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A review by joreadsbooks
Hide by Kiersten White
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Listened to the audiobook
Content warnings: family annihilation, sexism, murder, PTSD, religious trauma
I got to the halfway point of this book and thought it was cute, very "this is someone's first time writing horror." There wasn't too much depth, with the suspense being at the same level of hiding from others, without too much other fear given. The characters also come off very young, but I think it's because this book is too short to have granted any of them any depth.
Given the reveal, however, this book is downright insulting to horror fans who like their horror to be more engaging with topics introduced in the narrative. It's very "this is someone's first attempt engaging with class and white supremacy." It does not land. To talk to specifics is spoilers, but if you were looking for a meaningful exploration of class and reckoning with white supremacy and using the supernatural to maintain a legacy, there are other books to read.
There is something interesting that could have been explored with Mack and her trauma directly related to a hide-and-seek game. There could have been more explored with Legrand and his religious trauma that ties directly in with the final reveals. But with too many POVs and not enough depth given to any aspect, this horror, instead, feels shallow and juvenile.
Not a waste of time, but definitely set up some expectations that fell apart entirely.
Content warnings: family annihilation, sexism, murder, PTSD, religious trauma
I got to the halfway point of this book and thought it was cute, very "this is someone's first time writing horror." There wasn't too much depth, with the suspense being at the same level of hiding from others, without too much other fear given. The characters also come off very young, but I think it's because this book is too short to have granted any of them any depth.
Given the reveal, however, this book is downright insulting to horror fans who like their horror to be more engaging with topics introduced in the narrative. It's very "this is someone's first attempt engaging with class and white supremacy." It does not land. To talk to specifics is spoilers, but if you were looking for a meaningful exploration of class and reckoning with white supremacy and using the supernatural to maintain a legacy, there are other books to read.
There is something interesting that could have been explored with Mack and her trauma directly related to a hide-and-seek game. There could have been more explored with Legrand and his religious trauma that ties directly in with the final reveals. But with too many POVs and not enough depth given to any aspect, this horror, instead, feels shallow and juvenile.
Not a waste of time, but definitely set up some expectations that fell apart entirely.