vixenreader's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Child death, Death, Medical trauma, Gore, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Stalking, Cursing, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Toxic friendship, and Racism
Minor: Drug use, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Domestic abuse
The nature of the gore involves body mutilation, and there is graphic violence with knives. Narcissism in children and adults is explored throughout the text.savreads28's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Blood, Mental illness, and Cursing
dariana12's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Spoiler
Also, the fact that Rodrigo and Alex both secretly liked each other but never knew absolutely broke my heart in pieces, idk its just so sad😭Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, and Death of parent
teacher2library's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Minor: Cursing
rosesofthespring's review against another edition
- 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 hope we get to see more horror from Perkins in the future.
Graphic: Bullying, Gore, Medical content, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Body horror, Death, Grief, Murder, Stalking, Gaslighting, Vomit, Alcohol, and Cursing
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Racism, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Car accident, Homophobia, Sexism, and Sexual content
sleeson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Moderate: Blood, Car accident, Murder, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Death of parent, and Gore
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Alcohol
smiller14360's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Grief and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, Bullying, Cursing, Car accident, and Suicide
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
4.5
Spoiler
the fact Ollie is actually alive feels kind of...meh. like too happy an ending? When her friend was nearly fully decapted and murdered, her other friend seriously stabbed, another girl with a sliced thigh, and Makani gets to keep a boyfriend who apparently is more important than her critically injured friend? It would've been better if he didn't make it for me. Especially since the injured surviving friend kind of did a miracle "saves the day" kind of move to help our main girl deal the final blow. which was going to already make the end a happy-ish ending without "oh my god the boy I've only know for 3 months and am unhealthily obsessed with is alive!!!" Does that make me a jerk? MaybeOverall though, super good thriller/slasher. Love and hate small Midwest town settings as someone from a small Midwest town. Seriously gave me the creeps because the setting is so similar to where I'm at. Read this is one day. Stayed up super late to finish it. Kind of gives me some similar vibes to The Mary Shelley Club. I would be willing to read more from this author 100%. Def check content/trigger warnings tho.
Graphic: Car accident, Medical content, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Murder, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Vomit, and Cursing
julienicole1106's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Violence, Cursing, and Murder
voidboi's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
I do have a few complaints. I felt that Darby and Alex were underdeveloped and somewhat cartoon-y, and I wish they'd gotten past that before the end. I also thought that the reveal of Makani's past was a bit anti-climactic. Reading about what she'd been put through was horrific (though a bit weirdly formatted), but in the end what she actually did just paled in comparison to to actual bad things in her past and present, and it seemed unrealistic that the response would have been so world-ending for her.
Spoiler
Honestly, if Jasmine had actually died I think it would have hit home, and created a stronger conflict between victimhood and guilt.This was a great spooky season read, and I'm so glad Steph Perkins was able to write this. Her voice is perfect for the messy and dark parts of adolescence.
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Car accident, Drug use, and Physical abuse