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3.16 AVERAGE
3.16 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i read this as a child and it’s still pretty good!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story - mainly comparing it to the loosely based slasher movie inspired by it.
This is that old-school, Shirley Jackson style of horror. I think I’m just desensitized to this sort of story, as horror has become so much more sophisticated over this years. I’d also say that this is a rare occasion where a movie adaptation significantly elevates the source material. There are just things missing here that even a fresh coat of paint decades later by the author couldn’t fix. Lots of weird artifacts from a society long gone (and good riddance). Still, there is some genuine craft here in the suspense and mystery of the story. But I also have to remind myself that this was YA before YA was YA, and it’s very apparent that authors and publishers didn’t think young readers were smart enough to handle more nuanced writing.
Character (2.5/5)
Plot & Pacing (3/5)
Setting & Surroundings (2/5)
Dialogue & Diction (2.5/5)
Craft & Voice (3/5)
Reading Experience (3/5)
Final Rating:
2.7/5
Character (2.5/5)
Plot & Pacing (3/5)
Setting & Surroundings (2/5)
Dialogue & Diction (2.5/5)
Craft & Voice (3/5)
Reading Experience (3/5)
Final Rating:
2.7/5
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Pacing was a bit off and the ending left a LOT to be desired. I know it’s a YA novel but it felt incredibly watered down and predictable by a quarter of the way through the book. There was a singular plot twist that got me but that was really non-essential to the story. Good story, just not at the level I was expecting.
I was disappointed that changes were made to make this book more modern! Trying to update this book with mentions of email, texting, and the Iraq war (instead of Vietnam) really didn't work. The world view, etc. is too deeply seventies. It would have been more fun to read the original.
2.25?? Let me explain myself. Right off the bat I had the wrong impression of this book going into it. This original story was written in the 70s and eventually got a movie adaptation in the 90s. The movie adaptation is a horror slasher film and thats why i thought the book was going to be the same. (I realize thats my fault!)
As i was reading i kept waiting for the story to take a turn and get really action packed or have me on the edge of my seat. However it kind of fell flat for me and read a lot younger than i was expecting. I had no idea the original book wasn’t a horror/ slasher story so that is my fault, but I do think me going into this book with a completely different mindset affected the experience for me. its such a quick easy read i cant be too mad at it but I definitely didn’t love it
As i was reading i kept waiting for the story to take a turn and get really action packed or have me on the edge of my seat. However it kind of fell flat for me and read a lot younger than i was expecting. I had no idea the original book wasn’t a horror/ slasher story so that is my fault, but I do think me going into this book with a completely different mindset affected the experience for me. its such a quick easy read i cant be too mad at it but I definitely didn’t love it