The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis

3.67 AVERAGE

izzys_internet_bookshelf's profile picture

izzys_internet_bookshelf's review

2.25
dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
It was honestly alright. I was just along for the ride with this one. I had liked reading the characters but I felt like some things were only just touched on and not fully explored in the book.
daniy's profile picture

daniy's review

DID NOT FINISH
if you are reading this and know what happened PLEASE TELL ME
I really want to know what happened to Tress parents
BUT
everytime i start reading i get so bored idk why, its just ugh
bookishkelsey's profile picture

bookishkelsey's review

3.0
dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mariel_fechik's review

4.0
I stopped reading this for a bit in the middle but.....I am so glad I picked this back up. That ending??? The Poe retellings??? So clever, so creepy, so well done. Such a great thriller; even its missteps and unrealistic aspects don't make it less good.

ieslick012's review

4.5
dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
katie_mo's profile picture

katie_mo's review against another edition

2.0
This book draws very heavily from Edgar Allan Poe's short stories: specifically, "The Cask of Amontillado." I'm not sure this is an effective homage, as it's easier for me to believe the events as they unfold in that story, because they involve adults in the past (history was crazy!), but it's a lot harder to believe that these events could happen to/acts could be committed by teenagers in the modern age. My suspension of disbelief just couldn't quite get there, and as a Poe lover, I was simultaneously happy that this book might expose teens to Poe's ideas, but sad that these readers may never know the horror of reading the short stories.

If you're not familiar with Poe, this read may be a different experience for you, but it wasn't my favorite read.
writetolive's profile picture

writetolive's review

4.0
dark emotional sad tense
This was an emotional and difficult read for me. I had to put it down many times. I found it triggering. That isn’t to say it’s not a great book, it’s just a tough one. 
shelbeeexo's profile picture

shelbeeexo's review

3.0
I am a huge mindy fan so I always have to grab one of her books. This one wasn’t as great as her others. It ends on a cliff hanger but considering it has a sequel that’s to be expected. But honestly the overall mystery when it comes to light is kinda disappointing. Like that’s it??? Idk. And I understand why tress hates felicity but tress isn’t really all that great either. Also, there’s a POV from a panther?!! Why?! So dumb.

krysta's review

4.0
b r u t a l.

legit the only thing i can say after reading this. holy hell. THANK GOD i read this right as the second book dropped, because my mind is whirling. although i can't decide if i wanna take a breather and read something light before getting back in.

readingsusan's review against another edition

4.0
Whoa! This was a wild ride! Can someone tell me what happened? Ha ha.

ETA: Glad to see there will get a second book.