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capnlinnius's review
3.0
Well. I was drawn in by the cover, and it taking place in neighborhoods I've lived in. The idea of a stalker is something that is a personal fear of mine, but this story didn't really work for me. There wasn't a sense of depth, nothing to really make me care about the characters and the choices felt unrealistic compared to what vague background I, as a reader, had to go off. The ending was also just kind of meh to me. On the whole, the writing isn't bad, and I'm sure this novella has its audience, but for me it felt too shallow and cliched.
2.5 rounded up.
2.5 rounded up.
tunawidow's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
liznannigans's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
libraryleia's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this little horror book, and wish there had been more to it, but I still enjoyed the length. Reminds me of watching something like Creepshow or Body Bags. It’s a short look into a super uncomfortable and creepy situation.
itsjustkiwi's review against another edition
2.0
1.5 ⭐️
I went into this with no expectations and knowing nothing about the author, I got the gist that it was a digital horror but wanted to avoid spoilers so didn’t do a whole lot of research.
I want to make it clear I’m the easiest person to spook, not actually a huge horror fan as I have a habit of freaking myself out, I am a baby with scary things which wasn’t a problem as there’s nothing scary here at all. No tension, no horror it’s just bland.
Even the digital side of things is bland, videos on twitter and WhatsApp, pretty boring. Maybe Black Mirror has set my expectations too high or maybe it’s just 2020 and I just kinda expect more than references to how it’s “not the naughties anymore”.
I couldn’t connect with the narrator or his wife, but the main character particularly comes across pretty unlikeable and there’s very little personality between either of them, I just didn’t care about them.
The thing that annoyed me the most about this novella is that it’s set in Japan yet there’s little to no reference to Japanese culture, like at all, it really could have been set anywhere.
Oh and don’t even get me started on a vagina being referred to as “her sex” and “celestial sensation” , uhh no thank you.
I guess if you’re a fan of the authors podcasts then this book is for you as I think you probably need to have some kind of connection to the author to enjoy it as there’s really nothing to connect with in the pages.
Gave the half star rather than just 1 because it’s a quick read and I was genuinely curious about what she had on him even though we don’t actually find out, sigh. I guess this ones just not for me!
I went into this with no expectations and knowing nothing about the author, I got the gist that it was a digital horror but wanted to avoid spoilers so didn’t do a whole lot of research.
I want to make it clear I’m the easiest person to spook, not actually a huge horror fan as I have a habit of freaking myself out, I am a baby with scary things which wasn’t a problem as there’s nothing scary here at all. No tension, no horror it’s just bland.
Even the digital side of things is bland, videos on twitter and WhatsApp, pretty boring. Maybe Black Mirror has set my expectations too high or maybe it’s just 2020 and I just kinda expect more than references to how it’s “not the naughties anymore”.
I couldn’t connect with the narrator or his wife, but the main character particularly comes across pretty unlikeable and there’s very little personality between either of them, I just didn’t care about them.
The thing that annoyed me the most about this novella is that it’s set in Japan yet there’s little to no reference to Japanese culture, like at all, it really could have been set anywhere.
Oh and don’t even get me started on a vagina being referred to as “her sex” and “celestial sensation” , uhh no thank you.
I guess if you’re a fan of the authors podcasts then this book is for you as I think you probably need to have some kind of connection to the author to enjoy it as there’s really nothing to connect with in the pages.
Gave the half star rather than just 1 because it’s a quick read and I was genuinely curious about what she had on him even though we don’t actually find out, sigh. I guess this ones just not for me!
missgrangerr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
eamwilliams504's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars- Check out my review on The Scariest Things!
https://scariesthings.com/2020/03/12/lizs-book-report-the-girl-in-the-video/
Freddie, a young teacher and husband living in Japan, begins his days like most of us do- scrolling through his social media accounts to see who tweeted what, how many likes our latest Facebook post is getting and keeping our “fomo” in check on Instagram. However, one morning he notices a direct message on his account – a video link that all but begs him to click, the url hidden by the message “a late birthday present”.
Behind the link the video is strange, creepy and a little bit sexy- but what follows after viewing is anything but. What follows is a story of paranoia and obsession that rips apart Freddie’s idyllic life, destroys his marriage and takes a turn that no reader will see coming, not to mention you’ll never look at Hello Kitty the same way again!
Accurately described as “The Ring meets Fatal Attraction for the iPhone generation”, I read The Girl in the Video in one sitting and while I truly enjoyed this novella it is not for anyone who needs their plots tied up in a neat bow. Since I happen to be one of those people (and maybe this isn’t fair) it is the reason for that half star and not a full fourth star; I actually yelled “but why?! I need to know!” reading the last pages. That didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book, I just need more, and you will too!
https://scariesthings.com/2020/03/12/lizs-book-report-the-girl-in-the-video/
Freddie, a young teacher and husband living in Japan, begins his days like most of us do- scrolling through his social media accounts to see who tweeted what, how many likes our latest Facebook post is getting and keeping our “fomo” in check on Instagram. However, one morning he notices a direct message on his account – a video link that all but begs him to click, the url hidden by the message “a late birthday present”.
Behind the link the video is strange, creepy and a little bit sexy- but what follows after viewing is anything but. What follows is a story of paranoia and obsession that rips apart Freddie’s idyllic life, destroys his marriage and takes a turn that no reader will see coming, not to mention you’ll never look at Hello Kitty the same way again!
Accurately described as “The Ring meets Fatal Attraction for the iPhone generation”, I read The Girl in the Video in one sitting and while I truly enjoyed this novella it is not for anyone who needs their plots tied up in a neat bow. Since I happen to be one of those people (and maybe this isn’t fair) it is the reason for that half star and not a full fourth star; I actually yelled “but why?! I need to know!” reading the last pages. That didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book, I just need more, and you will too!
aaronlindsey's review against another edition
4.0
Comparable to The Ring, only updated to our time.
Fun and scary!
Fun and scary!
pamshenanigans's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
How can something be so mysterious and riveting but forgettable at the same time?
bookishbackcountrybelle's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25