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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the premise and the writing style. The beginning had me hooked and I was so excited to see where it went but the middle felt like it has some pacing issues and the ending had me confused. Why did they have to go to his dad’s house? Why couldn’t Anna open the door earlier before all this lol. I also thought this was going to be much scarier than it was. Overall I enjoyed it but had some questions
Not a bad read at all, especially for a first novel. It even had me gasping aloud at a couple of places. But really, it should have ended after chapter 51, or at a real push, chapter 55. The author may know what happens to the characters afterwards, but telling us makes for a flabby ending that tails off rather than completes the book.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
dark
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my second Joe Hill book and another enjoyable read! This one had a really strong start, felt a bit slower in the middle, but had an interesting and satisfying conclusion.
The beginning captivated me with the spookiness of the box, the distance of the characters, and the ghost’s presence. However, I kinda wanted a little more spooky build up with the ghost instead of the pacing we got, but it was still a really good story and the plot devices all played out appropriately by the end. I love a great satisfying conclusion with tying up of the loose ends. Joe Hill delivered another great horror story!
Spoiler!
The dogs do die. For those that need to know that going in!
The beginning captivated me with the spookiness of the box, the distance of the characters, and the ghost’s presence. However, I kinda wanted a little more spooky build up with the ghost instead of the pacing we got, but it was still a really good story and the plot devices all played out appropriately by the end. I love a great satisfying conclusion with tying up of the loose ends. Joe Hill delivered another great horror story!
Spoiler!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
dark
sad
slow-paced
I went in with incredibly low expectations, being quite the UN-fan of Stephen King, and instead spent a night sleeping with the lights on. This book starts hard, fast and scary, and while that pace/intensity can't be maintained, the middle and end stayed fun to read. This was a surprisingly unique book, so if nothing else, we know the Hill/Kings aren't sharing ghostwriters (pun intended?).
dark
tense
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While definitely not for everyone, I really liked this novel. The main character is an absolute dick who only really gets marginally better by the end, but I was endeared nonetheless. If you can’t stand an unlikeable main character though, it’s probably best to steer clear. The only thing keeping it from a full five stars is the female characters. I liked them enough, but they felt so beholden to Jude and felt like pawns in his story (despite how the plot plays out in a way that should make the women a lot more significant?? idk). Also there were a couple of scenes/descriptions that made me raise an eyebrow a little and think to myself: “I guess Joe Hill is really into goth chicks”.
Funnily enough, I picked up this book in the first place because Gerard Way mentioned in an interview that he was reading it and the plot sounded interesting to me — only to read it and find that My Chemical Romance is not only mentioned, but also kind of roasted? Definitely took me out for a second but also gave me a chuckle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide