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ashes_book_cave's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Death, and Violence
Minor: Animal death
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
ofbooksandechos's review
- 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
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
guessgreenleaf's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, and Racial slurs
Minor: Sexual assault
gingerale06'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Racism
shadowspinner's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Gun violence, Racism, Death, and Murder
Minor: Car accident and Sexual assault
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
krissayel's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Body horror
Minor: Murder, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
daniellestarredpages's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
This book also makes a budding queer relationship between a the son of one of the producers of the show and Alon (they/them) the local boy, with a strange connection to the island, who tries repeated to warn the Hollywood people to get off the island.
The horror element of the story was amazing written, vividly detailed and sufficiently creepy without being too much for the people who have a lower tolerance.
Also the twist! It was hinted at without being too obvious. I loved it.
If you are looking for more reviews from me, check out my YouTube channel here : https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCGRr_IBoWd5ue-0Q9qffYdw/featured
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Car accident, Racial slurs, and Colonisation
smpeeden's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.5
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Racial slurs