Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson

136 reviews

taniasborges's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Body horror, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Death, Confinement, Gaslighting, Violence, Stalking, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Drug abuse, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual violence

sahramahtab's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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? Yes

5.0

"As Good As Dead" by Holly Jackson concludes the series with unexpected twists that kept me hooked. Initially unsure of the direction in the beginning of the third book, the moment Pip realizes she has a stalker becomes a riveting turning point, making it impossible to put the book down.

The justice served in the story felt satisfying, a stark contrast to the shortcomings often seen in the real world. Pip, with her intelligence and courage, emerges as a likable and admirable character. Sweet Ravi adds charm to their dynamic duo, and their teamwork is truly enjoyable. The theme of friendships and found family throughout the series is heartwarming and adds depth to the narrative.

The ending, while confusing, doesn't diminish the overall enjoyment. The decision

to cut everyone out of Pip's life felt unnecessary given the lack of evidence against her.

Regardless, the book is a compelling read, and the series as a whole is a testament to Jackson's storytelling prowess. I look forward to Holly Jackson's future projects.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Confinement, Kidnapping, Sexism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Stalking

heyjaneysmith's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this trilogy but I found the choices the main character makes a little frustrating and unrealistic at times. Girl I know you have reasons not to trust the police but like if you are for sure being tracked by a serial killer you gotta ask for protection even for your family's safety. I felt the ending was a bit rushed and sad but I do think it was satisfying overall.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Blood, Animal death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Body horror, Mental illness, and Death

Moderate: Sexual assault and Addiction

shadysunny's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The last book of this series took some rather dark turns. But I loved it all the same. The characters have changed a lot from the first book, but between all the darkness, you could always catch glimpses of the "old ones".

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Content Warnings

Minor: Drug use, Addiction, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Gun violence, Rape, Stalking, Sexual assault, Confinement, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, and Vomit

rujuta_k's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Stalking, Death, Blood, Confinement, Drug use, and Kidnapping

tsked_off's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Kidnapping, Torture, Mental illness, Murder, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape

chellery's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Confinement, Stalking, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping

Minor: Violence

dawnilton's review against another edition

mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

OK so here's the thing. If I read this book isolated then the events in this book are amazing and so interesting to read. I would have loved this book. But since this book is part of the series and we know every single thing that Pip stands for. Everything that happens in Part 2 goes against the first two books.  I understand the direction Holly Jackson wanted to take with Pips character progression and her loss of innocence and her moral compass. I get it. It still doesn't feel right tho.

If Pip would've escaped and tried to fight her case without the help of the police then that would've been in line with the rest of the series. AND the character progression would have still worked.

I understood Pip's PTSD due to the the events in book 2. But I couldn't understand how she could turn to such unhealthy coping mechanisms. I was very hard to read and I considered dropping the book because this is not the Pip I knew. My question is did Pip just get over PTSD after everything that happened in Book 3? It really seems impossible considering that

she's all alone now AND she literally murdered someone.

But there's no mention of it... 

I could guess that

Jason was DT

waaayyy before the reveal. What I didn't expect was for Pip

to get captured.

My heart was racing throughout that entire section. I cannot believe that Pip and Ravi

came up with a whole plan to cover up the murder and to pin it on Max within 12 minutes. Thats insanity.

But Pip abandoning everyone who helped her at the end was didn't make any sense. Every one knows that Pip is so close with her friends and family. Seeing her suddenly distancing herself is actually more suspicious. 

I LOVED the full circle moments we had within this book. You can clearly see that Holly Jackson had thought of everything right from the beginning of book 1.

Andie's real motivation behind her actions, Jason's movements when Andie was killed, Pip using the phone trick when taking pictures at McDonalds, Pip making the same choice that Mr. Ward did

. Through these moments you can really see the dramatic shift in Pip's thinking.

So, rating this book is a bit complicated. If I think about this book isolated from the series then its easy 5 stars. But if I think about the first two books as well as this book. Then the rating drops for me - 3 stars. 
I get that Holly Jackson is trying to show the effects of PTSD on a person and how much it can change them. I get it. You can clearly see Pip's transformation throughout the series. So I get it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Murder, Stalking, and Drug abuse

aleilvandrea's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Kidnapping, Animal death, Stalking, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, Rape, Drug use, Confinement, Torture, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Panic attacks/disorders

laurenbaggy's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Death, Confinement, Violence, Drug abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual assault, Abandonment, and Vomit