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rihanawashere's review against another edition
3.0
So I didn't hate it, however this book did get on my nerves.
In my opinion, it's very overwritten. The book could lose 100 of the pages where it's just the ramblings of Jade's mind, and still reach the conclusion just fine.
Also, the ending. I don't dislike supernatural elements, but to virtually have none throughout the book and then have THAT be the conclusion, with no lead ins, no real explanation, it just...grinds my gears.
Undecided on whether I'll read the second one in the trilogy.
In my opinion, it's very overwritten. The book could lose 100 of the pages where it's just the ramblings of Jade's mind, and still reach the conclusion just fine.
Also, the ending. I don't dislike supernatural elements, but to virtually have none throughout the book and then have THAT be the conclusion, with no lead ins, no real explanation, it just...grinds my gears.
Undecided on whether I'll read the second one in the trilogy.
jenlyn's review against another edition
4.0
Super interesting horror novel. Lots of creepy details and atmosphere. The red herrings were super fun. And best of all was prickly Jade and her love of all things slasher. I really didn't expect that ending and loved it even more for how unexpected it was. Can't wait to read the next one.
jdognimod's review against another edition
5.0
A layered love letter to slashers and the people who love them. A consumption of slasher tropes and regurgitating them for deconstruction. Can't wait for the sequel!
shaynexb's review against another edition
3.0
I'll start by saying this novel is an obvious love letter to all things Slasher, written by someone who obviously and achingly loves them.
Now, that being said, this didn't hit me the way I was hoping it would. It just...wasn't SCARY. The author's last book, [b:The Only Good Indians|52180399|The Only Good Indians|Stephen Graham Jones|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1601545259l/52180399._SY75_.jpg|71431671], was creepy to its core. But this one was a bit....hokey, I guess?
I personally had a problem following the action. It's very conversationally written, but I found myself having to go back and be like, "Wait, WTF just happened?" over and over again.
This guy's a great writer and storyteller, but I fear this is the 2nd book in a row where I had the author's previous work in mind when I went into their new one, and I just didn't think it measured up.
Now, that being said, this didn't hit me the way I was hoping it would. It just...wasn't SCARY. The author's last book, [b:The Only Good Indians|52180399|The Only Good Indians|Stephen Graham Jones|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1601545259l/52180399._SY75_.jpg|71431671], was creepy to its core. But this one was a bit....hokey, I guess?
I personally had a problem following the action. It's very conversationally written, but I found myself having to go back and be like, "Wait, WTF just happened?" over and over again.
This guy's a great writer and storyteller, but I fear this is the 2nd book in a row where I had the author's previous work in mind when I went into their new one, and I just didn't think it measured up.
adenevosirch's review against another edition
5.0
one of my all time favorite books. if i could pick just one book to accurately describe me and my taste it would be this
cindilm76's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing me with a free ebook ARC of this book in exchange for my review. I think. This one gave me nightmares! But, it was supposed to. I think.
It's been a while since I read much horror and I don't go for slasher type movies, so this was a bit shocking. Add to that many of my ARC's here have been rom-com types, and this one stands out in my mind!
If you are a horror lover, read this book. If you like horror movies, read this book. I haven't read anything by this author before - if I need a horror/bloody book for a challenge, I'll probably look up other books by him - but for a cozy mystery lover like me, this was a shock! But, I could see gripping writing, development and it did pull me in. I'll have nightmares, but it pulled me in! and that's what it's supposed to do.
It's been a while since I read much horror and I don't go for slasher type movies, so this was a bit shocking. Add to that many of my ARC's here have been rom-com types, and this one stands out in my mind!
If you are a horror lover, read this book. If you like horror movies, read this book. I haven't read anything by this author before - if I need a horror/bloody book for a challenge, I'll probably look up other books by him - but for a cozy mystery lover like me, this was a shock! But, I could see gripping writing, development and it did pull me in. I'll have nightmares, but it pulled me in! and that's what it's supposed to do.
amandamlyons's review against another edition
5.0
Jade is a girl who loves her slasher movies, not just any old horror, not werewolves and vampires, not ghost stories without structure and rules, just slashers. Slashers act with purpose, they're silent, deadly, and relentless. They can be relied on to arrive just when they're needed and provide more than enough chaos, and Jade knows that her little town, a little run-down lake town called Proofrock, is just dying to have one. See, Jade pays attention, she studies the rules, she knows her Slasher movies, and there are plenty of reasons her town has already got the makings of a slasher story all ready to go if she can just arrange the workings of her life to allow her to pay attention enough. Be ready enough to witness it. All she needs is a final girl and the ability to figure out which of the old stories of her town will pay off-ok, and also finishing out this whole high school thing, and getting her dad to leave her alone. If she can just do that, if she can just make it through long enough to have everything in her life somewhat in order no matter how much everyone else doesn't get it, Jade will have it made- Or so she thinks.
My Heart is a Chainsaw is easily one of my favorite books of the last five years. There's everything here, the joy of a lead character who's genuinely engaging and complex, equally complex and interesting secondary characters with their own narratives, a town with lots of detail and intrigue which we feel like we can slip right into, all the bloody gore slasher fans have been in love with since the seventies, and plot twists and turns that have the reader gleefully following Jade's narrative one minute and emotionally engaged and moved the next. I love nothing better than a book that pulls me in with its narrative and gives me an idea that I know where we're going, then surprises me by taking on a whole new direction or doing a 180 and going somewhere completely counter to my expectations. This book absolutely does everything it set out to do. I really hope people enjoy it as much as I did, especially my fellow horror nerd girls!
My Heart is a Chainsaw is easily one of my favorite books of the last five years. There's everything here, the joy of a lead character who's genuinely engaging and complex, equally complex and interesting secondary characters with their own narratives, a town with lots of detail and intrigue which we feel like we can slip right into, all the bloody gore slasher fans have been in love with since the seventies, and plot twists and turns that have the reader gleefully following Jade's narrative one minute and emotionally engaged and moved the next. I love nothing better than a book that pulls me in with its narrative and gives me an idea that I know where we're going, then surprises me by taking on a whole new direction or doing a 180 and going somewhere completely counter to my expectations. This book absolutely does everything it set out to do. I really hope people enjoy it as much as I did, especially my fellow horror nerd girls!
emcat25's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not usually a slasher fan, but after Final Girl Support Group, I thought I'd give it a try! Very compelling protagonist and clever narration.
ruth_bookaddict's review against another edition
Just not excited to pick up - not into subject from start.
waxbiplane's review against another edition
4.0
Laws, all I want to do is stare out the window, alternately listening to audiobooks and watching Inspector Lewis online. This was a really great book, pulling off that great difficulty of interrogating a genre while existing within that genre. Jade was SUCH a good protagonist, frustrating and rad in just the right proportions. I learned a good deal about slasher films that I still have little desire to experience directly, but the breadth of knowledge on display by Jones is truly impressive. The ending left me wanting just a little more, but at the same time, I accept that it ends in the way many slasher films do, with a sense of hope, but with more of a sense of dread for what happens next.
I don't recommend if you have other things you need to be doing as it is QUITE propulsive and difficult to stop once you've started, but if you have the ear space to fill, it's great. The reader did an excellent job as well.
I don't recommend if you have other things you need to be doing as it is QUITE propulsive and difficult to stop once you've started, but if you have the ear space to fill, it's great. The reader did an excellent job as well.