markedwithanm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Stalking, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death, and Bullying
allisonsmith120's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Murder, Alcohol, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual assault and Vomit
_seanna_nicole_'s review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Death
siobhanward's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Anyway, the basis of this book, rooted so deeply in a love for horror is a great idea and I just wish that it was better used.
Graphic: Death and Violence
nicolegw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Violence
fallingquinnlove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Spoiler
(Obviously, if you pick Bram's girlfriend, he is going to pick Saundra. Don't intentionally make enemies with people who scare other people for fun!)My main thing, I think, is the fact that it felt like it wanted to be a movie. It's extremely visual, and in the way that it borrows intentionally and makes explicit reference to a lot of horror movies (as opposed to horror books), I think there's something genuinely lost in the development of it as a book. I imagine it along the lines of "Do Revenge" or "Bodies Bodies Bodies".
Also, be prepared for Gen-Z language that feels a little out of place, particularly outside of dialogue.
Spoiler
It was when Saundra's POV had a line about how Rachel had been acting a little "sus" and someone else had a line about thinking that someone else should "prob/def break up".Overall though, I did enjoy it, I enjoyed the twists and the motifs
Spoiler
Everything to do with masks, especially Bram's masks, was brilliant. And I loved the Frankenstein motif, obviously, with the projector scene and the fact the masks are Frankenstein but painted, and everything about Thayer's Shelley lore drops. I also really liked what was being said about class divides in NYC schools.Graphic: Murder and Gaslighting
Moderate: Xenophobia, Drug use, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual harassment
itzbrianna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The Mary Shelley Club's fear tests start off innocent enough depending on who you ask. It's a very creative way to get back at a bully or someone who has tormented you. But the depth in which this club goes to finish the game is intricate and weaved deeper into society than even Rachel could have imagined. In my humble opinion, this is not a horror book. It's more mystery and thriller to me. Nonetheless, it was a great read.
*****The Following Section Contains Details that Could be Considered SPOILERS****
Spoiler
While I enjoyed this book, the biggest thing missing for me was the horror. I expected a higher body count and I expected more than just a mystery that turns into a murder mystery near the end of the book. There were so many questions at the end of the book as well that weren't answered. This read more like a mystery novel than a horror one. In fact, I am not sure horror fits to describe this book at all. That lack did not deter me from enjoying the story though. I just think if you are expecting a real horror story with this one, you might want to look somewhere else.Graphic: Bullying, Murder, and Stalking
Moderate: Torture and Violence
casandra_lovealwaysbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Overall, it was great for any fans of horror/slasher movies. Specifically Scream fans, which is why I picked this up!
Highly recommend if you love slasher films and mysterious school based books.
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence
cactuspunk's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Child death, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, and Classism
themoodreader's review
- 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? Yes
4.0
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Vomit