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sammybee's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Gore, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Murder
torturedreadersdept'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
crabbynico's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Now I’m dipping into spoiler territory.
And speaking of the killer. Maybe there were clues sprinkled throughout the book. Maybe with better pacing, they would have stood out more. Maybe it wasn’t an entire ass-pull. But it sure felt like one. The kind that leaves unanswered questions. Why did Theo Mondragon kill the construction “grunts”? Why was he still gunning for Shooting Glasses even after he saved the kids? Was that one scum bag involved with the sheriff’s daughter’s drowning part of the same killings, or was that good old revenge? What of Grayson Brust, who we never saw but was described in a way that would suggest he was possessed by the spirit that was apparently off fully corporeal and doing its own thing?
The Scream films were referenced many times throughout this book and were a clear inspiration. The problem with that is that the later films don’t hold up to a shred of scrutiny in the same way this story doesn’t. There may be answers to these questions, but we don’t get them. Maybe you have to read the sequel for that? But as a reader who loves a tight mystery, where all the puzzle pieces eventually fall into place, I was left less than satisfied.
All that harsh criticism out of the way, I’m giving it 3.5 stars. It may have been a slog at times, it could have benefited from heavy editing (and trimming) and it may not have stuck the landing—but I also couldn’t wait to get off work to finish it, so it clearly built enough suspense to keep me hooked. I’ll even read the sequel (already have it checked out from the library anyway). You can have a good time with this book, especially if you enjoy slashers. Just maybe take some of the hype with a pinch of salt.
Graphic: Gore and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual violence
scockroft's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Sexual violence, Blood, and Suicide attempt
strawbrifieldsforever's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Incest, Sexual violence, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
heckyeaheather's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
It can be a bit slow going sometimes, spending some time in our main characters thoughts and getting a bit wordy. Great first book of 2024!
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Rape
nurseturkey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide attempt
lancemama's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death
chicken_steadicam's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
creativeerosion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence