Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Woods Are Always Watching by Stephanie Perkins

23 reviews

newandhorrible's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

"For the rest of their lives, the girls would have to keep looking over their shoulders. It was the reason why slain villains in horror movies popped back up, still alive — because there would always be another man waiting to cause harm. It would never end. The girls would never truly be safe."

Has this ever been articulated so clearly?

I've had this hardcover (signed and dedicated!!!) on my shelf since its release in 2021 and neglected it till now. It's fine.

I knew Steph Perkins would deliver us another banger horror story after There's Someone Inside Your House. There were so many compelling parts, and I was literally gagging listening to the descriptions of broken bones. Josie and Neena's friendship felt so familiar and the tension between them rang so true. 

This book is:
Part Lost Girls of Panama
Part 127 Hours
Part Cabin in the Woods
Part Other Scary Movies I Avoid Because I'm A Baby
And an absolutely compelling thrill ride.

Stay out of the forest, y'all. Read this book instead.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual assault, Blood, Death, Murder, and Rape

Minor: Car accident and Death of parent

jyllibean's review against another edition

There was a certain point where the book stopped making any sense and I was just kind of over it

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Stalking, Mental illness, and Car accident

kaylaiscool321's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Murder

Moderate: Death of parent

kaylin830's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

SPECTACULAR!!!! This book was absolutely gripping. The first 100 pages seem long and pointless but they place wonderful hints that you don’t notice until after the book. This book was gory, horrifying, and gripping. I could not put it down. I will remember this book and ‘There’s Someone Inside Your House’ with the egg timer. This book is so remarkably unique and I’m intrigued and terrified to see what else Stephanie Perkins cooks up! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Blood, Murder, Body horror, Rape, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Gore, Kidnapping, Grief, and Sexual content

agameofbooksblog's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

"The Woods Are Always Watching" by Stephanie Perkins is a gripping and atmospheric young adult thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. This book showcases Perkins' versatility as an author, taking a departure from her usual contemporary romance and diving into the realm of suspense and mystery. With its intense pacing, well-crafted suspense, and an intriguing premise, this novel easily earns its well-deserved five-star rating.

Perkins excels at creating a chilling and foreboding atmosphere, making the woods a character in its own right. The setting is beautifully described, evoking a sense of unease and making the reader feel like they are right alongside the characters, navigating the eerie and treacherous forest. The main characters, Abby and Gretchen, are relatable and well-developed, drawing readers into their personal struggles and fears. The alternating perspectives provide insight into their thoughts and motivations, adding depth to their experiences and heightening the tension as the mystery unravels.

The plot is intricately woven, with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the final pages. Perkins skillfully builds suspense, balancing moments of quiet unease with pulse-pounding action. The story explores themes of friendship, trauma, and survival, all while keeping readers on the edge of their seats. "The Woods Are Always Watching" is a thrilling and satisfying read that will appeal to fans of both mystery and psychological suspense. Perkins' venture into this genre proves her storytelling versatility and solidifies her as a talented author capable of delivering captivating narratives across different genres.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Gore, Blood, Body horror, Death, Murder, Violence, and Misogyny

Moderate: Death of parent, Stalking, Sexual assault, and Car accident

Minor: Vomit

tomato_soop's review against another edition

dark 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? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Murder, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Gore, and Death of parent

Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, and Kidnapping

Minor: Addiction, Car accident, Alcoholism, Vomit, Child abuse, and Animal death

yourstrulytay's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This was cliche in the worst way, plus any mention or inclusion of SA felt unnecessary. Additionally, neither of the characters were really all that likeable, and they were almost caricatures of who they were supposed to be. It was a fine book but not one I'd recommend to anyone, especially for that stupid ending.

Spoiler

Seriously, wtf was with the bear? It was so unsatisfying, unrealistic, and entirely random.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Death

Moderate: Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Torture, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault

Minor: Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, and Physical abuse

wirewrappedlily's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Gore, Violence, Kidnapping, Body horror, Abandonment, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death of parent, Mental illness, Grief, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

directorpurry's review

challenging dark emotional 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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual violence, Body horror, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Classism, Death, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Torture, and Excrement

Moderate: Animal death and Drug abuse

Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol

phantomgecko's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

The book goes quickly, at least.

Maybe I'm just jaded, but the lurid descriptive writing didn't fit. It felt forced and was jarringly opposed to the tone.

The characters were introduced to be unlikable. A lot of focus is given to their souring relationship, ostensibly to emphasize the true friendship that shines through in the end or whatever. However, I found the tone to be disjointed and the buildup to the horror ineffective. The book can be split into two totally different genres. A beginning teen drama with no tension or thrill, then suddenly a gory horror

Not impressed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

Moderate: Violence, Sexual violence, Murder, Gun violence, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Death of parent and Drug use