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borrowmybookjacket's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Kidnapping, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
It is graphic. Do not read if you are triggered by anything bad happening to confirm.splatteredbastard's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
CWs: abuse (physical, verbal, sexual), rape, molestation, child abuse, incest, pedophilia, murder, violence, gore, masturbation, sex, animal abuse/death, child death/violence/abuse, blood, urine, feces, vomit, hardcore fetishes, disturbing imagery/descriptions, nazism, homophobia, ableism. (This may not be an all-encompassing list, so please research TWs for yourself as well.)
This book was really my first dive into the horror genre, and it has honestly set the bar so high. I am a fan of gore, so Playground truly delivered. Personally, I think I loved it because the storyline resembles my favorite movie series, Saw. Not only were the descriptions gory, but there were also illustrations. I think that only added to the horror and disgust that the book portrayed. The basic premise involves 3 families who come from disadvantaged backgrounds who are invited by Geraldine Borden, a rich philanthropist, to test out her playground equipment in exchange for money. Unbeknownst to the families, there is a grim and disturbing twist.
I am genuinely so excited to be able to read another of his books soon, but I’m not sure which I would like to continue with. I absolutely will be picking up another of his books soon. Anyone who is interested in gore, definitely check out his work!
Video review on Tiktok, also spoiler free: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR37LQ6e/
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Incest, Infertility, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
horrorhayleigh's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Infertility, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism