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kenzies's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
quite literally one of the worst books i’ve ever read. stiff characters, unrealistic dialogue, horribly written characters (primarily women), horrible portrayal of a lesbian relationship, completely unnecessary gang rape scene, incredibly hokey plot. the only reason it gets a .25 from me is because it had an interesting premise. the writing was not solid enough for me to suspend my disbelief and thus was entirely unenjoyable. do not read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Death, and Body horror
Minor: Religious bigotry
kimhawk's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, and Gore
elskabee's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
0.25
[DNF at 90% so I'm counting this as read] Do yourself a favour and don't read this.
here's a list of grievances:
- cardboard cut out characters
- very bland and repetitive dialogue
- withholding of information in a way that was frustrating rather than mysterious
- extremely dry and bland writing overall
- some extremely unnecessary transphobia (where a priest says that "gender confused" people seek exorcisms and that he recently exorcised a trans woman who wanted to murder her own family)
- casual homophobia
- misogynistic writing (women described mainly in regards to their breasts for example; most female characters lacking any agency as opposed to the male characters, also constantly seeking or being given guidance by male characters; one of the lesbian characters' job is described as being a "gender equality fuhrer"; so much more I can't be bothered writing about)
- oh and when we got to a full on sexual assault scene described in detail for several pages??? I finally decided I'd had enough and the intrigue of the plot wasn't enough any more.
I'm not one of those people who avoids male writers, but I'm certainly going to be a lot more careful before I pick up something without a recommendation from someone I trust, because this reading experience was horrible.
here's a list of grievances:
- cardboard cut out characters
- very bland and repetitive dialogue
- withholding of information in a way that was frustrating rather than mysterious
- extremely dry and bland writing overall
- some extremely unnecessary transphobia (where a priest says that "gender confused" people seek exorcisms and that he recently exorcised a trans woman who wanted to murder her own family)
- casual homophobia
- misogynistic writing (women described mainly in regards to their breasts for example; most female characters lacking any agency as opposed to the male characters, also constantly seeking or being given guidance by male characters; one of the lesbian characters' job is described as being a "gender equality fuhrer"; so much more I can't be bothered writing about)
- oh and when we got to a full on sexual assault scene described in detail for several pages??? I finally decided I'd had enough and the intrigue of the plot wasn't enough any more.
I'm not one of those people who avoids male writers, but I'm certainly going to be a lot more careful before I pick up something without a recommendation from someone I trust, because this reading experience was horrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Homophobia, Confinement, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, and Lesbophobia
blackwater's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It's unintentionally very funny (except for the sexual assault, which was completely unnecessary, uncomfortable, and ruined the book).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Death, Rape, Violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexism, and Sexual assault
bookworm4tea's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
3.5
I love the gothic horror feel of the story and that it was set in an old manor that’s apparently haunted by a great deal of people. After the patriarch of the family dies the family comes back to Allhallows Hall and while there Timmy goes missing. So we’re brought along on the journey to puzzle out where he could have gone and finally they figure out maybe the house took him and they need help trying to get him back. I found this to be an interesting story line but I didn’t really like the ending of the book because it seemed kinda rushed and I really didn’t like that the author felt the need to add that gang rape scene where the man trapped in the house stripped the paranormal investigator and one of them actually penetrates her while the other wait their turn and only another man is able to stop them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Violence, and Rape
tammitammo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Well, I made it to the end… but at what cost?
Shout out to the inclusion of a lesbian couple - though this author clearly thought it very important to constantly remind us who represented ‘the man’ in the relationship, which reminded me to stick to my rule of not reading books by straight white men.
Some points because the storyline was intriguing and it had horror vibes, but the dialogue was flat and this was ultimately rubbish.
Shout out to the inclusion of a lesbian couple - though this author clearly thought it very important to constantly remind us who represented ‘the man’ in the relationship, which reminded me to stick to my rule of not reading books by straight white men.
Some points because the storyline was intriguing and it had horror vibes, but the dialogue was flat and this was ultimately rubbish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Death, and Blood
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