meeshell89's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Bullying, Death, Murder, and Rape
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Religious bigotry, Blood, Animal death, and Dementia
Minor: Car accident
lvdani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Abortion, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
seraphina2000's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Suicide, Child abuse, and Terminal illness
lydiavsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Also some really great (tragically current) commentary on abortion, and the very real fear of alzeimer's and memory loss.
I did want it to be a lil' spookier though, I feel like it kinda sold itself as horror/thriller and the premise could have easily allowed for some more creepy elements
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, Chronic illness, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Death, Child abuse, Dementia, Murder, Pedophilia, and Suicidal thoughts
chloeknight's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Abortion and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism
schwi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Dementia, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Sexual assault, Gore, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Alcoholism
megpadams's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Spoiler
- Wtf was that ending! I low key expected it because there were hints all the way through but it was so sudden!
- I really wanted it to turn out to be supernatural
- Still not entirely sure about the dreams- trauma or was Ed starting to show symptoms of dementia like his dad?
- Did we ever find out who was murdered in the playground a few generations before?
- Was the traveller man at the fair actually the reverend?
Graphic: Abortion, Alcoholism, Animal death, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Terminal illness
theirgracegrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Pregnancy, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Child abuse, Child death, Bullying, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion, Religious bigotry, Vomit, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Body horror, Death of parent, Violence, Dementia, Drug use, Gaslighting, and Grief
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Violence
tayahmarie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
However, I did enjoy the story for what it was. I thought the plot was unique, I was invested in the characters/their fate, and it was insanely gripping. Like I mentioned in previous posts, I love dual timelines and Tudor executed it well here. My interest in wanting to find out everything I could about what happened in the past and the present day was equal.
The idea of some crazed killer drawing Chalk Men symbols around your hometown (much less a crime scene) is terrifying. Tudor is phenomenal when it comes to imagery and documenting some of the most gnarly and gruesome scenes, as well as just downright CREEPY (the church scene/one of Eddie’s nightmares towards the end? WTF!) There were a few paragraphs I had to bypass because I could actually picture what was going on and wanted to jump out of my skin and throw the book across my room. It was disgusting! That’s how you know someone’s a good writer in that realm, lol. Also, I definitely recommend looking up trigger warnings prior to reading this because there are A LOT. I wish I would’ve because I was completely caught off guard.
Final Thoughts: Overall, this was good. Really good. It was very reminiscent of a Stephen King novel (as if I read more than one book of his 😅). Lastly, this story has me looking at EVERYONE suspect 👀 - it’s pretty crazy when you think about how you don’t REALLY know someone. That goes for your family, your friends, co-workers, the person you’re sitting next to on a train/plane, etc. We all keep secrets, yes, but some are more dangerous, deadly, and downright depraved than others. The quote I chose, in the beginning, is a true sentiment to this little novel, especially the ending 😶!
Graphic: Sexual violence, Gore, Body horror, Alcoholism, Religious bigotry, Murder, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Blood, Animal death, and Adult/minor relationship