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janagaton's review against another edition
4.0
This was more graphic than I thought it'd be, but I'm here for it. I enjoyed both perspectives, and I appareciated the social commentary revolving around being a Black gay teenager in high school. Also loved how short & sweet it is, yet still has a well-paced storyline.
TW: suicide, parental abuse, homophobia, bullying, racism
TW: suicide, parental abuse, homophobia, bullying, racism
pyrobin's review against another edition
3.25
3.25 ★
i feel like the beginning captivated me, but after that, i slowly lost interest. it's a great book, it tackles significant themes and it's a nice read, but i feel like there were a couple of things that i could not get past. some dialogues felt a bit weak to me, and in general, the whole world-building seemed to be missing a lot more development. besides that, i enjoyed this book and i would recommend it if you're a horror fan. jake was an amazing lead character, and i felt like the author did a fantastic job at portraying all his issues as a gay black teen who also sees ghosts, really liked to see his character development.
i feel like the beginning captivated me, but after that, i slowly lost interest. it's a great book, it tackles significant themes and it's a nice read, but i feel like there were a couple of things that i could not get past. some dialogues felt a bit weak to me, and in general, the whole world-building seemed to be missing a lot more development. besides that, i enjoyed this book and i would recommend it if you're a horror fan. jake was an amazing lead character, and i felt like the author did a fantastic job at portraying all his issues as a gay black teen who also sees ghosts, really liked to see his character development.
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
3.0
This is about a boy who can see ghosts and ends up having a connection with a school shooter boy and he isn't sure why and needs to figure it out etc etc.
There are some things that I really enjoyed about this book and some things that really bothered me. There was a cute romance that I liked although it was a little insta-lovey but it wasn't really part of the actual story so I didn't mind too much. I was kinda into the second perspective because it caused and internal battle within me because of who that person was, what they did and what happened to them which I thought was an interesting experience.
But where I struggled the most was the end, where something happens and It's not clear to me why it happened and the follow through after didn't make sense to me and I just was like, what.. but.. what...
So yeah, I liked it. But had some issues with it.
There are some things that I really enjoyed about this book and some things that really bothered me. There was a cute romance that I liked although it was a little insta-lovey but it wasn't really part of the actual story so I didn't mind too much. I was kinda into the second perspective because it caused and internal battle within me because of who that person was, what they did and what happened to them which I thought was an interesting experience.
But where I struggled the most was the end, where something happens and It's not clear to me why it happened and the follow through after didn't make sense to me and I just was like, what.. but.. what...
So yeah, I liked it. But had some issues with it.
lorithereadingfairy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
1.5
ihearvoicesinmyhead's review against another edition
5.0
a White school shooter ghost tormenting a young, Black gay medium to make him commit another act of violence!? but that’s just the plot… don’t forget that this story seamlessly weaves in Black familial dynamics with LGBT+ kids, ancestors protecting & guiding us & how TRAUMA crosses cultures… LETS TAWLK ABOUT IT!! horrifying & empowering & necessary. *chef’s kiss*
chuskeyreads's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to love this book. I mean, look at that cover! Alas! It was not to be.
The story is all over the place to the point that it’s a little hard to follow. The characters are flat, and I just felt nothing for the main character, Jake. You have no back story for why he’s able to see that’s and ghouls, and there’s a discrepancy between whether he was 10 or 5 years old the first time he’s aware.
The story seems forced, and the characters just appear without any introduction - as though the reader is supposed to know who they are ad how they fit into Jake’s world just by calling them by name.
The prose is just… weird.
”I see bloody shower water leaking down the walls of my eyes when I close them.” <\i>
The story is all over the place to the point that it’s a little hard to follow. The characters are flat, and I just felt nothing for the main character, Jake. You have no back story for why he’s able to see that’s and ghouls, and there’s a discrepancy between whether he was 10 or 5 years old the first time he’s aware.
The story seems forced, and the characters just appear without any introduction - as though the reader is supposed to know who they are ad how they fit into Jake’s world just by calling them by name.
The prose is just… weird.
”I see bloody shower water leaking down the walls of my eyes when I close them.” <\i>
bbrown0526's review against another edition
3.0
This book had potential to do something really cool and unique, but really fell short. I’m fine with going along for a ride but I needed at least some details of Jake’s abilities in order to understand what the hell was happening. With as short as it was, there was definitely room to expand that. The only character I really got a feel for was Benji, everyone else felt super 2 dimensional and like an after thought.
I also don’t know how I felt about reading from Sawyer’s perspective. I didn’t love how he was painted in a sympathetic and “lost boy” light. It was weird that we got more of Sawyer’s history, a white school shooter, than Jake - who is the black queer main character.
Overall I liked what the book was trying to do, but definitely think it could have been improved on.
I also don’t know how I felt about reading from Sawyer’s perspective. I didn’t love how he was painted in a sympathetic and “lost boy” light. It was weird that we got more of Sawyer’s history, a white school shooter, than Jake - who is the black queer main character.
Overall I liked what the book was trying to do, but definitely think it could have been improved on.
rjdenney's review against another edition
4.0
Spooky, fun, and packed with supernatural insanity. Really enjoyed this one. :)
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
2.0