Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Cirque Berserk by Jessica Guess

4 reviews

mfrisk's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-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? Yes

3.75

This is a fun and quick slasher read full of gore and technicolor and set with dual timelines in the 80s and present day in a circus themed carnival. This book doesn’t take itself too seriously and doesn’t skimp out on the slasher moments. This book is perfect for a summer horror read and I love the references to horror movie tropes this book discusses and leans into. 

It reminds me a lot of AHS: 1984 and any number of cheesy slasher movies. There is one small twist in here but otherwise this book is a pretty straightforward and fun read so don’t go in with expectations of huge thrills and you should be able to enjoy this popcorn flick of a book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Alcohol, Murder, and Animal death

Moderate: Vomit

Minor: Body shaming

cat12345's review

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Body horror, Death, Violence, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Physical abuse, and Torture

Moderate: Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Racism, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Fatphobia, Alcohol, Body shaming, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

toofondofbooks_'s review

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

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

4.0

My rating is not based on the quality of the writing or anything like that. It is based entirely on vibes. This book was a ride from start to finish, it was funny, disgusting, horrifying, and just...camp as hell. This was my second book for summerween, filling my slasher prompt, and what a GOOD choice for that prompt. I have minor issues, but they're just that - minor. The book isn't perfect, but if you take it at face value for what it is: a good time, not deep, then you'll have a good time.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gun violence, Violence, Vomit, Torture, Racism, Gore, and Child death

Moderate: Alcohol and Sexual content

Minor: Fatphobia and Transphobia

jilldwill's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, and Vomit

Moderate: Animal death