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ivywall's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Hullo! This was a wild ride! I loved the movie so I decided to read the book. The introduction and story surrounding the writing process was intriguing and candid. There were some very memorable quotes and an air of spunk and curiosity throughout the novel. It shows what bravery is all about; being terrified and doing the right thing anyhow. It reminds me of how I thought as a child which was quite refreshing. I give it a 4.5 only because I wish it were longer and although it was mainly soft magic used in the plot, I would like a few more explanations as to what exactly the Beldam is and where Coraline is trapped. Is it a giant rat monster?? Who’s to say?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
buzzinfly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Cannibalism, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
halloween_writes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It honestly didnʼt read like a professionally published book; it was very sloppy, and while I love the story of Coraline, this didnʼt meet my expectations at all. It felt extremely rushed, even for a kidʼs book. :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
mir_frog73's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If I had read this book when I was younger it would have been so important to me, but it is a children’s book with a very easy to follow plot. I couldn’t help but compare it to the movie and I truly like the movie’s adaptation more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death and Murder
soggycedar's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Kidnapping
Minor: Body horror, Confinement, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
rori_does_art's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
It's really gross and creepy at times, so trigger warning I guess??
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror and Injury/Injury detail
alamayhem_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This story will forever be one of my favorite stories of all time. I have the fondest memories around Coraline and consider it to be one of my comfort stories! (if this doesn’t show my love of horror and all things spooky idk what does)
It has been a second since I read this book last — a good decade I would say. It was really interesting to revisit this book as an adult. I remember reading it after watching the movie and thinking it was so much creepier than the movie made it out to be. Which I still stand by, haha. This book is CREEPY. The entire story is creepy. There is almost no part of it that is fun and whimsical like the movie makes it out to be. Yes, the other world is different from Coraline’s normal world and there is better food….but the actual fantasies and people in the other world are simply weird. As a child, I would be terrified in this other world and probably would not ever want to come back. Which makes sense why the book itself is so much faster paced than the movie. She has multiple visits in the movie in which she is eager to come back, due to the world being so whimsical, fun, & magical. We do not see that in the book. Yes, some things are magical, but again. It is just weird magical. Stuff that is unsettling. The mice circus is simply rats off the bat in the other world and not cute lil mice. Picture dozens of magical rats under your bed in your bedroom — how fun! Hahah, it’s just weird and creepy all around. It makes sense for it to be paced as fast as it is, to make the story work better.
But anyways, this is not supposed to be a movie/book comparison review. As a book, it is phenomenal and so much fun to read. I was lucky enough to snag one of LitJoy Crates’ Illustrated copies of this book, so I got to see brand new drawings as I read. They were also so beyond creepy hahah, I LOVED it. It was so amazing and incredible to see the story depicted in this artist’s style. 10/10 for that.
The story itself is so amazing and so smart that I never tire of it. It is such an incredible concept and Neil Gaiman never fails to disappoint with his storytelling and writing. I loved every moment of reading this book and was smiling ear to ear by the end. I love the way that he has the story play out and how it finishes. This is what makes it an acceptable (sort of) children’s book for me. The perfect and happy feeling you get once you finish reading it.
With that being said, this probably still should have been marketed as YA as opposed to MG, and knowing the story I now know about Neil Gaiman’s agent’s child reading this, being terrified but not wanting to tell her mom that fact? Hilarious. I am so glad this book got published regardless, because it is truly a book and story that I will forever hold dear to my heart. I rate this book 5/5 stars! 🌟
It has been a second since I read this book last — a good decade I would say. It was really interesting to revisit this book as an adult. I remember reading it after watching the movie and thinking it was so much creepier than the movie made it out to be. Which I still stand by, haha. This book is CREEPY. The entire story is creepy. There is almost no part of it that is fun and whimsical like the movie makes it out to be. Yes, the other world is different from Coraline’s normal world and there is better food….but the actual fantasies and people in the other world are simply weird. As a child, I would be terrified in this other world and probably would not ever want to come back. Which makes sense why the book itself is so much faster paced than the movie. She has multiple visits in the movie in which she is eager to come back, due to the world being so whimsical, fun, & magical. We do not see that in the book. Yes, some things are magical, but again. It is just weird magical. Stuff that is unsettling. The mice circus is simply rats off the bat in the other world and not cute lil mice. Picture dozens of magical rats under your bed in your bedroom — how fun! Hahah, it’s just weird and creepy all around. It makes sense for it to be paced as fast as it is, to make the story work better.
But anyways, this is not supposed to be a movie/book comparison review. As a book, it is phenomenal and so much fun to read. I was lucky enough to snag one of LitJoy Crates’ Illustrated copies of this book, so I got to see brand new drawings as I read. They were also so beyond creepy hahah, I LOVED it. It was so amazing and incredible to see the story depicted in this artist’s style. 10/10 for that.
The story itself is so amazing and so smart that I never tire of it. It is such an incredible concept and Neil Gaiman never fails to disappoint with his storytelling and writing. I loved every moment of reading this book and was smiling ear to ear by the end. I love the way that he has the story play out and how it finishes. This is what makes it an acceptable (sort of) children’s book for me. The perfect and happy feeling you get once you finish reading it.
With that being said, this probably still should have been marketed as YA as opposed to MG, and knowing the story I now know about Neil Gaiman’s agent’s child reading this, being terrified but not wanting to tell her mom that fact? Hilarious. I am so glad this book got published regardless, because it is truly a book and story that I will forever hold dear to my heart. I rate this book 5/5 stars! 🌟
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
nyctaea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, and Confinement
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
teabrewer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Coraline is a children's book. One with body horror, blood and child death, but a children's book none the less. It didn't affect me emotionally as much as my average five stars. But, it is a wondeful version of those, written with the young readers in mind. The analogies to insects, spiders, camufkage and mimicry were a awesome touch. The dark ambiance and hints to something older than the other mother too. It is clear this book was written with care and dedication! I also found interesting how the narrative sometimes criticises the dad, that is so clearly inspired by the author himself. Like a quiet apology.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Blood, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
melissaslibraryy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
I grew up watching and loving the movie and now that I was in the mood to read the story behind it, I’m glad it’s another book off my physical tbr. The illustrations were great and slightly creepy & it was overall a fun and fast paced read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail