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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I truly can't believe this is a debut novel because it was incredibly well-developed and unique! It definitely had Us vibes, which I loved, but mixed in with teenager who are exploring their own growth and humanity and what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves. The larger discussion of gentrification and slums and capitalism - it was all so expertly woven into this thriller, as if the real scary parts were real life.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
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
This is what I look for in horror. There's social commentary, cultural elements, paranormal elements, there is a tiny bit of humor. Experienced horror finds will probably find this on the lighter end of the spectrum as there is gore but it isn't gorey, there is body horror [in the form of injury detail] but it isn't startlingly graphic.
I would have enjoyed more exploration into the 'why' things were as there hid a ton of horror potential. This could be, and probably is, just because I don't have much in common with the main character. The audiobook is an okay performance but the repeated "Falsas promesas" felt forced and distracted me.
There is a love triangle element but the main character is not the center of the triangle with two interests vying for affection. Raquel and her best friend are vying for the affection of Charlize. It did distract from the horror of it all but it was at least a refreshing change from many other stories.
I would have enjoyed more exploration into the 'why' things were as there hid a ton of horror potential. This could be, and probably is, just because I don't have much in common with the main character. The audiobook is an okay performance but the repeated "Falsas promesas" felt forced and distracted me.
There is a love triangle element but the main character is not the center of the triangle with two interests vying for affection. Raquel and her best friend are vying for the affection of Charlize. It did distract from the horror of it all but it was at least a refreshing change from many other stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death, Racism, Medical content
Minor: Vomit, Police brutality, Cannibalism
Classic horror, with modern feel I both enjoy and appreciate.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
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
I've never read a book that was this kind of love letter to a place before. I really feel like I learned something about a community and a city that I've never been to, while having the added benefit of a good old-fashioned spooky teen horror story. Lots of parts of it really reminded me of The Magnus Archives, and I mean that as a bug compliment, so if you like that podcast you'll probably enjoy this book!
Interesting to learn more about the history of the Bronx. The story felt a little underdeveloped, heavy on the agenda. I don’t disagree with the agenda, but like a book that brings it together with the story more naturally.
CW: Lots of swearing
CW: Lots of swearing
The concept of this book is really interesting, but I don’t quite love the execution. Honestly sometimes things just didnt seem like they were fully explained, or things would happen with no context prior? It just left me a bit confused at times.
I also had a bit of a hard time visualising some of the things that were being explained, as the wording seemed to say one thing but the way the characters would move/ interact in the scene told a different story.
I found the ending a little anticlimactic and confusing, but I also ended up skip reading a lot of the end.
I also had a bit of a hard time visualising some of the things that were being explained, as the wording seemed to say one thing but the way the characters would move/ interact in the scene told a different story.
I found the ending a little anticlimactic and confusing, but I also ended up skip reading a lot of the end.
This was a weird time-travel, sci-fi, historical fiction, soap-box story. I know right, those adjectives don't help at all, but I think it helps for me to convey that I don't think this book knows what it wants to be. There was some spooky, but nothing I would call horror. I just don't know. This wasn't a bad book, but I just never settled into it.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No