I don't understand what just happened. Every time I thought I did, the plot shifted and Samantha went through another episode of insanity. Anything I could say would be saying too much and I think you need to enter this with all little information as possible; you can easily assume this book one thing when it's completely and utterly something else.

When y'all said this book was bizarre, you meant it. When you said it reminded you of "The Secret History"... You lost me. Entirely. This book really reminded me the most of Heathers, and at times Mean Girls, sometimes The Craft?

Additionally, Awad can get very redundant with certain words, especially in the beginning of the book. Also her descriptions don't make a lot of sense? I think she tries really hard to sound poetic and profound, but doesn't harbor the skill to do it well. Her writing isn't necessarily bad but I've read better. A lot of times it came off corny... And don't get me started on how Jonah talked. I can't tell if that was intentional or not.

I mean... I'd read it again, I wouldn't recommend this to anybody.

Content Warnings

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

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slow-paced

1.0

SNORK MIMIMIMIMIMI

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

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dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

4.75

WHAT THE FUCK !!

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

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adventurous inspiring mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

The fantasy elements of this book were terrible. Not as whimsical as I thought they would be and actually a little monotonous. Very predictable, too. The first third of the book was pretty fun. Lots of world building, as expected from Stephen King, and very slice-of-life. He made the town feel very realistic and lived in. I could see every building and every face, which is what I loved the most about this book. The second we actually learnt about the shed and

the old man died

all of the fantasy-like elements of the story is where it, surprisingly, fell short for me. A lot of this felt like a rehashing of already, well known and well liked, fairy tales, not something original and fresh.

I also did not like how our protagonist, who was supposed to be seventeen in 2013, sounded like an old man. Had this taken place in the 60s or early 70s, I think the dialogue and actions of the main character would've made a lot more sense and flowed better. I couldn't take him serious when he talked like a 72 year old and then immediately went on about FaceBook ad "EarPods". Maybe if this was a low fantasy book, with it taking place on Earth in the human world instead of this made up place, it would've meshed better. At least to me.

Didn't hate it, didn't love it. Could've went without it. I think this would be better as a movie. I almost hope it does.

If this is your first Stephen King novel, STOP! Put this down and read one of his classics instead. Come back when you're educated on how good his writing can actually be.

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coralinejones's reviews 413 reviews

coralinejones's reviews
413 reviews