satan_is_back's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
reads_vicariously's review
5.0
I haven’t read a lot of slashers, but I know enough about the genre to recognize this as an old-school throwback to 80s nostalgia and horror. Not only is it tense and bloody, but it’s also a lot of fun! I realized just how fun once I put the book down and could breath again. I’m not kidding when I say this book had me on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the second half!
Despite an extended first half void of many scares, I sped through this book. I actually enjoyed the longer set up: getting to know the kids and understanding their dynamics to each other and the camp. As a teacher I felt like protagonists are incredibly realistic characters, and I’ll admit I felt for Counselor Sheehan having to put up with their shenanigans haha
But again, that second half
Despite an extended first half void of many scares, I sped through this book. I actually enjoyed the longer set up: getting to know the kids and understanding their dynamics to each other and the camp. As a teacher I felt like protagonists are incredibly realistic characters, and I’ll admit I felt for Counselor Sheehan having to put up with their shenanigans haha
But again, that second half
junglefish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
2.5
michelles_teaandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
3.75
svangleboyer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Kill River is a good horror novel with a great suspenseful atmosphere, a classic slasher plot, and takes place in a water park so what more could you want, right? Also, just look at the COVER!! It is so perfect and had attracted me to book in the first place.
I have always been a big 80's slasher fan, so I loved the storyline because it was perfection. The only issue that I had was that is a bit of slow start but once the action started, it was none stop suspense. I couldn't put it down.
The characters were interesting though a bit immature and annoying at times since they are teenagers. I really loved that the female characters were not afraid to get in there and defend themselves instead of just running around and screaming.
I highly recommend Kill River to all fans of slashers because it definitely delivers!!
I have always been a big 80's slasher fan, so I loved the storyline because it was perfection. The only issue that I had was that is a bit of slow start but once the action started, it was none stop suspense. I couldn't put it down.
The characters were interesting though a bit immature and annoying at times since they are teenagers. I really loved that the female characters were not afraid to get in there and defend themselves instead of just running around and screaming.
I highly recommend Kill River to all fans of slashers because it definitely delivers!!
thedustbunnyslibrary's review
4.0
3.8 rounded up.
At the start of the book, the simplistic, sort of juvenile, writing style with a desperate attempt to cram as many 80’s references into the first few pages as possible made me hesitant to keep reading. But I’m glad I did! Despite redundancies and really basic sentence structure I had sooo much fun once I warmed up to it!!
The characters, especially the boys, reminded me of kids I went to school with, so there was some nostalgic charm in them. I loved the dialogue, the visuals in this book are great, there’s some cheesiness which is what you want in an 80s slasher. Stupid decisions are made. The pacing’s on the slow side but it kept me on the edge of my seat and I loved it.
I thought the Smiley was a little cliche, a better mascot definitely could’ve been thought up. And the kids being 13/14 was an odd choice, maybe 15/16 would’ve been a little better if not only because that’s closer to the age we normally see in teen slashers. The last few chapters dragged a bit but nothing unbearable. Overall these “flaws” didn’t make a huge difference to me, and I completely loved the (predictable) end of the story! This was an exciting summertime read!
At the start of the book, the simplistic, sort of juvenile, writing style with a desperate attempt to cram as many 80’s references into the first few pages as possible made me hesitant to keep reading. But I’m glad I did! Despite redundancies and really basic sentence structure I had sooo much fun once I warmed up to it!!
The characters, especially the boys, reminded me of kids I went to school with, so there was some nostalgic charm in them. I loved the dialogue, the visuals in this book are great, there’s some cheesiness which is what you want in an 80s slasher. Stupid decisions are made. The pacing’s on the slow side but it kept me on the edge of my seat and I loved it.
I thought the Smiley was a little cliche, a better mascot definitely could’ve been thought up. And the kids being 13/14 was an odd choice, maybe 15/16 would’ve been a little better if not only because that’s closer to the age we normally see in teen slashers. The last few chapters dragged a bit but nothing unbearable. Overall these “flaws” didn’t make a huge difference to me, and I completely loved the (predictable) end of the story! This was an exciting summertime read!
rschroeder88's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
sorapandora's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was a lot of fun. Don’t expect fantastic writing - this is more of a grown-up Goosebumps, sprinkled with a bunch of F-bombs.
Things I loved:
❤️ 80s nostalgia and new wave soundtrack
❤️ Abandoned water park setting
❤️ Cyndi was a likable final girl
A few things that bothered me:
1️⃣ Why was there a theme park being built in the middle of the woods?(???) And why didn’t anyone in the area seem to know about it??
2️⃣ These kids haven’t eaten anything but a Twinkie in over a day - My fat ass couldn’t stop wondering why they didn’t spend any time looking for a food court or vending machine (or why a theme park wouldn’t have either)!
3️⃣ The killer had absolutely no back story or explanation. I kept waiting for some hint as to who he was.
4️⃣ So, after all that… the water park is still gonna open?
Things I loved:
❤️ 80s nostalgia and new wave soundtrack
❤️ Abandoned water park setting
❤️ Cyndi was a likable final girl
A few things that bothered me:
1️⃣ Why was there a theme park being built in the middle of the woods?(???) And why didn’t anyone in the area seem to know about it??
2️⃣ These kids haven’t eaten anything but a Twinkie in over a day - My fat ass couldn’t stop wondering why they didn’t spend any time looking for a food court or vending machine (or why a theme park wouldn’t have either)!
3️⃣ The killer had absolutely no back story or explanation. I kept waiting for some hint as to who he was.
4️⃣ So, after all that… the water park is still gonna open?
sunshine_honey19's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
This book started out kinda slow, but once it got going, then it went *going.* I don't often get scared from reading, but there were some scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. This was a wonderful love letter to the paperback slashers from the 80s so if you have any fond feelings for that genre, I highly recommend this book. It's a perfect summer book and I can't wait to read the sequels.
cabrera_bre's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0