gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Details:
Narrated by Patrick Wilson
Unabridgedย
I really wanted to take part in this group read so for the first time, I purchased more credits!
This was a fun read. Once we got into the meat of the horror, it had me in mind of the Day of the Triffids. I think I'd be interested in reading more plant based horror.
The body horror was quite grim (in a good way), but I didn't find that it made my stomach turn or had me feeling nauseated.
There were no distinct chapters, which made it hard to pause but helped to amplify the blurred lines of time as terror set in for the characters.
The characters themselves weren't very likeable but felt believable for the most part, though some feeling more 2D (or more caricatures of a person) than others. I think my favourites were Matthias and Pablo.
I don't think this will be a strong story that would be very memorable long term, for me, but it was fun for whilst I was listening, I'd recommend it to others and I'd be interested in giving the movie adaptation a go.
Graphic: Medical trauma, Torture, Death, Violence, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Gore, Gaslighting, Excrement, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Racism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Confinement, Cursing, Toxic friendship, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Suicide, Sexual content, Racial slurs, Grief, Cannibalism, Body horror, and Abandonment
Minor: Cannibalism
traa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Medical trauma, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Body horror, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Death, Medical content, Alcohol, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Cannibalism, Excrement, Gun violence, and Vomit
Minor: Rape, Drug use, Sexual content, and Racism
hannanni41's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual content, Blood, Suicide, and Gore
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, Stalking, Racism, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
bookishpriest'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
1.0
The writing is good. Clear, readable narrative does not get in the way of the story. If only there were more story to share.
The characters are a study in shallow, overplayed tropes: young Americans on vacation making stupid decisions; goofy "foreigners" (Greek, in this case) who are unintelligible to the main characters; inscrutable "locals" (Mayans, in this case) who endanger the main characters without explanation or any development beyond being hostile; male characters who are trying very hard to organize things and save everyone; female characters who are inexplicably selfish, silly, and remarkably horny.
The "horror" in the book seems mostly to be detailed descriptions of bodily functions - both human and animal - that don't add much to the story or sense of foreboding from a slowly encroaching threat that I think the author was trying to build. The conclusion of the book is foregone within the first 30% or so and the rest felt like a long and painful wait to get there.
This felt very much like an excellent novella that was stretched with a great deal of unnecessary filler.
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Gore, Blood, Excrement, Medical trauma, and Sexual content
Moderate: Racism
madarauchiha's review
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
It's a book. It's incredibly racist in its portrayal of people of color and indigenous people. A lot of it just doesn't make sense.
Graphic: Racism