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ktdakotareads's review
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Murder, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Violence
If you are bothered by child death or violence to children, I would not recommend this book.readwithaimee's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.0
This book is DARK. Full stop. It has a very strange and surreal vibe the entire time, like everything is smudged and dirty and unsettling. At the very least, Langan does a great job of putting you right into this suburban neighborhood (smack in the middle of summer, and there's a heat wave...it's just SO uncomfortable).
Good Neighbors is set in the near future in a seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood. I won't give too much away, but there's a sinkhole (complete with weird smells!) and a child dies and it turns into a modern-day (or future...) version of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street. There's an uncanny valley element to this book - there's nothing supernatural in the story but it doesn't feel entirely realistic. All of the characters are exaggerated and irrational (however, maybe that's not so far-fetched after all...) and the commentary about the "mob mentality" is jarring and scary.
One character, in particular, is absolutely psychotic and terrifying (and not even in a fun way). The entire book reminded me of The Regulators by Stephen King (although minus the gratuitious horror and violence).
This would be a great choice for a book club because there's so much to discuss (although it's a tough book to rate!)
Content warnings: child abuse, brief mention of rape, brief mention of drug use, brief mention of suicide, murder-suicide
Thank you Atria Books for the ARC!
Good Neighbors is set in the near future in a seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood. I won't give too much away, but there's a sinkhole (complete with weird smells!) and a child dies and it turns into a modern-day (or future...) version of The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street. There's an uncanny valley element to this book - there's nothing supernatural in the story but it doesn't feel entirely realistic. All of the characters are exaggerated and irrational (however, maybe that's not so far-fetched after all...) and the commentary about the "mob mentality" is jarring and scary.
One character, in particular, is absolutely psychotic and terrifying (and not even in a fun way). The entire book reminded me of The Regulators by Stephen King (although minus the gratuitious horror and violence).
This would be a great choice for a book club because there's so much to discuss (although it's a tough book to rate!)
Content warnings: child abuse, brief mention of rape, brief mention of drug use, brief mention of suicide, murder-suicide
Thank you Atria Books for the ARC!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Rape
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