Reviews

The Hike by Drew Magary

robynlynn80's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

fedsmoker's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective fast-paced

3.5

colourbones's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

4.25

A fever dream through a strange world, and unexpectedly sincere. Definitely weird, but somehow it all works together.

grizelybear's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This book was a fever dream. It's both humorous and weird as hell. It felt like it was written without an outline in mind, but to be honest, it worked out.

I did think some of the events were way too random, but I enjoyed the imagery of the creatures and setting of the path. I was also floored by the twists and turns at the end - like, for real, I was thinking "what the fuck?" by the last two chapters... but in a good way?

To be honest, I'm not sure if the book has some deeper meaning to it or if I'm just reading too much into it. I thought it was trying to convey that things in life just happen for no reason, and it's literally what you make of it. Even the bad life events can get you something good out of them. I could totally be reading this wrong though.

Regardless, this was a fun, silly, and sometimes horrifying book to read. Think Alice in Wonderland but grittier and more profane.

jetpackdracula's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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bobbytwangs's review against another edition

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adventurous funny 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

bookishnick's review against another edition

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4.0

What did I just read! The Hike is a surreal, fast-paced, and darkly humorous adventure that grabs hold of you from the very first page. The book is a unique blend of genres, part fantasy, part horror, and part existential journey, all wrapped up in a tale that’s both absurd and surprisingly heartfelt.

Magary’s writing style is sharp and engaging, laced with wit and a touch of cynicism that makes the more absurd elements of the story feel grounded. The plot is unpredictable, which keeps you on your toes, but it’s also what might frustrate some readers—things get really weird, really fast, and the story often takes wild, unexpected turns.

What makes The Hike stand out is its underlying emotional core. Beneath the layers of fantasy and horror, this is a story about a man trying to find his way back home, both literally and metaphorically. It’s about the choices we make, the paths we take, and the things we leave behind.

However, the book’s unpredictability and sheer weirdness might not be for everyone. Some readers might find it too disjointed or chaotic, but if you’re open to a story that defies conventional narrative structure and immerses you in a dream-like world where anything can happen, then The Hike is a journey worth taking.

Overall, The Hike is a wild ride that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It’s not a book you’ll easily forget, and for those who enjoy stories that blend the strange with the profound, it’s a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.

s_brown55's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

mschwamberger's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.25

patlanders's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny fast-paced

4.0