Reviews

Reprieve by James Han Mattson

bratus913's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

2.0

bookishjess02's review against another edition

5.0

Definitely not horror in the traditional sense. We know from the beginning a murder has taken place, who the murderer was, and who was killed. The novel is very character-driven showing the events before, during, and after the murder through three points of view. A ‘haunted’ house does play a role, but the real horror comes from witnessing Leonard becoming more unhinged, John’s manipulation of everyone, and the racism Kendra, Bryan, & Jaidee experience while navigating life in Nebraska.

emilypsully's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• 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

3.75

erickaonpaper's review against another edition

challenging dark 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

an excellent halloween read!

kbc_dino's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

2.5

The book overall was not a good read/listen. The only reason I finished it, was due to the audio narrator whose performance was well done. I hated the majority of characters, other than Kendra and Brian. Being stuck in the other POVs was not pleasant and I just wanted them to end. 
The prose itself was fine for the most part, but the dialogue was painful with a lot of "blank said" and "blank said" back and forth and back and forth. A bit grating on the ears. 
It was more of a mystery thriller, I guess. Though the ending wasn't that surprising, since it's woven throughout with time jumps. Which were also confusing at times. 
Kendra was a solid character though. 10/10 for her. 

kokokame's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

memybooksandi's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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? No

4.0

holl3640's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

klizzie333's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• 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

elizabethzj's review against another edition

A perfect genre-defying Halloween read! I’ll recommend to fans of Grady Hendrix, Joe Hill, and When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow / Custom House for digital review copy.