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caro_shelves's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.75
I loved this book! The writing is impeccable, and Lux's gradual weaving of the story gradually draws you in. What appears to be a simple, tragic family drama is intricately connected to Peyote and Calamity's work in Hell. It's excellent. There were so many moments that had me gasping out loud. It's worth the read if you like a bit of mystery alongside your horror and humor.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Gore, Toxic friendship, Self harm, and Mental illness
Moderate: Trafficking, Torture, Alcohol, Violence, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry
margaret721's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Body horror, Violence, Child death, Murder, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Gun violence, Self harm, Torture, and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Blood, and Trafficking
sophmcgraw's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Infidelity
krisalexcole's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Pedophilia, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual content, Alcohol, Self harm, Murder, Physical abuse, Drug use, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Suicide
Minor: Abortion, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Abandonment, Blood, and Body shaming
thecriticalreader's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.5
I chose Sign Here as one of my Book of the Month Choices because I was intrigued by the author’s conception of hell.
Plot: 3/5
The plot of Sign Here got very convoluted very quickly, but it kept pulling me along with its intrigue. I could not put it down. The book follows two loosely connected storylines: one is the story of Peyote, a damned soul who goes to Earth to get more humans to sign their souls away, and the other is the story of the Harrison family on summer vacation. The Harrison family plotline fits the domestic thriller mold, whereas Peyote’s storyline involves more fantasy elements. Peyote’s storyline was more interesting to follow because of the afterlife setting and his ability to jump through time and space, but its conclusion was on the weaker side because it did not connect that well to the Harrison storyline. Peyote’s relationship with his coworker Cal ended up being too confusing and disjointed from the main story to work with the novel as a whole. The Harrison storyline had a satisfying, if rather run-of-the-mill, domestic thriller conclusion.
Characters: 3/5
I found the side characters in hell, such as the obnoxious egomaniac fratboy Trey and the micromanaging boss K, to be highly entertaining caricatures of douchebags most people know in real life. I wish that Lux had included more of such characters in the book. Peyote and Cal remained rather elusive, but this was by design: living in hell for millennia is meant to strip someone of their personal identity. It was interesting to see Peyote and Cal navigate their relationship when neither was sure if they could trust each other—or themselves.
The characters in the Harrison storyline were interesting enough. They weren’t the most complex or fleshed-out characters I have ever read, but they had enough personality and motivation to keep the story going.
Setting/Worldbuilding: 3.5/5
The setting of hell was deeply entertaining. I loved learning about all of the ways the upper levels of hell managed to make their occupants miserable: the bars only serve Jägermeister, the only music you have access to is music you hated while you were alive, puddles appear randomly and at varying depths, etc. I also thought the premise of “rising through the ranks” in hell to be interesting, as it became a self-perpetuating system of damnation.
I wish that Lux had dug a little deeper into the Hell lore. I walked away with a lot of questions, some of which were based in curiosity and others which addressed potential plot holes. Is there a Heaven in this universe? How old does someone have to be to sign away their soul? (surely it would be easy to get a bunch of children to sign their souls away). Why does Hell have a loophole? The more I thought about the worldbuilding, the sloppier it seemed.
Themes: 3.5/5
The book’s central question was whether humanity and goodness can persevere in literal Hell. I enjoyed how creatively Lux addressed and answered the question. The domestic thriller portion of the book dealt with the standard domestic thriller themes of family secrets and revenge.
Writing Style: 3.5/5
I enjoyed Lux’s writing style. It was easy to read and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Conclusion:
The creative premise of Sign Here and its fun, page-turning execution made it an enjoyable read in the moment. Upon more intense reflection, however, weaknesses in the worldbuilding and plot start to show.
Other Points:
· Some people have complained that Sign Here feels like two completely separate books smashed into one. I did not mind this while I was reading it, but I have to agree with them.
· One of the main characters engages in the sexualization of a fourteen-year-old child, which became extremely uncomfortable. I think the author tried to frame it as more of a weird coping mechanism than blatant pedophilia, but that didn’t really help much—especially since the incident is sort of brushed off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, and Infidelity
blackcatkai's review
dark
funny
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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
CW: alcohol/drug use, death, self harm, gun violence, pregnancy, gaslighting, infidelity, body shaming/fatphobia, eating disorder mentioned, torture, cancer mentioned, cults, religious bigotry, child abuse, blood, violence, some body horror, casual ableism, suicide mentioned.
i had a lot of fun with this one. it's funny, at times uncomfortable, and wholly entertaining. it had a couple small twists towards the end that i both wasn't expecting but thoroughly enjoyed.
i had a lot of fun with this one. it's funny, at times uncomfortable, and wholly entertaining. it had a couple small twists towards the end that i both wasn't expecting but thoroughly enjoyed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Body horror, Child death, Violence, Death, Self harm, Blood, Gun violence, and Child abuse
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Suicide, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Death, Grief, Gaslighting, and Drug use
Minor: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Ableism, and Cancer
haylzno's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
WOW.
I absolutely devoured this book. Finished in barely a day. It was super fast paced, multiple POVs and short chapters that keep you saying "okay one more chapter"
I thought the author dropped some really nice hints throughout the whole thing. Some twists I guessed some I didn't but it kept me guessing the wholeeeee time. I loved (most) of the characters and the dynamic between Hell and Earth. I enjoyed the world building and found myself chuckling at far too many of the "hells" experienced in Hell (she kinda nailed that corporate office life LOL).
There's one aspect of the book I didn't like but I'm going to hide it in a following spoiler warning just incase. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it
SPOILER:
My biggest peeve is the pedophilia.... I don't understand why that was included. Did it make Silas an easy character to hate? Hell yea. But wtf was the point of it? I think it easily could have been taken out and wouldn't have changed the story at all. And the comment about his OWN DAUGHTERS LEGS?!?! No. Straight to jail. Why was that even necessary
I absolutely devoured this book. Finished in barely a day. It was super fast paced, multiple POVs and short chapters that keep you saying "okay one more chapter"
I thought the author dropped some really nice hints throughout the whole thing. Some twists I guessed some I didn't but it kept me guessing the wholeeeee time. I loved (most) of the characters and the dynamic between Hell and Earth. I enjoyed the world building and found myself chuckling at far too many of the "hells" experienced in Hell (she kinda nailed that corporate office life LOL).
There's one aspect of the book I didn't like but I'm going to hide it in a following spoiler warning just incase. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it
SPOILER:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Torture, Child abuse, and Child death
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, and Child abuse
Minor: Abandonment
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