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evermoreliterary's review
2.0
SPOILER WARNINGS FOR THIS REVIEW
TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR PET ABUSE/VIOLENCE/TEENAGE OVER-DRINKING
This had a lot of potential, and I was actually pretty entertained throughout the book. However overall it left me feeling pretty meh once finished. So much of it felt overly dramatic just for the sake of being "shocking or edgy". And then other side plots were just tossed in and left behind/forgotten. Absolutely needed better editing to cut out all the stray bits and pieces of the plot that were completely irrelevant to the story. For example, the whole "Flu" plot? Possibly meant to relate to the coronavirus pandemic, or perhaps Masque of the Red Death peaking through. Either way, completely forgotten about and pointless. For dramatics, we have dead animals (pets) described in detail in regards to "parts remaining". Mostly for shock value and added "grossness". A time waster when the real story was shocking enough. Hello, the girl slowly bricking up her ex-BFF into a basement wall?? Is that not already plenty dramatic? Why the need for swinging pet dog tails around? (There was no need)
A part that I found intriguing but was left highly disappointed by was the whole situation with Tress's cousin. When he becomes intoxicated, he is susceptible to manipulation by his peers and acts as if alcohol is a truth serum. Thus everyone at the party has their way with him, recording his night's events for everyone to see. Tress knows this damaging behavior is going on and yet shrugs it off as not a big deal, and resumes her torture of her ex best friend. As a reader, it felt like we were expected to go along and agree that this kid was just fine at this party because Tress had bigger issues on her hands. But we pretty much never circled back to this, when it was nearly as traumatic of an event as what Tress was doing downstairs. AND, ONCE AGAIN, COMPLETELY UNECCESSARY TO THE ENTIRE STORY. Another side plot, completely abandoned, but still mentioned occasionally for... what purpose? Who the hell knows. Humor? Shock? All I saw was a random kid getting naked, swinging his dick around, and talking about wanting to fuck his teacher while drinking dangerous amounts of alcohol, for no purpose whatsoever. Needed to be cut, or given purpose.
Despite being entertaining, it lacked reason and the ending was melodramatic at best. This the below average rating. I will read more of Mindy's books however, I know she is well loved. This just wasn't for me.
TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR PET ABUSE/VIOLENCE/TEENAGE OVER-DRINKING
This had a lot of potential, and I was actually pretty entertained throughout the book. However overall it left me feeling pretty meh once finished. So much of it felt overly dramatic just for the sake of being "shocking or edgy". And then other side plots were just tossed in and left behind/forgotten. Absolutely needed better editing to cut out all the stray bits and pieces of the plot that were completely irrelevant to the story. For example, the whole "Flu" plot? Possibly meant to relate to the coronavirus pandemic, or perhaps Masque of the Red Death peaking through. Either way, completely forgotten about and pointless. For dramatics, we have dead animals (pets) described in detail in regards to "parts remaining". Mostly for shock value and added "grossness". A time waster when the real story was shocking enough. Hello, the girl slowly bricking up her ex-BFF into a basement wall?? Is that not already plenty dramatic? Why the need for swinging pet dog tails around? (There was no need)
A part that I found intriguing but was left highly disappointed by was the whole situation with Tress's cousin. When he becomes intoxicated, he is susceptible to manipulation by his peers and acts as if alcohol is a truth serum. Thus everyone at the party has their way with him, recording his night's events for everyone to see. Tress knows this damaging behavior is going on and yet shrugs it off as not a big deal, and resumes her torture of her ex best friend. As a reader, it felt like we were expected to go along and agree that this kid was just fine at this party because Tress had bigger issues on her hands. But we pretty much never circled back to this, when it was nearly as traumatic of an event as what Tress was doing downstairs. AND, ONCE AGAIN, COMPLETELY UNECCESSARY TO THE ENTIRE STORY. Another side plot, completely abandoned, but still mentioned occasionally for... what purpose? Who the hell knows. Humor? Shock? All I saw was a random kid getting naked, swinging his dick around, and talking about wanting to fuck his teacher while drinking dangerous amounts of alcohol, for no purpose whatsoever. Needed to be cut, or given purpose.
Despite being entertaining, it lacked reason and the ending was melodramatic at best. This the below average rating. I will read more of Mindy's books however, I know she is well loved. This just wasn't for me.
mayaharp's review
3.0
'The Initial Insult' is a modern tale about revenge, losing ones parents and so much more.
I was super excited to get started on this book. It promised to be dark, adventurous and super interesting. The moment I read the synopsis, I knew I had to read it. However, my expectations were not completely met.
The main plot was super interesting but there were so many other things going on that just made it a bit confusing to me. Almost anything that could happen, did happen and it made an otherwise great story about revenge (and grief) seem just a bit too busy and hectic.
The Characters were expertly written and the history and dynamics between them were interesting and complex.
Overall compelling (although at times absurd) story about revenge.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Harper Children's for the ARC
I was super excited to get started on this book. It promised to be dark, adventurous and super interesting. The moment I read the synopsis, I knew I had to read it. However, my expectations were not completely met.
The main plot was super interesting but there were so many other things going on that just made it a bit confusing to me. Almost anything that could happen, did happen and it made an otherwise great story about revenge (and grief) seem just a bit too busy and hectic.
The Characters were expertly written and the history and dynamics between them were interesting and complex.
Overall compelling (although at times absurd) story about revenge.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Harper Children's for the ARC
brooklyn_bear's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
mmotleyu's review
3.0
Fun modernization of The Cask Of Amontillado. Kind of all over the place, but a read that many teens will enjoy. Cliffhanger ending that begs for a sequel that is already in the works.
hitechredneck's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
meaker's review
2.0
Really did not enjoy the style of writing and how we learned almost nothing the whole book. FINALLY got interesting on the last few pages but I don’t know if I can put myself through a whole other book just to find out
books4susie's review
4.0
Missing parents in a damaged friendship takes center stage and this mystery draws heavily from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe. Told in alternating points of view, readers will be drawn into what happened the night that Tress Montor's parents disappeared and Felicity Turnado is the only witness. Once best friends, the girls are at odds during a Halloween party where things are taken a bit too far. Fans of this book will be eagerly awaiting the final installment after the cliffhanger ending.
shly18's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
missbookiverse's review against another edition
4.0
This was excellent, especially as an audiobook with three amazing narrators (Tim Campbell as the panther was super creepy). I flew through it because it was so captivating and gritty. It's a typical Mindy McGinnis dark YA with topics such as complicated friendship dynamics, the abyss between poor and rich people, drug abuse, and intriguing secrets – with the added twist of almost everything being an Edgar Allan Poe reference: the town's name (Amontillado), people's names (Usher, Allan, Lee and Annabelle), the school mascot (a raven), an old abandoned house, a contagious flue making the rounds, and, of course, someone being buried walled in alive. I also loved the illegal wildlife zoo Tress has to take care of and the danger it holds. The back and forth structure between a very tense situation in the present and flashbacks to the blossoming and decaying friendship between Felicity and Tress as well as their alternating point of views was executed flawlessly. I couldn't stop listening and was really mad at the cliffhanger ending. Already started listening to book 2...