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nicolabarrett's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, and Murder
vixusg's review against another edition
dark
medium-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? It's complicated
3.25
An interesting premise. I there's a lot I like and a lot I didn't.
I'll start by saying each story was interesting on their own, it felt like everyone, including the interviewer was an unreliable narrator. I like the chunks of story we got with each interview.
I wasn't much of a fan of only reading the interviews, maybe not my preferred format. That being said, the author grammatical and sentence structure bleed through the characters and pulled me out of the story. It made the characters feel very same-y despite initially being successful in writing them differently in each chapter. That's really what ruined the book for me.
Aside from that, there are many aspects I really enjoyed--the story with the Freaks, the interviewers over arching development, and the book as a think piece on the impacts of social media and withdraw from it.
I'll start by saying each story was interesting on their own, it felt like everyone, including the interviewer was an unreliable narrator. I like the chunks of story we got with each interview.
I wasn't much of a fan of only reading the interviews, maybe not my preferred format. That being said, the author grammatical and sentence structure bleed through the characters and pulled me out of the story. It made the characters feel very same-y despite initially being successful in writing them differently in each chapter. That's really what ruined the book for me.
Aside from that, there are many aspects I really enjoyed--the story with the Freaks, the interviewers over arching development, and the book as a think piece on the impacts of social media and withdraw from it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Torture, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Pandemic/Epidemic
kimnairn86's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, and Murder
bookingwithjanelle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a quick read, but it very entertaining to read. With the book set up through interviews, it gives a strong true crime feel with the dark, creepy underbelly like Lord of the Flies. I highly enjoyed reading this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Injury/Injury detail
esand11's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
nataliepithers's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A fast-paced highly entertaining book. Simultaneously funny and disturbing. Plausible and fantastical, this is Lord of the Flies on steroids in a 21st century setting.
The interview structure worked really well on Audible and the characters were very distinct and believable. I think fellow fans of World War Z would enjoy this novel.
The novel’s questions, many of which are left open ended will keep me thinking - what caused such a quick descent to violence / how could it have been avoided / what individual actions might have fuelled this / to what degree did group think drive the terrible actions.
I liked the sort of sub plot around the warthogs too, which was utterly chilling. What’s myth and hyperbole and “game of telephone” (a reference made several times) and what’s real? I want to pin down the author and force him to answer or beg him to write a sequel!
The interview structure worked really well on Audible and the characters were very distinct and believable. I think fellow fans of World War Z would enjoy this novel.
The novel’s questions, many of which are left open ended will keep me thinking - what caused such a quick descent to violence / how could it have been avoided / what individual actions might have fuelled this / to what degree did group think drive the terrible actions.
I liked the sort of sub plot around the warthogs too, which was utterly chilling. What’s myth and hyperbole and “game of telephone” (a reference made several times) and what’s real? I want to pin down the author and force him to answer or beg him to write a sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
papa_tabby's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this book. Hands down the best chapter is Interview 18. I couldn't stop reading, easily one of the most tense pages I've read in years.
I also love how almost every character is a little psychotic and clearly trying to make themselves sound less bad or downplay their roles in the violence at the theme park. This is something I like that Mike Bockoven does, he doesn't allow the characters to get away with portraying themselves sympathetically, he undermines their claims in either the next chapter or two later.
There's also the mystery of who are the serial killers walking in the park and how much they actually played in escalating the violence.
I also love how almost every character is a little psychotic and clearly trying to make themselves sound less bad or downplay their roles in the violence at the theme park. This is something I like that Mike Bockoven does, he doesn't allow the characters to get away with portraying themselves sympathetically, he undermines their claims in either the next chapter or two later.
There's also the mystery of who are the serial killers walking in the park and how much they actually played in escalating the violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing and Gaslighting
cosettegasparac's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i LOVED the concept of this book. and then i started reading and loved the way the book was framed. it’s written through an interview process. there are so many different points of view and nobody is a completely reliable narrator which i love. you can’t completely trust anyone’s telling of this story and the true narrator is giving you all the information they have. there were surprises, horrifying moments, tender community building moments and ever changing possibilities. my jaw dropped several times throughout this book and my partner had to DRAG me to be (where i read under the covers for the first time in years because i just had to finish it). this was fast paced, plot driven and incredibly intriguing. i do wish i got more information on the warthogs specifically but it’s almost more exciting that i didn’t? i’ve seen reviews that are 1-2 star with very valid points, but i review things on how much i enjoyed reading. and more often than not, i do just enjoy reading. i’m not a literary snob (not a bad thing to be by any means. respect.) and i like the excitement. if you read more for enjoyment and less for criticism like i do, i highly recommend. it’s not for everyone but it was absolutely for me and i ate up every. single. chapter. (and told my partner all about the plot which is how you know i really liked it)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
paladinpals's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Drug use, Sexual assault, and Cannibalism
forevercamp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Rape, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, and Cannibalism