Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Alice Isn't Dead by Joseph Fink

25 reviews

stories's review against another edition

dark hopeful fast-paced

4.0

This would perfect for a long drive. 

Horror/mystery intertwined with hope. 

Still very much relevant today, but it has gorgeous roots in the social justice movements of its time that resonate powerfully. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Violence

Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Cannibalism, Murder, and Abandonment

Minor: Fatphobia, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and War

calamitydane's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Loved this book! The characters were fantastic, descriptions were visceral, and the theme was relatable. I kept sending quotes to my partner because they were so iconic.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Cannibalism, Murder, and War

joensign's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Racism, Antisemitism, Grief, and Abandonment

Minor: Death of parent

melbotics's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

As an Alice Isn't Dead podcast listener, it took me a bit to get used to the change in narrative style in the book - the 1st person made everything very immediate, while the book is in third omniscient. 

But I did get used to it. And I very much enjoyed this retelling of the podcast story (and Jasika Nicole's narration). I love the horror explored here on highways and liminal spaces in America, and the political commentary built in. 

I think the Oracles of the Road are one of my favorite horror/fantasy concepts in the story. I just love the idea of these timeless beings in hoodies lurking in mall fountains and such. Plus the refrain the protagonists need to figure out, "there are oracles on these roads".

I enjoyed the authors note about the end, discussing how his own anxiety influenced the character Keisha. 

... This book has made me want to watch season 1 of Supernatural, so do with that what you will. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Violence

Moderate: Antisemitism

Minor: Racism

spacedadsammy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Perhaps I’m biased as a night vale fan but regardless this was FANTASTIC. The body horror was great, the mystery was fun, the social/political allegory was really well done. I loved it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Violence

kailovesfrogs333's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective sad medium-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

4.0

I think this book works so much better as a podcast, as somebody who adores the podcast and finished it in 4 days. However, I'm still giving this book a 4-star because it has a special place in my heart, and because there were some very quotable moments in this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Abandonment

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, and Stalking

Minor: Cursing, Antisemitism, and Colonisation

racinghiro's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Death, Violence, and Murder

24carrotgay's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is not the kind of book that I usually read.

I usually put down books that have somebody taking a bite out of somebody else's neck in the first chapter (R.I.P. Earl).

But Alice Isn't Dead had me hooked. This book was a lot in terms of violence and heavy themes, so it took a bit of time and space for me to truly appreciate it. Right after finishing, I honestly felt drained. A couple weeks later though, I was raving about it. Definitely won't reread, but I'm glad I read it :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

haileyhardcover's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I used to be big into podcasts but I haven’t listened to one in ages. I had no idea about Alice Isn’t Dead (in podcast OR book form) until I happened to notice it at B&N, read half of the description on the back and decided to buy it on a whim. 

The premise is cool - Keisha’s wife goes missing, is presumed dead, and then Keisha sees her repeatedly popping up in the background of the news, so she goes looking for her and discovers way more than she bargained for. The story was well written and easy to read fast (short chapters!) but there were several points where I was just… bored. I wonder if I might’ve felt more emotionally invested if I’d listened to the podcast.

My favorite bit was the most relatable to me - Keisha, having resolved to remain single, sees Alice for the first time and thinks, “Well, shit.” And ain’t that just how it goes… lol Best laid plans. 

For someone who LOVES horror, I didn’t read enough of it this year. I’m looking forward to reading more of it in 2024. Maybe I’ll find something actually scary for a change lol 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Racism, Stalking, and War

Minor: Sexism and Gaslighting

bumblemee's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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

Listened to this classic of a fiction podcast to finally know why people love it so much - and also because I'm always here for badass queer women.
The story is creepy, brutal at times, well performed by the voice actresses and has a lot of creative ideas. Keisha is a very brave protagonist, facing the dangers she encounters head on, I also liked that we got some anxiety-rep with her. She's really cool, as well as Sylvia. I liked discovering the bigger and smaller mysteries with them. 

I also liked the explanation of how thistle-men are created, that they used to be human. As well as the oracles; the oracles in general were fascinating and I love that Sylvia became an oracle after being saved by one when her mother was murdered.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Cannibalism, and Murder