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mrsrccockrell's review against another edition
3.0
If you’re into Stephen King type thrillers, then you’ll really enjoy this. It’s got all the character archetypes that you loved in “It” and the plot is a little bit like if you took “It” and “Stand By Me” and merged them together - only instead of a supernatural clown demon it’s a flesh a blood murderer.
I did have a couple of issues though. First of all, the narrator is a bit unreliable. If you’re into stories with unreliable narrators then it won’t be a setback for you. For me, I don’t like when suspense thrillers have unreliable narrators. It just feels like lazy writing - as if the author can’t keep the reader from finding out too much too soon unless they just have the narrator lie to them.
The other issue I had was the climax. The killer turned out to be kind of disappointing, at least in my opinion.
I did have a couple of issues though. First of all, the narrator is a bit unreliable. If you’re into stories with unreliable narrators then it won’t be a setback for you. For me, I don’t like when suspense thrillers have unreliable narrators. It just feels like lazy writing - as if the author can’t keep the reader from finding out too much too soon unless they just have the narrator lie to them.
The other issue I had was the climax. The killer turned out to be kind of disappointing, at least in my opinion.
lcourage's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
dariadanley's review against another edition
3.0
That was a fairly decent read. A suspenseful murder mystery that finished with a twist I didn't expect. That was all I wanted in a mystery.
I can't say anything bad, but nothing good stood out to me either. In other words, Kendall, you didn't stick out to me.
I can't say anything bad, but nothing good stood out to me either. In other words, Kendall, you didn't stick out to me.
susan_s's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
12rhys23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
EXCELLENT! Every little mystery is neatly written up by the end of the book, even the ones you've half-forgotten.
maddsread's review against another edition
3.0
You can tell this is a debut novel. The pacing is a bit off compared to come of C.J.’s newer books.
The main character Ed is very apathetic and hard to connect to. Honestly all of the characters were very reserved to the point of lack of care on my point.
The story is very slow and things unfold even slower. I did like the two times in the story as they do very much compliment each other.
The main character Ed is very apathetic and hard to connect to. Honestly all of the characters were very reserved to the point of lack of care on my point.
The story is very slow and things unfold even slower. I did like the two times in the story as they do very much compliment each other.
exorcismemily's review against another edition
3.0
The Chalk Man started out so well, and then went in a strange direction. It was all pretty unbelievable by the end. It followed pretty closely to Stephen King stories, and made some King references. Part of me likes it, and part of me doesn't because it may have been too much. I enjoyed the paranormal-seeming aspect (or was that just me?) but the resolution (and buildup to the resolution) was odd. I kind of wish just the first half of the book would have been expanded, and not gone into this territory of a thousand loopholes. I am really not a fan of the ending of this book; I've been looking forward to this book for quite a while, so this was disappointing.
cindylchap's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
3.25
sydneypedregon's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
This book went on my list because there was promise of a scary truth that haunted a gang of kids when they were younger. What the book
ended up being is twist and turns that didn’t quite connect and a town full of people who’s too involved in each others lives and a kid who takes things that don’t belong. Too many questions that went unanswered for me and too many loops that didn’t close
ended up being is twist and turns that didn’t quite connect and a town full of people who’s too involved in each others lives and a kid who takes things that don’t belong. Too many questions that went unanswered for me and too many loops that didn’t close