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adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
well, i just refreshed the page and lost everything i wrote, so i'm gonna try to piece it together from memory.
i am exhausted.
this book was way too long and way too stressful - i was kept on my toes for about 300 pages straight without a chance to relax even a little bit.
the premise was unexpected, but interesting to me, although it felt dragged out a lot and could've definitely been kept shorter.
what makes this book - at least in my eyes - worse than its prequels: the dt killer reveal wasn't a surprising reveal at all - i was really disappointed that pip and ravi chose to focus on dan again, when it was so obvious after andie's email that jason bell was dt.
in the previous books, pip always seemed to be on a similar track as the reader, but this time she was uncharacteristically off about this stuff, which could be tied to her ptsd and other struggles, but it still struck me as really weird.
the whole "tie together all the strings everything comes together in the end in a full circle"-thing had me swaying from side to side, on the one hand i kinda enjoyed seeing everyone again and i love it when all the dots connect, but on the other hand it was just so. much. and very obvious the author wanted to pull out all the stops, but there were just too many.
the ending was such a relief to me; i would've been so disappointed, had i stressed myself to the point of exhaustion reading this book, without it ending the way it did.
in general, i did enjoy the writing again, although the use of the word "sniff" as a verb as well as a noun was excessive.
in conclusion, not a bad book, it was enjoyable, but i didn't like it as much as the first two, and I don't think i could read it again.
i am exhausted.
this book was way too long and way too stressful - i was kept on my toes for about 300 pages straight without a chance to relax even a little bit.
the premise was unexpected, but interesting to me, although it felt dragged out a lot and could've definitely been kept shorter.
in the previous books, pip always seemed to be on a similar track as the reader, but this time she was uncharacteristically off about this stuff, which could be tied to her ptsd and other struggles, but it still struck me as really weird.
the whole "tie together all the strings everything comes together in the end in a full circle"-thing had me swaying from side to side, on the one hand i kinda enjoyed seeing everyone again and i love it when all the dots connect, but on the other hand it was just so. much. and very obvious the author wanted to pull out all the stops, but there were just too many.
the ending was such a relief to me; i would've been so disappointed, had i stressed myself to the point of exhaustion reading this book, without it ending the way it did.
in general, i did enjoy the writing again, although the use of the word "sniff" as a verb as well as a noun was excessive.
in conclusion, not a bad book, it was enjoyable, but i didn't like it as much as the first two, and I don't think i could read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Vomit, Car accident
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 ? maybe 4? 🌟
TW: drug abuse, selling/buying of drugs, murder, gore, blood, mention on animal killing, killing of animals, beheading of animals, threats, stalking
I am really struggling to come to terms with my rating for this book because there were so many parts that were great but many big parts that I just can't turn a blind eye to.
There isn't much about my review that hasn't been said in many other reviews. I absolutely loved the fast pace of this book. It's been awhile since a book kept me turning the pages for more, pushing me faster and faster towards the end. An ending that really left me reeling and quite disappointed with where the book had strayed.
In the first half we are given what we have associated with the first two books in the trilogy, a mystery with facts, interviews, and investigation. We are also contending with a very traumatized Pip, which is understandable for everything that she has been through. So her choices, while might seem right to her, really are up for debate in the terms of "good" or "bad". However, the book still felt like it fell into that realm of mystery and intrigue that we have grown to love in the last two books.
Then that scene happened, and if you read the book you know which one I am talking about. After finding about Jason Bell is the serial killer and almost being killed by him, instead of running for help, Pip decides to take justice into her own hands and turn around to bludgeon the dude with a hammer...which we could call it self defense but she had already ran away before making the decision to go back and surprise attack him...so not defense anymore.
Going into part two of As Good As Dead was like reading a different book with completely different characters. And I am struggling with the morals, the tone, and the change that took place. It completely deviates from Jackson's established "MO" when it comes to the trilogy and to many of us as readers it came as a complete shock and disappointment. This wasn't the same characters or plot that we have come to love.
And while Pip's character development was phenomenal and has evolved since the first book...this situation took her character development way to far and felt jarring and off course for her.
Then of course we were dealt with the ending quite rushed and unbefitting of these characters. So that's why I am struggling with what to rate this. I loved this trilogy but this is not an ending that I would have wanted for any of the characters. Even Max, he deserved to be put in prison for the actual crime he committed, rape, not for a murder he never committed. If anything this makes Pip just as bad as any other murder out there. She could have made a different choice but she didn't, she chose the worst kind of revenge.
One more thing. This is published as "YA" and while the first two books definitely fit in that category, this book does not in the slightest. This was like reading one my adult murder mysteries but even more intense at times.
TW: drug abuse, selling/buying of drugs, murder, gore, blood, mention on animal killing, killing of animals, beheading of animals, threats, stalking
I am really struggling to come to terms with my rating for this book because there were so many parts that were great but many big parts that I just can't turn a blind eye to.
There isn't much about my review that hasn't been said in many other reviews. I absolutely loved the fast pace of this book. It's been awhile since a book kept me turning the pages for more, pushing me faster and faster towards the end. An ending that really left me reeling and quite disappointed with where the book had strayed.
In the first half we are given what we have associated with the first two books in the trilogy, a mystery with facts, interviews, and investigation. We are also contending with a very traumatized Pip, which is understandable for everything that she has been through. So her choices, while might seem right to her, really are up for debate in the terms of "good" or "bad". However, the book still felt like it fell into that realm of mystery and intrigue that we have grown to love in the last two books.
Then that scene happened, and if you read the book you know which one I am talking about.
Going into part two of As Good As Dead was like reading a different book with completely different characters. And I am struggling with the morals, the tone, and the change that took place. It completely deviates from Jackson's established "MO" when it comes to the trilogy and to many of us as readers it came as a complete shock and disappointment. This wasn't the same characters or plot that we have come to love.
And while Pip's character development was phenomenal and has evolved since the first book...this situation took her character development way to far and felt jarring and off course for her.
Then of course we were dealt with the ending quite rushed and unbefitting of these characters. So that's why I am struggling with what to rate this. I loved this trilogy but this is not an ending that I would have wanted for any of the characters.
One more thing. This is published as "YA" and while the first two books definitely fit in that category, this book does not in the slightest. This was like reading one my adult murder mysteries but even more intense at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
THIS BOOK>>>>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Self harm, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
BRO THE ENDING. this series was bloody amazing i need a 4th book asap. it’s always the books you put off that turn out being 5 stars i swear. the fucking ending when she ended it with ravi (and family and friends) had me in bits. honestly she has more strength then me because i would not be breakup up with josh if that happened wouldn’t be my first thought i’d be like eh it’s all fine now. but omg the last page… I NEED BOOK 4 SO BAD JESUS CHRIST. on and also, how did miss thing not know it was jason. that was obvious ngl. when she was reading andie’s email and it said something about living in her house or being there everyday whatever, i knew it was him. and when she walked away from his door and he was stood still watching why didn’t she turn around and stair back when the phone was ringing to see… MORON. anyway slay book, slay series. love you ravi and pip <33
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Sexual assault
Minor: Rape
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm just going to say it: I didn't like this one as much as the other two books. Much of this was a little repetitive, especially in the beginning of the book. Despite that, I enjoyed it, still!
I truly ADORED Pip in the other two books, I really did. I also usually love a morally grey character, truly, but for Pip it felt out of character. I understand that justice hasn't always been on her side, but to go and kill someone just to frame someone she hates doesn't feel like Pip, to me... Or maybe I've misjudged her character all along. </Spoiler>
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Murder
Minor: Rape
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was very intense and fast paced. This book was literally a good girls guide to murder. It’s scary how Holly Jackson managed to think of this story. The first part of the book was very creepy when Pip had her stalker but overall it created suspense. The second part was a literal guide to murder which was kind of scary if you think about it. I can’t believe what Pip had to do in the end. TEAM RAVI AND PIP!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder