Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Five Survive

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Five Survive by Holly Jackson

12 reviews

xapoptosisx's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

4.75

This book I have no words. The ending the twists, the main characters. Holly Jackson has done it again, leaving me staring at the wall after finishing her book, I'm in shock. Although i have never wanted to punch a character more Oliver Lavoy irritated the fuck out of me which I think was the intention. Red and Arthur had me screaming/pos. Anyway good book.

Content Warnings

saraavowlerr's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

katyfayyyx's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

4.0

This was my first Holly Jackson book and I may have already ordered the whole A Goods Guide Guide To Murder series.

Overall I really enjoyed this book but there were just certain elements of this book that I just didn't really like or I just didn't really see the reason why or the point they were there in book in the first place. However, my main issue was the pacing because I will be honest I got so bored at about the 50% mark as it just felt like I was just reading the same thing for about 50 pages and there was no progression of the story and that's why I ended up rating it 4 stars because I liked most of it but there was just really small elements that I didn't really like and let the book down in a way. But god did this book really bring out some emotions in me? Yes, I did in fact cry twice while reading this book because fuck, this book goes hard and it just somehow keeps getting worst and at the end you feel little bit broken and you are not really sure how the fuck any one of these characters are ever going to be okay again. Another issue I had with this book was a kinda confused at the start because I just have no fucking idea who anyone was as they all just felt the same (however, that did change the more a read) and I thought the story took way too long to get to the point we were all reading the book in the first place. There was absolutely no reason for it to take some long to get to the point but when it did fuck, it just kept going no breaks or no nothing just pure tension and stress. There are many uncomfortable moments in this book such as the scene where Oliver makes Red take off all her clothes in front of the whole group to prove she wasn't the mole. However, I think the bit where Oliver made everyone vote of whether or not to force Red out of the van. Like what gave this man the audacity, like the way they made her wait in the front was just the cruelest part of this entire book it made me feel bit sick I can't lie because it so mean.

I do think the standout element of this book was 100% the characters, once I got over my initial confusion about who everyone was I really liked and enjoyed all the character expect from that c*nt Oliver but we will deal with Oliver late don't you worry 🙃 I think something that I really liked about this book and this set of characters is that it felt like they were all good people who have been put in an impossible situation (again, expect for Oliver because he's a awful person). Also was the thing friendship group kinda messy and toxic yeah but I don't think I would be a very good friend in this situation and I kinda lived for the drama and them all trying to blame everyone instead of just working together and trying to figure out what going on and what they can do to fix it.

I don't why but I have this feeling that people are either going to love or hate Red, I mean I for one really liked her but I also want someone to give this girl a hug and maybe some therapy? Like she already needed therapy before all this I don't know how she was doing after this. I can't lie my girl Red really went through it like every time we got more information about her and her backstory it just kept getting worst, like I have an actually physical reaction to the thought of the last words to your mum before they are brutally murder that you hate her, that just so dark sided. Also she was kinda dumb at times and a little overdramatic like girl not everything in this world is about you, like you don't control everything that happens it doesn't depend on whether you did or didn't do something. Also why was any one shocked that Red jumped out of the RV that was obviously going to happened because was going to do whatever she could to save another family from the pain she went through and to try and save her best friend who is basically her sister. Also I can't lie I was very happy that Oliver was shot dead but I was not fucking thrilled that Red has been shot when she was trying to save the police officer life and that's how she re-pays her, really queen... and this was were my next cry came from because I was actually crying like why did Miss Holly Jackson do that to me with Red dying and her playing and hearing her and releasing that she didn't hate her in last moments but she would have loved her it really had me fucked up. Another thing that I thought was well done was Red ADHD I am not 100% sure it was ever stated in the book that Red does in fact have ADHD and as someone with ADHD that how I understood it and read it and I would like to call out good representation of ADHD especially in a female character because you don't see it in a lot of book.

I also really liked Maddy and Red friendship because it was just kinda wholesome, even if Maddy kinda pisses me off but she redeemed herself later. The reason why I wasn't a big fan of Maddy was I didn't like that it took Red nearly being killed for her to start sticking up the girl who she had been best friends with her whole life like why was she giving everyone pens like I just kept thinking grow some balls and fight for your best friend like she would for you which is seen when Oliver forces his sister at of the van but still it just pissed me off because the friendship felt very one sided and then we see more of the relationship and how much they love each other with how Maddy tires to help Red since her mum was murdered and how Red you know risked her life to save Maddy. But I am going to be honest I thought is was a bit of a winey bitch and was a bit of a pussy but if I am being real I would probably be the one crying and freaking out in that situation but still it was annoying.

Oliver was annoying me form the minute that man spoke like why did he think he was the main character... like calm your tits you are not that important. I don't think I have ever read book with a character that has a larger amount of small dick energy ever know to man like Oliver and I just wanted him to stand the fuck up like Red was trying, like were all trying and he was just being unreasonable about anything and everything. I am literally messaged my friend who was also reading this book and said I don't care about the secret or who is keeping the secret at this point let's just shoot Oliver because he's pissing me off and he clearly has no critical thinking skills and I did just want someone to tell him to fuck off because he deserve it (and more). Also the whole bit when he telling everyone he has killed someone, his like it wasn't my fault are you a child because it clearly was... Also I honestly don't blame Reyna for cheating on Oliver because he and he is just some mean, mad and angry to her the whole time. However, but I did just know that some crazy shit was going to happen now that man child was hurt. The whole voting thing that I talked about earlier on in my review who gave this man the audacity to forced them to do it and also who made him god like he didn't want to leave when they thought it was him so why should Red be forced to do it if you do have the balls to do yourself. Then the bit just sent my hatred for this characters was when after they voted not to make Red go and outside and dead he fucking pushed her everyone even thought it was his idea because it was the fairest way bitch, shit is not adding up. I also just felt like at in some point in the book that he just wanted to kill Red because it was obvious she wasn't the mole because she was having a full blown meltdown and was screaming you can't fake that kind of fear and if Red was the mole she wouldn't have a that meltdown because she would have known that they wouldn't shoot her. Also Oliver just somehow got more and more fucking crazy the whole actually willing to risk his own sisters life (just to save himself) like isn't she the one person who he should be trying to save because I would never let my sister do something like that, it is a death wish and then when I thought he couldn't do anything more fucked up then he grabs the fucking knife and puts it to Red's neck and he would have used it and this is where Maddy redeemed because she was a stupid but selfless and caring person to save Red she was willing to die.
I feel nothing but pure hatred for that character, like I don't like men in general but I fucking hate rich boys like Oliver. I am not lying when I say this man was not good for my blood pressure or my overall physical and mental wellbeing and the whole bit when Red is standing there in her underwear and then he just cut his sisters hair off what the fuck was this man on because he was just so fucking wild but in all seriousness how was that whole things going to go another way then her getting shot and then he just stood there and didn't even try to save Maddy, he just watched Red and Arthur get her and he didn't even ask her if she was okay as someone with a sister it just seem a fucking wild way to behave and I know for a fact my sister would rather get herself shot than me because that how having a sibling works. Then he showed how much of a dick was truly was when everyone wanted to save Maddy except from her own fucking brother.

I kept reaching the some conclusions of the character at the same time which I think is sign of good writing because it showed that Holly Jackson never gave too much away and was in full control of the story and the information you were getting as a reader but at the same time planting the seeds for the full circle moment which comes at the end of all mystery novel. However, I did guess that Arthur was the person working with the shooter because he all seem to calm or confident in the fact that it wasn't Red and he was always acting as the voice of reason. Also wasn't shocked that there was more to Red's story it was obvious when they didn't shot her because that wasn't all the story they needed and this bit was the bit when I was sure that Arthur has a part of this because I thought he told them not to shoot her because he likes her even though I don't think that the reason now. However I thought the thing that Red was hiding was the mafia was asking her to lie (also it just felt kinda weird that mafia was even a part of this book) but it does make sense that it was Catherine because she want to be DA but the gaslighting her with the order (that she committed) was a little but fucked and my jaw dropped when it was revealed that it was Catherine who has killed her best friend and her daughter's best friend mum all to protect herself but than I guess you can see where Oliver get it from and then I didn't even have a jaw anymore when it was revealed that Maddy knew this whole which was just so fucked up like the one person Red thought she could trust has watched her whole life fall apart and had said nothing watch that event destroy her and did nothing and now she going to lose her too (but I don't think that going to be the case because it seems like Maddy still wants to be her friend and still love and cares for her because she sat with her when she was in a coma-which was one of the times I cried while reading this book I can't help it, I just have a soft spot from female friendship in books) and I know Arthur is the supposed to be the bad gay but he is also the reason that Red was able to move on and forgive her mum for dying and herself for the last call and that whole meltdown was another time I cried while reading this book)

I liked the idea of the news articles and letters because I think it was a smart way off wrapping up the story and give us the information we need but I just want/need more like does she forgive Maddy what happens to the them and the other three, does she go and see Arthur was happens, are they okay. are they going to be okay, I need answers and I am never going to get them... but also in a way it just feels kinda lazy.

6:00AM

'That's up to you. It's your choice, Red. But I'll be there, I promise. Will you? Yes. No. Yours, Arthur'

Content Warnings

hobbithopeful's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Slow start, but worth it once you get to the action.
I almost had trouble believing that I was reading a Holly Jackson book with how much trouble I had engaging with the content. When the action finally did start happening, events went from 0 to 100. My heart was racing, and I even broke out in sweat wondering what was going to happen, and who was going to survive. I never expected the twist or what was to come next. I do wish that

Oliver had a better, more drawn out punishment. He is to blame for so much death and I feel like he got off easy. I wish he had been arrested insead, but I don't mind that he died.

In regards to the big secret, I really don't like how

Catherine

was dealt with. I really feel like that character deserved

getting publically and professionally punished. (Straight to jail!) I also wanted to see Red confront her.

I also had a hard time keeping track of all the characters, they weren't as distinctive as say Oliver and Maddy were.
The ending was fine, but I still had so many questions. It feels like certain characters storylines, such as Red's Dad, were just kinda forgotten.
I definitely didn't enjoy this even half as much as AGGGTM, but I would still read anything Holly Jackson writes. I feel like it is incredibly difficult to follow up such a popular trilogy and I think everyone had higher expectations then were met.
I recommend you try this for yourself and see what you think!

Content Warnings

meganreadsbook's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Content Warnings

xlaurareads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

4.5

what an amazing book! the story was so immensly gripping and thrilling that i couldn't put the book down and finished it within a day. so many plots that seemed kinda predictable and then weren't at all, so many turns and secrets - i thoroughly loved all of it. holly jackson really delivered another banger here, with a story taking place within the short time of 8 hours in a 31 feet RV. incredibly intense writing style and the great take that

the danger doesn't only lie outside the RV but inside as well.

i got super invested whilst reading and, at some points, way too emotional with the way a certain person *cough* oliver *cough* acted. needless to say that

i was quite satisfied with him being shot in the end. he deserved it. sorry not sorry.

the ending itself was pretty emotional, especially the letter - i think that was a great idea of the author and something that spices things up a little. one more thing that'll haunt me forever though: what was the curtain pattern? aaahhhh.

Content Warnings

gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Details:
Narrated by Emma Galvin
Unabridged

This was super entertainment. I definitely didn't read this in 8 hours, as suggested, and it took me a few chapters to fully get into it, but it was riveting.

I was so shocked when it got more violent than I was expecting it too, but it was realistic in that way and I enjoyed that.

I thought the real reason seemed less of an incentive for the hostage situation than the first secret that was revealed. However, the big reveal had so many more little details that threaded together to make a really solid and satisfying conclusion to the mysteries.

Content Warnings

rosyburrow's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

binreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious 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

4.75

As someone who ADORED the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series (Pip is my GIRL), I was very excited to read this book and went in with high expectations. And let me say, it did not disappoint!

I read this so fast. I think it being set in one place for the whole book, along with the suspense, made it so I didn't want to put the book down! I also haven't read a tense mystery like this in awhile, so it was a great way to get back into it.

I do think the ending could've been more fleshed out, it felt slightly rushed compared to everything else. But damn, these characters were complex and mysterious.

I know my girl Holly Jackson, and she is good with twists. So from the jump, I was trying to guess who was the one in on it.

Giving away the ending so spoilers ahead!

Right away, I narrowed it down to Reyna, Red and Arthur. Reyna because she was driving, Red because she was the main character for a reason and Arthur because if you paid attention, when the GPS went out he said something along the lines of having the route up from when he was directing Red. So when the sniper said 'they were meant to be there', I knew it had to be one of them, most likely Arthur, which I was right about!!! When it was confirmed when he broke the walkie talkie I GASPED.

I think the biggest shock was how quickly Olivier turned on everyone. Even his own sister!!! He was all about self preservation and it was scary to see how much he was spiraling. I really thought he was gonna kill someone in the end, but he got what he deserved.

Arthur was extremely complicated...I think after Don and Joyce were killed he should've come clean right then and there. I didn't really care for his little note at the end about killing Catherine, wanting to meet with Red one last time. I feel like if he got killed off it may have been more impactful? Being that he really did have feelings for Red, didn't want to go into this family business, him apologizing and dying would've felt fitting.

I wish we got more time with Catherine Lavoy! Maybe a switched perspective or something because how could she kill her own best friend!?!? I would have loved to see what led her down that path of lies and crime. Poor Maddy.

Red mentions that curtain pattern that reminds her of something the whole book and we never figure out what it looked like!!

Content Warnings

cocoanut7's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I had to keep reading which is the mark of talented storytelling. But definitely some major flaws and plot holes. The conclusion provided some additional critiques from me. But I ate it up so that’s impressive.

Content Warnings

More...