cursivewolf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.0
grief and guilt are both monsters
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Body horror, Cannibalism, Car accident, Death, Eating disorder, and Gore
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Cancer and Eating disorder
livlamentloathe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
And I set myself up for that too. I was trying to predict the twist. In actuality, there wasn’t enough there. A lot of hyped up secrets only for them to fall flat. A lot of build up only to blow away in the wind. And it was so close to queer but was not, my biggest disappointment of all. Don’t hope for surprise lesbians, you will be disappointed.
Graphic: Body horror and Blood
Moderate: Gore, Toxic friendship, Classism, Stalking, Infidelity, Death, Eating disorder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident and Cancer
heypretty52's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Body horror
Minor: Blood, Death, Eating disorder, Death of parent, Grief, Vomit, Cancer, Violence, Gore, and Infidelity
slimepuppy'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
The body horror is genuinely disgusting and disturbing, and I'm not someone who is usually fazed by it. The beginning of the book builds such an oppressive atmosphere, you can't help but start to feel like Elise's growing paranoia is spreading to you, too.
The characters are complex, multidimensional and flawed while still retaining enough of a charm that shows why they're friends.
My only complaint really is the very ending of the book - I wish we got more of an exploration of the feelings and an in depth talk between the characters instead of them simply acknowledging each other's feelings - it doesn't really seem like things changed, even if the characters say it did.
Also wtf did the authoritie do about the hotel L O L ??????
Graphic: Death, Grief, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Eating disorder, Vomit, Addiction, Alcohol, Cancer, Gore, and Death of parent
ilaxaria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Vomit, Body horror, Death, Grief, and Infidelity
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Cancer, Classism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Ableism and Sexual content
lovesit1892'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
5.0
There was a line in this book that gave me literal chills, and as a ghosty, ghouly, macabre-loving weirdo, that never happens to me while reading books. The small, blink-and-you'll-miss-them details that give a sense of something being "off" were so subtle and perfectly placed that it kept the creeping dread slowly escalating throughout the entire book. The setting felt so realistic--from
Spoiler
the try-hard, trendy/creepy boutique hotel to the dreary New England weather--that it was easy to imagine all of the absolutely unhinged occurrences actually happening.Spoiler
I don't normally like dialogue driven books, especially centering around a young adult friend group like this one (the friendship dynamic usually feels forced and cheesy), but Harrison does a superb job of showcasing the individual voice and personality of each character. She really captures the emotions and growing pains that these women go through while navigating their friend's disappearance and subsequent "return," and the strain that it puts on their friendships. This is a great narrative on grief, friendship, growing pains, and social dynamics told through the lens of contemporary horror.
Graphic: Blood, Death, Eating disorder, Body horror, and Gore
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, Death of parent, and Stalking
canthelpbutloveit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Gore, and Eating disorder
Minor: Cancer, Vomit, Infidelity, and Death of parent
uhhlexiconic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Vomit, Alcohol, Cannibalism, Toxic friendship, Body horror, Violence, Animal death, and Blood
Moderate: Cancer
cjblates's review against another edition
- 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: Murder, Blood, Toxic friendship, Body horror, Death, Gore, and Grief
Minor: Cancer and Car accident
smahlcat'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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Eating disorder, Grief, Infidelity, Violence, Vomit, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, and Stalking
Minor: Cancer and Addiction