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kajoreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The gore and body horror really delivered. The slasher vibes were on point. If I was rating this based on that alone, it’d be 5 stars. Ellis did an incredible job making it all gross and unsettling.
There was lots of interesting lore involved. Unfortunately it got kinda incoherent at times, or maybe it just didn’t click for me. I was trying to figure out rules for the supernatural elements. Definitely not the right approach.
I really enjoyed Temple and her dad’s relationship. It was a twisted, abusive one, but it felt real. The flashbacks were well implemented imo.
Overall, it’s a strong debut. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for this author.
There was lots of interesting lore involved. Unfortunately it got kinda incoherent at times, or maybe it just didn’t click for me. I was trying to figure out rules for the supernatural elements. Definitely not the right approach.
I really enjoyed Temple and her dad’s relationship. It was a twisted, abusive one, but it felt real. The flashbacks were well implemented imo.
Overall, it’s a strong debut. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Gore, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Body horror
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Child death, and Gun violence
Minor: Drug use, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Police brutality, and Ableism
jennifermreads's review against another edition
dark
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
3.5
Received advanced reader copy from publisher.
If asked what my least favorite genre was, I would say horror. I’m not even sure I’d call it “least favorite” as I would “least read.” I’m not sure I would have picked up Dead Girls Walking at a library or bookstore. After all, the promo material says it is for fans of the film franchise Friday the 13th and I do not watch horror films. But Abrams mailed me an ARC and that felt like a nudge to give horror another chance. {Note: See the danger in including other book or movie titles in promo material? I was leaning toward not reading because of the film reference!}
When I finished the ARC on February 22, my initial reaction was “Meh.” I wasn’t scared out of my skin. I wasn’t creeped out to the point of looking under my bed, peeking in my closet, and making sure all the doors and windows were locked. I’m not sure “enjoyed” is the correct word to describe what I experienced with Temple’s journey. But I was invested in her fight and curious about the outcome.
Now, as I write my review two weeks later, I find that, pardon the pun, Temple and the rest of the Dead Girls are still haunting me. THAT is a sign of a good book! Because of spoilers, I cannot say what is sticking. Suffice it to say, that the outcome had me questioning judgments I’ve made in people and it has served as a reminder that there is often more to a person’s story than a headline or news story will share.
It was refreshing to read a story set in an LGBTQIA camp (talk about stereotype horror setting! WHOA there is a reason that setting works!) with a cast of 100% LGBTQIA characters. The author states in her intro letter in the ARC that she “set out to write a Friday the 13th tribute, but this time all about Black girls.” The author has filled a void. And, my reader’s advisory senses are tingling: anyone who has read Tiffany D. Jackson and screamed “MORE!” needs to grab Dead Girls Walking and rejoice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Murder, Child abuse, Gore, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Bullying, Cannibalism, Police brutality, Gun violence, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia
Verbatim from the notes on the title page verso of the ARC: STRONG PRESENCE OF: body fluids like blood and vomit, bones, branding, emotional and physical child abuse, death, fire, gore, hallucinations, murder, profanity, PTSD flashbacks of abuse and horrific situations, skeletons, violence, abuse in the name of religion. BRIEF MENTIONS OF: ableist language, bullying, cannibalism, recreational marijuana usage, gun violence, the occult, police brutality, suicidal ideation, supernatural interpretation of terminal illness, transphobia.
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