Reviews with content warning for Classism - The Getaway

Reviews tagging 'Classism'

The Getaway, by Lamar Giles

9 reviews

ashylibrarian's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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? No

4.0

Wow, this book has a lot packed into it. It is dark, emotional, and horrific.

The Getaway takes place at an amusement park, known as the funnest place on Earth. What lies behind the walls of this Dinsey-like theme park is unknown to many who live within. They are told that if they stay within the walls of Karloff County, they will remain safe. This, unsurprisingly, turns out to be a lie.

Following Jay and his group of friends, readers are thrown into a dystopian world that emphasizes the ugly and utterly horrific dividing lines in the classism and racism of Karloff County.

I want to start by saying this book was good. It was really well done, and WOW does it pack a punch. I still find myself thinking about it when thinking about books to recommend and share. There is so much in this story that will bring readers in and keep their attention all the way until the end.

There were many times throughout this story that I stopped and said WTF, and I feel like that was really the intention of the author. To make readers stop and ask what the heck is happening, and why is it being allowed? Hats off to Lamar Giles for making a dystopia horror novel that sadly holds truth of our society today.

With all that being said, I do wish I got more with certain parts of the story. To keep this spoiler free, I will leave it at each this: after the initial reveal that something was fishy in Karloff County, any time after that something big and seemingly wilder than last was brought up, that was kind of it. It was just, brought up. This is still a really good book and a well-done story, I just wanted more.

I will be recommending this title.

Content Warnings

mals_reads's review

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challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Content Warnings

heshotmedown's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

"The getaway" by Lamar Giles it a young-adult, mystery book that feels like an episode straight out of black mirror.

The main characters are four teenagers -Chelle, Jay, Connie and Zeke- and their families that live and work in an extremely high-tech, world famous resort that includes various amusement/ theme parks and it meant for the scandalous rich elite. Jay is living his best life, until residents start disappearing and rich families gathering in the city, while no one talks about it. The group decides to look more into what is going on and the truth is... socking.

It was surely unsettling but it wasn't a thriller. The synopsis gave me completely different vibes. However, it was a great, fast-paced book.

It explores themes such as climate change, racial and social injustice, classism and capitalism. Although it is a dystopian setting it really does not feel so far fetched. Reading this book was hands down unsettling and caused me lots of anxiety about the world we are living in.

Before reading it, I would recommend checking out the trigger warnings. Some that come to my mind right off the bat are: suicide, murder, torture, cannibalism, racism, violence, death, hate crimes.

Content Warnings

anniereads221's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Content Warnings

onemorepagecrew's review

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challenging 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? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The Getaway by Lamar Giles was my first book from the author, and I know it won’t be my last. I loved this YA thriller/horror read and would highly recommend it to those who enjoy the genre. Even if the word “horror” has you ready to scroll on, it might be worth trying if you love YA or thrillers.

In this story we meet a group of teenage friends living in fictitious Karloff County, a mega theme park akin to one of the major parks in Florida. Seychelle, who is part of the Karloff family, and three kids whose families all work in the park; Jay, Connie, and Zeke. The four of them are close and hang out whenever they aren’t in school or at work.

One day Connie and her family move out overnight, in bizarre circumstances. Then a series of events unfolds that puts everyone’s safety at risk and creates a clear line between the wealthy and the employees of the park. I don’t want to say more on plot, it’s more fun not knowing.

The writing is great and captures the teenage dynamics (especially the banter between friends), the fictional events are dystopian yet speak to our current oppressive systems in a scary way, and there is a tense mystery that turns the pages easily.

ALSO, I know this cover is terrifying and the book is listed as horror but remember it’s YA horror. The gore is minimal, and the horror label comes from the repulsive acts committed throughout the book. The body count is high and some of the scenes are wince-inducing, but if you read The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson, you can read this book. Further, I think you’ll probably enjoy it!

Content warnings: Racism, Classism, Violence, Death (including lynching), Murder, Cannibalism

Content Warnings