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cinderthemoon25's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
morakane's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
danacanterino's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
Es un libro fácil y muy rápido de leer, y más, si escuchás el audiolibro (en inglés) que está fenomenalmente hecho. Pero a pesar de que la historia me enganchó, no me voló la cabeza ni nada, esperaba un plot twist o algo, y fue todo muy, muy predecible.
Pero a pesar de ello, el autor crea un protagonista lo suficientemente carismático, como para empujarte a seguir leyendo, y ese es Jake. Adoré su personaje, tiene un buen arco de personaje, y aunque al final evoluciona, se mantiene siendo esa bonita persona que es al inicio del libro.
La representación en este libro es on top. Creo que es la primera vez que leo un personaje gay (y encima, negro) en un libro que no sea de romance, podría equivocarme, pero estoy casi segura.
Sin ser pesado con el tema, el autor entremezcla temas importantes como la sexualidad, el racismo, la discriminación y el bullying, pero sin olvidarse de hacer una historia de terror, que creo, a pesar de que no me facinó, para el público que va dirigido - YA -, es una muy buena entrada al género, que necesita sin duda más adeptos, y más, con autores POC.
Es un libro fácil y muy rápido de leer, y más, si escuchás el audiolibro (en inglés) que está fenomenalmente hecho. Pero a pesar de que la historia me enganchó, no me voló la cabeza ni nada, esperaba un plot twist o algo, y fue todo muy, muy predecible.
Pero a pesar de ello, el autor crea un protagonista lo suficientemente carismático, como para empujarte a seguir leyendo, y ese es Jake. Adoré su personaje, tiene un buen arco de personaje, y aunque al final evoluciona, se mantiene siendo esa bonita persona que es al inicio del libro.
La representación en este libro es on top. Creo que es la primera vez que leo un personaje gay (y encima, negro) en un libro que no sea de romance, podría equivocarme, pero estoy casi segura.
Sin ser pesado con el tema, el autor entremezcla temas importantes como la sexualidad, el racismo, la discriminación y el bullying, pero sin olvidarse de hacer una historia de terror, que creo, a pesar de que no me facinó, para el público que va dirigido - YA -, es una muy buena entrada al género, que necesita sin duda más adeptos, y más, con autores POC.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
4.0
YA queer horror that involves possession? Yes please. It's a bit short-ish, but the pacing keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
marlene2112's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
macclown's review against another edition
2.0
I really loved how this was written, some gorgeous imagery and the tension was great. I liked the first half where it switched between Jake and Sawyer, and the build-up from that. But there was a lot that sort of ruined it for me.
Firstly, all of the other characters outside of Jake and Sawyer are so flat, there's basically no personality there. There's occasionally these really important character that are introduced with barely any backstory and no personality, it's hard to have any sort of attachment to anyone.
Along with that, basically nothing happens for the entire first half of the book. It's slow going and there's not a lot of lore/character building done in that time.
The "romance" between Jake and Allister was confusing to me in that they speak maybe two time and suddenly we're supposed to believe this is a love for the ages. It's also barely there, there's a couple of conversations and the final chapter but other than that there's nothing. Disappointing considering I figured it would be more fleshed out.
While I liked some of the unusual aspects of the supernatural lore in this, the "fight" scenes were pretty hard to get through. Plus it just felt so odd considering Jake seems to learn very quickly how to do all these things with no guidance. He'll be in the ecto-world or whatever, not knowing a thing, then the next time he's there he's flinging his ecto-fists around or flying idk. There's no learning or development period for his character as far as his powers are concerned and that break a lot of immersion for me.
I wanted to like this, and I think I could read more from this author because I really did enjoy the way it was written, but it left so much to be desired.
Firstly, all of the other characters outside of Jake and Sawyer are so flat, there's basically no personality there. There's occasionally these really important character that are introduced with barely any backstory and no personality, it's hard to have any sort of attachment to anyone.
Along with that, basically nothing happens for the entire first half of the book. It's slow going and there's not a lot of lore/character building done in that time.
The "romance" between Jake and Allister was confusing to me in that they speak maybe two time and suddenly we're supposed to believe this is a love for the ages. It's also barely there, there's a couple of conversations and the final chapter but other than that there's nothing. Disappointing considering I figured it would be more fleshed out.
While I liked some of the unusual aspects of the supernatural lore in this, the "fight" scenes were pretty hard to get through. Plus it just felt so odd considering Jake seems to learn very quickly how to do all these things with no guidance. He'll be in the ecto-world or whatever, not knowing a thing, then the next time he's there he's flinging his ecto-fists around or flying idk. There's no learning or development period for his character as far as his powers are concerned and that break a lot of immersion for me.
I wanted to like this, and I think I could read more from this author because I really did enjoy the way it was written, but it left so much to be desired.
henrygravesprince's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is a tough, but well-written, book. I’m a firm believer in the idea that if a child is old enough to experience something, they’re old enough to learn about it in an age-appropriate manner; that extends to the very difficult topics being dealt with here that, unfortunately, children experience every day, from mass violence to familial abuse to bullying and discrimination. On top of that, I think Douglass is genuinely very talented at writing Young Adult Horror, and these combine into a piece of art that I think is both accessible and very well-done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Incest, Mass/school shootings, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Suicide, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Animal cruelty, and Gore
_rei_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0