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justinkhchen's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Rightfully scary, but also sarcastically funny, and full of ideas, The Book of Accidents is a horror/fantasy novel with an extremely modern take on the 'family moved into a haunted house' trope, revolving around a theme that's atypical to the genre (empathy), as well as referencing present-day (American) anxieties that truly resonate (school shooting, sexual orientation, the overall sense of hopelessness, etc). Even though the narrative can feel like its weighted down by too many elements at times, there's no denying this is one memorable reading experience.
The cast of relatable characters really brought the story to life, particularly the central family; this is probably the most convincing 'millennial' parents I've seen portrayed in a horror novel. The Book of Accidents features some genuine eerie moments, and the gore and violence, while doesn't happen often, always takes me by surprise with its intensity.
In retrospect, the story has a very distinguishable tonal shift around its halfway point, where it really amps up the fantastical elements; this is the spot where it can potentially lose some of its readers who are expecting a more classic horror structure. The transition to fantasy splinters the narrative into fragmented ideas that never truly resolves, previous priorities become background elements, and some characters make uncharacteristic decisions simply to push the plot forward. By the end I was emotionally fulfilled, but left with many logistical questions (even ones that seem to be in conflict with the narrative's own internal logic).
Nevertheless, I still really enjoy The Book of Accidents as a whole: an ambitious blend of concepts, great atmosphere (reminds me of the Silent Hill series), and sympathetic characters with excellent dialog writing, enough to overlook most of its distractions. If you enjoyed Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky, this one is an easy recommendation.
Rightfully scary, but also sarcastically funny, and full of ideas, The Book of Accidents is a horror/fantasy novel with an extremely modern take on the 'family moved into a haunted house' trope, revolving around a theme that's atypical to the genre (empathy), as well as referencing present-day (American) anxieties that truly resonate (school shooting, sexual orientation, the overall sense of hopelessness, etc). Even though the narrative can feel like its weighted down by too many elements at times, there's no denying this is one memorable reading experience.
The cast of relatable characters really brought the story to life, particularly the central family; this is probably the most convincing 'millennial' parents I've seen portrayed in a horror novel. The Book of Accidents features some genuine eerie moments, and the gore and violence, while doesn't happen often, always takes me by surprise with its intensity.
In retrospect, the story has a very distinguishable tonal shift around its halfway point, where it really amps up the fantastical elements; this is the spot where it can potentially lose some of its readers who are expecting a more classic horror structure. The transition to fantasy splinters the narrative into fragmented ideas that never truly resolves, previous priorities become background elements, and some characters make uncharacteristic decisions simply to push the plot forward. By the end I was emotionally fulfilled, but left with many logistical questions (even ones that seem to be in conflict with the narrative's own internal logic).
Nevertheless, I still really enjoy The Book of Accidents as a whole: an ambitious blend of concepts, great atmosphere (reminds me of the Silent Hill series), and sympathetic characters with excellent dialog writing, enough to overlook most of its distractions. If you enjoyed Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky, this one is an easy recommendation.
jefffrane's review against another edition
5.0
I owe Chuck Wendig an apology. In the first few chapters of The Book of Accidents I started thinking he'd made a serious error. Everyone knows that a horror story must start off very quietly, with life pretty much normal and nothing at all unsettling going on. Then the story builds and all the little hints and creaks begin to raise the hair on the reader's neck. If you start the story with a bunch of actual creepy bits where do you go from there? I'd completely forgotten Chuck Wendig's style: grab 'em by the throat and start dragging very fast in an increasingly dark direction.
Also true: anyone giving away plot business in a book review is a monster. Suffice it to say that Wendig will not loose that strangle hold on you until some time well after you've turned the last page of The Book of Accidents. There will be lots of creepiness and all the Easter Eggs smell bad. Yes, there will be ants and birds because Wendig is a little obsessed. Personally, I think this is Wendig's best work since the Miriam Black stories, which should have gone on forever.
Also true: anyone giving away plot business in a book review is a monster. Suffice it to say that Wendig will not loose that strangle hold on you until some time well after you've turned the last page of The Book of Accidents. There will be lots of creepiness and all the Easter Eggs smell bad. Yes, there will be ants and birds because Wendig is a little obsessed. Personally, I think this is Wendig's best work since the Miriam Black stories, which should have gone on forever.
youngthespian42's review against another edition
2.0
More of 2.5 Stars but I do not have that option. I had a love-hate relationship with this book. I really love the group of characters for the most part. I like the setting and basically all of the points leading up to when the reader learns what is happening. From the reveal of the source of the magic and strange things in the world, I was really out. I won’t spoil what this book is but it was a lot more sci-fi influenced horror than I expected and while Wendig was going for a giant cosmic “the universe is at stake” type of narrative I really struggled to understand why these characters were at the center of the storm. the antagonist’s motivations felt under-explained for pushing the end of things as well. I like Wendig’s characterization and I will give another book of his a shot but I do not feel like the resolution lived up to the grandiose nature of the story.
mettguns84's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
reneg's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nightowlreader46's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
brooklyn0426's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
maverickams's review against another edition
The content was too scary and spooky for me
blackbirdreads24's review against another edition
Read up until the last hundred pages or so and stopped about a couple months ago, haven’t touched it since. Kind of fell out of interest with it. Will go back and finish it one day.