A review by lizardteeth
The Bell Chime by Mona Kabbani

dark reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

I feel like I wrote a short story almost identical to this book when I was 13, everything I wrote had to be meaningful, and the darkest place I knew was an institution after binging 20 other Creepypastas that also took place in said institution.  This book is by far not the worst thing I've read but it's definitely not up there in memorable ranks either. The author jostles you around in the book which is meant to give off the same confusion the protagonist is going through, but it instead makes the ending and events that happen clear from the first few pages. The characters are unlikeable and edgy, the writing is bland, and the book takes itself so seriously it's laughable. My final irk is the 'interludes' between events; they weren't needed and felt like the page long inclusions of author notes I see in fanfictions where they warn you it's about to get even worse when in fact it just gets worse in regards to writing and plot creation. It's a book that's about 150 pages and if you have the urge to read a short book that's reminiscent of your emo teen years, it's pretty good just don't expect much. 
TW that's not on the list includes graphic depictions of
Spoilerinsects(maggots), eating insects
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