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hesticht's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, Violence, Death of parent, Child death, Murder, Gore, Death, and Confinement
Moderate: Abandonment, Animal death, and Classism
Minor: Homophobia
atlas_shruggs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
I've always loved media featuring deadly games, so I knew immediately that I would like this book.
It follows Mack, a young homeless woman with a tragic past, and thirteen other people as they enter a hide and go seek competition in an abandoned amusement park. Of course the game turns deadly, and supernatural, and everything goes to hell.
The writing was good, not revolutionary but well written, the plot was gripping and intriguing. My only issue at first was remembering who everyone was, I ended up writing it on a post-it and sticking it inside the cover, which really helped.
I could totally see this book being adapted into a movie or TV show, and despite being an absolute scaredy cat I would force myself to watch it.
I also didn't know that this book was queer, so that was definitely a pleasant surprise, as well as it having disability rep.
Of course heavy body horror trigger warnings, but if you're looking for a book that feels like the Hunger Games but in an amusement park, then I would definitely recommend picking this one up.
It follows Mack, a young homeless woman with a tragic past, and thirteen other people as they enter a hide and go seek competition in an abandoned amusement park. Of course the game turns deadly, and supernatural, and everything goes to hell.
The writing was good, not revolutionary but well written, the plot was gripping and intriguing. My only issue at first was remembering who everyone was, I ended up writing it on a post-it and sticking it inside the cover, which really helped.
I could totally see this book being adapted into a movie or TV show, and despite being an absolute scaredy cat I would force myself to watch it.
I also didn't know that this book was queer, so that was definitely a pleasant surprise, as well as it having disability rep.
Of course heavy body horror trigger warnings, but if you're looking for a book that feels like the Hunger Games but in an amusement park, then I would definitely recommend picking this one up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gore, Murder, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Mental illness
quetzel90's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book is very much a neutral for me. It was a fast read I got through it in one day and it was decently engaging. It definitely felt like it was hitting you over the head with it's politics at points. There were moments that sounded like the obviously fake political stories that get spread around online. I did enjoy the sapphic relationship. Overall the book was okay, but there are definitely better stories that explore the parasitic nature of the upper class.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Homophobia, and Suicide
Minor: War
reina_shouko's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
3.25
This book was an "Okay with a plus".
This book was a rollercoaster , not of emotions though but of my interest in it.
In some points in the book I was so intrigued and couldn't stop reading and in other points I felt like I needed to force myself through the pages.
Nevertheless, I can still say I liked this book to some extent and a major reason for 'WHY?' is that I really liked the characters ( especially the main character ,Mack) for their complicated and unique life stories.
Story wise, this is not something I'll usually read, and in some points it was too tense for me and making me stressed (but it's just me and my preferences, some people really like tense books) still, it was a nice change of genre.
Overall, this was as I said previously an "Okay+" read, I can't say it was great but it wasn't bad either!
Would I recommend this book? It depends. I can see why some people love this book, and I can see why some people hate it.
It's an unusual genre that either suits you just perfectly or just doesn't suit you at all.
If tense, mysterious death game turned supernatural is your cup of tea, then go for it! If not, I don't reccomend you to pick this up even out of curiosity.
This book was a rollercoaster , not of emotions though but of my interest in it.
In some points in the book I was so intrigued and couldn't stop reading and in other points I felt like I needed to force myself through the pages.
Nevertheless, I can still say I liked this book to some extent and a major reason for 'WHY?' is that I really liked the characters ( especially the main character ,Mack) for their complicated and unique life stories.
Story wise, this is not something I'll usually read, and in some points it was too tense for me and making me stressed (but it's just me and my preferences, some people really like tense books) still, it was a nice change of genre.
Overall, this was as I said previously an "Okay+" read, I can't say it was great but it wasn't bad either!
Would I recommend this book? It depends. I can see why some people love this book, and I can see why some people hate it.
It's an unusual genre that either suits you just perfectly or just doesn't suit you at all.
If tense, mysterious death game turned supernatural is your cup of tea, then go for it! If not, I don't reccomend you to pick this up even out of curiosity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Mental illness, Death, Murder, Medical trauma, Grief, Gore, Genocide, Cursing, Child death, and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: War
halfbloodprincess_hogwarts's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Time to sprinkle in some spooky season readingđź’›I ran across this title at Woodman's and was captivated by the rich golden yellow cover. Along with the haunting amusement park.
Fourteen strangers are invited to play the game hide-and-seek, the winner receiving $50,000.
This reminded me of the movie Ready or Not, where the bride is sacrificed in their game of hide and seek.
Except, well, the players do not know whom is doing the seeking. The rules are vague, they sign a contract that doesn't hold the hosts liable for anything that happens to the players.
The premise of this game taking place at an abandoned amusement park is so cool, with so many places to hide. While the sun is up the players are to remain hidden and can only come out when the sun is setting.
Hide captivated my attention from the beginning, though the jumping around from character's flashbacks to the current time period... did keep throwing me off.
Their temporary guide, Linda, even throws in a fun quest of locating a leather bound book and returning it to her for a prize.
I knew there had to be more to it besides a "reality tv" game of hide-and-seek.
All of the questions and mystery are eventually answered and makes a lot of sense....a lot of twisted f'ed up sense.
This is one of the most morbid and on edge hide-and-seek thrillers. I would listen to this audiobook again.
Listening to many characters perspectives is a plus, getting to know them individually and eventually how they are all tied together.
Fourteen strangers are invited to play the game hide-and-seek, the winner receiving $50,000.
This reminded me of the movie Ready or Not, where the bride is sacrificed in their game of hide and seek.
Except, well, the players do not know whom is doing the seeking. The rules are vague, they sign a contract that doesn't hold the hosts liable for anything that happens to the players.
The premise of this game taking place at an abandoned amusement park is so cool, with so many places to hide. While the sun is up the players are to remain hidden and can only come out when the sun is setting.
Hide captivated my attention from the beginning, though the jumping around from character's flashbacks to the current time period... did keep throwing me off.
Their temporary guide, Linda, even throws in a fun quest of locating a leather bound book and returning it to her for a prize.
I knew there had to be more to it besides a "reality tv" game of hide-and-seek.
All of the questions and mystery are eventually answered and makes a lot of sense....a lot of twisted f'ed up sense.
This is one of the most morbid and on edge hide-and-seek thrillers. I would listen to this audiobook again.
Listening to many characters perspectives is a plus, getting to know them individually and eventually how they are all tied together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Child abuse, Death of parent, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Body horror, Death, Lesbophobia, Medical trauma, Murder, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
emmjay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Very interesting reading the author’s note at the end about this being partially inspired by the Minotaur myth . This book was a real punch in the gut with its message of older generations and the wealthy pushing sacrifice onto the young, the poor, the disenfranchised. Reading this after a recent horrible school shooting, and the books non-subtle references to such acts, was really devastating.
I also really enjoyed our ragtag group of characters and the sweet love story that blossoms, but I’m also a sucker for a band of misfits with buckets of trauma.
Ava (not other Ava) is the hot angry veteran badass we all deserve.
That being said, maybe because it was so short or I read it in one go or my previous experience with the author was a trilogy, this did feel a bit more like a creative essay on violence and capitalism than a novel. Like I was reading a very creative and well written reflection as opposed to a fully fleshed out story.
Kiersten White continues to do imagery, horror, and a tinge of sadness for the monsters and victims a like so well. But also holy crapabsolutely monstrous fathers and familial abuse .
Also reading a genre novel in which a character with an MFA trashes genre writing for a genuine laugh from me, having met all too many of those people myself.
I also really enjoyed our ragtag group of characters and the sweet love story that blossoms, but I’m also a sucker for a band of misfits with buckets of trauma.
Ava (not other Ava) is the hot angry veteran badass we all deserve.
That being said, maybe because it was so short or I read it in one go or my previous experience with the author was a trilogy, this did feel a bit more like a creative essay on violence and capitalism than a novel. Like I was reading a very creative and well written reflection as opposed to a fully fleshed out story.
Kiersten White continues to do imagery, horror, and a tinge of sadness for the monsters and victims a like so well. But also holy crap
Also reading a genre novel in which a character with an MFA trashes genre writing for a genuine laugh from me, having met all too many of those people myself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Homophobia
j_squaredd's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
If you like campy b-horror movies, and you have a few hours to burn, you’ll probably have a good time with Hide. I feel like this book really wanted to be the next Jordan Peele, but it’s a little too ham-fisted and definitely not scary enough. Instead, Friday the 13th, Lake Placid, Nightmare on Elm Street are similar vibes. Most of the characters are caricatures (the jock, the actress, the forever intern???), but the ones that survive longer get actual characterization. You’ll need to suspend your disbelief for the set-up, but if you’re someone who liked the recent Texas Chainsaw Massacre, you’ll be fine doing so. This is definitely not Stephen Graham Jones or Shirley Jackson, but it’s a fun time if you like a good ol’ fashioned slasher, creature feature, or the like.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Ableism, Racism, Sexism, Child death, Death of parent, and Homophobia
brittanybeereads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Suicide
Moderate: Child death, Homophobia, and Animal death
lyss_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Violence, Murder, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Racism, Transphobia, Homophobia, Classism, Stalking, and Ableism
Minor: Racial slurs
gothbaby's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I really enjoyed Hide until I didn't.
I knew there would be some sort of paranormal aspect to the book when Mack first hears what is seeking them inside the amusement part. Because of that, I was immediately a little turned off a it is not my preferred kind of horror.
I found the book lacking in its horror, thriller, and even suspense. I did not feel any kind of excitement or need to know what was going to happen. The deaths were underwhelming (and no, I do not mean that I wish they had been gory or horrific but rather fitting of the horror genre. I wanted to be as scared as the characters) and it all felt very bland. I did not feel anything while the characters hid because there was little to no atmospheric suspense. I will say: the author's acknowledgement at the end gives some insight to why but it does not make it any less underwhelming as a horror novel.
This book reminded me a lot of the film Cabin in the Woods and while I enjoyed it, I was a little disappointed when the plot was revealed halfway through. As soon as my suspicions were confirmed, I stopped enjoying the concept and simply finished it to say that I did.
There were some beautiful bits of writing that I wish had been more significant in the grand scheme of things.The ambiguity of some deaths felt like the chapters were simply unfinished and the diary entries felt like a lazy way to wrap up the book.
I wasn't impressed nor would I reread this, unfortunately. The racism and homophobia were just as much a reason as the unimpressive plot.
I found the book lacking in its horror, thriller, and even suspense. I did not feel any kind of excitement or need to know what was going to happen. The deaths were underwhelming (and no, I do not mean that I wish they had been gory or horrific but rather fitting of the horror genre. I wanted to be as scared as the characters) and it all felt very bland. I did not feel anything while the characters hid because there was little to no atmospheric suspense. I will say: the author's acknowledgement at the end gives some insight to why but it does not make it any less underwhelming as a horror novel.
This book reminded me a lot of the film Cabin in the Woods and while I enjoyed it, I was a little disappointed when the plot was revealed halfway through. As soon as my suspicions were confirmed, I stopped enjoying the concept and simply finished it to say that I did.
There were some beautiful bits of writing that I wish had been more significant in the grand scheme of things.
I wasn't impressed nor would I reread this, unfortunately. The racism and homophobia were just as much a reason as the unimpressive plot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Murder, Death, Homophobia, and Racism