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paedynsgf's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
౨ৎ | “are you thinking about snow?” 𝘪’𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳.
— ★ 4.5/5
despite the high rating, this book was good, but it could have been great. the writing was fast paced and easy to read. but i feel like they semi glossed over the plot. like we got no details, it was a lot of action, not enough describing if you get me. i thoroughly enjoyed it, i just felt like i could have enjoyed it more.
there were so many plot points that were brought up once and then never again and i feel like i missed out on half a book.
harmony and paul: i didn’t like you from the start, i didn’t like you at the end.
trevor and gayle: if i was in this universe i would protect you.
crystal: you were annoying but i love your brain but sometimes you’re real dumb. grow a back bone!
aaron: i hope you break every bone in your body. i hate you but you also don’t mean anything to me.
anyway, i recommend this!! please check tw’s.
— ★ 4.5/5
despite the high rating, this book was good, but it could have been great. the writing was fast paced and easy to read. but i feel like they semi glossed over the plot. like we got no details, it was a lot of action, not enough describing if you get me. i thoroughly enjoyed it, i just felt like i could have enjoyed it more.
there were so many plot points that were brought up once and then never again and i feel like i missed out on half a book.
harmony and paul: i didn’t like you from the start, i didn’t like you at the end.
trevor and gayle: if i was in this universe i would protect you.
crystal: you were annoying but i love your brain but sometimes you’re real dumb. grow a back bone!
aaron: i hope you break every bone in your body. i hate you but you also don’t mean anything to me.
anyway, i recommend this!! please check tw’s.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual assault, Blood, Murder, Lesbophobia, and Outing
chezler24's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Cesare has shown us that YA horror can be as punchy as adult horror! Influencer is an unhinged wild ride depicting just how far people will go to follow their favorite influencer. The book opens with a home invasion scene and does not let up. I thought it was neat we were able to flip back and forth between the pov of Aaron/the Speaker and Crystal. I feel like most things would have our villain appear as this omniscient/omnipresent entity (which Aaron would like to portray); however, having the ability to hear his thoughts showed how tenuous his grasp of power and control was. While I do think the pacing could have been tweaked here or there (e.g., showing two of the characters becoming pawns of the Speaker or the ending sequence), I was hooked and enjoyed every second of this wild story (even the sections that made me squirm).
Check trigger warnings before you dive in. Certain scenes can definitely be a turn-off for some individuals.
Check trigger warnings before you dive in. Certain scenes can definitely be a turn-off for some individuals.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Blood, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Outing, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Islamophobia, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
shereadytoread's review against another edition
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a book that proves YA horror can be just as horrific as adult horror. It starts with a bang of a cold open and then we see it unfold. Something I loved about this book is there are no simple characters. All of the teens are complicated and doubt themselves and their place within their friend groups and lives. We never get the self-assured final girl, but one whose fear doesn’t stop her from doing what needs to be done. There are awkward missteps and moments that felt very true to the high school experience!
I really liked having the perspective of the villain and heroine though out the story. This is not a book that shies away from violence or toned down the serious topics. But it felt purposeful and not gratuitous.
I really liked having the perspective of the villain and heroine though out the story. This is not a book that shies away from violence or toned down the serious topics. But it felt purposeful and not gratuitous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence and Vomit
coastal_moonlit_garden's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Okay! I broke away from my usual romcom/fantasy/hist fic scene to try this thriller and I really enjoyed it! It took a couple chapters to have my brain not keep picturing Conrad Fisher as a raging psychopath LOL but Christopher Briney did. Great job bringing the dark twisted mind of Aaron to life. I agree with other reviewers that this is a dark read because it feels like a scenario like this could happen and that gives me shivers. The story itself moved quickly and I’m satisfied with how it ended but wish we could’ve gotten more of a follow up on how everyone is doing later/more removed by the final scenes. Audible has this story listed under teen and young adult but I’d go ahead and say put this under horror thriller. There are some disturbing scenes that I wouldn’t have wanted to read as a teen; but if you’re a true crime fan like me, this was a good pick!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Torture, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Drug use, Gore, and Sexual assault
Minor: Homophobia and Violence