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anyajulchen's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Es una novela de misterio en exceso aburrida, superficial y el narrador es tan poco interesante que no entiendes por qué parece seguir teniendo amigos, familia, hasta varios pretendientes. Es una idea desperdiciada.
mahbubaa's review
4.0
Unlikeable character with layers. The mc is a recipie for disaster and it was fun I liked her insufferable humor. For me a bonus was that the serial killer aspect was not the focal point.
bertolino's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
horrorhussy's review
3.0
Physic connection to your missing hand, that’s now being used by a serial killer?!?
Sign me up, such a good premise!
Reading Phantom for me was a bit a of a unrequited labour of love. I love this concept, I wanted this to be my favourite book of 2023, which is probably where I went wrong, to much expectations heaped on.
My downfall with Phantom, was the length, it took to long to get into the good stuff, and then there was just to much in-between for me. I think I’m definitely going to be in the minority, and I’m sure I did it to myself. I could have done without half the characters, I’m also not really interested in hetro normative love stories in my horror, so I do usually checkout around them.
I think had this been a punchy novella or just a shorter novel, it would be on my top of 2023. It’s still going to hold the cool concept award
I think this is going to be a favourite, for many, the concept is just to hard to not love.
Ill still be checking out Powers other books for sure.
*totally calling this becoming a very cool tv series or something too*
Sign me up, such a good premise!
Reading Phantom for me was a bit a of a unrequited labour of love. I love this concept, I wanted this to be my favourite book of 2023, which is probably where I went wrong, to much expectations heaped on.
My downfall with Phantom, was the length, it took to long to get into the good stuff, and then there was just to much in-between for me. I think I’m definitely going to be in the minority, and I’m sure I did it to myself. I could have done without half the characters, I’m also not really interested in hetro normative love stories in my horror, so I do usually checkout around them.
I think had this been a punchy novella or just a shorter novel, it would be on my top of 2023. It’s still going to hold the cool concept award
I think this is going to be a favourite, for many, the concept is just to hard to not love.
Ill still be checking out Powers other books for sure.
*totally calling this becoming a very cool tv series or something too*
crimsonking19's review
4.0
I was lost throughout most of the book, almost never knew what was going to happen next it was exhilarating!
kailaelders's review
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
I liked it more than most mysteries because it didn't take itself too seriously and was a little silly and overdramatic throughout. I really loved the hallucinations Roz had throughout because they were just far enough apart that I'd start to forget they were a possibility and they made for fun mini-twists whenever anything dramatic happened. I love an unreliable narrator. It was fun, but a little long and the ending lacked something for me. I also almost wish we didn't have the chapters from the killer's point of view because the way they spoke felt like a big disconnect from Lavoie’s character throughout, and I don't think it added much to the story for me. A lot of the characters lacked depth which normally bothers me more but the pace of this book was so quick that I sort of forgave it and just accepted it.
ipanzica's review
4.0
What would drive a person to sell their living organs or body parts? How desperate would they need to be? How persistent would the buyer need to be?
This book is a thriller that includes horror, science fiction to create a fascinating story. All the characters are interesting and I like how imperfect the main character is. She is clearly struggling and makes a lot of bad decisions, but her determination and persistence make her a great character to follow.
This book is a thriller that includes horror, science fiction to create a fascinating story. All the characters are interesting and I like how imperfect the main character is. She is clearly struggling and makes a lot of bad decisions, but her determination and persistence make her a great character to follow.
lattelibrarian's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This slow-burn of a novel becomes lightning fast once you realized how unreliable Roz is.
Roz sold her hand, drunk and desperate, for a million dollars. Haunted by excruciating phantom pain, she seeks therapy and a clinical drug trial. She can't quite quit her drinking habit, and the result is a strange hallucination: she can feel her hand--the phantom one. And she can feel it kill. Is it possible her hand has been sold to a serial killer? After all, the Phantom Strangler has returned after being dormant for so long...
Reading this book is like getting whiplash. You're certain you know what's going on...until you're not. And just when you think a-HA! The rug is pulled out from under you yet again.
It's clear Powers has spent lots of time creating this weaving story full of underground networks, white-collar crime, and unreliable characters. Her hard work has paid off greatly in creating a book about a newly disabled protagonist who is just as punchy as she is mouthy.
Roz sold her hand, drunk and desperate, for a million dollars. Haunted by excruciating phantom pain, she seeks therapy and a clinical drug trial. She can't quite quit her drinking habit, and the result is a strange hallucination: she can feel her hand--the phantom one. And she can feel it kill. Is it possible her hand has been sold to a serial killer? After all, the Phantom Strangler has returned after being dormant for so long...
Reading this book is like getting whiplash. You're certain you know what's going on...until you're not. And just when you think a-HA! The rug is pulled out from under you yet again.
It's clear Powers has spent lots of time creating this weaving story full of underground networks, white-collar crime, and unreliable characters. Her hard work has paid off greatly in creating a book about a newly disabled protagonist who is just as punchy as she is mouthy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Drug use, Gun violence, and Murder
catsandbookstacks's review against another edition
2.0
*Thank you to NetGalley and CamCat Books for the eARC.*
Phantom is a genre mashup sophomore novel from Helen Power. Selling a limb, which ends up being used by a serial killer. Drug trial and hallucinations. Conspiracy, mystery and romance.
While the concept was interesting, the plot felt too slow for me due to the focus on character while having all of these other genre threads. The plot didn't feel propelled in a natural way and character interactions came off as inconsistent.
I do enjoy a good unlikeable character, but Roz's alcoholism takes precedence over her other more interesting traits and interests. The loss of a hand and how Roz behaved made me feel a little icky - I can't tell if its ableism or if the character is just so unlikeable due to her attitude. The romance felt unnecessary and muddled the storyline. I didn't love the way substance abuse, and mental health was handled as well.
Ultimately, I found Phantom lacked the spark it needed to engage me. I loved Helen's debut novel, The Ghosts of Thorwald Place, so I will still give future books a try.
Phantom is a genre mashup sophomore novel from Helen Power. Selling a limb, which ends up being used by a serial killer. Drug trial and hallucinations. Conspiracy, mystery and romance.
While the concept was interesting, the plot felt too slow for me due to the focus on character while having all of these other genre threads. The plot didn't feel propelled in a natural way and character interactions came off as inconsistent.
I do enjoy a good unlikeable character, but Roz's alcoholism takes precedence over her other more interesting traits and interests. The loss of a hand and how Roz behaved made me feel a little icky - I can't tell if its ableism or if the character is just so unlikeable due to her attitude. The romance felt unnecessary and muddled the storyline. I didn't love the way substance abuse, and mental health was handled as well.
Ultimately, I found Phantom lacked the spark it needed to engage me. I loved Helen's debut novel, The Ghosts of Thorwald Place, so I will still give future books a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Drug abuse, Addiction, Murder, and Gore