allymikreads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
linaria's review
3.0
I WISH I loved The Suffering.
Rin Chupeco is an icon. I love her. It might be the combination of the horror genre and the setting, but this one didn't work for me.
I think, at heart, that this book was a little too 'teen' for me, which is OK! I'm not exactly the intended audience, but there was a bit too much high school level drama for me at the beginning of the book. Unfortunately, this kind of killed the vibe for me. Even the hauntingly atmospheric Aokigahara didn't quite save the book for me.
Rin Chupeco is an icon. I love her. It might be the combination of the horror genre and the setting, but this one didn't work for me.
I think, at heart, that this book was a little too 'teen' for me, which is OK! I'm not exactly the intended audience, but there was a bit too much high school level drama for me at the beginning of the book. Unfortunately, this kind of killed the vibe for me. Even the hauntingly atmospheric Aokigahara didn't quite save the book for me.
cpeters2384's review
5.0
Most kids want a fairy godmother, an invisible friend, or to have magic that will make them the most popular kid in their school…not Tark. This blue eyed Asian has a vengeful spirit as a bestie. They hunt down some of the worst people together and lay them to rest.
School vacation takes the duo to a sinister forest, well known for its allure of suicide, where someone they they know recently wandered in and has yet to return. They meet wronged spirits and battle their way trying to find their footing back out of the terrible haunt. The picture taken of the rescue group before their trek shares a sad truth for one of the members. Who won’t make it back? Who will sacrifice everything for the safety of the others?
This terrifying tale speaks more to a long close friendship and a love that refuses to be broken. Is love the ultimate weapon? I think it is.
School vacation takes the duo to a sinister forest, well known for its allure of suicide, where someone they they know recently wandered in and has yet to return. They meet wronged spirits and battle their way trying to find their footing back out of the terrible haunt. The picture taken of the rescue group before their trek shares a sad truth for one of the members. Who won’t make it back? Who will sacrifice everything for the safety of the others?
This terrifying tale speaks more to a long close friendship and a love that refuses to be broken. Is love the ultimate weapon? I think it is.
theheathermoon's review
3.0
I love the story and the characters but it's very similar to Odd Thomas, if Odds powers were actually a three hundred year old ghost.
The man/invisible woman dynamic seems to be pretty popular as Ender has his Jane, Koli has Monono Aware, and Tark has Okiku.
I do like Rin Chupecos writing style though so I'll definitely read more.
The man/invisible woman dynamic seems to be pretty popular as Ender has his Jane, Koli has Monono Aware, and Tark has Okiku.
I do like Rin Chupecos writing style though so I'll definitely read more.
raavenreads's review
5.0
Loved this sequel! While the first book focused on Okiku and was in her POV, this book focused on Tark. He has grown up a lot since the last book and has begun to hunt with Okiku. It actually had me crying at the end. While I didn’t think it was scary, it was very suspenseful. I just love Okiku overall she is weirdly adorable. Deff a sequel worth reading! I’d be happy with more.
catsss's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
threeseagrass's review
3.0
I don’t want to put this one at 2 stars because that’s what I gave the first book and this one was infinitely better. But it still wasn’t a good read for me. I don’t know if it's the writing style or characters that I dislike, but I don’t think I will be reading any more of [a:Rin Chupeco|7055613|Rin Chupeco|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1366688084p2/7055613.jpg]. Looking back and comparing the two, I’d rather give [b: The Girl From the Well|18509623|The Girl from the Well (The Girl from the Well, #1)|Rin Chupeco|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1389709701s/18509623.jpg|24978776] 1 star and rate this at 2.5 stars. I’ll bump it up to 3 to be nice.
The one thing this book really has going for it is the creepy atmosphere. When Tark and Callie finally get to Japan and the haunted forest, Aokigahara, that’s when things start to get real. Skulking around a village inhabited by ghosts is absolutely terrifying, and I will admit that Chupeco does a great job building suspense here.
But the rest of the story really fell short for me. While it was significantly better than the first in terms of Tark, rather than Okiku, telling the story, I just don’t really like him. Both he and Callie seem awfully one-dimensional after spending 2 books with them. And the trope of his father too conveniently off on business trips whenever Tark gets into trouble is frustrating.
One thing that bothered me to no end throughout this book is the fact that Okiku (and other ghosts) is able to touch things and grab people.
Can someone please explain to me how ghosts are able to thumb through books, talk to people, and grab people? I’m totally down to see some ghost-on-ghost action, but I just really don’t understand how they can touch people. Maybe it’s just Tark because he’s special?
Finally, the ending was a bit of a cop-out in my opinion. At the moment, I seem to be into books by authors like [a: Courtney Summers|1487748|Courtney Summers|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1421196083p2/1487748.jpg] and along the lines of [a: Leah Raeder|7105371|Leah Raeder|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1415464446p2/7105371.jpg], where the endings aren’t necessarily happy. Well the ending of this book was just that – perfect and happy. I’ll admit that I had to push myself to finish this [b: The Suffering|1234429|Suffering|Dorothee Sölle|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340742095s/1234429.jpg|1223045] and I was disappointed with an ending that seems to allow the author to continue to write about these characters.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The one thing this book really has going for it is the creepy atmosphere. When Tark and Callie finally get to Japan and the haunted forest, Aokigahara, that’s when things start to get real. Skulking around a village inhabited by ghosts is absolutely terrifying, and I will admit that Chupeco does a great job building suspense here.
But the rest of the story really fell short for me. While it was significantly better than the first in terms of Tark, rather than Okiku, telling the story, I just don’t really like him. Both he and Callie seem awfully one-dimensional after spending 2 books with them. And the trope of his father too conveniently off on business trips whenever Tark gets into trouble is frustrating.
One thing that bothered me to no end throughout this book is the fact that Okiku (and other ghosts) is able to touch things and grab people.
“Okiku thumbs through the books while I settle in.” (p. 109, ARC)
Can someone please explain to me how ghosts are able to thumb through books, talk to people, and grab people? I’m totally down to see some ghost-on-ghost action, but I just really don’t understand how they can touch people. Maybe it’s just Tark because he’s special?
Finally, the ending was a bit of a cop-out in my opinion. At the moment, I seem to be into books by authors like [a: Courtney Summers|1487748|Courtney Summers|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1421196083p2/1487748.jpg] and along the lines of [a: Leah Raeder|7105371|Leah Raeder|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1415464446p2/7105371.jpg], where the endings aren’t necessarily happy. Well the ending of this book was just that – perfect and happy. I’ll admit that I had to push myself to finish this [b: The Suffering|1234429|Suffering|Dorothee Sölle|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340742095s/1234429.jpg|1223045] and I was disappointed with an ending that seems to allow the author to continue to write about these characters.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
ice_lasha's review
3.0
The Suffering by Rin Chupeco
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ki was my favorite because of her character development.
I chose to read this after reading the first one.
My favorite part was learning the plot twist of Tomeo.
I would recommend this book, but beware the beginning is slow.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ki was my favorite because of her character development.
I chose to read this after reading the first one.
My favorite part was learning the plot twist of Tomeo.
I would recommend this book, but beware the beginning is slow.