Scan barcode
bookishlyzoe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
Functionally and realistically, this book should be rated a three. I think the writing is a little simple and there are some time tense issues, like the 80’s povs are written like they’re present but then say “back then” as if it’s supposed to be past. The climax is also a little juvenile. All that being said, I really enjoyed it despite these things so I’m giving it an extra star for the overall fun that I had reading it.
chemwizard22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Sara Farizan could be the next R.L. Stine if she popped out one of these every year.
moreteawesley's review against another edition
DNF @ 51%
I really wanted to like this, because the plot is hardcore giving that episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark? where the kid gets stuck in the mall-turned-pinball-machine-LARP, but it just didn’t work for me. The characters aren’t at all likeable and the writing didn’t make me care about any of it.
I really wanted to like this, because the plot is hardcore giving that episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark? where the kid gets stuck in the mall-turned-pinball-machine-LARP, but it just didn’t work for me. The characters aren’t at all likeable and the writing didn’t make me care about any of it.
lmurphy's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-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? No
3.75
sagedbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The read alike comparison between this book and Stranger Things is spot on.
Dead Flip was awesome - it had some funny moments but some pretty creepy ones too. I also really loved its commentary on the more serious topics, such as LBGTQ+ issues and childhood traumas. It really transported me back to the nineties and made me feel for each individual character.
Dead Flip was awesome - it had some funny moments but some pretty creepy ones too. I also really loved its commentary on the more serious topics, such as LBGTQ+ issues and childhood traumas. It really transported me back to the nineties and made me feel for each individual character.
simoneandherbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This had all the vibes of Stranger Things and Ready Player One. If you're a fan of video games, monsters looking to suck your life out, and teenagers really learning a little bit about themselves in the process, then this one is for you.
The fast pace of Dead Flip threw me off a little. Granted, this is my first YA book in a really long time, so it surprised me how quickly things were moving right at the beginning, but one thing was obvious: Sam, Cori, and Maz used to be best friends. They used to hang out with each other and for all intents and purposes, they were kind of misfits who found friendship through a mutual love of pinball. But something happens, as things do when you're a teenager, and their threesome split. When Sam disappears one day, the group also splits. Cori and Maz are left to pick up the pieces of their life without one of their best friends. Cori becomes popular and nominated for the prom queen. Maz's family starts to do better than before raising his status among the folks at school. They make their ways in separate directions until Sam suddenly returns; except that he's still the same Sam that left, young and a little bit different.
The rest of the book is a whirlwind journey of how Sam came back and what it all means. I don't want to spoil it, but Sam's whereabouts really shook me. I love stories like this and it reminds me a little bit of Stranger Things in that Sam has been in some inter-dimension that exists within the real unieverse. As you keep reading, the truth behind where Sam has been is revealed. This also felt like thriller/horror lite. If you're not invested in reading something too spooky, but has enough to give you the vibes, then this might be a book to add to your Halloween reading lists. I know I will because it was a lot of fun, actually has a super hopeful ending, and the supernatural elements were not surprising, but still entertaining.
Sam's return also brings Maz and Cori back together and while the two of them have been in separate circles and learning how to cope, it seems almost like Sam brings them together. I really enjoyed the friendship between Maz, Cori, and Sam. Without Sam, it felt like they were parts to a whole that no longer fit into each other. But it's obvious that Sam is the glue of their relationship and with his return, something reverts back for both Maz and Cori; to a simpler time when all they had were each other and that sparks the changes they face throughout the rest of the book.
Overall, this was a fun and fast-paced story that would make for a perfect spooky season read! If you're looking to get the feel of Halloween without it being too gorey, then I suggest picking this one up!
The fast pace of Dead Flip threw me off a little. Granted, this is my first YA book in a really long time, so it surprised me how quickly things were moving right at the beginning, but one thing was obvious: Sam, Cori, and Maz used to be best friends. They used to hang out with each other and for all intents and purposes, they were kind of misfits who found friendship through a mutual love of pinball. But something happens, as things do when you're a teenager, and their threesome split. When Sam disappears one day, the group also splits. Cori and Maz are left to pick up the pieces of their life without one of their best friends. Cori becomes popular and nominated for the prom queen. Maz's family starts to do better than before raising his status among the folks at school. They make their ways in separate directions until Sam suddenly returns; except that he's still the same Sam that left, young and a little bit different.
The rest of the book is a whirlwind journey of how Sam came back and what it all means. I don't want to spoil it, but Sam's whereabouts really shook me. I love stories like this and it reminds me a little bit of Stranger Things in that Sam has been in some inter-dimension that exists within the real unieverse. As you keep reading, the truth behind where Sam has been is revealed. This also felt like thriller/horror lite. If you're not invested in reading something too spooky, but has enough to give you the vibes, then this might be a book to add to your Halloween reading lists. I know I will because it was a lot of fun, actually has a super hopeful ending, and the supernatural elements were not surprising, but still entertaining.
Sam's return also brings Maz and Cori back together and while the two of them have been in separate circles and learning how to cope, it seems almost like Sam brings them together. I really enjoyed the friendship between Maz, Cori, and Sam. Without Sam, it felt like they were parts to a whole that no longer fit into each other. But it's obvious that Sam is the glue of their relationship and with his return, something reverts back for both Maz and Cori; to a simpler time when all they had were each other and that sparks the changes they face throughout the rest of the book.
Overall, this was a fun and fast-paced story that would make for a perfect spooky season read! If you're looking to get the feel of Halloween without it being too gorey, then I suggest picking this one up!
energeticreader's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I was really intrigued by the premise of this book, but I found it to be rather disappointing. The plot and characters were really interesting, but the writing style felt very juvenile. Also it was much shorter than I expected, which was disappointing to me because I prefer a longer book. Overall I still found it to be a fun quick read, but not that good or memorable. I do think that it might be more fun for 80s kids who can understand the constant pop culture refrenses, but personally I found the to be annoyingly frequent and hard fto understand as someone who wasn't alive then.
zbrarian's review against another edition
4.0
If you are nostalgic like me and an 80s kid, this is the book for you. Definitely kept me on the edge of the seat, making me NEVER want to play with a pinball machine ever again. Two best friends, separated by the “death” of the third in the group are pulled back together when Sam, their missing best friend, shows up, looking the same, 12 years old and snarky as ever. Told from the POV view of Maz & Cori, with some of Sam thrown in, flashing back and forth to the time Sam was kidnapped to the day he shows up. As Maz and Cori try to figure out how to keep Sam with them, while dealing with the secrets they are keeping from each other, the race is on to beat the “game”. I will say the ending left me HANGING for a sequel. Definitely a mashup of Stranger things and the show Manifest & all things 80s.