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ms_tiahmarie's review
I never feel hip / cool / savvy enough when I read SL Grey. (Okay, this is only my second one, so the statement is a bit over the top.) Feel like passing the book out to a bunch of 19 year olds who might shun Orson Wells. Although this is more a commentary about our lives and values rather than government.
Off to make myself a warm cup to water now, with a slice of lemon whilst wearing a bed jacket.
Ahem.
Off to make myself a warm cup to water now, with a slice of lemon whilst wearing a bed jacket.
Ahem.
treestein's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it. It was confusing for a little, now after reading some reviews, I see it might be because I haven’t read “The Mall” first and just dove right into this one. But I liked how different it was, I kept expecting it to go one way, and then it’d take a hard right turn. Very interesting. I’m happy I just randomly picked this book up from a local used bookstore on a whim. I recommend if you are looking for something really different and odd, in a good way.
catsbooks_uk's review against another edition
4.0
I love this trilogy of books, and read them as they were released years ago. I decided to revisit the audio versions this time, and am very glad I did.
Two narrators tell the tales of the main characters, Lisa and Farrell. The former is a woman with body dysmorphia seeking surgery to 'fix' her face; the latter a fashion photographer with a supermodel girlfriend. Both find themselves in a strange hospital one night, with nobody willing to give them an answer as to why they're there, what's happening and why everything - from the slang to the social norms - is so very odd.
The audiobook is fantastic. It gripped me to the extent that my head was almost spinning when I had to stop listening, and revisiting the genuinely creepy story was its own strange pleasure. I love the world-building of the authors, and do hope they return to this world again in the future.
A definite recommend. You won't forget it, especially next time you're left alone in a hospital cubicle.
Two narrators tell the tales of the main characters, Lisa and Farrell. The former is a woman with body dysmorphia seeking surgery to 'fix' her face; the latter a fashion photographer with a supermodel girlfriend. Both find themselves in a strange hospital one night, with nobody willing to give them an answer as to why they're there, what's happening and why everything - from the slang to the social norms - is so very odd.
The audiobook is fantastic. It gripped me to the extent that my head was almost spinning when I had to stop listening, and revisiting the genuinely creepy story was its own strange pleasure. I love the world-building of the authors, and do hope they return to this world again in the future.
A definite recommend. You won't forget it, especially next time you're left alone in a hospital cubicle.
meesha84's review
1.0
DNF at page 85. This series is definitely not for me, despite the enticing blurb for this.
kayjersey's review against another edition
1.0
This was literally the most boring horror book I have ever read. That’s it, that’s all I can really say. Nothing about this scared or shocked me and it certainly didn’t have me on the edge of my seat. I was actually making a face the entire time I was reading it – my dad thought I was lying on something sharp or nursing a sore stomach. I mean I want to say something good because I don’t like being so dismissive about something which clearly people enjoyed but the disjointed language became annoying and repetitive and I didn’t care at all about the characters. I just read on – maybe that’s the positive that I finished it. I did just want to know how it was going to end by 75% point but not because I really cared. Maybe it’s just something I’m missing from not reading the first one (when I bought this I had no idea it was part of a series) but I can safely say I won’t be reading any others
angelicide's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't think it was possible to out-creep The Mall, but I was wrong. So wrong. Now not only must I avoid shopping malls, but I won't be able to set foot in a hospital again. If the authors write a book called The House, I'm screwed.
Seriously though, this is the most delightfully twisted and original horror series I've come across in years. I am anxiously awaiting the third (and hopefully not final) book. I'm sure I'll return to these stories again and again—whenever I start feeling too safe.
Seriously though, this is the most delightfully twisted and original horror series I've come across in years. I am anxiously awaiting the third (and hopefully not final) book. I'm sure I'll return to these stories again and again—whenever I start feeling too safe.
hippiechick56's review against another edition
3.0
It was so creepy. The story really played into the fear everyone has of hospitals and being vulnerable. It dragged out a little at the end which is why I gave 3 stars.
narniaru's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read the first in the series but I don't think that mattered. I really felt trapped alongside Lisa and Farrow because the first person descriptions were very gritty and real. Just, don't eat while reading.
rcy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Suicide attempt
nat1577's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book immensely. My introduction to the works of S.L Grey wasn’t the best — the first book I read, ‘The Apartment’ was quite average — but I’m glad I didn’t stop there. Ever since reading ‘The Mall’ I’ve been craving more works by this author, and this book certainly didn’t disappoint. The book was paced nicely — it didn’t feel too drawn out, or too rushed.
This was a follow up to ‘The Mall’ and I recommend you check that out first. While I don’t think you NEED to read that first to understand this, it’d definitely help understand how the Downside world works. Overall, I think this had a darker feel compared to The Mall. While reading the Mall, it had a whacky, Twilight Zone feel to it. I didn’t find it scary at all, but I still loved it because of it’s creativity and quirkiness. This book didn’t scare me, but it was definitely darker and gorier. It still had those quirky elements, but they were less apparent in the hospital setting.
About a third of the way through, there was a twist that I absolutely LOVED, and did not see coming at all. I don’t want to spoil anything for you guys, but for those of you who have read the book — the scene in the toilet stalls. You’ll probably (hopefully) know what I’m talking about. But yeah, I never saw that coming at all, but it was just so good.
Anyway yeah, this was definitely a creative, well-written book. It’s a very unique idea, and I haven’t come across anything else like this. It’s definitely something I’d recommend.
This was a follow up to ‘The Mall’ and I recommend you check that out first. While I don’t think you NEED to read that first to understand this, it’d definitely help understand how the Downside world works. Overall, I think this had a darker feel compared to The Mall. While reading the Mall, it had a whacky, Twilight Zone feel to it. I didn’t find it scary at all, but I still loved it because of it’s creativity and quirkiness. This book didn’t scare me, but it was definitely darker and gorier. It still had those quirky elements, but they were less apparent in the hospital setting.
About a third of the way through, there was a twist that I absolutely LOVED, and did not see coming at all. I don’t want to spoil anything for you guys, but for those of you who have read the book — the scene in the toilet stalls. You’ll probably (hopefully) know what I’m talking about. But yeah, I never saw that coming at all, but it was just so good.
Anyway yeah, this was definitely a creative, well-written book. It’s a very unique idea, and I haven’t come across anything else like this. It’s definitely something I’d recommend.