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knittyreader's review against another edition
4.0
This book was not exactly what I expected, but it was great nonetheless. While some things along the path of Tom and Jenny became clear very soon, the plot was often surprising. They were the kind of people I'd have loved to have as my friends, and the story was spun in such a way that I felt real concern for them.
I received a free copy through Netgalley in turn for an honest review.
I received a free copy through Netgalley in turn for an honest review.
owlyreadsalot's review against another edition
2.0
This was just too much and not in a good way. I came into this story thinking it was going to be more of a spooky read I was looking forward to, but turned into something I don't really know how to explain. The thing in the basement is definitely not what anyone was thinking it was going to be, leaving the reader (at least myself) wondering why I put myself through this.
As I kept reading, there were moments that felt like this was going somewhere great, the scariness of the thing in the basement was upped, but somehow it suddenly went downhill. What a person does after being exposed to the darkness, an infinite awareness as it's put, seemed to be very extreme. And I say that, because once you find out what lies in that chrysalis, it doesn't seem to make any sense how the person affected ends up with their soul corroded as much as it is.
It would make more sense, if the thing in wait, were somehow explained to be more of an unnatural creature? Maybe not left all to the imagination. But, why that choice? Why make it what it turns out to be, when there is so much more that could have been done with the being that was built up for us? I'm not sure and doubt I will ever really know.
Along with that, the blame that was placed, the way things moved along, how it left my mind reeling from bizarre (makes no sense, what just happened?) moments. It all just kept the "did he really just go there?" thoughts going for chapters on end. But, I needed to finish this because I really thought maybe that ending, the truth about the chrysalis would make it all okay. In the end, it didn't do that at all.
As I kept reading, there were moments that felt like this was going somewhere great, the scariness of the thing in the basement was upped, but somehow it suddenly went downhill. What a person does after being exposed to the darkness, an infinite awareness as it's put, seemed to be very extreme. And I say that, because once you find out what lies in that chrysalis, it doesn't seem to make any sense how the person affected ends up with their soul corroded as much as it is.
It would make more sense, if the thing in wait, were somehow explained to be more of an unnatural creature? Maybe not left all to the imagination. But, why that choice? Why make it what it turns out to be, when there is so much more that could have been done with the being that was built up for us? I'm not sure and doubt I will ever really know.
Along with that, the blame that was placed, the way things moved along, how it left my mind reeling from bizarre (makes no sense, what just happened?) moments. It all just kept the "did he really just go there?" thoughts going for chapters on end. But, I needed to finish this because I really thought maybe that ending, the truth about the chrysalis would make it all okay. In the end, it didn't do that at all.
tensepopcorn's review against another edition
1.0
This book definitely made me realize I never want to read a book based around millennials again. I hated every single character in his freaking book. The audiobook narrator was okay but the martial was hot garbage.
airthiel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0
mosscraftink's review against another edition
4.0
It was an entertaining read with some spooky goodness
ecandrews0's review against another edition
1.0
Yikes, this was a surprisingly bad read. I don't know if I've ever read such unrealistic dialogue in my life; the character's conversations with each other sounded like the cringy conversations I wrote in fifth grade. I didn't find any part of the book particularly scary either, and got very bored with the non-compelling storyline about halfway through. This was almost a DNF for me, but it was short enough that I decided to just push through and get to the end.
Also, what in God's name was up with the constant ellipses?? I swear every page had multiple "..."s in each paragraph, and for some reason that really started to bug me after a while. I've never in my life seen a book with so many ellipses.
Not a fan of this one.
Also, what in God's name was up with the constant ellipses?? I swear every page had multiple "..."s in each paragraph, and for some reason that really started to bug me after a while. I've never in my life seen a book with so many ellipses.
Not a fan of this one.
audreyknott's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The book itself is great and makes you to keep reading more but the end was cut so short!
shawna_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
"It means the infinite is possible. Not only possible, but happening. Every day. Everywhere."
Tom and Jenny lose their cheap Manhattan apartment and move to an affordable house in the suburbs of New Jersey. They're not ready for new responsibilities, especially when Jenny becomes pregnant. Then Tom finds the thing in the basement that gives him confidence, strength, and has him raking in the big bucks at his new job. Their dream house has a deadly secret and Jenny must expose it to protect her family before it's too late.
I loved Tom and Jenny and how their characters developed, going from daily drinkers who liked to party to responsible adults with a baby on the way. They completely uprooted their lives and everything miraculously fell into place until Tom's unevitable spiral when he found the "thing" in the basement.
It was enticing and creepy, addicting yet eerie. I honestly couldn't blame Tom for being drawn to it because once it got a hold of his mind it did not relent. But boy, did it effect his life in many ways, both positive and negative. The descent into madness was unreal! It caused a general sense of dread throughout the entire story as the tension built up.
This was a fun thriller with dark undertones. It had a lot of typical tropes a thriller usually has, but it was atmospheric and didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. Even though it was predictable, I had a fun time reading this!
Tom and Jenny lose their cheap Manhattan apartment and move to an affordable house in the suburbs of New Jersey. They're not ready for new responsibilities, especially when Jenny becomes pregnant. Then Tom finds the thing in the basement that gives him confidence, strength, and has him raking in the big bucks at his new job. Their dream house has a deadly secret and Jenny must expose it to protect her family before it's too late.
I loved Tom and Jenny and how their characters developed, going from daily drinkers who liked to party to responsible adults with a baby on the way. They completely uprooted their lives and everything miraculously fell into place until Tom's unevitable spiral when he found the "thing" in the basement.
It was enticing and creepy, addicting yet eerie. I honestly couldn't blame Tom for being drawn to it because once it got a hold of his mind it did not relent. But boy, did it effect his life in many ways, both positive and negative. The descent into madness was unreal! It caused a general sense of dread throughout the entire story as the tension built up.
This was a fun thriller with dark undertones. It had a lot of typical tropes a thriller usually has, but it was atmospheric and didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. Even though it was predictable, I had a fun time reading this!
jillianreadsalot's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
curveball's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75