rabiyar7's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
I loved part 1! I had lots of OMG moments at some reveals and twists and turns. I wish loved part two as much but I didn't, it was good and not great in my opinion. Still a bloody brilliant trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Stalking, Drug use, Drug abuse, Blood, Addiction, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Gun violence, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
boredllama's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I just finished the book and ... and I'm out of words
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Sexual harassment
rubyedwards's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
A deserving sequel. Although I didn't enjoy the second book as much, I loved the first, and this one was just as good (if not, better). Covers dark, graphic content- quite significantly more so than the first two. The plot was clever and thought through, the ending giving a sense of satisfaction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Rape, Sexual harassment, Violence, Stalking, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Death, Cursing, Blood, Animal death, and Addiction
niamhmcallister05's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
Amazing ending to the series, it’s very risky what Holly did but it worked amazing as that’s what Pips character became
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual harassment, Violence, Mental illness, and Rape
jessicasophie's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Murder, Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Grief, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Torture, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
candearangotobon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Be prepared for a lot of plot twists and very heavy scenes, I think the book should have trigger warnings for some people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Torture, Stalking, Murder, Drug abuse, Death, Vomit, Rape, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Drug use, and Blood
katheaton's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 ? maybe 4? 🌟
TW: drug abuse, selling/buying of drugs, murder, gore, blood, mention on animal killing, killing of animals, beheading of animals, threats, stalking
I am really struggling to come to terms with my rating for this book because there were so many parts that were great but many big parts that I just can't turn a blind eye to.
There isn't much about my review that hasn't been said in many other reviews. I absolutely loved the fast pace of this book. It's been awhile since a book kept me turning the pages for more, pushing me faster and faster towards the end. An ending that really left me reeling and quite disappointed with where the book had strayed.
In the first half we are given what we have associated with the first two books in the trilogy, a mystery with facts, interviews, and investigation. We are also contending with a very traumatized Pip, which is understandable for everything that she has been through. So her choices, while might seem right to her, really are up for debate in the terms of "good" or "bad". However, the book still felt like it fell into that realm of mystery and intrigue that we have grown to love in the last two books.
Then that scene happened, and if you read the book you know which one I am talking about.
Going into part two of As Good As Dead was like reading a different book with completely different characters. And I am struggling with the morals, the tone, and the change that took place. It completely deviates from Jackson's established "MO" when it comes to the trilogy and to many of us as readers it came as a complete shock and disappointment. This wasn't the same characters or plot that we have come to love.
And while Pip's character development was phenomenal and has evolved since the first book...this situation took her character development way to far and felt jarring and off course for her.
Then of course we were dealt with the ending quite rushed and unbefitting of these characters. So that's why I am struggling with what to rate this. I loved this trilogy but this is not an ending that I would have wanted for any of the characters.
One more thing. This is published as "YA" and while the first two books definitely fit in that category, this book does not in the slightest. This was like reading one my adult murder mysteries but even more intense at times.
TW: drug abuse, selling/buying of drugs, murder, gore, blood, mention on animal killing, killing of animals, beheading of animals, threats, stalking
I am really struggling to come to terms with my rating for this book because there were so many parts that were great but many big parts that I just can't turn a blind eye to.
There isn't much about my review that hasn't been said in many other reviews. I absolutely loved the fast pace of this book. It's been awhile since a book kept me turning the pages for more, pushing me faster and faster towards the end. An ending that really left me reeling and quite disappointed with where the book had strayed.
In the first half we are given what we have associated with the first two books in the trilogy, a mystery with facts, interviews, and investigation. We are also contending with a very traumatized Pip, which is understandable for everything that she has been through. So her choices, while might seem right to her, really are up for debate in the terms of "good" or "bad". However, the book still felt like it fell into that realm of mystery and intrigue that we have grown to love in the last two books.
Then that scene happened, and if you read the book you know which one I am talking about.
Spoiler
After finding about Jason Bell is the serial killer and almost being killed by him, instead of running for help, Pip decides to take justice into her own hands and turn around to bludgeon the dude with a hammer...which we could call it self defense but she had already ran away before making the decision to go back and surprise attack him...so not defense anymore.Going into part two of As Good As Dead was like reading a different book with completely different characters. And I am struggling with the morals, the tone, and the change that took place. It completely deviates from Jackson's established "MO" when it comes to the trilogy and to many of us as readers it came as a complete shock and disappointment. This wasn't the same characters or plot that we have come to love.
And while Pip's character development was phenomenal and has evolved since the first book...this situation took her character development way to far and felt jarring and off course for her.
Then of course we were dealt with the ending quite rushed and unbefitting of these characters. So that's why I am struggling with what to rate this. I loved this trilogy but this is not an ending that I would have wanted for any of the characters.
Spoiler
Even Max, he deserved to be put in prison for the actual crime he committed, rape, not for a murder he never committed. If anything this makes Pip just as bad as any other murder out there. She could have made a different choice but she didn't, she chose the worst kind of revenge.One more thing. This is published as "YA" and while the first two books definitely fit in that category, this book does not in the slightest. This was like reading one my adult murder mysteries but even more intense at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Kidnapping, Stalking, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal cruelty, Gore, Murder, Death, Animal death, and Blood
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
lilith_hmr's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This book was just crazy. Especially the second half of the book. The AGGGTM title fits perfectly to the storyline and honestly it was such a rollercoaster. I can't believe the ending though, that hurt a lot, but it was such an amazing story. This is definitely my favourite book in the series
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Violence, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Hate crime, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Deadnaming, and Cursing
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Injury/injury detail, Murder, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, and Vomit
piperhill's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
While it makes sense that the finale of the trilogy would be something a little different than the first two, this book felt really tedious. By halfway through, I felt like I was slogging through - there were so many details & descriptions of each movement or thought Pip had…I felt like it could have been a way shorter book with the same impact. I enjoyed experiencing Pip’s thought processes & the overall storyline was intriguing…but I got pretty bored toward the end, just waiting to know what would happen and not interested in the details.
Also…it felt a little over the top & difficult to believe.
Warning that this one is a lot darker than the first 2, both in the overall subject matter (serial killer/rapist/stalker) as well as the aspects of PTSD Pip is dealing with after the end of the second book.
Also…it felt a little over the top & difficult to believe.
Spoiler
Like…Pip should know that the truth almost always comes out eventually? I get that her ptsd is making her not think rationally at times, but….really? When she decided to cover up the murder, I felt so frustrated! I totally get not trusting the justice system, but…framing someone for a murder they didn’t commit & expecting that you can just go back to a normal life? she’s gonna be scarred for life & haunted with that decision, even if Max deserved to be behind bars for another crime. It felt out of character and foolish and…not a great plot twist imoWarning that this one is a lot darker than the first 2, both in the overall subject matter (serial killer/rapist/stalker) as well as the aspects of PTSD Pip is dealing with after the end of the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Addiction, Blood, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Confinement, Gore, and Stalking
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Rape, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
a_alves00's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/injury detail, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Violence