Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson

519 reviews

angelikae's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • 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

4.0


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chezler24's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny 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

This was quite the finale for such a gripping series! I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole thing. Pip was in such a rough spot at the start of the book (and continued to stay in this rough spot throughout the novel); I just wanted her to be free of it all, but I suppose *this* was the best way for her to process her pain while utilizing her skill set. After the second book, I was wondering how Holly Jackson was going to up the excitement factor, and she delivered in some unexpected ways! I was practically screaming at Pip's decisions during several key scenes in the book. I don't want to spoil too much in this review, but Pip's skills were pushed to their limits to carry out justice and solve a few remaining mysteries left in the town.  The ending almost devastated me, but the final page secured me some remaining threads of hope. 

Thoroughly enjoyed this series and getting to know Pip and the other characters along the way. 

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lemons_and_uwus's review against another edition

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dark informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

3.75


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secre's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional 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

5.0

Holy hell, I was not expecting the way this series twisted and pivoted and I am absolutely here for it. Admittedly, some of the events absolutely strain credulity, but it's well written enough and high stakes enough to be riveting regardless. I was very much expecting the same tried and tested formula here and to begin with, it looked like that's what I was getting; Pip finds a new case to embroil herself in even as she's spiralling with PTSD and taking pills to sleep. But at about the half way mark, things take a dark and shocking turn and the entire formula is cast into the winds as Pip scrambles to keep her life intact.

It's shocking. Crazy. And absolutely riveting. And I could not put this book down. I was absolutely hooked. Early in the novel, it becomes clear that Pip probably has a stalker. I say probably because Pip absolutely isn't the most reliable of witnesses at this point. She's spiralling, hard, haunted by the death of Child Brunswick and reliving the moment both awake and asleep. She's heavily reliant on sleeping aids, which is problematic as the doctor stopped prescribing them so now she has to buy them from less reputable sources. Jackson does an excellent job of depicting Pip's mental health struggles.

But as the novel goes on, the threat from the stalker increases and it's clear that this is not the imagining of Pip's mind. Someone really is out to get her. I expected things to fall into place at this point; Pip racing against time to unmask the threat before it's too late. And that's kind of what happens. Until it isn't. There isn't much I can say without huge spoilers, but I can say the novel takes a sharp detour from the expected and runs off the rails into a whole different kettle off fish. Pip has everything to lose.

I hammered through this novel. I needed to know what happened. I needed to know how things worked out. I needed to know if Pip comes out the other side. I could not put this book down. It's completely unexpected but absolutely gripping for it. I hope this isn't the last we see of Pip as this has been one hell of a ride. 

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firelordmomo's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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morgan7rose's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional 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

4.5


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sophie_the_reader_'s review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad 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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passionatereader78's review against another edition

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

4.0

This is my least favorite book in the series. I love the writing style! I didn't like the plot in this book, so I  had a hard time with all of Pippa's decisions.  Pippa is suppose to be getting ready for college, but since Max has been found innocent she has been on edge. She decides to take on a cold case and help a mother get answers about her son. Who knew this would cause so much pain and heartache for Pippa.

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annajuve's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75


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courtnetto's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

What a finale to this series. For a book that started off slow, it really had a lot of twists that I didn’t expect - such as who the DT Killer was. The ending really pulled at my heart strings and I just wished it wasn’t the case but gotta do what you gotta do I guess! 
I just couldn’t put this book down once it really got into it, I just had to keep reading to see what happened next and what the next twist in the book was going to be. It revolves around Pip again, after she ends up in meetings after Max is trying to sue her for defamation of his character and also for “falsifying” a voice recording of him admitting to what he’s done in the past. 
I honestly really loved this series and would read it again if given the chance!

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