn't a thriller or suspense story, and it's more of a gory YA. I like gore, so it worked out well for me. I thought the serial killer was dull, and their motives were unrealistic for someone who got away with as much as they did. The two main characters didn't have much chemistry. If you're going to include a romantic relationship in a story like this, at least have reasoning behind it or put more effort into it. Overall, this story was lacking, but it was an enjoyable read. I recommend it to anyone who likes reading high school drama and the movie Scream.