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warlocksarecool21's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was such an interesting creepy little book, I still don’t know if I can verbalize all my thoughts. I was hooked by the initial premise of a Hollywood production team fucking around (and finding out) on a haunted island. I thought the theme of White people’s greed and destruction and its ties to colonization was really fascinating and how the Diwata almost seemed like it was there to protect the local people from outsiders. The most interesting part of this book for me was Alon. I knew from the start that there was more we didn’t know about them and that they had some kind of connection to the Diwata and the island but I still was surprised by the reveal at the end. At first I was irritated we didn’t get to be in Alon’s head that much, everything we learned about him was through the dialogue but by the end I realized it was intentional so everything wouldn’t be given away. I thought the idea that Alon was raised by the Diwata and acts as His conscience was really intriguing, that a human could be so loved and valued by this ancient god. I also adored Askal, I love little weirdo monster dogs. I knew he had to be something more than a dog bc of how perceptive he was and I was so excited I was right.
In regards to the plot/writing, I thought the author did a good job shrouding everything in mystery, even though Alon is our protagonist, they’re kind of an unreliable narrator so it’s like we’re figuring it out with the rest of the crew. While I did like watching Hemlock and the other producers get their comeuppance, I felt that the commentary surrounding their sins was a little heavy-handed but that didn’t bother me too much. I wish the relationship between Alon and Chase was developed a bit more, I wasn’t really convinced that they liked each other than they were both hot and the same age but I am a cranky asexual.
Finally, even though the writing was purposely detached at times, the creepiness and suspense throughout the book was really done. The significance of the balete trees and the mahakiya plants was really interesting to me, and I was definitely weirded out at times. The balete monsters and everything else the Diwata conjured up definitely gave me the same creepy vibes as all the creatures and weirdness of the Upside Down in Stranger Things, so if you liked that element of the show you’ll probably enjoy this book.
This is a creepy yet fun YA horror and I definitely recommend it.
In regards to the plot/writing, I thought the author did a good job shrouding everything in mystery, even though Alon is our protagonist, they’re kind of an unreliable narrator so it’s like we’re figuring it out with the rest of the crew. While I did like watching Hemlock and the other producers get their comeuppance, I felt that the commentary surrounding their sins was a little heavy-handed but that didn’t bother me too much. I wish the relationship between Alon and Chase was developed a bit more, I wasn’t really convinced that they liked each other than they were both hot and the same age but I am a cranky asexual.
Finally, even though the writing was purposely detached at times, the creepiness and suspense throughout the book was really done. The significance of the balete trees and the mahakiya plants was really interesting to me, and I was definitely weirded out at times. The balete monsters and everything else the Diwata conjured up definitely gave me the same creepy vibes as all the creatures and weirdness of the Upside Down in Stranger Things, so if you liked that element of the show you’ll probably enjoy this book.
This is a creepy yet fun YA horror and I definitely recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Racism, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
awkwardimagination's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I was really really enjoying this book, it was so good from the very first line. But I cannot help but feel,,, disappointed by the ending? maybe its my brain and I'm tired but i was hoping for something idfferent and reading the last chunk of the book made my brain feel mushy. I do really like this book, Alon and Askal were fantastic and the central theme of the book is one I like a lot - much about humanity and our actions. A great summary of this book is basically "greedy white men get whats coming to them, finally"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, and Cursing
Moderate: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Gaslighting, Car accident, Animal death, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Medical content, Infidelity, Colonisation, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, and Suicide
reesie_omnibus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
alicelalicon's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Animal cruelty, Grief, Gun violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Domestic abuse
bekawilliams15's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.5
~picked for SPL summer reading bingo~
An interesting read for sure. Not my typical genre. It was a packed story with a couple plots twists along the way. I felt as though it ended rather abruptly, but there was resolution. Each chapter ended up a cliffhanger which propels you to read more. It took a little bit to get through but definitely had enough momentum to keep it going to the end.
An interesting read for sure. Not my typical genre. It was a packed story with a couple plots twists along the way. I felt as though it ended rather abruptly, but there was resolution. Each chapter ended up a cliffhanger which propels you to read more. It took a little bit to get through but definitely had enough momentum to keep it going to the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Body horror
hawkscratch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Cursing
ashes_book_cave's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Death, and Violence
Minor: Animal death
amandadevoursbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Can I give this book 10 stars? SERIOUSLY.
A Hollywood crew arrives on a supposedly haunted island, only to discover it's the home of a sleeping god hell bent on justice and retribution.
In this YA horror told from the perspective of the local teen guide, the twists and turns drive the plot forward, the characters make it feel real, and the ending wraps it all up nicely.
It's got tree monsters, sink holes, an adorable dog, and a sweet little queer romance, and I freaking loved it.
Does the dog die?
The dog is shot, but the dog does not die.
More about the dog if you want more detail.
The shot should have killed him, bit he's not a dog and is fine....
A Hollywood crew arrives on a supposedly haunted island, only to discover it's the home of a sleeping god hell bent on justice and retribution.
In this YA horror told from the perspective of the local teen guide, the twists and turns drive the plot forward, the characters make it feel real, and the ending wraps it all up nicely.
It's got tree monsters, sink holes, an adorable dog, and a sweet little queer romance, and I freaking loved it.
Does the dog die?
More about the dog if you want more detail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Violence, Death, Gore, and Body horror
Moderate: Colonisation and Rape
tspice24's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Colonisation, and Death
ofbooksandechos's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Murder, Animal death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Car accident, and Racism