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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
This first volume of a planned YA duology is a fun but kind of goofy modern spin on The Cask of Amontillado, playing out against a broad pastiche of several other Poe stories as well. So you've got the teenage girl bricking up her former best friend in the basement, but it's at a house party that's one part Usher and one part Red Death, while at the nearby roadside zoo, a black panther and an orangutan stalk menacingly. The protagonist's dead parents are named Annabelle and Lee. The high school mascot is a raven. Et cetera.
It's a bit too silly to be fully macabre -- and vice versa -- but I've had a good time spotting all the references. I'll probably check out the sequel (exploring some Tell-Tale Heart type guilt, I presume) when it comes out.
[Content warning for racism, drug abuse, and gore.]
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It's a bit too silly to be fully macabre -- and vice versa -- but I've had a good time spotting all the references. I'll probably check out the sequel (exploring some Tell-Tale Heart type guilt, I presume) when it comes out.
[Content warning for racism, drug abuse, and gore.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
This book is a piece of art. First piece of advice: some parts probably shouldn’t be read while you’re eating. Second, pay attention. CLOSE attention. This is Mindy on a whole new level, and I can’t wait to read the sequel!
Trigger warnings:
~ review to come.
Spoiler
rape (implied), seizures, alcohol and drug use, death of a pet, animal attack, graphic physical injuries, blood and gore depiction, kidnapping, captivity, graphic emesis, graphic illness (specifically flu breakout), drug dealing, death of a friend, death of parents, grief depiction~ review to come.
Note: Review copy (audio) received via Libro.FM. This does not impact opinions within this review.blog • trigger warning database • more links
Happy reading! ❤
How important is a name? To Tress Montor and Felicity Turnado--it's everything. The former best friends had similar lives until the night that Tress's parents disappeared while driving Felicity home. Tress's life changed drastically and she never stopped wondering what happened.
Told in multiple POV, this story is definitely a thriller. There were so many characters that I wanted to know more about. Hugh seemed to play a bigger role in things and I hope to learn more about him. I had to listen to the last few minutes over again to make sure it really was the end. I can't wait to see what the next book brings.
This is my first book from Mindy McGinnis, but certainly won't be my last.
I received an audiobook copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Told in multiple POV, this story is definitely a thriller. There were so many characters that I wanted to know more about. Hugh seemed to play a bigger role in things and I hope to learn more about him. I had to listen to the last few minutes over again to make sure it really was the end. I can't wait to see what the next book brings.
This is my first book from Mindy McGinnis, but certainly won't be my last.
I received an audiobook copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Excellent horror for teens and adults, especially fans of Edgar Allen Poe.
Although this is an original story with elements of Poe's stories, the writing style stays true to Poe. There are a lot of dark, heavy issues addressed in this book, so I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone younger than high school-aged or people who hate horror. Trigger warning/minor spoiler:
Although this is an original story with elements of Poe's stories, the writing style stays true to Poe. There are a lot of dark, heavy issues addressed in this book, so I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone younger than high school-aged or people who hate horror. Trigger warning/minor spoiler:
Spoiler
the dog dies. Actually, two dogs die; one death we don't see but it's apparent the death was brutal, and the other death is really the catalyst for the whole story.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood
Moderate: Torture, Vomit
Holly shit
I was preparing to be disappointed, because YA reimaginations of classics sometimes feel like a watered down, pg-13 version of the original. This was NOT the case
I was all about the horridness of "The cask of Amontillado" Oh, the claustrophobia! That's what I wanted from a reimagination. A fucked up story about fucked up people. No fairy tale for this one ;)
I was preparing to be disappointed, because YA reimaginations of classics sometimes feel like a watered down, pg-13 version of the original. This was NOT the case
I was all about the horridness of "The cask of Amontillado" Oh, the claustrophobia! That's what I wanted from a reimagination. A fucked up story about fucked up people. No fairy tale for this one ;)
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
This was really interesting and different than any thriller I’ve ever read. Shoutout to Storygraph for suggesting this to me! I never would have picked it up otherwise.