Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Jude, una vieja estrella del rock, compra por internet un traje que viene con fantasma incluido. Entre la incredulidad y la fascinación recibe el traje y ve aparecer ante si a un viejo con un colgante de una media luna de plata. Pero el fantasma no es todo lo benigno que debería, y pronto la fascinación se convierte en terror.
La venganza llama a la puerta de Jude y no va a poder hacer nada para detenerla. Él va a morir, y todo aquel que le ayude también.
Los primeros capítulos son absolutamente terroríficos, me recordó a Cementerio de Animales, no por la historia sino por la ambientación, la forma de describir las cosas y esa tensión contenida que tan bien sabe escribir Stephen King.
Pero Joe Hill no es su padre y en algún momento entre el segundo centenar de páginas me di cuenta claramente, que no estaba tan asustada como debería y que me costaría llegar al final como no se acelerasen las cosas.
La idea es interesante, y a pesar del desarrollo algo aburridillo, el final ha sido de cinco estrellas, con un delicioso epílogo, de esos que te hacen replantearte el libro y pensar que te ha gustado mas.
La venganza llama a la puerta de Jude y no va a poder hacer nada para detenerla. Él va a morir, y todo aquel que le ayude también.
Los primeros capítulos son absolutamente terroríficos, me recordó a Cementerio de Animales, no por la historia sino por la ambientación, la forma de describir las cosas y esa tensión contenida que tan bien sabe escribir Stephen King.
Pero Joe Hill no es su padre y en algún momento entre el segundo centenar de páginas me di cuenta claramente, que no estaba tan asustada como debería y que me costaría llegar al final como no se acelerasen las cosas.
La idea es interesante, y a pesar del desarrollo algo aburridillo, el final ha sido de cinco estrellas, con un delicioso epílogo, de esos que te hacen replantearte el libro y pensar que te ha gustado mas.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
DNFed @ 55%
FGD M MC
WHPB x3
WGPMB x2
The writing and plot was decent, didn't feel scared but seemed a bit chilly, Anyway WGPMB was not worth it.
FGD M MC
WHPB x3
WGPMB x2
The writing and plot was decent, didn't feel scared but seemed a bit chilly, Anyway WGPMB was not worth it.
5.0⭐ A Genuine Campfire Horror
I felt like the plot, conflict, and climax of this story was a 4.5, but that last little chip of star that makes this a 5.0⭐ read is the way this story came together in an incredible tone of unsettling fear. I found myself experiencing genuine qualmishness. Physical shivers went down my back. The type of shivers where you have to jerk your neck just to stop them from going right down to your soul.
Hill told a great ghost story. He told it in rapid, crisp prose. And he told the story all the way to its end with surprising brevity. Many horror stories (films especially struggle with this) fail at making it to the end.
There's only one way to take a self-involved, uncaring, depraved, egotistical rockstar and make him into someone worthy. I didn't want to like Judas Coyne, but as he gave away (and lost) his many empires of dirt, as his past was revealed, as he grew and changed by learning what he'd done to the peole around him, and as his shitty, bullshit attitude was dwindled into a desperation to make things right, I found myself cheering for the bad guy. For that, Hill rewarded me by turning the good guys into bad guys before the end - a nice, subtle plot twist that was just right. This book started with human sickness, and was cured with sacrifice and eventually, love.
I honestly just loved this story through and through. So far, Hill has never disappointed.
Edit: the reader of the audio did an incredible job as well. He may have actually been responsible for that last touch of shiver. A five star performance.
I felt like the plot, conflict, and climax of this story was a 4.5, but that last little chip of star that makes this a 5.0⭐ read is the way this story came together in an incredible tone of unsettling fear. I found myself experiencing genuine qualmishness. Physical shivers went down my back. The type of shivers where you have to jerk your neck just to stop them from going right down to your soul.
Hill told a great ghost story. He told it in rapid, crisp prose. And he told the story all the way to its end with surprising brevity. Many horror stories (films especially struggle with this) fail at making it to the end.
Spoiler
There's only one way to take a self-involved, uncaring, depraved, egotistical rockstar and make him into someone worthy. I didn't want to like Judas Coyne, but as he gave away (and lost) his many empires of dirt, as his past was revealed, as he grew and changed by learning what he'd done to the peole around him, and as his shitty, bullshit attitude was dwindled into a desperation to make things right, I found myself cheering for the bad guy. For that, Hill rewarded me by turning the good guys into bad guys before the end - a nice, subtle plot twist that was just right. This book started with human sickness, and was cured with sacrifice and eventually, love.
I honestly just loved this story through and through. So far, Hill has never disappointed.
Edit: the reader of the audio did an incredible job as well. He may have actually been responsible for that last touch of shiver. A five star performance.
I liked this more than I thought I would. I picked it up as I had heard good things about it and was in the mood for something scary. This is more than just a ghost story; it's the story of a man battling his demons and coming to terms with his relationships with people. The writer's prose isn't always polished, but this is a great first novel. I really loved the characters as well as the portrayal of the dead in this book.
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Heart-Shaped Box was a thrilling read. I can't think of another horror book that's earned a tear for me so it gets that as a newly founded award.
(You would think Gillian Flynn's books had, but I was too related to the characters and I put on a hard shell before the feels could get me.)
There were certainly parts of the book I found less than interesting, but I can acknowledge that was a matter of self rather than quality of the story. Every bit of it was needed, it was simply apart from my own style, and that's what makes it good.
(You would think Gillian Flynn's books had, but I was too related to the characters and I put on a hard shell before the feels could get me.)
There were certainly parts of the book I found less than interesting, but I can acknowledge that was a matter of self rather than quality of the story. Every bit of it was needed, it was simply apart from my own style, and that's what makes it good.
DNFed it because it just wasn't scary...and unnecessary, sexual scenes are a no go for me. That wasn't creepy, it was distasteful.
DNF -90 pages in.
This book wasn't written for me. I didn't like the ghost's mechanics and felt a lot of the events and elements were way too over the top for my tastes. I like the ghosts ability to feel more grounded or at least within the scope of their associated inherent ability (ie: I raised my brow the ghost delivered a collection that has been separated from the MC between 15-40 years and placed it within a specific box.). It also suffers from not answering the first obvious question that pops into my head (why doesn't he sell it?) as the seller emphasizes that detail in her and the MC's conversation. I would consider sticking around to see if it finally comes to mind or not but well,
The ghost felt rather silly to me when I don't think that was the writer's intent (yes this includes the pendulum it uses). And while I'd love to see the MC, who is a terrible person, get consequences for their actions, if the ghost doesn't work in a way I enjoy, I have no investment here.
I am going to give it a neutral 3 star rating because I didn't take issue with the writing style or the editing of the story. It's the content that didn't mesh well for me, and is probably just a matter of taste.
This book wasn't written for me. I didn't like the ghost's mechanics and felt a lot of the events and elements were way too over the top for my tastes. I like the ghosts ability to feel more grounded or at least within the scope of their associated inherent ability (ie: I raised my brow the ghost delivered a collection that has been separated from the MC between 15-40 years and placed it within a specific box.). It also suffers from not answering the first obvious question that pops into my head (why doesn't he sell it?) as the seller emphasizes that detail in her and the MC's conversation. I would consider sticking around to see if it finally comes to mind or not but well,
The ghost felt rather silly to me when I don't think that was the writer's intent (yes this includes the pendulum it uses). And while I'd love to see the MC, who is a terrible person, get consequences for their actions, if the ghost doesn't work in a way I enjoy, I have no investment here.
I am going to give it a neutral 3 star rating because I didn't take issue with the writing style or the editing of the story. It's the content that didn't mesh well for me, and is probably just a matter of taste.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated