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clairebonney's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Murder, Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
marykendrick666_'s review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What a romp! Man, I haven’t had so much fun reading a book in a while. 4.5 stars.
Other reviewers that have drawn comparisons between the Purge and Cabin in the Woods are dead on.
I appreciate that Meyer took the time to really develop all of his characters, even ones we just meet once or twice or those that only manage to stay alive for a few pages. I’m usually not crazy about chapters that rotate between different characters’ POV. Inevitably I find a character insufferable or their storyline boring and dread every chapter from their POV. But the way Meyer did it added so much to the experience. For one, it gives you little glimpses around the island, giving us puzzle pieces that we gradually piece together to get the full picture of this horror show of an island. I’d argue the changing POVs are sometimes more about showing what’s going on in the different areas of the island rather than developing that particular character’s storyline. And my favorite part about the changing POVs is that is constantly keeps you guessing. You very quickly learn that just because a character has their own chapter does not mean they are safe and surviving for any length of time.
The gore was sometimes pretty brutal, but it never felt gratuitous or just for shock value in a slobby poopoo kind of way.
This one is definitely in the running for my favorite books of the year. I’m stingy with my 5 star reviews, and the only things that kept me from giving this one the 5 is personal writing pet peeves like a tween boy calling his sister “sis” repeatedly. Kids don’t talk like that and it pulled me out of the story for a minute. And some silly word choices that made me groan a couple times.
Overall, this book is so great. It is an absolute blast, and even though the plot seems pretty straightforward and nothing we haven’t seen before, don’t be fooled. There are plenty of surprises. Read this! And have fun.
Other reviewers that have drawn comparisons between the Purge and Cabin in the Woods are dead on.
I appreciate that Meyer took the time to really develop all of his characters, even ones we just meet once or twice or those that only manage to stay alive for a few pages. I’m usually not crazy about chapters that rotate between different characters’ POV. Inevitably I find a character insufferable or their storyline boring and dread every chapter from their POV. But the way Meyer did it added so much to the experience. For one, it gives you little glimpses around the island, giving us puzzle pieces that we gradually piece together to get the full picture of this horror show of an island. I’d argue the changing POVs are sometimes more about showing what’s going on in the different areas of the island rather than developing that particular character’s storyline. And my favorite part about the changing POVs is that is constantly keeps you guessing. You very quickly learn that just because a character has their own chapter does not mean they are safe and surviving for any length of time.
The gore was sometimes pretty brutal, but it never felt gratuitous or just for shock value in a slobby poopoo kind of way.
This one is definitely in the running for my favorite books of the year. I’m stingy with my 5 star reviews, and the only things that kept me from giving this one the 5 is personal writing pet peeves like a tween boy calling his sister “sis” repeatedly. Kids don’t talk like that and it pulled me out of the story for a minute. And some silly word choices that made me groan a couple times.
Overall, this book is so great. It is an absolute blast, and even though the plot seems pretty straightforward and nothing we haven’t seen before, don’t be fooled. There are plenty of surprises. Read this! And have fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Child death, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Murder, Suicide, Blood, Body horror, and Gun violence
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