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thishannah's review
Of all the (many, many) teen horror tales I read in middle school and high school, this one has stuck in my memory more than most for some reason. Maybe it's the names "Dove" and "Wing," or the way that the fictional store Dry Ice reminded me of Hot Topic (when it was still scary and not nerdy). Or maybe it's because of the guilty feelings associated with the book: I bought it as a birthday gift for my sister and speed-read the whole thing before I wrapped it and gave it to her. :-/
Anyway, this was another instance of a "comforting" reread from my youth to enjoy during the sleepless pandemic nights. It's no classic, but I did appreciate all the symbolic messaging around teen hormones unearthing the monster within and the moping about the blandness of Dove's home and life. The horror elements were tamer than I remembered--I kind of thought someone actually died?--but the thought of having your mind taken over by an evil twin is scary enough itself.
My edition also included a fun little bio of Caroline B. Cooney (with photos!), which I thoroughly enjoyed, especially now that I know more about the inner workings of the publishing industry. I didn't know (though it makes sense) that several of her book concepts were commissioned by her editor. She really mastered a specific genre of teen writing, and boy did it work for young Hannah!
Anyway, this was another instance of a "comforting" reread from my youth to enjoy during the sleepless pandemic nights. It's no classic, but I did appreciate all the symbolic messaging around teen hormones unearthing the monster within and the moping about the blandness of Dove's home and life. The horror elements were tamer than I remembered--I kind of thought someone actually died?--but the thought of having your mind taken over by an evil twin is scary enough itself.
My edition also included a fun little bio of Caroline B. Cooney (with photos!), which I thoroughly enjoyed, especially now that I know more about the inner workings of the publishing industry. I didn't know (though it makes sense) that several of her book concepts were commissioned by her editor. She really mastered a specific genre of teen writing, and boy did it work for young Hannah!
sloan_emmi92's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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
2.75
I thought at the beginning of this book that the concept of someone else being inside your body would be so cool to read about and it was, but the story was incredibly underwhelming in my opinion.
It was an okay story to read but to me, it was quite boring. I also felt like there was no surprising ending and it was predictable and there were just a few elements that I didn’t enjoy. However, it was different to read about the things that Dove wasn’t able to stop her alternate self from doing.
It was an okay story to read but to me, it was quite boring. I also felt like there was no surprising ending and it was predictable and there were just a few elements that I didn’t enjoy. However, it was different to read about the things that Dove wasn’t able to stop her alternate self from doing.
amypitts's review
meh I just really didn't like it and couldn't get into it. I think I know where it was going to I might maybe look up a spoiler but I don't think I care.
kiramke's review against another edition
The fun thing about Goodreads book lists is that occasionally I come across something I've completely forgotten existed, and an entire memory suddenly returns. Granted, it's a memory of middle school, but still...
stagasaurus's review against another edition
4.0
Reminds me of: The film "Identity" with John Cusack
"It was probably just a practical joke" moment: nope. Caroline B. C. doesn't do this trope.
"You probably just imagined it" moment: Nope, this neither. I don't think Caroline B. C. writes Point Horror novels, just Caroline B. Cooney novels. Her stamp is unmistakable. I bet I could pick them out blindfolded.
Innocent victims?: Dove was as innocent as a non-integrated Jungian Archetype can be.
How blindingly obvious?: It wasn't a mystery so very. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the bit where you think maybe she's just crazy. It could well be split personality disorder, if anyone was likely to have a shadow, Dove is the girl. And can I say how absolutely timeless and realistic the speed with which she was released due to lack of psychotherapy funds is?
Plot holes / Unfinished plot lines: I have the feeling they forced the authors of these books to put a love interest in. Caroline B.C. always leaves the romantic plot ending ambiguous, which I kind of like. Teenage relationships often are a bit of something and nothing so that feels appropriate.
What happened to Dry Ice? Sounded like a premonition of Superdry. And what happened to Connie?
Inappropriate happy ending: Nah. Appropriate. Just relief. Which is realistic.
This book was completely inappropriate in its representation of the following topics: Miscarriage, Twins, Schizophrenia and Split Personality Disorder. Which is quite an effort in one small book.
"It was probably just a practical joke" moment: nope. Caroline B. C. doesn't do this trope.
"You probably just imagined it" moment: Nope, this neither. I don't think Caroline B. C. writes Point Horror novels, just Caroline B. Cooney novels. Her stamp is unmistakable. I bet I could pick them out blindfolded.
Innocent victims?: Dove was as innocent as a non-integrated Jungian Archetype can be.
Spoiler
Timmy was nicer than any teenage boy I've ever met and Helga was some sort of crazy girl who would be drawn to bulls in china shops.How blindingly obvious?: It wasn't a mystery so very. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the bit where you think maybe she's just crazy. It could well be split personality disorder, if anyone was likely to have a shadow, Dove is the girl. And can I say how absolutely timeless and realistic the speed with which she was released due to lack of psychotherapy funds is?
Plot holes / Unfinished plot lines: I have the feeling they forced the authors of these books to put a love interest in. Caroline B.C. always leaves the romantic plot ending ambiguous, which I kind of like. Teenage relationships often are a bit of something and nothing so that feels appropriate.
What happened to Dry Ice? Sounded like a premonition of Superdry. And what happened to Connie?
Inappropriate happy ending: Nah. Appropriate. Just relief. Which is realistic.
This book was completely inappropriate in its representation of the following topics: Miscarriage, Twins, Schizophrenia and Split Personality Disorder. Which is quite an effort in one small book.
liamunderwood's review against another edition
2.5
Although it didn't have quite the same impact as The Cheerleader or Freeze Tag, I must confess I still rather enjoyed Caroline B. Cooney's writing style in The Perfume. Once again her flowery way of writing (mostly) works for the strange story she's spinning here. And thankfully this is a far more enjoyable read than The Return of the Vampire.
There's some really interesting ideas and themes within this book, especially around the sudden mood changes that can inexplicably grip teenagers. Internal conflict and struggling to live up to self-imposed ideals and the allure of the careless. Parental neglect and attempts to break free of friendship groups. It's all incredibly teen angst, but I think Cooney weaves it well throughout this book. Then there's also a healthy dash of absolute ridiculousness, like hot air balloon rides threatening to turn deadly. It's all told with a somewhat poetic prose which mostly works.
But there's also a few elements that don't work. There's an Ancient Egypt narrative thread running throughout this book which feels undercooked, and the conclusion is very abrupt. I think The Perfume is a book which is perhaps more fun to think about and discuss than it is to actually read. The protagonist, Dove, somewhat lacks much of a personality, and her evil counterpart, Wing, is comically one-note. The touching on mental health also raises an eyebrow, but at least Cooney doesn't shy away from taking the story there, unlike most other Point Horror authors. This is ultimately a really mixed bag, but I can't deny I didn't enjoy it once I adjusted to the writing style and the nonsensical plot.
2.5/5
Point Horror Ranked
1) The Girlfriend - 4/5
2) Trick or Treat - 3.5/5
3) Fatal Secrets - 3.5/5
4) Teacher's Pet - 3.5/5
5) The Baby-Sitter II - 3.5/5
6) The Cheerleader - 3.5/5
7) The Hitchhiker - 3.5/5
8) April Fools - 3.5/5
9) My Secret Admirer - 3.5/5
10) The Lifeguard - 3.5/5
11) Freeze Tag - 3/5
12) Thirteen Tales of Horror - 3/5
13) The Accident - 3/5
14) Funhouse - 3/5
15) The Window - 3/5
16) The Invitation - 2.5/5
17) The Perfume - 2.5/5
18) The Train - 2.5/5
19) The Waitress - 2.5/5
20) The Snowman - 2.5/5
21) Beach House - 2.5/5
22) The Mall - 2.5/5
23) The Boyfriend - 2/5
24) The Fever - 2/5
25) The Cemetery - 2/5
26) Mother's Helper - 2/5
27) The Baby-Sitter - 1.5/5
28) Hit and Run - 1.5/5
29) The Return of the Vampire - 1/5
30) Beach Party - 1/5
There's some really interesting ideas and themes within this book, especially around the sudden mood changes that can inexplicably grip teenagers. Internal conflict and struggling to live up to self-imposed ideals and the allure of the careless. Parental neglect and attempts to break free of friendship groups. It's all incredibly teen angst, but I think Cooney weaves it well throughout this book. Then there's also a healthy dash of absolute ridiculousness, like hot air balloon rides threatening to turn deadly. It's all told with a somewhat poetic prose which mostly works.
But there's also a few elements that don't work. There's an Ancient Egypt narrative thread running throughout this book which feels undercooked, and the conclusion is very abrupt. I think The Perfume is a book which is perhaps more fun to think about and discuss than it is to actually read. The protagonist, Dove, somewhat lacks much of a personality, and her evil counterpart, Wing, is comically one-note. The touching on mental health also raises an eyebrow, but at least Cooney doesn't shy away from taking the story there, unlike most other Point Horror authors. This is ultimately a really mixed bag, but I can't deny I didn't enjoy it once I adjusted to the writing style and the nonsensical plot.
2.5/5
Point Horror Ranked
1) The Girlfriend - 4/5
2) Trick or Treat - 3.5/5
3) Fatal Secrets - 3.5/5
4) Teacher's Pet - 3.5/5
5) The Baby-Sitter II - 3.5/5
6) The Cheerleader - 3.5/5
7) The Hitchhiker - 3.5/5
8) April Fools - 3.5/5
9) My Secret Admirer - 3.5/5
10) The Lifeguard - 3.5/5
11) Freeze Tag - 3/5
12) Thirteen Tales of Horror - 3/5
13) The Accident - 3/5
14) Funhouse - 3/5
15) The Window - 3/5
16) The Invitation - 2.5/5
17) The Perfume - 2.5/5
18) The Train - 2.5/5
19) The Waitress - 2.5/5
20) The Snowman - 2.5/5
21) Beach House - 2.5/5
22) The Mall - 2.5/5
23) The Boyfriend - 2/5
24) The Fever - 2/5
25) The Cemetery - 2/5
26) Mother's Helper - 2/5
27) The Baby-Sitter - 1.5/5
28) Hit and Run - 1.5/5
29) The Return of the Vampire - 1/5
30) Beach Party - 1/5
eliser217's review against another edition
3.0
OH MY GOD, I loved Caroline B. Cooney when I was a kid! She never seemed to talk down to the readers, the people in her books weren't stereotypes or boring depictions of what kids should be like. I remember thinking it was clever that the twins were named Dove and Wing when I was a kid. I don't think this one was my favorite of hers, but it still got a lot of play.
crystal_lake80's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
the_bookubus's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
When Dove tries the new perfume, Venom, she unleashes a second personality.
So, this is a pretty bonkers story and really quite enjoyable. I liked how it stands apart from the typical Point Horror mould. Cooney's writing, as always, is excellent and unique with a coldness to it that I find so intriguing. Unfortunately, it does get somewhat repetitive and the ambiguity left me scratching my head as to what on earth actually happened. Definitely worth reading for moments like this: "The creepy tremor came over her again, but on the inside, like something crawling upside down within her skull."
When Dove tries the new perfume, Venom, she unleashes a second personality.
So, this is a pretty bonkers story and really quite enjoyable. I liked how it stands apart from the typical Point Horror mould. Cooney's writing, as always, is excellent and unique with a coldness to it that I find so intriguing. Unfortunately, it does get somewhat repetitive and the ambiguity left me scratching my head as to what on earth actually happened. Definitely worth reading for moments like this: "The creepy tremor came over her again, but on the inside, like something crawling upside down within her skull."