You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
tallhousecookies's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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
1.0
this book was like if a fox news anchor wrote a thriller. liberal atheists are the antagonists, transphobia abound.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Transphobia, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Racism
magellen's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As an ex-nanny, there are certain parts of this book that ring very true. Then there's portions where woof this female mc is written by a man.
The book was also oddly dated - the first Harry Potter mention was surprising, but by the point the mc was praising its author's talent (š) I thought I'd picked up a much older book but nope. 2022 publish date. Also the 'oh my god you like star warrrrs what a nerd!' bit was like...buddy, no one has thought that in decades.
Much of the book is a red herring - like literally the book takes some sharp turns in the back quarter that peel it entirely away from the first mystery. And like...yeah? I guess the bread crumbs are there, amongst the weird disdain lacing nearly every character.
Like...its not terrible? But it squicked me out more than once with author choices that like Mmmmm frankly, make me feel his bad vibes, much like a largely abandoned plot point from the beginning of the novel.
I wouldn't recommend it to a friend or read it again, but if you're shooting for a reading goal eh, it is a book.
The book was also oddly dated - the first Harry Potter mention was surprising, but by the point the mc was praising its author's talent (š) I thought I'd picked up a much older book but nope. 2022 publish date. Also the 'oh my god you like star warrrrs what a nerd!' bit was like...buddy, no one has thought that in decades.
Much of the book is a red herring - like literally the book takes some sharp turns in the back quarter that peel it entirely away from the first mystery. And like...yeah? I guess the bread crumbs are there, amongst the weird disdain lacing nearly every character.
Like...its not terrible? But it squicked me out more than once with author choices that like Mmmmm frankly, make me feel his bad vibes, much like a largely abandoned plot point from the beginning of the novel.
I wouldn't recommend it to a friend or read it again, but if you're shooting for a reading goal eh, it is a book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Outing, Dysphoria, and Classism
phantasmaboo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
1.0
This book really had me in the first two thirds, but I cannot support this author. Without spoiling, the book uses transphobic plot points and language. If you want to see why, read the spoilers below.
The main character is a young woman who is recovering from addiction and who, as part of her process, becomes a devout Christian. I found no problems here and I found it very interesting to hear from a narrator who embraces religion so wholeheartedly.
However, the main character is hired by āscientistsā (one computer engineer and one doctor), who are atheists and make sure to tell the main character how they donāt want their child to be taught any religion. From here, we see the main character as some kind of maligned individual while the parents are portrayed as unreasonable. Still, I thought this was okay as it became fundamental to the plot, and to the characterās struggles.
However, the end changed everything for me and it all clicked into place. Turns out, these atheist scientists had kidnapped a little girl from her mother, and raised her as a boy, confusing her about her gender identity. The author draws upon this to create āhorrorā, and the resolution shows Teddy now living life as Flora, determined to live life as a girl after being rescued by this Christian woman who saves her from the atheists.
Could the author have done this unintentionally? Possibly. But itās very coincidental and falls along many right-wing and transphobic lines. If thatās your thing, go for it, but for me it ruined the book. Authors should have more creativity than that and based on the first two thirds, Iām sad to see the author went this way.
However, the main character is hired by āscientistsā (one computer engineer and one doctor), who are atheists and make sure to tell the main character how they donāt want their child to be taught any religion. From here, we see the main character as some kind of maligned individual while the parents are portrayed as unreasonable. Still, I thought this was okay as it became fundamental to the plot, and to the characterās struggles.
However, the end changed everything for me and it all clicked into place. Turns out, these atheist scientists had kidnapped a little girl from her mother, and raised her as a boy, confusing her about her gender identity. The author draws upon this to create āhorrorā, and the resolution shows Teddy now living life as Flora, determined to live life as a girl after being rescued by this Christian woman who saves her from the atheists.
Could the author have done this unintentionally? Possibly. But itās very coincidental and falls along many right-wing and transphobic lines. If thatās your thing, go for it, but for me it ruined the book. Authors should have more creativity than that and based on the first two thirds, Iām sad to see the author went this way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
tanyalazanya's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Racism, Transphobia, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
kelsoups's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
2.75
Quick and easy read, but predictable. Ending felt unsatisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Infertility, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Racism, Transphobia, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
alastorthewerewolf's review against another edition
1.0
If there was any lower rating I could give I would give it. This book is disgustingly transphobic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
gracehill's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
coeurloyal's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I eagerly purchased Hidden Pictures for my 2023 TBR shortly after it won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror in 2022. I am appalled that this book not only was nominated but won the award given its hidden extreme right propaganda. I was disgusted to be surprised by a plot full of transphobia, religious elitism, fatphobia, racial stereotypes, and hidden political propaganda. I will not be giving this book a proper review as I do not recommend anyone read it and wish I could take my money back from having supported it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Transphobia, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Car accident, and Murder
juniper_reads_things's review against another edition
DNF AT 81%
This book is transphobic. If you canāt see that or understand that, look up Erin in the Morning. Look up any of the 370 anti-trans legislation in your state. There are laws being proposed that can legally seperate parents who allow their children access to gender affirming care and put those parents in jail for child abuse for ALLOWING their TRANSGENDER CHILD to live in a way that corresponds with their gender. This book furthers that narrative and it is DISGUSTING. The fact that this won a gr choice award is EQUALLY DISGUSTING. Trans people are under attack in this nation and I am so angry and frustrated and fucking scared.
And books like this win awards and have an almost 5 star rating on almost every platform.
This book is transphobic. If you canāt see that or understand that, look up Erin in the Morning. Look up any of the 370 anti-trans legislation in your state. There are laws being proposed that can legally seperate parents who allow their children access to gender affirming care and put those parents in jail for child abuse for ALLOWING their TRANSGENDER CHILD to live in a way that corresponds with their gender. This book furthers that narrative and it is DISGUSTING. The fact that this won a gr choice award is EQUALLY DISGUSTING. Trans people are under attack in this nation and I am so angry and frustrated and fucking scared.
And books like this win awards and have an almost 5 star rating on almost every platform.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
arnold_shelby's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This is the worst written book I have ever read. It's absolutely ridiculous and the "twist" doesn't hold up to any level of scrutiny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Addiction, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism and Blood
Truly this is just the worst. Do not waste your time.