The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
markedwithanm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death, and Bullying
arangele's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was in the mood for something creepy and even a bit scary. This felt more like a teen drama. That makes sense now that I see it's YA. I still found it an entertaining, quick read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gaslighting, and Drug abuse
nicolegw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Violence
nicole_cries_alot's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
I got way more into this than I had anticipated. There’s something about teenagers getting into shit that I love. Was I distracted by the red herring? Yes I fell for it hook line and sinker, however I knew the twist before it was coming because I’ve been reading a lot of mysteries lately. 3.75, because I was hoping for more murder and I saw the twist coming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Death
itzbrianna's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The Mary Shelley Club was a decent mystery. I enjoyed the horror tropes and the subtle references to some horror classics. If you enjoy a combination of mystery and horror tropes, I think you will enjoy this book. Rachel Chavez is a lovable character. She is the new girl, and the outsider at the start of the story. She is a typical teenager. One who blames herself and feels like she is on the outs due to her inability to cope with trauma. But she is a great protagonist nonetheless. You root for her and you want her to succeed. You want her to heal.
The Mary Shelley Club's fear tests start off innocent enough depending on who you ask. It's a very creative way to get back at a bully or someone who has tormented you. But the depth in which this club goes to finish the game is intricate and weaved deeper into society than even Rachel could have imagined. In my humble opinion, this is not a horror book. It's more mystery and thriller to me. Nonetheless, it was a great read.
*****The Following Section Contains Details that Could be Considered SPOILERS****
While I enjoyed this book, the biggest thing missing for me was the horror. I expected a higher body count and I expected more than just a mystery that turns into a murder mystery near the end of the book. There were so many questions at the end of the book as well that weren't answered. This read more like a mystery novel than a horror one. In fact, I am not sure horror fits to describe this book at all. That lack did not deter me from enjoying the story though. I just think if you are expecting a real horror story with this one, you might want to look somewhere else.
The Mary Shelley Club's fear tests start off innocent enough depending on who you ask. It's a very creative way to get back at a bully or someone who has tormented you. But the depth in which this club goes to finish the game is intricate and weaved deeper into society than even Rachel could have imagined. In my humble opinion, this is not a horror book. It's more mystery and thriller to me. Nonetheless, it was a great read.
*****The Following Section Contains Details that Could be Considered SPOILERS****
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Murder, and Stalking
Moderate: Torture and Violence
cactuspunk's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Child death, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, and Classism
themoodreader's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
aturb92's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness
house_of_hannah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 Stars
I went into this without reading the description, so everything was a surprise for me. Despite the page count this is actually a pretty quick read. The font is quite large, so I was flying through the pages. The pacing was weirder though; it simultaneously felt fast and slow. It's one of those where it feels like there's always something happening, but also not at the same time. It's hard to describe.
Who needs enemies when you have these people as friends ? My god, everyone was the absolute worst friend in this book. What awful people ! It felt like the characters in this club were trying to force themselves together even though they only had one common interest. We also never really got to see who they were outside of the club, so it just seemed like everyone was being miserable the whole time.
Don't get me started on the Fear Tests ! Once they explained what those were all I could think was, "This is the US, someone is going to get fucking shot". I have absolutely no idea why they never thought that people would fight back, or maybe have a gun in the house. It really just seemed incredibly stupid and naive. I was never surprised when someone got hurt.
I did really enjoy the horror references ! I think there was only one that went over my head as I had not seen the movie before. Usually books only reference horror classics, so it was neat to actually see some very modern movies represented. I did find it unbelievable though that that many people in the same grade were obsessed with horror and had seen every movie. I would have jumped on a group like that in a second if it existed when I was in high school though.Â
I did end up being quite engrossed in this book. It made me feel anxiety as to what was going to happen next, and it raised my heart rate a few times. However, the plot is predictable, none of the characters are likable, and I wasn't a fan of the ending. I closed this book thinking about how dumb the Mary Shelley Club actually is, and how their whole concept is actually quite disrespectful to the horror genre rather than embracing it. However, in the end, it does keep with the theme: people are the true monsters.Â
I went into this without reading the description, so everything was a surprise for me. Despite the page count this is actually a pretty quick read. The font is quite large, so I was flying through the pages. The pacing was weirder though; it simultaneously felt fast and slow. It's one of those where it feels like there's always something happening, but also not at the same time. It's hard to describe.
Who needs enemies when you have these people as friends ? My god, everyone was the absolute worst friend in this book. What awful people ! It felt like the characters in this club were trying to force themselves together even though they only had one common interest. We also never really got to see who they were outside of the club, so it just seemed like everyone was being miserable the whole time.
I did really enjoy the horror references ! I think there was only one that went over my head as I had not seen the movie before. Usually books only reference horror classics, so it was neat to actually see some very modern movies represented. I did find it unbelievable though that that many people in the same grade were obsessed with horror and had seen every movie. I would have jumped on a group like that in a second if it existed when I was in high school though.Â
I did end up being quite engrossed in this book. It made me feel anxiety as to what was going to happen next, and it raised my heart rate a few times. However, the plot is predictable, none of the characters are likable, and I wasn't a fan of the ending. I closed this book thinking about how dumb the Mary Shelley Club actually is, and how their whole concept is actually quite disrespectful to the horror genre rather than embracing it. However, in the end, it does keep with the theme: people are the true monsters.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Blood, Gaslighting, and Drug use
Minor: Suicide and Vomit
jjames_mal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
This YA horror/thriller follows Rachel an outcast at her prestigious prep school who finds comfort in horror movies after her own traumatic experience. After witnessing a prank meant to terrify her classmates, she learns about the Mary Shelley Club, a secret club obsessed with fear and horror.
I usually hate books about trials and games, but I loved this one. I loved how we are quickly thrust into the Mary Shelley Club and while there is mystery we also have a pretty good idea what's going on. I also love books about people getting obsessed with things, and the Mary Shelley Club sure is obsessed with horror, and their excitement is super contagious even through the page. I really liked the ending (couldn't really care about the romance) and I liked the feeling this book left me with.Â
I usually hate books about trials and games, but I loved this one. I loved how we are quickly thrust into the Mary Shelley Club and while there is mystery we also have a pretty good idea what's going on. I also love books about people getting obsessed with things, and the Mary Shelley Club sure is obsessed with horror, and their excitement is super contagious even through the page. I really liked the ending (couldn't really care about the romance) and I liked the feeling this book left me with.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Death, Bullying, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, and Classism