itcamefromthepage's review
2.0
Very dated and quite bad but in a sort of charming way. There were a few really cringey scenes but for the rest of it, I mostly had a good time. Credulity and believability are out the window but it had enough Christmas in it to make me content.
fanboyriot's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I liked the mystery aspect of the plot but the dialogue and characters were really difficult to get through. It is an older book but didn’t think things would be so dated; not to mention how sexist everything was. The characters are one dimensional at best and the drama the author tried to make between them was very cliché high school vibes—if they were written by an adult who forgot their own high school experience. This book just wasn’t for me. The setting was nicely done though, so there’s that at least.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Grief, Gore, Death, Violence, Sexism, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Ableism, Animal death, and Fatphobia
amandainpa's review
2.0
2 stars for the entertainment value but there were tons of plot holes and illogical situations that made the story ridiculous.
pastelpaperback's review
4.0
Imagine taking the idea of being trapped in a mall ala Chopping Mall, minus the robots, but with an added dash of a super vindictive friend who insists on dressing up as Santa to murder, and you have Slay Bells. Sounds pretty great right?
Prepping for the grand opening of a mall during Christmas time, a group of college kids get snowed in, and are forced to basically live out my childhood dream of having the mall to themselves: they get drunk at the pub, watch whatever movies they want in the theater, partake in some bowling, try on the fanciest dresses at the nicest stores, and camp out in the furniture department.
Unfortunately, they start dying in some epic and legit ways. Popcorn machine electrocution! Planter to the head! Elevator of doom! Santa is pissed (honestly, don't throw away grandma's jam) and he's gonna take his revenge! Ho, Ho, Ho, hell yes.
Prepping for the grand opening of a mall during Christmas time, a group of college kids get snowed in, and are forced to basically live out my childhood dream of having the mall to themselves: they get drunk at the pub, watch whatever movies they want in the theater, partake in some bowling, try on the fanciest dresses at the nicest stores, and camp out in the furniture department.
Unfortunately, they start dying in some epic and legit ways. Popcorn machine electrocution! Planter to the head! Elevator of doom! Santa is pissed (honestly, don't throw away grandma's jam) and he's gonna take his revenge! Ho, Ho, Ho, hell yes.
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