Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Devolution by Max Brooks

4 reviews

maddie_can_read's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.25

Really interesting book. the audiobook acting was fantastic with Judy Greer and Nathan Fillion.
 I randomly picked it out from my library only knowing it was science fiction. Loved the structure. 

I really loved how the relationship between Katie and Dan changed over the course of the events unfolding and

really liked Dan's development and the idea that adversity brings out people's true nature and that Dan's floundering in regular life was more a reflection on the crushing nature of our capitalist society and not his inherent value as a person. Absolutely loved how him and Katie grew closer in the tragedy.

There were only a few things I didn't love: I found some of the parts, especially parts where a lot of stuff was happening, difficult to visualize,

like the fight scenes, what green loop looked like, what the eruption Iooked like

the green loop residents were a little overdone at some parts

I really hated why the neighbours had to be so stupid at the beginning of the crisis except this does lead us to one of the most disturbing scenes I've ever listened to in a book with Vincent and Bobby!

, I wish more was done with Tony and Yvette

especially after they "lost control".

Also I really liked Mostar and wouldve liked to know more about her

like from what we knew about her, it's hard to believe that she wouldn't have been more prepared with her having all this like survivalist knowledge/ trauma. And I would've liked to know how she knew Tony and maybe more  about why she trusted him to protect them etc

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Stalking, Excrement, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, Torture, and War

Minor: Blood, Body horror, Cancer, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Gaslighting

thecrimsoncorsair's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I will give it up to Max Brooks. He did write a story with the most unlikable characters imaginable. So unlikable that I was actively rooting for all of their deaths for a good chunk of the book, and managed to make some (SOME) of them into pretty enjoyable people by the end. Except Mostar, she was da real mvp from the start. I was so annoyed by these characters that I was going to quit the book at the beginning, but I'm glad I kept going, because this was a hell of a book. Not great. And has very strong, libs need to man up and embrace them their killing side vibes. Like there was an entire spiel about the neighborhood not having any guns and how that was just so awful of those weak willed libs 🤢 but I loved the tension, and the survival aspects. And the growth of the main character. And I wish he wouldn't have left the ending so open ended. I hate open ended endings. But overall, this was a fun read. Brutal. Not anywhere as good as World War Z. But entertaining in its own way. I would say my only other issue that kinda squicked me out was the way he characterized the lesbian couple. I don't know I didn't like how he portrayed them in the beginning, and ofc one of them was domineering, controlling and seemingly abusive of her wife. It just really rubbed me the wrong way. As I stated though. Fun book, interesting read, didn't think I would like it as I've never particularly been interested in Bigfoot stuff. But he did a good job keeping you invested until the end of the novel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Violence, Genocide, Murder, Classism, Cursing, Grief, Physical abuse, Animal death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Bullying, Gaslighting, Gore, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, War, and Drug use

kt2e56's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

I am genuinely blown away by this book and it’s ability to get me so invested in what sounds like the most absurd premise ever. It’s unbelievably gory, super tense and suspenseful, and filled with some memorable characters (Mostar, my beloved MVP <3). Hell, it even made me start to love the main character and author of the “journal” we’re reading, Kate.

She goes from being a sniveling, whiny, judgmental asshole to a fucking unstoppable force and terrifying predator. That entire last speech from Kate’s brother gave me chills.

That’s another bit I liked about this book! How journal entries are broken up by interviews with folks who discovered the aftermath, along with some quotes, and other fascinating pieces of world-building. Anyway, this was fucking awesome. Definitely read it if you’re looking for something creepy without being too scary.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Mental illness, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Death of parent, Blood, and Cursing

Moderate: Misogyny

Minor: Alcoholism, Excrement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, War, Vomit, and Gaslighting

mermaidsherbet's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death

Moderate: Stalking, Confinement, Blood, and Gore

Minor: War, Gaslighting, Excrement, Cursing, and Gun violence