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madisonpages98's review
dark
emotional
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
4.5
This book was a beautiful testament to female friendship! The author did an amazing job of creating and building upon the friendship within the group throughout the entire story. I loved the slow build and the gradual decline of Julie created a very atmospheric and creepy setting. The only reason it was not five stars for me was because I felt that the ending was a little over the top. All in all, this was a quick, easy, and spooky read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Gore, and Murder
lovesit1892's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book exceeded all of my expectations. After being drawn to the neon pink cover at B&N, I was surprised to read that the synopsis sounded similar to one of my favorite movies, Jennifer's Body, so I couldn't resist. I'm usually more of a gothic horror girl than contemporary horror, so I went into this book not knowing how much I would like it, but it blew me away. It is like Jennifer's Body, but somehow even more eerie.
There was a line in this book that gave me literal chills, and as a ghosty, ghouly, macabre-loving weirdo, that never happens to me while reading books. The small, blink-and-you'll-miss-them details that give a sense of something being "off" were so subtle and perfectly placed that it kept the creeping dread slowly escalating throughout the entire book. The setting felt so realistic--fromthe try-hard, trendy/creepy boutique hotel to the dreary New England weather--that it was easy to imagine all of the absolutely unhinged occurrences actually happening.
I don't normally like dialogue driven books, especially centering around a young adult friend group like this one (the friendship dynamic usually feels forced and cheesy), but Harrison does a superb job of showcasing the individual voice and personality of each character. She really captures the emotions and growing pains that these women go through while navigating their friend's disappearance and subsequent "return," and the strain that it puts on their friendships. This is a great narrative on grief, friendship, growing pains, and social dynamics told through the lens of contemporary horror.
There was a line in this book that gave me literal chills, and as a ghosty, ghouly, macabre-loving weirdo, that never happens to me while reading books. The small, blink-and-you'll-miss-them details that give a sense of something being "off" were so subtle and perfectly placed that it kept the creeping dread slowly escalating throughout the entire book. The setting felt so realistic--from
I don't normally like dialogue driven books, especially centering around a young adult friend group like this one (the friendship dynamic usually feels forced and cheesy), but Harrison does a superb job of showcasing the individual voice and personality of each character. She really captures the emotions and growing pains that these women go through while navigating their friend's disappearance and subsequent "return," and the strain that it puts on their friendships. This is a great narrative on grief, friendship, growing pains, and social dynamics told through the lens of contemporary horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Cancer, Stalking, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
kt2e56's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Unlike most of the other reviews, I actually didn’t mind the buildup before shot hits the fan. I think it adds a lot to the story and makes the characters feel real, still a little annoying, but real. Some of their questionable decisions make sense because we spent so much time with them. The horror elements really work once shit kicks off. The tension is thick. The creature design is great. I really dug it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Toxic friendship
canthelpbutloveit's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Eating disorder, Gore, and Blood
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Vomit, and Death of parent
maer's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Toxic friendship
cjblates's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cancer and Car accident
megwilli's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gore and Blood
flexmentallo's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I loved a lot of this -- Harrison has a talent for unnerving description and tense pacing. Unfortunately, a rushed, exposition-heavy ending lacks some of the tension and dread that surrounded so much of the book. It makes sense from a character point-of-view, but still left me a little dissatisfied. Still, a really promising and creepy horror/thriller.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Eating disorder
directorpurry's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Blood, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Infidelity and Vomit
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
lilifane's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It was okay.
I liked some aspects of the book a lot. Like the friendship dynamics, I enjoyed those a lot. And I liked the protagonist, she reminded me of myself. But I didn't enjoy the reading process. I was surprised by the direction the book took halfway into it because I didn't expect the horror element. But once it was hinted at, the rest of the story was way too predictable. And way too gory for my taste. At least I liked the ending.
I liked some aspects of the book a lot. Like the friendship dynamics, I enjoyed those a lot. And I liked the protagonist, she reminded me of myself. But I didn't enjoy the reading process. I was surprised by the direction the book took halfway into it because I didn't expect the horror element. But once it was hinted at, the rest of the story was way too predictable. And way too gory for my taste. At least I liked the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Infidelity, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol