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shereadytoread's Reviews (824)
dark
This is a book in three parts. It started off strong, and then I disliked each part more than the previous.
The premise is very interesting. A haunted payphone swallows up a kid and the only witness (with a troubled past) because the prime suspect. But this book quickly devolves into something I did not quite love. I think it has all the elements of a great story, but some additions of not so great storytelling overshadowed them.
I think if this was a novella with only part one of the story, it could have easily been a 3.5 (maybe higher) rated read for me. The premise is interesting and although we follow the MC and know what happens, the negative reactions that he receives are pretty plausible. You want to root for him because we know the horror, and it makes for an overall likeable MC.
What didn't work for me is that the second and third part seem to try to keep building on the initial part but in a way that overly complicates (and me eventually ruined) the initial part. This book also pretty heavily leans into negative stereotypes of mental illness, in a way that seemed completely unnecessary to the plot of the story.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted print ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The premise is very interesting. A haunted payphone swallows up a kid and the only witness (with a troubled past) because the prime suspect. But this book quickly devolves into something I did not quite love. I think it has all the elements of a great story, but some additions of not so great storytelling overshadowed them.
I think if this was a novella with only part one of the story, it could have easily been a 3.5 (maybe higher) rated read for me. The premise is interesting and although we follow the MC and know what happens, the negative reactions that he receives are pretty plausible. You want to root for him because we know the horror, and it makes for an overall likeable MC.
What didn't work for me is that the second and third part seem to try to keep building on the initial part but in a way that overly complicates (and me eventually ruined) the initial part. This book also pretty heavily leans into negative stereotypes of mental illness, in a way that seemed completely unnecessary to the plot of the story.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted print ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Death, Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
Not really sure how to rate this one. The first volume is mostly both of them agonizing that they don't want to/know how to be in a "normal" relationship. I understand its setting up an ongoing series but it didn't grab me enough to purchase the second book. I think I'd probably have had a better experience if I purchased 1 & 2 at the same time and read them together.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall I enjoyed this book a lot. It is fast paced and the interludes break up the story in a way that adds context and helps you engage more with the mystery. It touched on a lot of heavy topics, but it wasn't full of gratuitous violence. It is a book that plays with a lot of red herrings; so with a lot of plausible endings, it gives you the choice to think through the mysteries and try to figure it out. The supernatural elements I think could have been a little stronger but still really good especially for a debut. This was a book that I think could have been a little longer with some aspects better explored but I don't think there were any glaring plot holes that took me out of the story.
This was the Diversify Your Reading Book Club's Pick for Into the Woods theme in August. The general consensus on this book was positive.
You can join our virtual book club here: https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/
This was the Diversify Your Reading Book Club's Pick for Into the Woods theme in August. The general consensus on this book was positive.
You can join our virtual book club here: https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Domestic abuse, Racism
Minor: Alcoholism, Stalking
The general story I liked, but the more fantasy elements seemed forced into the story and didn't really serve a purpose. The conflict seemed a bit over complicated but made sense for the purpose of connecting the universe of the series. I probably wouldn't go further in the series but it's not a bad book.
dark
emotional
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
This is a book that has a good number of twists, which makes some easier to guess than others. I think the marketed blurb sets this book up for poor expectations a bit as the friendship of the three girls seems to be a the main focus of what happened, and in all that has little to do with the story.
The plot was engaging, the characters were complicated enough that you find them interesting, and the small-town setting was perfectly set. Lots of small town politics.
All in all I enjoyed this book, as the authors adult debut, I think some of the plot changes rang YA to me, but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the book and I'd still greatly recommend it.
The plot was engaging, the characters were complicated enough that you find them interesting, and the small-town setting was perfectly set. Lots of small town politics.
All in all I enjoyed this book, as the authors adult debut, I think some of the plot changes rang YA to me, but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the book and I'd still greatly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual harassment
adventurous
emotional
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
This book took everything I liked about the first book and amplified it. The setting plays a big role in the story, there is a lot of emotional development between the characters that I felt was lacking a tiny bit in the previous two installments. The plot was engaging and the main villain was as creepy (or a bit more) than the first book. It's rare that the last book in a series is my favorite, but this one definitely is.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Abandonment
challenging
dark
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Looking for a cross between queer literary coming of age story and an unsettling horror? This may be right up your alley.
The Diversify Your Reading Book Club (https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/) read Chlorine for our June selection.
Chlorine follows Ren Yu, a competitive swimmer who is willing to do whatever it takes to be in the water. This book offers interesting commentary on the “acceptable” ways that we push and change our bodies to meet goals and follows a track of how far we will go to do so.
This book draws you into a traditional coming of age narrative and then hooks you into the building pressure, obsession and dread. It examines peer pressure, abuse of power, cultural identity, body dysmorphia, sapphic longing and the every day horrors of growing up.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted finished copy.
The Diversify Your Reading Book Club (https://bookclubs.com/diversify-your-reading-2/join/) read Chlorine for our June selection.
Chlorine follows Ren Yu, a competitive swimmer who is willing to do whatever it takes to be in the water. This book offers interesting commentary on the “acceptable” ways that we push and change our bodies to meet goals and follows a track of how far we will go to do so.
This book draws you into a traditional coming of age narrative and then hooks you into the building pressure, obsession and dread. It examines peer pressure, abuse of power, cultural identity, body dysmorphia, sapphic longing and the every day horrors of growing up.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted finished copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Toxic friendship
adventurous
This book didn't capture me in the same way that the first one did. I think that the first book played into the creepiness of the ghosts more while this book leaned on the creepiness of the setting and it didn't translate as well. Overall I still enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the third book.
emotional
medium-paced
I really enjoyed this story (but I do think it was a tad too long for the plot). The emotional depth of the romance was great and the other messages around activism, standing up for others, charting your own path, etc were woven in without it feeling heavy handed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment