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harrietj's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
1.75
This is a generally readable thriller with horror around the edges.
The book has a quote from Stephen King on the front cover - 'If you like my stuff, you'll like this'. I'm not sure if this was meant as a compliment or a sideways accusation of blatant plagiarism. The best parts of this book were lifted so directly from It that I almost couldn't believe CJ Tudor got away with it. I recently read Tudor's The Taking of Annie Thorne, and made obvious comparisons to King's Pet Semetary, but this was shameless. Entire scenes, like the rock fight by the stream, are taken directly from King's bestseller - how is this allowed? One of the characters has the exact same habit of doing impressions of American talk show hosts that Richie has in It. And at one point, Tudor uses the EXACT analogy regarding unfair resolutions to cliffhangers in media that Annie Wilkes does in Misery - 'he didn't get out of the cockadoodie car!' becomes a whinge about cliffhangers in Doctor Who. This entire book is barefacedly rehashed King, and it's distracting and bizarre to read. Additionally, outside of the King rip-offs, it's just not very well written.
But, the good: I really liked the very final twist, right at the end. It tied up a loose end, it was creepy, and it was original. Liked that. Also, the descriptions of Alzheimer's throughout the book, and that zinger right at the end, were really effective. By far the most terrifying and sad parts of the book, and absolutely responsible for one of the stars in this rating.
The book has a quote from Stephen King on the front cover - 'If you like my stuff, you'll like this'. I'm not sure if this was meant as a compliment or a sideways accusation of blatant plagiarism. The best parts of this book were lifted so directly from It that I almost couldn't believe CJ Tudor got away with it. I recently read Tudor's The Taking of Annie Thorne, and made obvious comparisons to King's Pet Semetary, but this was shameless. Entire scenes, like the rock fight by the stream, are taken directly from King's bestseller - how is this allowed? One of the characters has the exact same habit of doing impressions of American talk show hosts that Richie has in It. And at one point, Tudor uses the EXACT analogy regarding unfair resolutions to cliffhangers in media that Annie Wilkes does in Misery - 'he didn't get out of the cockadoodie car!' becomes a whinge about cliffhangers in Doctor Who. This entire book is barefacedly rehashed King, and it's distracting and bizarre to read. Additionally, outside of the King rip-offs, it's just not very well written.
But, the good: I really liked the very final twist, right at the end. It tied up a loose end, it was creepy, and it was original. Liked that. Also, the descriptions of Alzheimer's throughout the book, and that zinger right at the end, were really effective. By far the most terrifying and sad parts of the book, and absolutely responsible for one of the stars in this rating.
araceliream's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Pedophilia
berny55's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
anxious_jay's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Violence, Cursing, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Sexual harassment, and Animal death
Moderate: Abortion and Child abuse
jpmachado's review against another edition
5.0
Li esse livro, quase em grande parte a noite em meu pequeno e gélido quarto, que para variar estivera sem lâmpada. Ou seja, a luz de abajur, ate altas horas. Embora, houvesse momentos que me sentia observado, me senti muito atraído não pelo medo mas pelo mistério.
Como o livro não é linear, com seu locutor viajando do presente (2016) ao passado (1986). Então o livro te entrega muitos "spoilers" que em geral não se encaixam, como um quebra cabeças sem todas as peças ate o fim da ultima pagina.
Parte do charme do livro, é ser narrado em parte por crianças nem tão inocentes e adultos tão culpados quanto. Todo o clima sombrio e sóbrio, todas as estranhezas e nuances não havendo inocentes. Toda a humanidade, seus segredos e medos representados de modo exemplar. Sem que eu ainda tenha falado da escrita envolvente e perturbadora.
Obs: cenas muito pesadas, acho que a classificação deve ser +18 mas só tenho 17 anos.
Recomendo!!!!
Como o livro não é linear, com seu locutor viajando do presente (2016) ao passado (1986). Então o livro te entrega muitos "spoilers" que em geral não se encaixam, como um quebra cabeças sem todas as peças ate o fim da ultima pagina.
Parte do charme do livro, é ser narrado em parte por crianças nem tão inocentes e adultos tão culpados quanto. Todo o clima sombrio e sóbrio, todas as estranhezas e nuances não havendo inocentes. Toda a humanidade, seus segredos e medos representados de modo exemplar. Sem que eu ainda tenha falado da escrita envolvente e perturbadora.
Obs: cenas muito pesadas, acho que a classificação deve ser +18 mas só tenho 17 anos.
Recomendo!!!!
catarina_sequeira's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ahoeft09's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this (audio)book! When done right, the use of present day and past day is extremely effective, and author C.J. Tudor did a wonderful job of building up the suspense throughout the story. I really enjoyed the writing style and the descriptions, and the characters were all well created.
honorreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.5
What a great book! I love the work of C.J Tudor, I find their work to be super intriguing and keep me guessing. The best part of a story is putting the pieces together, but somehow she keeps just enough information till the end of the book to keep everything a surprise. I hope they write more, I look forward to every story
kesslahh's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0