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charieprocter's review against another edition
2.0
premise is faulty
I start with giving books 4 stars so then books that really wow me get 5. This book gets a 2 because the premise is wrong, and since it's such a central part of the book I couldn't suspend disbelief. near the end of the book I learn through the story that the author knew she was inventing that fiction, but it came too late for me to enjoy the story. also I figured out what was going on early in the story, earlier than I think the author intended as it was before the reveal to the character. also by the end of the book, I feel one of the story lines was unnecessary. I kept expecting it to weave more into the central story than it did. many times I wanted to yell at the characters to act differently. overall the writing itself was good, the word choice and sentence structure and descriptions etc. which saved this from being one star. I did finish the book, but I couldn't wait for it to be over once I figured it out, and kept waiting for a better ending.
I start with giving books 4 stars so then books that really wow me get 5. This book gets a 2 because the premise is wrong, and since it's such a central part of the book I couldn't suspend disbelief. near the end of the book I learn through the story that the author knew she was inventing that fiction, but it came too late for me to enjoy the story. also I figured out what was going on early in the story, earlier than I think the author intended as it was before the reveal to the character. also by the end of the book, I feel one of the story lines was unnecessary. I kept expecting it to weave more into the central story than it did. many times I wanted to yell at the characters to act differently. overall the writing itself was good, the word choice and sentence structure and descriptions etc. which saved this from being one star. I did finish the book, but I couldn't wait for it to be over once I figured it out, and kept waiting for a better ending.
sarahgapitz's review against another edition
2.0
It was okay but not good. There were definitely good moments but the constant back and forth gave me whiplash and often pulled me out of whatever small amount of tension I was feeling for the current situation.
cbksargent's review against another edition
3.0
Rounded up from 2.5 only because I blew through it. Easy read. But easy read because it was not great. Plot weak, writing mediocre, uninteresting heroine… Forgettable story. Also - the title doesn’t even make sense. It was a cabin and the word “pines” was barely mentioned.
ktamen's review against another edition
1.0
I had high hopes for this one since it's Reese's book club pick for this month & it's been popular, but OMG, this was terrible. The whole premise is so ridiculous and made no sense, not even in a fun, what-if kind of way. I'd rather read about fake creatures attacking people than the ridiculousness that this book pretended to explain, using science to explain away the deaths with no basis in reality or any kind of actual science. The story/deaths were also never fully explained & the ending felt rushed and unresolved, very sloppy. This was easy to read but so bad in so many ways.
Thank you to Edelweiss+ for the ARC.
Thank you to Edelweiss+ for the ARC.
elizabethho's review against another edition
2.0
I was so excited for this book and then so so sad bc the premise was so boring. My biggest gripe was our protagonist being stupid. Nothing makes me more upset then having your main character make dumb choices over and over again. What a bummer. Kudos to bipoc representation in the thriller/horror space but over all
ycristina84's review against another edition
2.0
Oof. What a lackluster ending.
This was just not worth the hype, or the Reese pick. I’m actually confused about what her team loved about it. While it’s gripping and you do want to read it to figure it all out, it’s a very slow reveal with so much unimportant information given to you throughout. The mystery ends up being, for me, just too ridiculous. You also see it coming from miles away, theres no satisfying twist or closure. The ending feels rushed and unfinished. I don’t like magical realism, and I guess that’s what the author was trying to accomplish? This is being sold as a thriller, but I never felt like I was reading one. If felt like a drama piece about coming off of drugs and remembering who you were before addiction, which would’ve been good had that been the only angle. I would’ve happily read that. To me, this wasn’t successful.
I did like the multicultural aspects to the story, the Mc’s connection with her mom and dad, the honest and realistic portrayal of an addiction to prescription drugs, and the writing is great.
This was just not worth the hype, or the Reese pick. I’m actually confused about what her team loved about it. While it’s gripping and you do want to read it to figure it all out, it’s a very slow reveal with so much unimportant information given to you throughout. The mystery ends up being, for me, just too ridiculous. You also see it coming from miles away, theres no satisfying twist or closure. The ending feels rushed and unfinished. I don’t like magical realism, and I guess that’s what the author was trying to accomplish? This is being sold as a thriller, but I never felt like I was reading one. If felt like a drama piece about coming off of drugs and remembering who you were before addiction, which would’ve been good had that been the only angle. I would’ve happily read that. To me, this wasn’t successful.
I did like the multicultural aspects to the story, the Mc’s connection with her mom and dad, the honest and realistic portrayal of an addiction to prescription drugs, and the writing is great.
laurenlanum's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐
Despite moving a little slowly and not being the most original - I actually really liked this! It hooked me immediately and was a quick, easy read. Perfect for a rainy day.
Despite moving a little slowly and not being the most original - I actually really liked this! It hooked me immediately and was a quick, easy read. Perfect for a rainy day.
sjmarvin's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
4.5
I wanted a little more out of the ending, it left me slightly disappointed. But the book overall was a really good read and kept me interested.
4.5
I wanted a little more out of the ending, it left me slightly disappointed. But the book overall was a really good read and kept me interested.