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geneebee's review against another edition
4.0
This book reminded me of the Goonies movie but more gore. The plots couldn't be more different but was similar by including a group of kids going on this adventure full of mysteries and terror waiting around the corner. This book had everything in it. A story of a boys first love, mystery, family, humor, friendship, and a shit ton of blood. I will be honest, I wasn't expecting any of the story line. I thought I was picking up this read about a bunch of kids finding something terrible in the woods (correct!) and them growing up and it haunting them. (wrong!) I was pleasantly surprised for a nice easy read. The narrator actually had me laughing out loud and at times nearly crying.
jessmcall's review against another edition
2.0
Rating: 2.5. I felt like this was a knock off of a Stephen King Novel. Definitely had Stand By Me and It vibes---but lack the good writing and plot. This story started off one way and it held my attention because it seemed like it might get interesting. However, then the story escalated and become so unbelievable as time went on. The only saving grace of this book, for me, was the character of the Collector. His character was interesting at least but then his storyline devolved into such a cop-out. I wanted so much more. Also a side note, I did not appreciate certain words that were continuously used throughout the book...there was no point plot wise and it felt outdated, unnecessary, and offensive. So this book already rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning, and there were few redeeming qualities. Overall, not a fan.
I received an ARC of the book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of the book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
t_higgsreviews's review against another edition
No couldn't finish this as it was really offensive. I don't take offence often but this just overused the offensive things way past the point of keeping it historically accurate.
The story of this book (which was published in 2018) takes place in the 80s but it's being told to us by the main character who is now in the present rather than in the time period it took place in.
The main character used racist, fatphobic, sexist and ablest language so much in the first half of the book that it detracted from the story.
The main character (who was not disabled in any way) said he was "retarded" then later said he had Tourette's Syndrome and "backed" this up by swearing at more people to avoid leaving his dog outside a shop.
This completely unnecessary use of "spastic" was the start of the last straw for me
"As I struggled out of the sheets she continued to poke and prod at me, just for the hell of it, so that I got up in a funny spastic dance."
After that I read a little further but realised that I could no longer focus on the story.
The story of this book (which was published in 2018) takes place in the 80s but it's being told to us by the main character who is now in the present rather than in the time period it took place in.
The main character used racist, fatphobic, sexist and ablest language so much in the first half of the book that it detracted from the story.
This completely unnecessary use of "spastic" was the start of the last straw for me
After that I read a little further but realised that I could no longer focus on the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, Ableism, Sexism, Racism, and Racial slurs
bookswithshayydeniece's review against another edition
2.0
I was given a free copy for review from NetGalley
๐2.5 stars๐
This book had great potential! I really enjoyed it after I got past how similar it was to Stephen King's IT. It was interesting until I got to the 60% mark, then it slowed down again and I had to force myself to finish.
๐2.5 stars๐
This book had great potential! I really enjoyed it after I got past how similar it was to Stephen King's IT. It was interesting until I got to the 60% mark, then it slowed down again and I had to force myself to finish.
colbybettley's review against another edition
1.0
For me, it was If You Go Down To The Woods that let me down. I started reading this yesterday and it sounded FANTASTIC from the description but from the moment I picked it up, something didn't sit right with me. The plot is mostly IT by Stephen King as it has too many comparisons (same characters, bullies, woods, even a couple of same scenes) which is awkward for any reader. Another issue I had was the amount of offensive language used. At first, I gave the author the benefit of the doubt as it is set as an adult remembering his youth and many children use quite offensive phrases. However, the author took it too far and if I'm honest, if felt as though he was writing it as an excuse just to be able to say it. It made me deeply uncomfortable and I really struggled to read any further.
โ
I hate not finishing a book but I persevered until the second part, roughly halfway through, and sadly couldn't take anymore. I really hoped that the second half would be great but I couldn't read any further. I have chosen not to rate the book as it wouldn't be fair to rate half of it, but I was not impressed and would not even attempt to read it again. โ
โ
I hate not finishing a book but I persevered until the second part, roughly halfway through, and sadly couldn't take anymore. I really hoped that the second half would be great but I couldn't read any further. I have chosen not to rate the book as it wouldn't be fair to rate half of it, but I was not impressed and would not even attempt to read it again. โ
dylanisreviewing's review against another edition
1.0
1 star.
The racial and homophobic slurs, and terrible representation towards a black and a fat character, have made me hate it.
This book takes place in the 70s/80s, so these types or wordings were normalized back then, but this is a 2018 release. It's understandable wanting to be realistic, but you can write a historical piece without the CONSTANT use of slurs and microagressions. STRANGER THINGS and IT (the movie, the book was about as offensive as this, but they had the brains to use other wordings BECAUSE ITS 2018) did it (which is what this book is CONSTANTLY being compared to, which makes sense because this is IT, but done worse), so why couldn't they with this book?
Thank you to Netgalley for sending this to me for review, but I will never recommend this book to a single soul.
The racial and homophobic slurs, and terrible representation towards a black and a fat character, have made me hate it.
This book takes place in the 70s/80s, so these types or wordings were normalized back then, but this is a 2018 release. It's understandable wanting to be realistic, but you can write a historical piece without the CONSTANT use of slurs and microagressions. STRANGER THINGS and IT (the movie, the book was about as offensive as this, but they had the brains to use other wordings BECAUSE ITS 2018) did it (which is what this book is CONSTANTLY being compared to, which makes sense because this is IT, but done worse), so why couldn't they with this book?
Thank you to Netgalley for sending this to me for review, but I will never recommend this book to a single soul.
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