Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

57 reviews

teafrog's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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vasingca's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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reganriley's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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ladysanctuary's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


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taymarie6's review against another edition

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dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0


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meanaleann's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0


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the_escapist's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I can't remember the last time I finished a book in less than 12 hours, but this had me gripped so tight I couldn't stop reading.

I loved the underlying tension throughout that builds and builds, loved how the author set up the story so you're not sure whether it's supposed to be an actual demonic possession, mental illness, or whether the sister is faking it. I think it was actually a very wise decision because, in a lot of ways, having a definite supernatural element made explicit from the start takes a lot of the scare factor out of the story because it stops feeling real and grounded (for me, anyway).

I've never really read/watched a possession story that felt so tense and messed up but believably so – that's what makes this work so well. Nothing feels too ridiculous. The characters feel like real people, the setting feels like a real setting, even the TV crew feels like a real crew. The POV was also really fun – it's written in the first person and during the flashbacks to her childhood, the author has a way of writing through the main character's eyes to really make her feel like a real child – all her wants and (mis)understandings and the things that she picks upon.

If it wasn't for the unique concept, I wouldn't have picked this up. I wouldn't have given it a go if it was just a straightforward possession story. But I really liked the idea of the uncertainty of it all and thought it was executed brilliantly. It's the first horror book I've read in ages. Ever since I finished it, every now and then I find my thoughts drifting back to it. Especially the ending. I really enjoyed how it ended. 

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