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luisasm's review against another edition
3.0
Fluff reading, surprisingly creepy, but forgettable. Kept my interest, but it was very dark.
jennyleighx33's review against another edition
2.0
There's nothing more disappointing than finishing a mediocre book. I used to really enjoy the cheesy-mystery-horror Lois Duncan wrote in my childhood, but perhaps I have aged too much or there was a reason I skipped this one in middle school.
Gallows Hill was supposed to be sort of a trashy escape, but instead I felt bored a lot of the time reading it. It seemed very underdeveloped and it wasn't even fun, which is something I remember I Know What You Dod Last Summer, Summer of Fear, and Killing Mr. Griffin all were. Perhaps I should have spent my time diving into an old Fear Street book - at least those only take an hour to read. This book oddly felt like forever and I'm a fast reader for the most part :p.
I think my biggest problem with the book was the sudden climactic end. Everything went nuts in a matter of 10 pages and then - poof - the book ends on a happy note. It was a little bizarre and a lot of build up for nothing.
Gallows Hill was supposed to be sort of a trashy escape, but instead I felt bored a lot of the time reading it. It seemed very underdeveloped and it wasn't even fun, which is something I remember I Know What You Dod Last Summer, Summer of Fear, and Killing Mr. Griffin all were. Perhaps I should have spent my time diving into an old Fear Street book - at least those only take an hour to read. This book oddly felt like forever and I'm a fast reader for the most part :p.
I think my biggest problem with the book was the sudden climactic end. Everything went nuts in a matter of 10 pages and then - poof - the book ends on a happy note. It was a little bizarre and a lot of build up for nothing.
izumisano's review against another edition
2.0
The people in this book were so frustratingly stupid it was almost unreadable. Are people really that ignorant in small towns or is it another writing cliché? I think I'll keep this author for 12 year old me.
kaylinpacheco's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the premise of the story. I just wish it had been more fleshed out. Sarah (main character) wasn’t my favorite but it was a nice quick read.
h0wtodisappear's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.25
crabbyabbe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.25
I read this back in the day when I was teaching middle school, and I decided to reread it. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed Lois Duncan's books. 17-yr.-old Sarah poses as a fortuneteller at her new school's Halloween fair and soon discovers that she actually is able to see the future in a crystal ball given to her by her mother. The other students brand her a witch, and it's 1600s Salem all over again.
Tragically, Duncan's youngest daughter was murdered in Albuquerque, NM, prompting her to write WHO KILLED MY DAUGHTER? The killer was indicted in 2022, but sadly, Duncan had passed away in 2016, never knowing who killed her daughter. The only horror story she wrote after her daughter's death was this one, GALLOWS HILL.
Tragically, Duncan's youngest daughter was murdered in Albuquerque, NM, prompting her to write WHO KILLED MY DAUGHTER? The killer was indicted in 2022, but sadly, Duncan had passed away in 2016, never knowing who killed her daughter. The only horror story she wrote after her daughter's death was this one, GALLOWS HILL.
dee21's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
melodictus's review against another edition
4.0
I had a flash back of a movie I had seen when I was a teenager and found out it was based on this book. So instead of rewatching the movie I picked up the book and I was not disappointed. I wish it had been translated in French and had more spotlight because I would’ve totally obsessed over Lois Duncan’s story.