read_nap_repeat's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
acanthae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The description (and honestly the show) do this book a disservice. While Pike's writing style does feel aged to me (80s/90s YA feels less more simplistic than today's almost universally), I was surprised by the content here. This isn't a horror novel, but rather a thoughtful portrait of the residents of Rotterham Home, with their midnight stories a reflection of their fears and hopes.
tupa42's review
The writing felt so juvenile I could swear I was reading middle school fanfiction. The characters weren't genuine and their stories were even more contrived. It probably didn't help that I was listening to this as an audiobook and deeply didn't enjoy the narrator but I just couldn't with this book.
anaghoul98's review against another edition
challenging
sad
slow-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
4.5
lisaalovesbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
3.5
chelseamh98's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
aaron_j136's review against another edition
3.0
This was one of the strangest books I’ve read.
Like I really enjoyed it but also not...
I thought this was going to be a cheesy horror but it was definitely not, it was a story of love, friendship, unity and the meaning of life. Which I really enjoyed reading.
But the whole thing regarding the master was confusing.
I really liked the characters (especially Anya and Kevin)
I will most likely read more Christopher Pike in the future.
Representation: different types of cancer and terminal illnesses, physical disability, mental health representation, LGBT (revealed later in book)
Trigger warnings: depression, suicide, loneliness, child abandonment, death of a lived one, death of a close friend, death in general, “murder”, a tiny bit of homophobia (sort of)
Like I really enjoyed it but also not...
I thought this was going to be a cheesy horror but it was definitely not, it was a story of love, friendship, unity and the meaning of life. Which I really enjoyed reading.
But the whole thing regarding the master was confusing.
I really liked the characters (especially Anya and Kevin)
I will most likely read more Christopher Pike in the future.
Representation: different types of cancer and terminal illnesses, physical disability, mental health representation, LGBT (revealed later in book)
Trigger warnings: depression, suicide, loneliness, child abandonment, death of a lived one, death of a close friend, death in general, “murder”, a tiny bit of homophobia (sort of)
emwright's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting premise! I really enjoyed the ‘real life’ and the stories that were shared in this
blkcullensister's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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