Scan barcode
rosesofthespring's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Racism, Sexual content, Torture, Excrement, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, and Fire/Fire injury
There is a description of a previous ex-relationship with a huge power imbalance and considerable age gap. The younger party is 18.sav_22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, and Dysphoria
kimberlyswalters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child death and Grief
Minor: Eating disorder, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Terminal illness, Medical content, Car accident, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
anoveldestination's review against another edition
- 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
With all that being said, I thought the pacing was off. The story starts with a bang, but I thought the whodunnit plot dragged in the middle, and the scenes at the police station, while important for Lynette's character backstory and growth, felt like they didn't add anything to the plot and were an unnecessary interruption. I also think that while each character was developed well in the story, there were too many characters. I don't think we needed to see Michelle in the story. I also think some of the themes could've still been communicated without having both Garrett and Stephanie in the book. I wasn't sure if Garrett needed to be an actual character in the book or just someone we heard about through Lynette. Also, Pax, while essential to the plot, I don't think the story needed him and that Gary Hendrix could've found a way to make the plot work without Pax. Still, I was never overwhelmed by the number of characters. I just think some of the characters and their purposes felt too similar.
Despite my issues with the book, I love the way everything comes together at the end. The book is also engaging, with great moments of suspense. It's a true thriller that you won't want to put down. Within this entertaining plot, Grady Hendrix manages to insert truly original characters and communicate important feminist themes. The book is the perfect balance of reading for pleasure and reading for enrichment.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Car accident, and Gaslighting
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, and Homophobia
anjalirenee's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Police brutality, and Kidnapping
jenniferpalmblad's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I appreciated the social commentary on how we view violence against women as entertainment. It’s fucked up, yet I myself thoroughly enjoy learning about true crime- having watched more YouTube videos and Netflix adaptations than I’d like to admit. The women in this book are the storytellers, they control the narrative and are active participants in everything that happens. We learn about their monsters, but ultimately I don’t recall their names as much as I do Dani, Julia, Marilyn, Heather, and even Chrissy. And I think that will be a lasting impression.
Halloween is about Michael Myers. Nightmare on Elm Street is the story of Freddy Krueger. Texas Chainsaw Massacre is synonymous with Bubba. A lot of these franchises focus on the male perpetrators, that’s how they’re remembered. It’ll be interesting to see how the film adaption of Final Girl Support Group handles this. At the moment, I’m hopeful.
This was overall a great read that left very little room for one to breathe in between horrifying events. There was a part where I was genuinely frightened, which I didn’t expect. I’m very happy I decided to pick up this book.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Stalking, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, and Alcohol