Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

172 reviews

moonlitowl's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense

5.0

This book was wild, in all the ways I like. I had seen the film a few years ago and I still found the story incredibly tense and heartbreaking. Highly recommend if you like books that bend reality in a way.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

cen0z0ic_me's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I actually watched the Netflix movie (directed by Charlie Kaufman) before I read the book. They have the same bone structure and ending, but the journey they take you on is so different it was like I was experiencing the story for the first time. I highly recommend both.

The writing was phenomenal. It was just complex and clever enough to keep me engaged while not being pretentious. I love stories that are non-linear and that mess with your perception of reality, and if you do too you'll love this book. It's like putting together the pieces of a puzzle, trying to figure out what is actually going on. It kept me on the edge of my seat.

The pacing was generally pretty good. Reid knows when to speed up and when to slow down so it best fits the narrative. There is one part near the end that I think goes on for a bit too long and that was a bit distracting, But overall, the pacing was good. The characters are compelling and add to the confusion of the narrative. 

This is a horror novel, so make sure you check the listed content warnings before engaging in this material. 

Overall if you're a fan of psychological thrillers that mess with your perceptions of reality, suspense, and you don't mind a bit of gore and some heavy themes, you'll love this book!! I also HIGHLY recommend this audiobook. It does some fun things with the narration near the end.

Full review with spoilers here: https://open.substack.com/pub/mediathatmakesus/p/im-thinking-of-ending-things-iain?r=1gr0he&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, and Suicide

trip2reverie's review

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Moderate: Animal death and Blood

elisha002's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

conniemarch's review

dark reflective 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

4.25

I alternated between the audiobook and the ebook when reading this – the narrator's performance was incredible, but I think some context is missed when listening to it.

The book was very well written and I think I enjoyed it more having already seen the movie. The way the author

adds clues to the ending throughout the whole book

is fantastic.

One caveat: if you're struggling with your mental health, I would not recommend this book at all.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

azbaloney's review

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, and Suicide

zackneuman's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense 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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Suicide, and Stalking

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Dementia, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders

gentle_garbage_baby's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-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

3.5

Pretty good read. A little confusing in parts but it all comes together in the end in a very poetic way.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Death, Suicide, Blood, and Stalking

Minor: Mental illness

magicmikel's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide

Minor: Animal death

ewwa18's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis