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witchystitches's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
caltaylor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
gialuna2's review against another edition
2.0
Found this lacked a lot of soul ironically. Listened to the audiobook but I would have dnf'd if I had read physically. The two girls are in a slow burn romance but it is so slow it is non-existent. The twist was boring. Overall, disappointed.
cuppa_curiositea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Negatives out of the way first: The pacing is really off, especially in the first third. It was SO slow, and then picked up a lot around halfway through. There was a lot of time there that Steven could have laid better clues but focused on paranormal aspects instead, so the real human evil going on felt poorly foreshadowed and rushed. There is brief discussion of asexuality and autism, and as an ace autistic person myself, I was really disappointed in the rep for both.
That being said, once I got through the first third (and definitely by the halfway point), I was hooked, despite the holes and flaws in the plot and delivery. I was really invested in the main characters’ goals and relationship. The switching perspective annoyed me at first bc it wasn’t smoothly done when they were working separately, but then I loved it once they were working on the case together.
That being said, once I got through the first third (and definitely by the halfway point), I was hooked, despite the holes and flaws in the plot and delivery. I was really invested in the main characters’ goals and relationship. The switching perspective annoyed me at first bc it wasn’t smoothly done when they were working separately, but then I loved it once they were working on the case together.
sophrolijkbooks's review against another edition
4.0
3,5 rounded up
Lottie and Alice attend Carvell University, where in the eighties mysterious deaths took place. They are both drawn to the mystery, especially when someone dies again. Lottie, a sunshiny girl, Alice the angry girl. It has Jekyll and Hyde elements.
Usually, I'm not really a paranormal story lover. If this book had been a film, I would have been very scared, haha. But in my mind, I could tone the monsters down a bit.
The romance in the book is cute but feels like a side plot. The mystery is offcourse the main plot, and it stays mostly intriguing throughout the story. Some parts felt a little rushed. Other parts felt a little repetitive.
The last chapter made my rating go up from 3 - 3,5 to 3,5 - 4. I felt the feminist voice throughout the story, but it really came out in the last chapter for me, and I thought that was great. Also the part about generational trauma is so important. I would love to read more stories about female rage/anger and how we can break the cycle.
Lottie and Alice attend Carvell University, where in the eighties mysterious deaths took place. They are both drawn to the mystery, especially when someone dies again. Lottie, a sunshiny girl, Alice the angry girl. It has Jekyll and Hyde elements.
Usually, I'm not really a paranormal story lover. If this book had been a film, I would have been very scared, haha. But in my mind, I could tone the monsters down a bit.
The romance in the book is cute but feels like a side plot. The mystery is offcourse the main plot, and it stays mostly intriguing throughout the story. Some parts felt a little rushed. Other parts felt a little repetitive.
The last chapter made my rating go up from 3 - 3,5 to 3,5 - 4. I felt the feminist voice throughout the story, but it really came out in the last chapter for me, and I thought that was great. Also the part about generational trauma is so important. I would love to read more stories about female rage/anger and how we can break the cycle.
gabigobs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
haleybre's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, Animal death, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Blood, Death, and Violence
hollypat36's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Animal death, and Injury/Injury detail
gabrielle_erin's review against another edition
2.0
I'm really not sure what Steven was going for here... this was part murder mystery, part magical adventure, part societal comment? The story itself was a bit meh but the discussion of the "angry woman" was interesting, if not a bit rushed in the last few chapters.