kba76's review against another edition
3.0
Asylum is one of those books that doesn’t seem like horror in the sense of genuinely creepy, but a book that relies on well-established tropes in order to set up ‘creepy’ events.
The setting of the book is an old asylum, where the warden is rumoured to have carried out awful experiments on the inmates. This place is now open to students who are enrolled in a summer school.
Dan is keen to learn more about psychiatry so his interest in the place is evident. Upon arrival he befriends Abby and Jordan. Each has things they’re hiding, and a number of the characters have links to the place they didn’t know about. As the time progresses there’s a sense of each falling apart, and when students start turning up dead there’s suggestions that an ex-inmate has returned to get revenge.
Interspersed with photos, supposedly from the time of the original events, it was interesting as an idea but it felt like quite a ‘young’ book rather than teenagers experiencing something genuinely unsettling.
The setting of the book is an old asylum, where the warden is rumoured to have carried out awful experiments on the inmates. This place is now open to students who are enrolled in a summer school.
Dan is keen to learn more about psychiatry so his interest in the place is evident. Upon arrival he befriends Abby and Jordan. Each has things they’re hiding, and a number of the characters have links to the place they didn’t know about. As the time progresses there’s a sense of each falling apart, and when students start turning up dead there’s suggestions that an ex-inmate has returned to get revenge.
Interspersed with photos, supposedly from the time of the original events, it was interesting as an idea but it felt like quite a ‘young’ book rather than teenagers experiencing something genuinely unsettling.
sadsunfish's review against another edition
2.0
the only reason I'm giving this 3 it's cause the roommate is hot lmao. I'm sorry .
this is not even a good review but anyways i liked the book but it wasn't that good it was just normal. it wasn't bad but it's not great and I'm not regretting that i read it. it was nice and i love scary books so it waa good.
this is not even a good review but anyways i liked the book but it wasn't that good it was just normal. it wasn't bad but it's not great and I'm not regretting that i read it. it was nice and i love scary books so it waa good.
jkropik06's review against another edition
2.0
Book 4/100 of 2016. 2/5 Stars. Either way I was heavily disappointed. When I found this book I had to have it. I waited a year to read it, and when I finally did I was super let down.
Let's start with the pictures. I was expecting a large amount of creepy pictures, but was disappointed to find that 75% of the photos (which there wasn't many of anyways) were just of letters. I was expecting to see haunting pictures.
The characters had pretty much no development. Dan, the main character, was flat and I hated reading from his point of view. Jordan was more a Dick than anything, and I wish his sexuality was expanded on. Abby was likable, but also unlivable if that makes sense. She also fell flat. I feel like the sculptor and Doctor had more development.
The plot had such potential to be great. I mean come on, learning about the history of an asylum? Yes, please. It ended up being poorly written, and made the whole experience worse. I don't know, maybe it just isn't my style of writing.
Finally, the twist. I knew who was doing these things by the 1/3 point of the book. I also still have a sneaking suspicion that a minor character will play a villainous role in the future. The ending was unbelievable, and for Me, predictable.
Overall, this book was nothing special. I will continue on with the series because the next book seems like it could possibly get better, but only time will tell.
I would recommend only if you are looking for a simple simple simple read. Otherwise, I would skip it.
Let's start with the pictures. I was expecting a large amount of creepy pictures, but was disappointed to find that 75% of the photos (which there wasn't many of anyways) were just of letters. I was expecting to see haunting pictures.
The characters had pretty much no development. Dan, the main character, was flat and I hated reading from his point of view. Jordan was more a Dick than anything, and I wish his sexuality was expanded on. Abby was likable, but also unlivable if that makes sense. She also fell flat. I feel like the sculptor and Doctor had more development.
The plot had such potential to be great. I mean come on, learning about the history of an asylum? Yes, please. It ended up being poorly written, and made the whole experience worse. I don't know, maybe it just isn't my style of writing.
Finally, the twist. I knew who was doing these things by the 1/3 point of the book. I also still have a sneaking suspicion that a minor character will play a villainous role in the future. The ending was unbelievable, and for Me, predictable.
Overall, this book was nothing special. I will continue on with the series because the next book seems like it could possibly get better, but only time will tell.
I would recommend only if you are looking for a simple simple simple read. Otherwise, I would skip it.
emilymahar's review against another edition
4.0
I want to start out this review by saying that I'm not a person who hears about a new horror book and rushes to the store to pick it up. I have not seen one scary movie, and I didn't even read the Goosebumps books when I was little. I don't like anything scary. Period. But, after reading the synopsis for this book, I was on a mission to buy it and read it.
I felt like the synopsis and characters were very relatable. This could have happened to my friends and I! To me, that was the chilling part.
The story was not just horror, but it also had aspects of mystery and paranormal. I really liked how it wasn't just in-your-face scary, but it had a creepy and disturbing undertone.
Plus there are pictures! This was one of my favorite parts of the book. They really added to the creepiness of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I'd say this book was a segway for me into the genre of horror! I'd recommend this one to those that, like me, are nervous to be a little scared, but are looking to try something a little different!
P.S.- I didn't even have nightmares after which I consider a positive! :)
I felt like the synopsis and characters were very relatable. This could have happened to my friends and I! To me, that was the chilling part.
The story was not just horror, but it also had aspects of mystery and paranormal. I really liked how it wasn't just in-your-face scary, but it had a creepy and disturbing undertone.
Plus there are pictures! This was one of my favorite parts of the book. They really added to the creepiness of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I'd say this book was a segway for me into the genre of horror! I'd recommend this one to those that, like me, are nervous to be a little scared, but are looking to try something a little different!
P.S.- I didn't even have nightmares after which I consider a positive! :)
heleneb's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
carolineck's review against another edition
5.0
Oh wow. This book was amazing. It was extremely creepy at parts, but I was unable/unwilling to put it down. The few moments I was forced to stop reading (during school), I would sit and wonder what would happen next. I loved this book, and I've recommended it to several of my friends already. It's a great read for anyone who likes to be kept on the edge of your seat.
passionatelycurious's review against another edition
3.0
Not terrible but I would feel comfortable letting my 9 year old read it
rockshaw22's review against another edition
3.0
Good middle school aged read. Quick and interesting.