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bashsbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
To be honest, The Merciless was not what I would call a great book. I started it three or four times before I finally committed to finishing it - and the only reason I felt compelled to do that is because I impulse-bought the entire series at Barnes & Noble six or so years ago. This is billed as a teen horror on par with Stephen King, which is a laughable comparison. The plot twists were predictable and boring, and not much actually happened, despite Vega's desperate attempts to make it seem like there was a lot going on. It was just a slog through a nothing burger. Also, gore and grossness alone don't make a piece of media good horror. They have to serve a particular theme or plot in an interesting way. This book had so much potential, too, in its premise - a teen mil brat moves to a new town and gets embroiled with religion? That's a great premise. But it was rushed and it was nothing. Disappointing.
I may eventually read the other three books... but only because they're sitting on my shelf collecting dust.
I may eventually read the other three books... but only because they're sitting on my shelf collecting dust.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Torture, Toxic friendship, Violence, Vomit, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
-Graphic descriptions of insects (specifically cockroaches) -Religious traumasphinxofblackquartz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Death, and Torture
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, and Suicide
maryshelleys's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i can't remember any time where i was able to sit down with a book and read it front to back like i did with this book. i know it's just trashy mean girls like other reviewers have said, but i'll be damned (no pun intended) if i wasn't entertained from beginning to end.
there's a lot that could have been explored more and i'll admit that the plot was a bit messy, but since this is the first in a series, i'm willing to let that slide a little bit for the fact that i was entranced the entire time. i can't wait to get my hands on the rest of this series.
also, brooklyn having been possessed the whole time? it opens so many doors for the sequels, and i'm so excited to see where this goes!
there's a lot that could have been explored more and i'll admit that the plot was a bit messy, but since this is the first in a series, i'm willing to let that slide a little bit for the fact that i was entranced the entire time. i can't wait to get my hands on the rest of this series.
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, Gore, and Torture
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Animal death and Animal cruelty
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