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cursed10fold's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
There are actually two versions of this story. An updated one and the original one from 1973.
I read the original version of the story and I liked it but I can see why people wouldn't like the updated version because the story makes a lot more sense when it takes place in the early 70s when the cultural norms would be more likely to allow the inciting incident to happen in the first place. It almost reads like an early MADD PSA (which is impressive given that MADD was only founded 7 years after the book was published). There are also parts of the story that rely on the characters having limited or delayed communication.
If you want to check out the book I would recommend it with the caveat that the original version is likely the better one and it's very much a story of its time.
I read the original version of the story and I liked it but I can see why people wouldn't like the updated version because the story makes a lot more sense when it takes place in the early 70s when the cultural norms would be more likely to allow the inciting incident to happen in the first place. It almost reads like an early MADD PSA (which is impressive given that MADD was only founded 7 years after the book was published). There are also parts of the story that rely on the characters having limited or delayed communication.
If you want to check out the book I would recommend it with the caveat that the original version is likely the better one and it's very much a story of its time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Stalking
Moderate: Car accident and Child death
Minor: Fatphobia, Sexism, and War
finleyfrogreads's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
patches7o9's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
mehsi's review
2.0
So my group on Goodreads started the Blind Date Challenge again, and my partner and I picked this book. I was really interesting in this one, I heard a lot about the book and the movie, so I was curious if it was really as good as everyone said.
Sadly, it was not. It started off pretty good though, and I was really exited to read the book. The changing POVs were done really well (every chapter we had a different character), and the story was interesting. However as the book progressed I started to dislike most of the characters and I was just getting frustrated with them.
Barry was just the most horrendous figure ever. How he thought of girls, how he treated Helen, how he treated what happened last summer. Disgusting. The first chapter I saw him, I kind of liked him, but as we started to learn more about him I just wanted him to be finished or gone as soon as possible.
Helen was the second on the rank list for horrendous character. What a self-centered, sad, pathetic girl that was. Bah. How she treated people, how she only had eyes for herself and Barry. Bah.
Ray, I found him quite nice, but also just annoying that he apparently doesn't get the word no.
Julie, the only character I sort of sympathized with. The only character I liked. She was truly a good girl, though I wish she had sought help from someone. I know, I know the pact, but come on. :|
I was also shaking my head at the sheer stupidity that these kids had. You do that? And just decide to make a pact and do that? What the hell is wrong with you. Did you really think you would get away with it all? Did you think the guilt, or someone coming for you would not happen?
Sure, the kids were wrong to drive while having drunk a bit (though again, I also would like to know the amounts, same goes for the drugs part, again, not saying it is good, but I know here you can still have about 0,5 promille in your blood and still be good, as long as it isn't more than that), to just not stop, but that kid was also not innocent. And maybe I will get the rage of all the people of the internet over me, but this is how I think. Both parties are irresponsible, and both parties are guilty. The kid for being stupid to go out on a road without lights or anything so he is visible at midnight, I don't really give a damn that the kid was only 10. By 10 I knew that I had to keep an eye out on traffic, and going out at night? Hahahaa, no. The parents for not going to pick him up, or at least making sure that the parents at the friend's house will keep him there, and the kids who just drove that kid over (though again, I can imagine you would be scared out of your fucking pants when you suddenly hit something, though still no excuse for just running away). Sorry the kid died, and I felt a bit sad, but I also was just shaking my head at all the stupidity and the fact the kids are seen as the only guilty party.
Phew, I had to get that off my chest. That frustrated me so much.
The plottwist? Eh, I saw it coming, and at a certain point was really sure about it, which kind of ruined the book further for me.
The whole revenge thing? HAHAHAHAAHHAHA, sorry, I just almost rolled off my chair there.
So yeah, the book went from a 4 stars to a 3 stars, to now 2 stars, but I am thinking it is better to give this book a 1.5 star.
Not recommending this one. There are better thriller/horror books out there.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Sadly, it was not. It started off pretty good though, and I was really exited to read the book. The changing POVs were done really well (every chapter we had a different character), and the story was interesting. However as the book progressed I started to dislike most of the characters and I was just getting frustrated with them.
Barry was just the most horrendous figure ever. How he thought of girls, how he treated Helen, how he treated what happened last summer. Disgusting. The first chapter I saw him, I kind of liked him, but as we started to learn more about him I just wanted him to be finished or gone as soon as possible.
Helen was the second on the rank list for horrendous character. What a self-centered, sad, pathetic girl that was. Bah. How she treated people, how she only had eyes for herself and Barry. Bah.
Ray, I found him quite nice, but also just annoying that he apparently doesn't get the word no.
Julie, the only character I sort of sympathized with. The only character I liked. She was truly a good girl, though I wish she had sought help from someone. I know, I know the pact, but come on. :|
I was also shaking my head at the sheer stupidity that these kids had. You do that? And just decide to make a pact and do that? What the hell is wrong with you. Did you really think you would get away with it all? Did you think the guilt, or someone coming for you would not happen?
Spoiler
Also, I wonder what parent doesn't make sure their kids bike is at least worthy of going out at night. Here, you need to have lights on your bike, otherwise you are going to be fined if they see you bike around like that. Also my first reaction when I heard about what happened last summer was: Who the fuck lets their kid bike outside, on a FUCKING road, in the FUCKING dark, at FUCKING midnight? What kind of parents are these. And then later we learn that the kid himself was just a stupid ass. :| Yes, yes, I might anger people with that.Sure, the kids were wrong to drive while having drunk a bit (though again, I also would like to know the amounts, same goes for the drugs part, again, not saying it is good, but I know here you can still have about 0,5 promille in your blood and still be good, as long as it isn't more than that), to just not stop, but that kid was also not innocent. And maybe I will get the rage of all the people of the internet over me, but this is how I think. Both parties are irresponsible, and both parties are guilty. The kid for being stupid to go out on a road without lights or anything so he is visible at midnight, I don't really give a damn that the kid was only 10. By 10 I knew that I had to keep an eye out on traffic, and going out at night? Hahahaa, no. The parents for not going to pick him up, or at least making sure that the parents at the friend's house will keep him there, and the kids who just drove that kid over (though again, I can imagine you would be scared out of your fucking pants when you suddenly hit something, though still no excuse for just running away). Sorry the kid died, and I felt a bit sad, but I also was just shaking my head at all the stupidity and the fact the kids are seen as the only guilty party.
Phew, I had to get that off my chest. That frustrated me so much.
The plottwist? Eh, I saw it coming, and at a certain point was really sure about it, which kind of ruined the book further for me.
The whole revenge thing? HAHAHAHAAHHAHA, sorry, I just almost rolled off my chair there.
Spoiler
What revenge part? Not much happens, and by the time it really gets exciting... the book ends. Yep, the craptastic ending of all! Anti-climatic as hell too. The horror begins the book blurb tells us, yes the horror of falling asleep and being bored out of your head.So yeah, the book went from a 4 stars to a 3 stars, to now 2 stars, but I am thinking it is better to give this book a 1.5 star.
Not recommending this one. There are better thriller/horror books out there.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
polywogqueen's review
4.0
reading this and then seeing episode one of the new TV show is extremely shocking
carly_luce2k14's review
dark
mysterious
fast-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
3.0
Simply, meh