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readmeem's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I listened to the audio book as I read on my kindle app for the picture references. The book was medium paced with a good (sometimes slow building) plot. However, everything was easy to follow, nice twists, writing was descriptive and in detail but not too wordy.
I did not find any of the characters as lovable but they were interesting and definitely fit with the tense, dark, roll your eyes vibe of the story (suburban, upper class, shrill).
The picture aspect of the book really added a nice touch of creepy. I’ve never seen that aspect in a book before. Because of that I wished there was more of it and talked about more frequent/detailed in the book. I just loved the aspect that much!
The ending went out with a bang. However, I hinted/guessed it like 50-60 percent through, BUT I was not prepared for how it would be delivered and I was pleased yet someone sad (because of my emotions lol) I would have given it 5 stars if either it did not take this long for it to come together (build up plot did not match the hype 100 percent for me) or there was more of a chase (or another plot twist). I would definitely recommend this one.
I did not find any of the characters as lovable but they were interesting and definitely fit with the tense, dark, roll your eyes vibe of the story (suburban, upper class, shrill).
The picture aspect of the book really added a nice touch of creepy. I’ve never seen that aspect in a book before. Because of that I wished there was more of it and talked about more frequent/detailed in the book. I just loved the aspect that much!
The ending went out with a bang. However, I hinted/guessed it like 50-60 percent through, BUT I was not prepared for how it would be delivered and I was pleased yet someone sad (because of my emotions lol) I would have given it 5 stars if either it did not take this long for it to come together (build up plot did not match the hype 100 percent for me) or there was more of a chase (or another plot twist). I would definitely recommend this one.
egslcgns's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Drawings were innovative and quite creepy, story was craftily written, plus the twist and climax at the end was very satisfying. generally agree with criticisms on the conservative slant of the author’s subtle voice.
jpustka's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. This is a fast-paced mystery with pictures! I liked that element of the book and enjoyed reading it.
ktead's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
michelletapp's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lauren_shoe's review against another edition
2.0
This won the Goodreads choice award for horror??! Really?!?
This reinforces gross stereotypes of all kinds, from the immigrant landscaper to the gender essentialism and some casual racism thrown in. Yuck.
Caught wind of the transphobia accusations before reading, and yeah it’s bad. It’s thinly veiled conservative talking points strung together to try to fool ppl as a plot. Could’ve told you where it was headed from the Jesus-y MC thinking the vegan atheist parents were too much for limiting screen time for their kid. There’s also totally unnecessary cult of fitness/fatphobia garbage that I thought I could overlook but now seems to be part of the whole thing.
It gets 2 stars because I was genuinely creeped out by some of the pictures early on, but the twist is predictable.
This reinforces gross stereotypes of all kinds, from the immigrant landscaper to the gender essentialism and some casual racism thrown in. Yuck.
Caught wind of the transphobia accusations before reading, and yeah it’s bad. It’s thinly veiled conservative talking points strung together to try to fool ppl as a plot. Could’ve told you where it was headed from the Jesus-y MC thinking the vegan atheist parents were too much for limiting screen time for their kid. There’s also totally unnecessary cult of fitness/fatphobia garbage that I thought I could overlook but now seems to be part of the whole thing.
It gets 2 stars because I was genuinely creeped out by some of the pictures early on, but the twist is predictable.
zizzlee0305's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, and Gun violence
Minor: Drug abuse, Confinement, Alcohol, and Drug use