Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - The Woods Are Always Watching

SPECTACULAR!!!! This book was absolutely gripping. The first 100 pages seem long and pointless but they place wonderful hints that you don’t notice until after the book. This book was gory, horrifying, and gripping. I could not put it down. I will remember this book and ‘There’s Someone Inside Your House’ with the egg timer. This book is so remarkably unique and I’m intrigued and terrified to see what else Stephanie Perkins cooks up!

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agameofbooksblog's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

"The Woods Are Always Watching" by Stephanie Perkins is a gripping and atmospheric young adult thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. This book showcases Perkins' versatility as an author, taking a departure from her usual contemporary romance and diving into the realm of suspense and mystery. With its intense pacing, well-crafted suspense, and an intriguing premise, this novel easily earns its well-deserved five-star rating.

Perkins excels at creating a chilling and foreboding atmosphere, making the woods a character in its own right. The setting is beautifully described, evoking a sense of unease and making the reader feel like they are right alongside the characters, navigating the eerie and treacherous forest. The main characters, Abby and Gretchen, are relatable and well-developed, drawing readers into their personal struggles and fears. The alternating perspectives provide insight into their thoughts and motivations, adding depth to their experiences and heightening the tension as the mystery unravels.

The plot is intricately woven, with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the final pages. Perkins skillfully builds suspense, balancing moments of quiet unease with pulse-pounding action. The story explores themes of friendship, trauma, and survival, all while keeping readers on the edge of their seats. "The Woods Are Always Watching" is a thrilling and satisfying read that will appeal to fans of both mystery and psychological suspense. Perkins' venture into this genre proves her storytelling versatility and solidifies her as a talented author capable of delivering captivating narratives across different genres.

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tomato_soop's review

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dark tense medium-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? It's complicated

3.5

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yourstrulytay's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

2.5

This was cliche in the worst way, plus any mention or inclusion of SA felt unnecessary. Additionally, neither of the characters were really all that likeable, and they were almost caricatures of who they were supposed to be. It was a fine book but not one I'd recommend to anyone, especially for that stupid ending.

Spoiler

Seriously, wtf was with the bear? It was so unsatisfying, unrealistic, and entirely random.

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wirewrappedlily's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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? It's complicated

2.5

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directorpurry's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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? Yes

3.25

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phantomgecko's review

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dark fast-paced

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

2.25

The book goes quickly, at least.

Maybe I'm just jaded, but the lurid descriptive writing didn't fit. It felt forced and was jarringly opposed to the tone.

The characters were introduced to be unlikable. A lot of focus is given to their souring relationship, ostensibly to emphasize the true friendship that shines through in the end or whatever. However, I found the tone to be disjointed and the buildup to the horror ineffective. The book can be split into two totally different genres. A beginning teen drama with no tension or thrill, then suddenly a gory horror

Not impressed.

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rosesofthespring's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

I'm using spoiler tags because the main threat of the book is not revealed until deep into the page count. Aside from revealing the threat and my issues with it, the spoilers are minimal and do not pertain to the plot.

A thrilling quick read. My rating would be higher if

Spoiler

the actions of the villains weren't immediately blamed on their bad (addict, sex worker) mothers. Most of the book is so delightfully anti-sexism, then it trips and falls into the "the bad actions of men can be blamed on failed women" trope. Ms. Perkins, you didn't have to do that.

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