lindsaygg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
nonfictionfeminist's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Grief, Blood, Death, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Injury/injury detail, and Self harm
goodreadswithcait's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
adventuresinfictionland's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
fuestyhammy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
rae_sun's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rachsrsandrs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My summary:
Is this a book about haunted puppets doing terrible things? Yes. Is it also about family and accepting your differences and loving each other even if you don’t always like each other? Also yes. A very twisty horror novel that I can easily see playing out on the screen. Also - this book had me paranoid at night despite being absolutely sure I live in a 100% doll-free home.
Thoughts while reading:
- This might be the Eldest Daughter in me, but Louise’s brother Mark had me absolutely raging throughout the beginning of the book.
- Her childhood home is stuffed full of dolls and puppets and she doesn’t think her family is all that weird? Lol.
- Also the fact that Louise thinks she can buy a home with a yard for $300,000 in San Francisco. Like, girl.
- Once the spooky stuff started happening, I cannot tell you how many times I said “absolutely f*cking not” while reading.
- Okay, maybe Mark has a point, tbh.
- Could these problems not be solved by some lighter fluid and a pack of matches?
- Man, this got REALLY VIOLENT REALLY FAST
- Plot twist: called it.
mythicalbeastxiii's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
5.0
Once again, Grady Hendrix delivers. Actually of all his book, this is the first one I could not read by myself after everyone else went to bed. It is a tale of grief tangl3r in horror as estranged siblings are forced together after their parents untimely death. But when they go to their childhood home they are greeted with a sinister presence. Is it new, or something that has been there since their childhood? What adds to the creep factor in this story that it all revolves around puppets and dolls. I fond those creepy on their own but add in Grady Hendrix's storytelling and you have a spine-tingling adventure. While it didn't have the humor as some of his books, it was a wonderfully orchestrated horror. I highly recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed his books in the past.
hillaryallison's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5