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justinkhchen's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
Filled with cliché found-footage tropes, but still offers some easy fun, Episode Thirteen feels familiar, because it religiously follows the template of a 'Blair Witch' clone: a production crew consisted of horror character archetypes (the supernatural believer, the scientific nonbeliever, the 'paid to be here' actor, the one with a shady past, etc.) venturing into a location with haunted history, and being deeply affected by its omnipresent force. The epistolary structure keeps the narrative exciting, and I particularly enjoy the commentary regarding the business side of production (rating, and the worst kept secret of scripting in ‘reality’ shows), in an otherwise completely predictable tale of exploration gone wrong (with all the expected arcs: nonbeliever becomes a crazed convert, the dark past materializes to torment, etc.).
I partially read Episode Thirteen through its audiobook, which is an impressive full-cast production with music and sound effect. While it definitely enhances the immersion, and fits the multimedia format perfectly, some acting choices are a little questionable, making the already canned dialog even more contrived (the ones that are meant to be romantic and loving are particularly cheesy). Still, I would say this is the preferred way to dive into this title.
Episode Thirteen was a good time, but not a long time. as it's already blending together with many other 'group exploring a haunted location' horror stories I've consumed in the past (Thirteen Ghosts comes to mind), and I don't particularly connect or grow to care about any of its characters; but it did deliver the 'turn my brain off' entertainment I needed.
Filled with cliché found-footage tropes, but still offers some easy fun, Episode Thirteen feels familiar, because it religiously follows the template of a 'Blair Witch' clone: a production crew consisted of horror character archetypes (the supernatural believer, the scientific nonbeliever, the 'paid to be here' actor, the one with a shady past, etc.) venturing into a location with haunted history, and being deeply affected by its omnipresent force. The epistolary structure keeps the narrative exciting, and I particularly enjoy the commentary regarding the business side of production (rating, and the worst kept secret of scripting in ‘reality’ shows), in an otherwise completely predictable tale of exploration gone wrong (with all the expected arcs: nonbeliever becomes a crazed convert, the dark past materializes to torment, etc.).
I partially read Episode Thirteen through its audiobook, which is an impressive full-cast production with music and sound effect. While it definitely enhances the immersion, and fits the multimedia format perfectly, some acting choices are a little questionable, making the already canned dialog even more contrived (the ones that are meant to be romantic and loving are particularly cheesy). Still, I would say this is the preferred way to dive into this title.
Episode Thirteen was a good time, but not a long time. as it's already blending together with many other 'group exploring a haunted location' horror stories I've consumed in the past (Thirteen Ghosts comes to mind), and I don't particularly connect or grow to care about any of its characters; but it did deliver the 'turn my brain off' entertainment I needed.
ashleighkovach's review against another edition
3.0
I was so excited for this book. It hooked me in the beginning but lost me about halfway through. 3.5 stars at best.
csweezey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bsquiggle's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder
smolfri's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
2.5
elauren113's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
geniesurreal's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a little difficult to trudge through with the constant shift between raw camera footage and personal journaling between the team members. It makes it hard to grip the story and stay focused on what's going on. I wish the journaling was shorter because at times it seemed to drag on and pull me out of the scary situation that just happened.
HOWEVER - the ending was completely WORTH IT. Wow, what an ending. It was everything I did not expect.
This book gave me major Grave Encounter vibes but the ending was leagues beyond what I expected and it left me wanting more.
The plot was there, the characters were moderately well written, however the execution didn't rise to its potential. For that - 4 solid stars.
HOWEVER - the ending was completely WORTH IT. Wow, what an ending. It was everything I did not expect.
This book gave me major Grave Encounter vibes but the ending was leagues beyond what I expected and it left me wanting more.
The plot was there, the characters were moderately well written, however the execution didn't rise to its potential. For that - 4 solid stars.
mjohnsen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Really cool premise and searches for answers to questions relating to the universe. I do not think the narrative provides enough to provide much interpretation for the themes.
matasatan's review against another edition
1.0
This was a pain to read. I didn't like the format at all. The characters acted like stupid idiots
Jessica's text conversation with her sister was mostly just one big LOL.
I struggled through the book and mostly feel: why did this get such a good rating? What was the big thing?
Jessica's text conversation with her sister was mostly just one big LOL.
I struggled through the book and mostly feel: why did this get such a good rating? What was the big thing?
kitkat175's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook for this book while following along with the physical book, and let me say the audiobook was so good oh my goodness, If you don't have this book give the audiobook a go.
I loved this bone- chilling, anxiety inducing book, it was such a good read.
I love how that book was written, and how it all came together. I love how it was like listening to a podcast or watching an actually TV show, this book was so interesting and kept me so intrigued as well. I could not put this book down.
This book was creepy, weird and just down right scary, and lowkey freaked me out sometimes, listening to the audiobook on a high speed made everything that much creepier especially when some of the characters would laugh.
There was so much of this book that I loved it was so thrilling and creepy.
I will be reading this book next for the fall/halloween time.
I loved this bone- chilling, anxiety inducing book, it was such a good read.
I love how that book was written, and how it all came together. I love how it was like listening to a podcast or watching an actually TV show, this book was so interesting and kept me so intrigued as well. I could not put this book down.
This book was creepy, weird and just down right scary, and lowkey freaked me out sometimes, listening to the audiobook on a high speed made everything that much creepier especially when some of the characters would laugh.
There was so much of this book that I loved it was so thrilling and creepy.
I will be reading this book next for the fall/halloween time.