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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
The meta-ness of this one took a bit to sink in - ultimately I ended up enjoying it (I had some reservations because slasher is not my preferred genre of horror). Jade is quite the protagonist. I rooted for her, but I didn't like her. As always, SGJ pulls out all the stops at the end and doesn't spare you gory descriptions.
3.5 stars, didn't top The Only Good Indians for me, but very fun to read and I'll definitely check out the next one.
3.5 stars, didn't top The Only Good Indians for me, but very fun to read and I'll definitely check out the next one.
I've been thinking about this book for a few days after finishing it to try to put my feelings of it into words. A lot of people say that this book is not for the squeamish and it's like. #dark and #twisted, but I found it to be kinda mildly gory? The psychological implications of the main character are by far the most messed up part but they're totally glossed over. I couldn't continue these thoughts without spoilers so.
SPOILERS AHEAD.
Someone said that the CSA "plotline" was a super obvious twist but I didn't see it as a twist, more as a theme that the main character was the last one to address. The "reveal" of Jade confronting her father didn't feel like a reveal because to me it was more about Jade finally accepting the fact that the reader (and several other characters) already knew about, it's about the catharsis for Jade (and ideally the reader, if this was a well written book, but alas...).
I'm making a pros/cons list in no particular order. SPOILERS STILL APPLY.
Pros:
• I loved the characters of Mr Holmes and Shooting Glasses for some reason, they were sympathetic
• The premise is really interesting!
• The irony of Jade becoming the final girl of the one slasher subgenre she refused to talk about was fantastic
• I'm not super knowledgeable about slashers so I found the infodumps and mentions fun and helpful
Cons:
• The plot was confusing and extremely hard to follow, and by this I mean I had to re-read certain passages due to a "wait, what?" whiplash I got sometimes, and this was due to the random u-turns the narration took and not like, "wow look at this cool plot twist!"
• Jade, as a protagonist, is just deeply, deeply unlikeable. This is not because she's an angsty teenager, but because she's just written to be grating as a person, and I feel like if that was the point it'd be more bearable? But I do feel like Jade is supposed to be a sort of anti-hero, a slightly kooky and misguided yet relatable character, but like. She's like a manic pixie dream edgy #notlikeothergirls character and I disliked it greatly
• Letha and Jade had chemistry (both platonic AND romantic) that just didn't go anywhere!! At first I thought the author was setting up a romance or EVEN A NICE FRIENDSHIP but nothing came of it. Felt like wasted potential :/
• The pacing is really strange??
• I cannot for the life of me understand how this book is as long as it is. I can remember a few scenes but I couldn't tell you about what actually happens throughout most of the book because there are so many scenes that feel out of place and don't add much to the characters, worldbuilding or plot. Or even the vibes!
END OF SPOILERS.
All in all this book made me feel extremely frustrated and it was generally not enjoyable to read. However, there was something about it that captivated me and I can't even put my finger on what it was. I'm going to reluctantly read the second book. I can't in good faith recommend this book to anyone but I'm not upset if someone else likes it. Like if you liked this book I'm genuinely happy for you! However I'm not going to take any book recs from anyone who likes this book.
SPOILERS AHEAD.
Someone said that the CSA "plotline" was a super obvious twist but I didn't see it as a twist, more as a theme that the main character was the last one to address. The "reveal" of Jade confronting her father didn't feel like a reveal because to me it was more about Jade finally accepting the fact that the reader (and several other characters) already knew about, it's about the catharsis for Jade (and ideally the reader, if this was a well written book, but alas...).
I'm making a pros/cons list in no particular order. SPOILERS STILL APPLY.
Pros:
• I loved the characters of Mr Holmes and Shooting Glasses for some reason, they were sympathetic
• The premise is really interesting!
• The irony of Jade becoming the final girl of the one slasher subgenre she refused to talk about was fantastic
• I'm not super knowledgeable about slashers so I found the infodumps and mentions fun and helpful
Cons:
• The plot was confusing and extremely hard to follow, and by this I mean I had to re-read certain passages due to a "wait, what?" whiplash I got sometimes, and this was due to the random u-turns the narration took and not like, "wow look at this cool plot twist!"
• Jade, as a protagonist, is just deeply, deeply unlikeable. This is not because she's an angsty teenager, but because she's just written to be grating as a person, and I feel like if that was the point it'd be more bearable? But I do feel like Jade is supposed to be a sort of anti-hero, a slightly kooky and misguided yet relatable character, but like. She's like a manic pixie dream edgy #notlikeothergirls character and I disliked it greatly
• Letha and Jade had chemistry (both platonic AND romantic) that just didn't go anywhere!! At first I thought the author was setting up a romance or EVEN A NICE FRIENDSHIP but nothing came of it. Felt like wasted potential :/
• The pacing is really strange??
• I cannot for the life of me understand how this book is as long as it is. I can remember a few scenes but I couldn't tell you about what actually happens throughout most of the book because there are so many scenes that feel out of place and don't add much to the characters, worldbuilding or plot. Or even the vibes!
END OF SPOILERS.
All in all this book made me feel extremely frustrated and it was generally not enjoyable to read. However, there was something about it that captivated me and I can't even put my finger on what it was. I'm going to reluctantly read the second book. I can't in good faith recommend this book to anyone but I'm not upset if someone else likes it. Like if you liked this book I'm genuinely happy for you! However I'm not going to take any book recs from anyone who likes this book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Deadnaming, Suicide attempt, Abandonment
Moderate: Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Abandonment
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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:
Yes