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savreads28's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-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
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Toxic friendship, Violence, Classism, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Animal death, Death, Excrement, Body shaming, Gaslighting, and Murder
starrymegs's review against another edition
reflective
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
2.25
The book had a really interesting concept, combining modern influencer culture and the classic story Lord of The Flies. Though, it fell flat for me. The main character Rafi was unlikeable and infuriating (but not in a good way), and the constant comments about how ugly she felt compared to other people were overdone to the point where they didn’t hold any meaning. Additionally, the rest of the characters felt very bland and one dimensional. Although they were purposefully created to be annoying, they came across as just plain stupid and whiny. I preferred LOTF to this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Excrement
yellow_ylugbug's review against another edition
dark
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Excrement and Murder
snowwhitehatesapples's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Review can also be found at Snow White Hates Apples.
I often read fics online that are crack treated seriously (meaning: although the premise is considered silly, the story isn't written to be primarily humorous), but have never come across one that was published until Lord of the Fly Fest landed in my hands.
Seriously, don't be fooled by the strong 2019 film Midsommar vibes the cover gives because you won't find a Midsommar -like tale here. Instead, what we have here is literally contemporary Lord of the Flies meets luxury festival sham Fyre Festival. The main plot points of Lord of the Flies have been incorporated into Lord of the Fly Fest , so if you've read the classic, the mysterious dark secret of River Stone and the twists that come later aren't a surprise. Additionally, details of the actual Fyre Festival can also be found here—the book is set on Exuma island, it has disaster relief tents, prepackaged sandwiches, and even a Bella Hadid but in the form of Hella Badid (I kid you not).
To bring the story to life, we have a cast of the most ridiculous characters you've probably ever met. Just about everyone is delusional or psychotic or a combination of both, and at most, they all only have a singular brain cell to operate with. Even our main character, eighteen-year-old Rafi has those traits. Her moments of being entirely in possession of common sense are incredibly limited as the rest of the time, she's a 'brilliant' investigator who jumps to conclusions without solid evidence and will use every means possible just to get the scoop she needs to make a name for her podcast. The only character who's the most sensible and normal is River Stone, the supposed murderer.
For real, this book is peak "so bad it's good" that I just couldn't stop finding it funny despite not actually finding the content funny (though, "came back more liquidy than before" [page 43] slayed me). Thanks to the characters, some scenes are incredibly out there (the cheese sandwiches and the bananas). Still, overall, I enjoyed the satirical commentary on social media and influencer culture, and how crazy and blinded people get when it comes to influencers, whether as their fans or as influencers themselves.
I often read fics online that are crack treated seriously (meaning: although the premise is considered silly, the story isn't written to be primarily humorous), but have never come across one that was published until Lord of the Fly Fest landed in my hands.
Seriously, don't be fooled by the strong 2019 film Midsommar vibes the cover gives because you won't find a Midsommar -like tale here. Instead, what we have here is literally contemporary Lord of the Flies meets luxury festival sham Fyre Festival. The main plot points of Lord of the Flies have been incorporated into Lord of the Fly Fest , so if you've read the classic, the mysterious dark secret of River Stone and the twists that come later aren't a surprise. Additionally, details of the actual Fyre Festival can also be found here—the book is set on Exuma island, it has disaster relief tents, prepackaged sandwiches, and even a Bella Hadid but in the form of Hella Badid (I kid you not).
To bring the story to life, we have a cast of the most ridiculous characters you've probably ever met. Just about everyone is delusional or psychotic or a combination of both, and at most, they all only have a singular brain cell to operate with. Even our main character, eighteen-year-old Rafi has those traits. Her moments of being entirely in possession of common sense are incredibly limited as the rest of the time, she's a 'brilliant' investigator who jumps to conclusions without solid evidence and will use every means possible just to get the scoop she needs to make a name for her podcast. The only character who's the most sensible and normal is River Stone, the supposed murderer.
For real, this book is peak "so bad it's good" that I just couldn't stop finding it funny despite not actually finding the content funny (though, "came back more liquidy than before" [page 43] slayed me). Thanks to the characters, some scenes are incredibly out there (the cheese sandwiches and the bananas). Still, overall, I enjoyed the satirical commentary on social media and influencer culture, and how crazy and blinded people get when it comes to influencers, whether as their fans or as influencers themselves.
Thank you so much Pansing for sending me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review! Lord of the Fly Fest by Goldy Moldavsky is available at all good bookstores.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Animal death and Excrement
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