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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was thrilling and engaging throughout. The characters all felt pretty well flushed out, and the plot was captivating. However, I did feel like the ending was fairly unsatisfying. The whole “trauma is the monster” thing felt not only trite, but also unresolved, as it was left unclear whether there was actually something supernatural or if it was actually Laura the whole time. And if it was Laura the whole time, we were never really led to feel any type of way about it. There was potential for a strong finish, but missed the mark a little, though the final scene in the burning house was thrilling nonetheless.
This book sounded really interesting, and I guess I can see why people would like it, but wow it was Not For Me.
The MC hated everyone and everything around her and it just became exhausting. The horror aspect didn’t feel believable and I felt like laughing every time it was like oh noooo the needle man! the name sounds like a parody of a bad horror movie. I just couldn’t take it anymore. I also felt like I knew how the book would end. After giving up I actually did read the last two chapters as well as the epilogue. I was 70% right. That epilogue…. was not it.
End of book spoilers:
Skipping to chapter 29 and seeing that she was in fact like possessed by the needle man? Saw that one coming as soon as she saw it in her hotel room. Also I didn’t like the needle man and Laura being one as a metaphor for trauma.
The MC hated everyone and everything around her and it just became exhausting. The horror aspect didn’t feel believable and I felt like laughing every time it was like oh noooo the needle man! the name sounds like a parody of a bad horror movie. I just couldn’t take it anymore. I also felt like I knew how the book would end. After giving up I actually did read the last two chapters as well as the epilogue. I was 70% right. That epilogue…. was not it.
End of book spoilers:
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death
DNF: 91%.. I’ve been wanting to stop reading but I hate not finishing books. SPOILERS: When Laura threw up her symbiote trauma booger and I was like I’m so over this. It started really promising. I had just finished The Final Girl Support Group, which was a really interesting take/commentary on Hollywood horror. I thought this was going to be in the same vein. It’s derivative to a fault. It’s like watching Nightmare on Elm Street in earnest in the year 2023. It’s campy and fun, but there’s a billion of these stories. Meh.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
“what’s your favorite scary movie?”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
While this is a bit more paranormal than the Scream franchise, Burn the Negative has SUCH strong 90’s horror/slasher vibes.
When Laura gets assigned to report on a remake of a cursed horror movie, she knows something is bound to happen. Not only did eight of the original cast and crew members die during the original production, she was the star and one of the film’s only survivors. When things start to get weird on this new set, Laura knows something has to be done before more people get hurt.
Overall, this was such an interesting read that kept me on the edge of my seat. The mixed media used throughout helped this feel more like a movie than a book. I only gave 4 stars, though, bc this does def feel like a main female character written by a man and like the story might be better told through film in parts.
This spooky lil read was so fun, though, and definitely had me checking the shadows a little more closely.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
While this is a bit more paranormal than the Scream franchise, Burn the Negative has SUCH strong 90’s horror/slasher vibes.
When Laura gets assigned to report on a remake of a cursed horror movie, she knows something is bound to happen. Not only did eight of the original cast and crew members die during the original production, she was the star and one of the film’s only survivors. When things start to get weird on this new set, Laura knows something has to be done before more people get hurt.
Overall, this was such an interesting read that kept me on the edge of my seat. The mixed media used throughout helped this feel more like a movie than a book. I only gave 4 stars, though, bc this does def feel like a main female character written by a man and like the story might be better told through film in parts.
This spooky lil read was so fun, though, and definitely had me checking the shadows a little more closely.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
For fans of slasher films like scream and nightmare on elm street this could be for you. Yes its predictable at times and the ending I was not the biggest fan of but it was an enjoyable ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent
I speddddd through this audiobook!! This was such an enjoyable read, especially as a horror fan with basic familiarity with "cursed films." Bits and pieces of the red herrings and directions we went in were a little confusing, hence the 4 stars instead of 5. Some of the whys didn't make a ton of sense. But that didn't take away any of the general enjoyment I had reading this!! So fun!
The multimedia storytelling really sold the story for me (as did the fact that I'm a sucker for any cursed movie/show trope). The introduction of an actual supernatural element and the entire penultimate scene of discovery felt a bit rushed, but the very last scene was unexpected in a very good way and made me like the character a LOT more.
I’m not feeling like writing a bitchy review so let’s just say this one was fine but not my cup of tea.