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nrogers_1030's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Blood, Murder, Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Alcoholism
sonygaystation's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Gore, Death, Child death, Racial slurs, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Racism, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, Murder, Gun violence, Hate crime, Adult/minor relationship, and Vomit
Minor: Body shaming, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Deportation, Pregnancy, and Infidelity
sunshinestark's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Racism, Death of parent, Death, and Adult/minor relationship
bastieboi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Xenophobia, Pedophilia, Death, Child death, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Toxic friendship, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Vomit, Sexism, Alcoholism, and Eating disorder
missbreathing's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
3.75
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The characters are all interesting, complex, and layered. Lauren is an endearing MC, and her reluctance to grow up is relatable and enriches the story. The multiple POVs work well: they each have a distinct voice, and we get lots of information from each one.
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The prose does feel awkward at times, and it could use some polish, but it’s easy enough to get used to.
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While this book starts off strong, it does become a bit slow and repetitive. The story, tensions and intrigue would work better if this was a shorter book. As it is, it is a tad predictable and spends a lot of time repeating itself. Additionally, the last act feels a little convenient. The very end feels unearned and a bit abrupt.
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Still, I looked forward to picking this up in the evenings. I had a good time reading it. I’d recommend this to fans of small-town horror or of “My Best Friend’s Exorcism,” since it’s similar in its themes and imagery.
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Graphic: Gore, Xenophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Murder, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder
leahrosereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I could've done without the racial slurs and slut shaming. I get that this was set in the 80s, but it was a bit much at times.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Gore, Grief, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Violence
sararainsberry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Racism, Racial slurs, and Murder
Minor: Grief and Vomit
mooska93's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Body shaming, Child death, Death, Gore, Grief, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
sheryl_macca's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Part 2 gives us the wisdom of Lauren and David's grandmother, Jo. She tells the children of the legend of Smith's Hallow. Her house on the hill, as the legend goes, was once home to three witches who placed a curse on the town.
Part 3 brings the tragic legend to life for the towns folk of Smith's Hallow and especially for Lauren and David. The founding families have been unknowingly bound together throughout the history of the town, until now. They are suddenly threatened by an anomaly in the curse which changes the future of Smith's Hallow and for everyone in it t .
The Ghost Tree is a fairytale mixed with lots of teenage drama. Although my copy of the book was listed as adult fiction it feels very YA. It reminded me of the TV series The Vampire Diaries but without the glossy beauty and sexiness. It's somewhat predictable and structurally simple but I enjoyed the escapism, the 1980's references and the budding awkward romances. The swearing is most definitely not YA appropriate but it's rare and shocking when it happens. The descriptions of the bodies are also too graphic for YA but not graphic enough for a horror devotee like me.
Graphic: Blood, Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Fatphobia, Gore, Grief, Racial slurs, Racism, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, and Gun violence
sizzlingsaturn's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Racism, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs