Scan barcode
magellen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The book was also oddly dated - the first Harry Potter mention was surprising, but by the point the mc was praising its author's talent (😒) I thought I'd picked up a much older book but nope. 2022 publish date. Also the 'oh my god you like star warrrrs what a nerd!' bit was like...buddy, no one has thought that in decades.
Much of the book is a red herring - like literally the book takes some sharp turns in the back quarter that peel it entirely away from the first mystery. And like...yeah? I guess the bread crumbs are there, amongst the weird disdain lacing nearly every character.
Like...its not terrible? But it squicked me out more than once with author choices that like Mmmmm frankly, make me feel his bad vibes, much like a largely abandoned plot point from the beginning of the novel.
I wouldn't recommend it to a friend or read it again, but if you're shooting for a reading goal eh, it is a book.
Minor: Transphobia, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Outing, Dysphoria, and Classism
tanyalazanya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Racism, Transphobia, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
eleanormair's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Gun violence, Racism, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
myriam_almonti's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Xenophobia and Car accident
Minor: Miscarriage and Racism
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
First though, I do want to bring up its merits, because I think that it has some.
Things I liked: It's set in a small town based on a real town that not only is near to where I live but that I've been to several times and it mentions several landmarks that are familiar to me. I also liked the illustration elements and how they get spookier and spookier as the book goes on.
Things I didn't like: Pretty much everything else but especially the big plot twist at the end. Absolutely the stupidest thing in the world. Made half of the book absolutely pointless. This could've been edited down to just 200 pages and it would've been better and not as much of a waste of time.
I only add the half a star because I have a soft spot for the small town that the book is based on.
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Racism, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Excrement, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Minor: Rape
livvmarks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infertility and Infidelity
ashleycmms's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Gore and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infertility
twin1's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Death, and Violence
Minor: Racial slurs and Xenophobia
kelseyr713's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Transphobia, and Murder
Moderate: Body shaming, Child death, Fatphobia, Infertility, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Gun violence, Police brutality, and Dementia