Reviews with content warning for Religious bigotry - The Bad Ones

I thought that the storyline ended up being pretty interesting at the end but the beginning lacked luster. This story is laid out by teenagers as they try to find answers, at times it did seem rudimentary or that it was clearer to see the answers that they were ignoring. I don’t think the story allowed for us to get very close to the characters. They seemed all very surface level and self absorbed, like teens can be. Looking back at the story I truly feel like not much went on the whole time. Like they did locate where this game came from and found resolution in all their questions, but it felt like it lacked more in depth.

I loved the overall story, the history, the characters connections through past and present. I think the storytelling was great and the overall premise pulled me in but I didn’t feel attached to any character. The story was sluggish until Nora begins to really look at the clues and piece together what is happening. I think that it allowed for surface level “creep” factor as well as some twists and turns that made us rethink the current reality. I didn’t know how the author would end the story, I don’t feel like it was far fetched but the ending could’ve been more flushed and clear. There were some things that could’ve been better explained, and could’ve been used to help us feel the characters more.

This book is YA with bits of magical realism and the supernatural thrown in. There is mystery that surrounds their school, their town, and their lives. Although I wanted more of the goddess, more creepy additions, and more character development, I think this book was a nice read overall. It’s not an earth shattering book but it is a book that gives a bit of everything in the form of teenage angst. I liked the overall premise of the book and if I hadn’t expected more based off the summary, it may have been just right.

Overall if you want something with a bit of supernatural, some teenagers, and a wild childhood story come to life, then I think you will enjoy this book.

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i_love_fob's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

When 3 students and a teacher go missing one night, one of their best friends, Nora, and the mysterious boy James, get pulled into an old town myth, the Goddess Game.
Well, I found the book partly predictable. I figured out what was up with the connection to the old game, or who was now in the story was connected to it pretty easily.
There were some good parts, like the interesting twist as to why these particular people disappeared, and what exactly was going on with Becca being a bit harder to guess.
I didn't like the "evil Goddess" thing. It's an anti-Pagan trope that rubs me the wrong way, even though I do not identify as Pagan.
Overall, the book wasn't terrible, it was just a bit too anti-Pagan and predictable for me. Though at least it wasn't preachy it was more overall anti-religion.

Narrator Rating: 4 stars
The narrator was excellent but not spectacular. Her voice can also be a bit annoying at certain points; it just depends on her tone.

Elemental Levels: Heartfelt-3/5 Mystery-3/5 Predictability-3.5/5 Suspense-1/5 Tear- 2.5/5 Thrill-1/5

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natashaleighton_'s review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

House of Hollow meets Pretty Little Liars in this deliciously eerie and hauntingly addictive, Supernatural YA Thriller. Which skilfully blends the complex growing pains of adolescence, toxic friendships and R. L. Stine-worthy playground legends into a lush, hauntingly addictive tale of goddesses and revenge that I thoroughly devoured!

“Goddess, Goddess, count to five, in the morning, who’s alive?”

On a single winter’s night, seventeen year old Nora’s life is turned upside down when her estranged best friend, Becca, mysteriously disappears. Prompting Nora to take up her own investigation and find out what happened. For Becca wasn’t the only person in their small town to suddenly vanish—three other residents are missing too.

Uncovering coded messages believed to be from Becca, Nora delves into their shared past and the town’s infamous legend about the Goddess. And the childhood game they used to play, that may hold a clue as to Becca’s (and the other’s) whereabouts…

Satisfyingly sinister and creepy in the best of ways, this is the fifth book by Melissa Albert that I’ve read and, it’s definitely my favourite soo far!

The prose was quintessentially Albert; atmospheric, suspenseful and soo utterly compelling that I honestly despaired at having to put it down.

Each of our POV characters (Becca,Nora-and later on Rita) were vividly depicted and well developed, with unique voices that not only worked for their respective personalities, but also felt genuine enough to be real teenagers. However, it was the emotionally bereft Nora, struggling without the guidance of her (take charge) best friend that I found most compelling.

Delving into her intense and complicated friendship with Becca, and the ways in which childhood bonds can shift and develop over time was incredibly fascinating—especially when juxtaposed with the relationship dynamics of other characters we encounter.

James, a classmate of Becca’s (and the love interest to Nora’s role as Heroine) was another character I really enjoyed getting to know. Not as in depth as our protagonists, his budding friendship/relationship was a guiding light for Nora at such a dark and turbulent time. And his easy, almost laidback demeanour worked perfectly in easing Nora into social situations she’s usually relied on Becca for.

The piece de resistance of course, was the lore and supernatural elements that surround the Goddess, the goddess game (which was kinda reminiscent of the Light As A Feather game), and the mystery of the Goddess’ origins. Propelling our narrative into several plot twisty and magnificently well timed revelations that I was thoroughly in awe of.

The ending was really enjoyable if not, completely satisfying in explaining all the supernatural aspects. But, this does give me hope that we’ll see more stories set in this world, or involving shadowy god-like beings who may (or may not) have their own playground rhymes and slumber party games.

Overall, an intoxicatingly immersive read that gothic-esque fantasy or small town paranormal lovers and fans of Melissa Albert are bound to enjoy. Just be sure to check the TWs first.

Also, a huge thank you to Nina Douglas and Penguin UK for the proof

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