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daphelba's review against another edition
3.0
Even though I hate the sleep loss and checking closets every time I come home, I always secretly hope a book will scare the crap out of me. This one did not. There were some creepy images, for sure, but nothing that prompted bad dreams.
The writing was good enough.
The characters were almost believable.
I do wish we could have seen more flashbacks of Aaron's actual childhood to tie in the current demise with experiences he had but had since blocked out. This storyline had the potential to be really clever, to weave past and present, to give hints without spoiling the end. Instead, it felt as if the author didn't trust herself to complexity, afraid if she foreshadowed too much she'd be giving away the answers. Understandable, but also seemingly lazy.
I want an author to break my brain putting together the puzzle. I want to either feel really dumb for not seeing the ending, or really smart for figuring it out. This time I was neither. It's possible that I'm just hard to please.
The writing was good enough.
The characters were almost believable.
I do wish we could have seen more flashbacks of Aaron's actual childhood to tie in the current demise with experiences he had but had since blocked out. This storyline had the potential to be really clever, to weave past and present, to give hints without spoiling the end. Instead, it felt as if the author didn't trust herself to complexity, afraid if she foreshadowed too much she'd be giving away the answers. Understandable, but also seemingly lazy.
I want an author to break my brain putting together the puzzle. I want to either feel really dumb for not seeing the ending, or really smart for figuring it out. This time I was neither. It's possible that I'm just hard to please.
sare_'s review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
misstwosense's review
1.0
Meh
Just not very good. Extremely repetitive story telling (the same events described in the same way happen again and again), very straight forward narrative, and an idiot plot- things only happen because no one ever talks to anyone else. But even then, these are extremely over done and tired plot points. No new ideas here.
Things like the paranormal investigation angle are introduced and touched upon numerous times, but have literally no impact on the story whatsoever and are not explored at all. The ages also don’t quite make sense. People in their early fifties being portrayed as elderly. And the setting is the most disappointing of all. I’m a native Arkansan and it seems like this author just threw a dart at a map when choosing this setting. No real understanding of the area, its culture, its environment even. Very, very shallow.
Overall, it tells you where it’s going, lays everything out, and then just takes you in a straight line to that place. No one ever learns anything, nothing is resolved, nothing new is revealed that we don’t already learn in the first few chapters, and it ends exactly how you might expect.
Just not very good. Extremely repetitive story telling (the same events described in the same way happen again and again), very straight forward narrative, and an idiot plot- things only happen because no one ever talks to anyone else. But even then, these are extremely over done and tired plot points. No new ideas here.
Things like the paranormal investigation angle are introduced and touched upon numerous times, but have literally no impact on the story whatsoever and are not explored at all. The ages also don’t quite make sense. People in their early fifties being portrayed as elderly. And the setting is the most disappointing of all. I’m a native Arkansan and it seems like this author just threw a dart at a map when choosing this setting. No real understanding of the area, its culture, its environment even. Very, very shallow.
Overall, it tells you where it’s going, lays everything out, and then just takes you in a straight line to that place. No one ever learns anything, nothing is resolved, nothing new is revealed that we don’t already learn in the first few chapters, and it ends exactly how you might expect.
nataroni3's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
niedwns_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
heatheroakes's review against another edition
4.0
4.5. Ania is my horror queen. Her stories are compelling...her characters you Care about ..but never get attached to anyone bc you never know what might happen at any time in any of her books. This was a fun ride
griess's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was so intense the whole way through, I couldn't put it down. The story has a terrifying ending of continued pain and heartache and the characters thoughts and reaction were genuine throughout the story. Very complex characters with complex feelings and the nostalgia, anxiety, and terror can be felt through every page.
browneyedleo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
bookbitch57's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
libbyizzy's review against another edition
5.0
To avoid giving anything away I will keep this vague and short.
I would LOVE to see this made into a movie, the visuals would be amazing.
This book drew me in from the start and took me on a journey.
Starts sad, turns creepy to scary, back to sad and settles on tragic. This book will linger with me a while.
I would LOVE to see this made into a movie, the visuals would be amazing.
This book drew me in from the start and took me on a journey.
Starts sad, turns creepy to scary, back to sad and settles on tragic. This book will linger with me a while.