apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Colonisation, and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Domestic abuse
warlocksarecool21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Spoiler
I thought the idea that Alon was raised by the Diwata and acts as His conscience was really intriguing, that a human could be so loved and valued by this ancient god. I also adored Askal, I love little weirdo monster dogs. I knew he had to be something more than a dog bc of how perceptive he was and I was so excited I was right.In regards to the plot/writing, I thought the author did a good job shrouding everything in mystery, even though Alon is our protagonist, they’re kind of an unreliable narrator so it’s like we’re figuring it out with the rest of the crew. While I did like watching Hemlock and the other producers get their comeuppance, I felt that the commentary surrounding their sins was a little heavy-handed but that didn’t bother me too much. I wish the relationship between Alon and Chase was developed a bit more, I wasn’t really convinced that they liked each other than they were both hot and the same age but I am a cranky asexual.
Finally, even though the writing was purposely detached at times, the creepiness and suspense throughout the book was really done. The significance of the balete trees and the mahakiya plants was really interesting to me, and I was definitely weirded out at times. The balete monsters and everything else the Diwata conjured up definitely gave me the same creepy vibes as all the creatures and weirdness of the Upside Down in Stranger Things, so if you liked that element of the show you’ll probably enjoy this book.
This is a creepy yet fun YA horror and I definitely recommend it.
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Racism, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
awkwardimagination's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Grief, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, and Cursing
Moderate: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Gaslighting, Car accident, Animal death, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Medical content, Infidelity, Colonisation, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, and Suicide
jessereadsthings's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.0
Graphic: Gore, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Animal death and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, and Rape
guessgreenleaf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, and Racial slurs
Minor: Sexual assault
shadowspinner's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Gun violence, Racism, Death, and Murder
Minor: Car accident and Sexual assault
madamenovelist'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
4.5
Graphic: Gore, Xenophobia, Death, Cursing, Blood, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
The sexual assault is only referenced in the past. The animal death turns out to not *actually* be a death but it’s still upsetting for a moment.noahsingh's review
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Gun violence
Moderate: Vomit and Colonisation
Minor: Death of parent, Rape, Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Body horror
onthesamepage's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This isn't a perfect book by any means, but I really enjoyed my time with it. I loved the creepy island vibes, the Filipino myths, the commentary on colonization and racism. I also loved that this was about a group of white people who go to a remote island, ignore all the warnings from local civilians, have zero respect for the culture and religion of the place, and then suffer for it by getting picked off one by one. Alon makes for a great main character, although I do think Askal the dog stole the show a little. I liked the twists and turns this story took, and was pretty satisfied with the ending.
I also really liked the inclusion of lines in Tagalog, but I've been told by a Filipina friend that the Tagalog reads a little stilted. I also looked up a few other reviews, and this one by Kate also mentions the Tagalog, and goes a step further to say that it was the wrong language to use for the region the island is supposed to be located in.
Graphic: Body horror and Alcoholism
Minor: Sexual assault