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stephanieanneauthor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
As this book was included with my Audible membership, I decided to give it a try as I do like the idea of a series of books based on real-life places. At worst, I figured this would be too touristy; at best, I might end up reading something akin to "The Ritual" by Adam Nevill. What I ended up reading was neither.
The story was stop-and-start when it came to the action. Just as I thought things were going to start getting good and gory, it devolved into seemingly never ending dick measuring contests between the guys. The girls added little to the plot and were little more than sex objects. Because of this, and other reasons, I found the characters annoying.
And although I was hoping for a ghost story, I did like the back and forth of "is this a ghost or is this a crazed human killer?" Again, the answer was much different. I can honestly say I was not expecting that a tribe of feral rapists were to blame. And that last quarter of the book where the "big bad" is revealed was certainly the most action packed and interesting. But it was also ridiculous. At times, it felt like the final climactic moments belonged to another story entirely.
I went into this hoping for "The Grudge" and ended up getting "The Hills have Eyes" instead.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Medical trauma, Cursing, Medical content, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gore, Gun violence, Drug use, Murder, Vomit, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Rape, and Excrement
Minor: Stalking and Self harm
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Narrated by Joe Hempel
Unabridged
This was an interesting read, but it was more about the characters than the complexities of completing suicide and thoughts and feelings of those affected.
It was more of a drama that felt akin to those in high school and I was utterly perplexed by how much was discussed about their relationship issues... when you're lost in a forest of the deceased... like, priorities people?
I also thought some of the discussions of those that passed in the forest was pretty insensitive, and not one character was redeemable in reflection or pushing forward a different, more empathetic response.
It definitely made a worthwhile turnaround as the story developed and more of the characters background (particularly the why of what had them here in the first place) came out.
I ended up appreciating the chracter study of the characters and it did get thrilling, although I would have still preferred more emphasis on the forest itself.
Graphic: Vomit, Violence, Blood, Death, Grief, Excrement, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Racism, Sexual content, Torture, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Suicide, Body horror, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
emilycruz1016's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, Blood, Cursing, Physical abuse, Self harm, Alcohol, Death of parent, Excrement, Grief, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Child death, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Vomit, Suicide, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Rape