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underneathstars's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This was definitely spooky and unsettling, but at what cost? The pacing was either rushed or way too slow. The characters 2D and often felt things were over explained. The amount of times Mina looked back on her old life was annoying as we had no connection to it. I definitely skimmed through some parts as it dragged. I was not expecting the big twist at the end though or I would have rated this 2 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
amypalmer's review against another edition
challenging
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? No
4.5
This was a very good read, poetically written folk horror. I am very temped to give a 4.75 rating.
I loved the tense moments and the description of the watchers who are very interesting villians. I read this in a day.
Not overly scary but definitely tense and full of folk style horror and a great atmosphere. It reminds me of the term genius loci "spirit of a place." Where every location had a haunting and intriguing spirit, with or without the watchers. I also really like Mina's characterisation, the fact that she is a portrait artist and people watcher really added to her inner dialogue.
Lots of twists and turns which I managed to guess.
There is still some mystery in the book even at the end, however it was also left open ended as there is going to be a sequel, which is one of the reasons I lowered the rating. I'm not sure if this aspect, or even a sequel is needed. I also looks forward to seeing how the film compares.
I was a little worried for the bird at times, who I really loved, as an animal love who may also be concerned click to reveal spoilerthe bird is fine, they manage to survive till the end which was wonderful
I loved the tense moments and the description of the watchers who are very interesting villians. I read this in a day.
Not overly scary but definitely tense and full of folk style horror and a great atmosphere. It reminds me of the term genius loci "spirit of a place." Where every location had a haunting and intriguing spirit, with or without the watchers. I also really like Mina's characterisation, the fact that she is a portrait artist and people watcher really added to her inner dialogue.
Lots of twists and turns which I managed to guess.
There is still some mystery in the book even at the end, however it was also left open ended as there is going to be a sequel, which is one of the reasons I lowered the rating. I'm not sure if this aspect, or even a sequel is needed. I also looks forward to seeing how the film compares.
I was a little worried for the bird at times, who I really loved, as an animal love who may also be concerned click to reveal spoiler
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, Blood, Excrement, and Stalking
Minor: Body horror
grunbean's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a book where I wish I’d read it before seeing the film, but I still enjoyed it. The original story is better, and I was still able to enjoy the twists.
A solid entry in the horror genre. I found the folklore interesting. I wish it was explored a bit more, actually! Though there is a second book, so this could be intentional.
It is slow in paces. As the locations are limited it feels like you’re boxed in at times. However, I think avoiding this would be hard to do with the story that is being told here.
All in all, a good read that had me eager to turn the pages.
A solid entry in the horror genre. I found the folklore interesting. I wish it was explored a bit more, actually! Though there is a second book, so this could be intentional.
It is slow in paces. As the locations are limited it feels like you’re boxed in at times. However, I think avoiding this would be hard to do with the story that is being told here.
All in all, a good read that had me eager to turn the pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, and Stalking
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer
princess_marie's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, and Stalking
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Blood
Minor: Animal death
hauntedantiqueshop's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did! The ending definitely wasn’t what I wanted but it is what it is. Can’t wait to see the movie based on this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
killmoore_'s review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
I enjoyed this far more than I was expecting to, despite figuring out the big twist early on. It was well written, genuinely spooky at times (had me looking out my dark window multiple times, lol) and the characters were well flushed out.
It read like an M. Night Shyamalan movie, so I'm excited to see the film when it comes out.
It read like an M. Night Shyamalan movie, so I'm excited to see the film when it comes out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Alcohol
agustdefault's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
there are a few plotholes that don’t get resolved but i absolutely loved this!! ive seen some criticism on the pacing but i had no trouble with it at all and never found myself bored. read it in two sittings and absolutely flew through the last 50ish pages. and maybe im just an idiot but the plot twist had me Gagged
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, and Stalking
cosmicpanda's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Child abuse
annaonthepage'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed this, it was odd and unnerving enough to keep me engaged despite the writing style being slightly overwrought for my taste. It went in a direction I didn't expect at all. I found the denouement a little bit slow but the ending was quite unsettling. Unsure the reveal of infrastructure behind the mystery holds up to much scrutiny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Minor: Violence
The violence is described as quite intense but happens off-page so feels much more minor as a reader. The gaslighting is only really revealed as such towards the end, so to explain that spoils the twist, but again it's nothing too intense as a reader experience, just very evident when you're told the twist.sonygaystation's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was so much fun omg. I loved the concept and it was so perfectly eerie. The pacing could’ve maaaybe been a little better but it didn’t really detract from my enjoyment at all. The ending left me wanting for a lot more though 😭 I’m so glad the yellow one existed in this universe, it was the sweetest touch and made me happy in moments that were really tense
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, and Stalking
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail