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daniela_09'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
3.0
A bit confusing with the progression of events(his childhood could've been told in chronological order) and it would've delivered the same type of creepiness and suspense to the readers.
I also wanted the author to give more depth or information about the penpal/stalker so it lacked that closure for me in the end.
Overall, I still liked it and it fit the vibe of my spooky reading list 🎃👻
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Blood, Murder, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, and Death
maniacjac's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Animal death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Stalking, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Dementia, and Pedophilia
Minor: Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Kidnapping, and Confinement
killmoore_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Penpal is a story that takes us on a journey into the past as a man works to unravel the mystery of his lost friend and the unsettling experiences of his childhood. It is dripping with dread, and each story leaves you feeling like maaaybe you should check to make sure the doors are locked one more time before heading to bed.
What makes Penpal successful for me is what we are left without. We never see the monster. In fact, there is a significant section of this book that works to shut down the idea of our villain as the Boogeyman - he's just a man.
On its own, Penpal is horrific, but as a parent myself with 2 boys in the age range of our MC, it is absolutely gut wrenching.
I'm not giving this 5 stars simply because of the format - it reads very much like a nosleep post (which it is) and tends to be a bit wordy and disconnected at points. However, if nosleep is your jam, or maybe you just want to read something that will leave you sick to your stomach, Penpal is the perfect novel for you.
Graphic: Car accident, Child death, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Stalking, Bullying, Grief, and Pedophilia
ivymaew's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Blood, Car accident, Child abuse, and Dementia
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Murder
Minor: Torture, Murder, Violence, and Pedophilia
tpsebast92's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Animal death and Death
Moderate: Grief, Gore, Mental illness, Stalking, Cursing, Child death, and Blood
bookishpriest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
The narrator is reflecting on his past, so there may be an element of intentional unreliability, but so much of what is described seems wildly implausible. Children behaving as though they're significantly older than they are; adults completely and collectively missing what's going on even when the kids tell them; plot holes you could drive a truck through.
Disappointing. Give this one a miss.
Graphic: Stalking, Death, Blood, Car accident, Child death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Animal death
maanvee's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Blood, Car accident, Death, Child death, Pedophilia, and Stalking
silverheartbookclub's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Stalking, Car accident, Animal death, Child death, Grief, and Death
Minor: Blood
finleyfrogreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Kidnapping, Stalking, Child death, Car accident, Dementia, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Medical content, Confinement, Bullying, and Blood
Minor: Cursing
katiieecat's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Blood, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Dementia, Stalking, Bullying, Car accident, and Pedophilia