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A review by mal_reads_books
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The story was gripping and suspenseful, full of red herrings that actually tricked and surprised me. I loved how the drawings were included so that I felt immersed in the story. Overall, it's one of the better thrillers I've read.
However, it gave me weird vibes at times.
The "male gaze" experiment at the beginning was weird and didn't relate to the rest of the story.
The anti-religious parents were stereotypical liberals who don't even say "bless you" or celebrate Christmas. They have discussions with the child about private parts and exposing oneself, even buying a graphic sex book for the child. The main character is Christian and saves the child from the parents, who kidnapped the child and forced the child to change gender. The child transitions back to a girl and the main character goes "I knew [the child] was a girl all along." . Reviewers have debated whether this book is transphobic. On a surface level, it may not seem so. Given this was published last year and alludes to right-wing views on the matter, I feel the author was making a statement supporting these ideas.
There were also fatphobic statements like "she ballooned to a size eight", which is not even fat. The main character criticized her mom for being fat and unhelpful, but all is well when she loses weight.
Other issues include one-dimensional stereotypical characters such the crazy right-wing neighbor and the main character's landscaper Latino friend, and how technology turns children into zombies.
To an extent, I enjoyed the book. I liked its originality with the drawings. Unfortunately, it got heavy-handed with the political and religious ideology, especially toward the end.
However, it gave me weird vibes at times.
The "male gaze" experiment at the beginning was weird and didn't relate to the rest of the story.
The anti-religious parents were stereotypical liberals who don't even say "bless you" or celebrate Christmas. They have discussions with the child about private parts and exposing oneself, even buying a graphic sex book for the child. The main character is Christian and saves the child from the parents
There were also fatphobic statements like "she ballooned to a size eight", which is not even fat. The main character criticized her mom for being fat and unhelpful, but all is well when she loses weight.
Other issues include one-dimensional stereotypical characters such the crazy right-wing neighbor and the main character's landscaper Latino friend, and how technology turns children into zombies.
To an extent, I enjoyed the book. I liked its originality with the drawings. Unfortunately, it got heavy-handed with the political and religious ideology, especially toward the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual content