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jodiemill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual harassment
jessereadsthings's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.0
Graphic: Gore, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Animal death and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, and Rape
amandadevoursbooks's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Violence, Death, Gore, and Body horror
Moderate: Colonisation and Rape
madamenovelist's review
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gore, Xenophobia, Death, Cursing, Blood, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
The sexual assault is only referenced in the past. The animal death turns out to not *actually* be a death but it’s still upsetting for a moment.noahsingh's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Gun violence
Moderate: Vomit and Colonisation
Minor: Death of parent, Rape, Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Body horror
tourmaline_and_tomes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Alon, a nonbinary Filipino teenager, is hired as a translator and guide for a Hollywood film team bent on discovering the secrets of the haunted island of Kisapmata and capturing it all on camera. Although Alon consistently warns the Americans they should not be there, their warning are ignored. The Americans have no respect for this place. And soon, the death god that claims dominion over the island begins to have his way with the guilty. And people start to die.
This creepy, standalone horror YA novel was a quick read for me. The searing commentary on European colonialism and the unapologetic perspective of a person who has been directly affected by that colonialism take this book to another level: it's not just a YA horror story. It's also an examination of western hubris, of greed, and of the lingering repercussions of imperialism, cultural disrespect, and indigenous erasure. This book ends with a twist that you might have seen coming, but it was worthy.
Moderate: Animal death and Racism
Minor: Murder, Domestic abuse, and Rape