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seashelfs's review against another edition
3.0
(3.5)
A different spin of the Japanese legend popularized in horror classics such as "The Ring". Okiku is a murderous spirit bound for revenge. Only in the past few centuries does she change her approach to target people that kill children. In comes a strange tattooed boy that has a dark secret.
We follow three main POVs. Okiku, the murderous ghost. Tark, the tattooed boy- strange occurrences seem to always happen with him around. And Callie, Tark's cousin.
Tarquin - Tark, for short - emanates strong Jughead vibes in a "I'm weird. I'm a weirdo. Have you ever seen me without this stupid hat on?" way. Edgy teenager alert! Where sarcasm is plenty.
Okiku's POVs are cringy. I get the author is trying to display the state her mind is in by lots of broken sentences, seeing as she is a ghost or "lost spirit". It's experimental and I understand why it's written that way but it doesn't mean I have to like it. I might have enjoyed the style more if I was younger or if I haven't read a lot of books yet.
I don't exactly have anything to say about Callie's POV due to the lack of personality.
I like the premise of the book. There are parts that are truly frightening especially if you're irrationally afraid of all things paranormal, such as me. I had to play some background music on my laptop because the silence in my house is freaking me out while reading this book.
It's a fun YA horror story. It's just the type of book I enjoy looking back on but not exactly the act of reading the words itself on its pages.
A different spin of the Japanese legend popularized in horror classics such as "The Ring". Okiku is a murderous spirit bound for revenge. Only in the past few centuries does she change her approach to target people that kill children. In comes a strange tattooed boy that has a dark secret.
We follow three main POVs. Okiku, the murderous ghost. Tark, the tattooed boy- strange occurrences seem to always happen with him around. And Callie, Tark's cousin.
Tarquin - Tark, for short - emanates strong Jughead vibes in a "I'm weird. I'm a weirdo. Have you ever seen me without this stupid hat on?" way. Edgy teenager alert! Where sarcasm is plenty.
Okiku's POVs are cringy. I get the author is trying to display the state her mind is in by lots of broken sentences, seeing as she is a ghost or "lost spirit". It's experimental and I understand why it's written that way but it doesn't mean I have to like it. I might have enjoyed the style more if I was younger or if I haven't read a lot of books yet.
I don't exactly have anything to say about Callie's POV due to the lack of personality.
I like the premise of the book. There are parts that are truly frightening especially if you're irrationally afraid of all things paranormal, such as me. I had to play some background music on my laptop because the silence in my house is freaking me out while reading this book.
It's a fun YA horror story. It's just the type of book I enjoy looking back on but not exactly the act of reading the words itself on its pages.
lookitslil's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
thebriary's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not sure this book succeeded in its purpose. Or rather, its purpose was confused so I am not sure how to even take it. The story was interesting and the settings were gorgeous but the atmosphere? Eh. I never felt tension or fear or horrified fascination. It didn’t make me feel much of anything, really.
It was, in a word, anticlimactic. And I think I know why.
We get the entire narrative from the wrong perspective. It’s a unique perspective, to be sure, but it sucks all the emotion out of the story. Okiku has nothing to lose and (really) nothing to gain – she is involved with but removed from the action and since we are getting the story from her voice there is no investment for us, either. It lacks… well, pathos. Okiku doesn’t rationalize her choices or indicate any sort of emotion that would explain them. She’s blank. Retell the story from the cousin’s perspective and I bet it would be a hell of a lot scarier.
It was, in a word, anticlimactic. And I think I know why.
We get the entire narrative from the wrong perspective. It’s a unique perspective, to be sure, but it sucks all the emotion out of the story. Okiku has nothing to lose and (really) nothing to gain – she is involved with but removed from the action and since we are getting the story from her voice there is no investment for us, either. It lacks… well, pathos. Okiku doesn’t rationalize her choices or indicate any sort of emotion that would explain them. She’s blank. Retell the story from the cousin’s perspective and I bet it would be a hell of a lot scarier.
muireebrown's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? No
2.75
There was more horror in this story than I was expecting, but it wasn’t unwelcome. That being said, the rest of the story was pretty straightforward. I would have appreciated if it went a little deeper into the psychological side of how the characters are feeling. It felt a little surface level in places.
I am interested in learning more about Japanese legends after reading this, though, which I think is a good sign. If you are looking for a simple, low key ghost story then this is the book for you.
I am interested in learning more about Japanese legends after reading this, though, which I think is a good sign. If you are looking for a simple, low key ghost story then this is the book for you.
solangelicag's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
hollyberry_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
babytaytayx's review against another edition
5.0
Love this book sooooo much!!!! Ghost POV. Ghost kills child murders. Helps children.
lopstrosity's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
As much as I enjoyed it as an adult, I wish I had the opportunity to read this when I was a teenager. The story is still good, but in my teen years I would have devoured the story & all the Japanese lore & superstition.
I respect Chupeco for not shying away from things and treating YA readers as actual adults. I see too many authors of the genre writing a story clearly meant for teens but in a style that’s basically Goosebumps.
I respect Chupeco for not shying away from things and treating YA readers as actual adults. I see too many authors of the genre writing a story clearly meant for teens but in a style that’s basically Goosebumps.
menachris87's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
jaid5394's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0