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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
This book felt like it was written on a massive coke bender, and I mean that in the best way possible. There’s basically no lead up, just jumps right out there. 100 pages in, I had no clue how Hill could sustain it, but he did. Hell of a ride.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Judas is an aging rockstar who has everything he could ask for: money, cars, dogs, and a long line of young women who want to be with him. Yet, he still feels unsettled. When his assistant receives an email about a ghost for sale, Jude jumps at the chance to add to his morbid collection. He doesn't truly believe what he purchased, until the haunted suit arrives in a heart-shaped box and he becomes a haunted man.
This was okay. The story was dark and twisty, including some very messed up, disturbing scenes. What more can you ask for in a paranormal horror novel? It wasn't bad at all, but I did find it incredibly difficult to get through. I felt like the book dragged on for forever and could've easily been 100 pages shorter. But to be fair, I tend to prefer my horror on the shorter side so that could just be me.
Jude was a character that I found really interesting, as a fan of the rock genre and someone who has a fascination with musicians and their lives. I also really like morally gray characters, and that's exactly what Jude is. If you are someone that needs a "good guy" or someone to root for, this book probably isn't for you. I did really enjoy Jude's journey and his character arc. I also really loved Georgia! She was probably my favorite character in the book, though that isn't saying much.
Overall, decent book, but nothing I will be recommending.
This was okay. The story was dark and twisty, including some very messed up, disturbing scenes. What more can you ask for in a paranormal horror novel? It wasn't bad at all, but I did find it incredibly difficult to get through. I felt like the book dragged on for forever and could've easily been 100 pages shorter. But to be fair, I tend to prefer my horror on the shorter side so that could just be me.
Jude was a character that I found really interesting, as a fan of the rock genre and someone who has a fascination with musicians and their lives. I also really like morally gray characters, and that's exactly what Jude is. If you are someone that needs a "good guy" or someone to root for, this book probably isn't for you. I did really enjoy Jude's journey and his character arc. I also really loved Georgia! She was probably my favorite character in the book, though that isn't saying much.
Overall, decent book, but nothing I will be recommending.
2 stars
It felt a bit hypocritical for the MMC to hate and beat on pedophiles while he himself (a 50+ year old famous rockstar) consistently dates women at least 30 years younger than him. Not to mention that most of them are fans of him and vulnerable. The story itself was very intriguing, but when the dogs were killed I couldn't gaslight myself into liking the book anymore.
It felt a bit hypocritical for the MMC to hate and beat on pedophiles while he himself (a 50+ year old famous rockstar) consistently dates women at least 30 years younger than him. Not to mention that most of them are fans of him and vulnerable. The story itself was very intriguing, but when the dogs were killed I couldn't gaslight myself into liking the book anymore.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a pretty good story. Some moments were pretty exciting. I give it 3 stars because, while I liked the story, I found the relationship of the main characters unbelievable. It was kinda like watching a movie that should be fantastic, but the actors have no chemistry.
This is the 3rd piece I've read by Joe Hill and the other 2 were phenomenally better - NOS4A2 and a short story from Flight or Fright called You Are Released. If you are looking to give Hill a try, start with those. Come back to this one if you loved the other two.
This is the 3rd piece I've read by Joe Hill and the other 2 were phenomenally better - NOS4A2 and a short story from Flight or Fright called You Are Released. If you are looking to give Hill a try, start with those. Come back to this one if you loved the other two.
Heart-shaped Box starts out solid, delving right into the story and layering the suspense on thick. The first 30 pages or so are legitimately scary and done quite well — which is why I feel the book as a whole sort of fails. If you use all your fodder when you start the fire, what will you have left to keep the flames going?
This is Hill’s first published novel and it shows. While the concept is engaging, the writing could use some polish. There are some pretty imaginative sequences that display Hill’s knack for imagery, albeit they require a very willing suspension of disbelief. I like that the four sections are named after song titles, and I’d be interested to know how many readers caught that.
Ultimately, there was enough here to keep me from setting it down for good… but just barely. If Hill had saved for the end what he did at the beginning I might be singing a different song.
This is Hill’s first published novel and it shows. While the concept is engaging, the writing could use some polish. There are some pretty imaginative sequences that display Hill’s knack for imagery, albeit they require a very willing suspension of disbelief. I like that the four sections are named after song titles, and I’d be interested to know how many readers caught that.
Ultimately, there was enough here to keep me from setting it down for good… but just barely. If Hill had saved for the end what he did at the beginning I might be singing a different song.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Audio version: half star deducted for the irritating between-chapter music