Review by maddslib - Heart-Shaped Box

maddslib 's review for:

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

4.75

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

While definitely not for everyone, I really liked this novel. The main character is an absolute dick who only really gets marginally better by the end, but I was endeared nonetheless. If you can’t stand an unlikeable main character though, it’s probably best to steer clear. The only thing keeping it from a full five stars is the female characters. I liked them enough, but they felt so beholden to Jude and felt like pawns in his story (despite how the plot plays out in a way that should make the women a lot more significant?? idk). Also there were a couple of scenes/descriptions that made me raise an eyebrow a little and think to myself: “I guess Joe Hill is really into goth chicks”.

Funnily enough, I picked up this book in the first place because Gerard Way mentioned in an interview that he was reading it and the plot sounded interesting to me — only to read it and find that My Chemical Romance is not only mentioned, but also kind of roasted? Definitely took me out for a second but also gave me a chuckle.

Content Warnings