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stephanieanneauthor's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I decided to read this because a) I heard the Netflix show was good, and b) the audiobook is available for free through my Audible subscription. I should've skipped this one and just watched the show instead. Although the book had a promising start, the further along I got into the story the more I hated it. By the time I wanted to DNF, I felt like I was too far along to quit, so I sped up the audio instead and powered through.
I gave this book a second star because there are some good moments of horror/the occult, but all of those elements were buried amongst insignificant scenes and details. There was too much fixation on what the characters were eating and wearing, what drugs they were taking, who they were having sex with.
And on that note, there was much more sex than plot - to the point where it got boring and annoying. Especially since Lisa continuously reiterates that she does not want to be perceived as a whore. And as someone who is heavily tattooed, it was equally annoying that she equated being tattooed with being perceived as a whore. Honestly, a lot of it felt like an excuse to hate women. Between the tattooed women, the trans women, the sexually promiscuous women, they were all described as problematic characters in some way. Hell, almost all the characters in this book are problematic depending on how you look at them.
I'll still check out the Netflix show out of curiosity because it's be recommended to me enough times, but I am prepared to bail on that if I see fit. Honestly, I just needed more of Boro and his zombies and less of everything else.
I gave this book a second star because there are some good moments of horror/the occult, but all of those elements were buried amongst insignificant scenes and details. There was too much fixation on what the characters were eating and wearing, what drugs they were taking, who they were having sex with.
And on that note, there was much more sex than plot - to the point where it got boring and annoying. Especially since Lisa continuously reiterates that she does not want to be perceived as a whore. And as someone who is heavily tattooed, it was equally annoying that she equated being tattooed with being perceived as a whore. Honestly, a lot of it felt like an excuse to hate women. Between the tattooed women, the trans women, the sexually promiscuous women, they were all described as problematic characters in some way. Hell, almost all the characters in this book are problematic depending on how you look at them.
I'll still check out the Netflix show out of curiosity because it's be recommended to me enough times, but I am prepared to bail on that if I see fit. Honestly, I just needed more of Boro and his zombies and less of everything else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Toxic friendship, Excrement, Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Drug use, Violence, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Rape, Self harm, Physical abuse, Murder, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Addiction
Moderate: Blood, Transphobia, Gore, Vomit, and Stalking
posies23's review against another edition
4.0
Simultaneously haunting and pretentious, this novel follows a young woman trying to find her way in the Hollywood world of the late-1980's. Along the way, she falls into the circle of a supernatural shaman, who grants her what she wants, but in all the wrong ways. As she tries to figure a way out of her problems, things get worse.
Grimson is a talented author, and there's amazing imagery aplenty, but there's not a single likable character anywhere to be found, which I believe was kind of the point. There's some amazing sections and amazing ideas, but you have to muddle through all the pretentious stuff, which again, was probably intentional.
Worth reading if you're looking for something different. I've heard this was adapted into a NETFLIX series, although I have yet to watch it.
Grimson is a talented author, and there's amazing imagery aplenty, but there's not a single likable character anywhere to be found, which I believe was kind of the point. There's some amazing sections and amazing ideas, but you have to muddle through all the pretentious stuff, which again, was probably intentional.
Worth reading if you're looking for something different. I've heard this was adapted into a NETFLIX series, although I have yet to watch it.
essie101's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mamarabbit87's review
2.0
A very rare example of the Netflix show being BETTER then the book. I was so disappointed but the show was awesome!
crohnenberg's review
Watched the Netflix adaptation and it pulled me in, so I figured I’d read the source while perpetually waiting for the next season.. The book does not hold up. It’s roughly written at parts, sex is too much at the forefront of Lisa’s interactions, big man writing women ick vibes.
saint_eleanor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Idk about this one i liked the netflix show better lol… the main character was sometimes highly relatable but most of the time just gave me the impression that the author has never actually interacted with a woman ever. Nor a black person. The lengths to paint the main character as a “slut” was also so unnecessary and unrealistic idk. Its a no from me
Weird, fetishized, out of touch
Weird, fetishized, out of touch
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
hadbad's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Self harm, Racism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Violence, Drug use, Addiction, Blood, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Colonisation, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Physical abuse, and Drug abuse
wiltedlavender's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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