Scan barcode
eengland's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
janaedoe's review against another edition
2.0
This book had potential. It had the ability to be a great book if it were a longer novel or a series.
justinkhchen's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
A promising debut, but doesn't quite deliver on its ambition. Lakewood is a mystery thriller centering around racism, conspiracy theory, and ethics; while it appropriately recreates the disorienting experience of someone who is slowly losing grip with one self and reality, the lack of emotional punch and narrative vigor makes the final product just shy of its true potential.
Like a R-rated movie being trimmed into a PG-13 mess, Megan Giddings' indecisive writing wavers between rightfully disturbing and strangely censored; there are a couple fantastic scenes that really showcases Megan's ability to depict chill-to-the-bone macabre, yet there are more instances where the intentional vagueness dilutes impact, instead of layering up the atmosphere. The incorporation of racism also feels strangely surface level, like they are pluck directly from general news headlines without any further internalized perspective. Perhaps this can be attributed to the hazy writing style, but I didn't get a visceral reaction like I did while reading When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole.
Lakewood is broken into 2 parts, each with a distinct storytelling approach. While I enjoy both on their own, together they feel disconnected and oddly paced; especially with Part 2 being so short (one can almost argue it's an extended epilogue), but packs with the majority of the story beats, one has to question if this a calculated narrative choice, or simply a rushed, easy way out for the author to 'info dump' closures without really dissecting them.
Lakewood reads like a trial and error, and I'm OK with that. Yes, it comes across as noncommittal at times, teetering between being an enigmatic 'mood' piece, and something a little bit more conventional with articulated climax and closure, but I still applaud Megan Giddings' ambition to push her craft — hopefully her next one will be even better!
A promising debut, but doesn't quite deliver on its ambition. Lakewood is a mystery thriller centering around racism, conspiracy theory, and ethics; while it appropriately recreates the disorienting experience of someone who is slowly losing grip with one self and reality, the lack of emotional punch and narrative vigor makes the final product just shy of its true potential.
Like a R-rated movie being trimmed into a PG-13 mess, Megan Giddings' indecisive writing wavers between rightfully disturbing and strangely censored; there are a couple fantastic scenes that really showcases Megan's ability to depict chill-to-the-bone macabre, yet there are more instances where the intentional vagueness dilutes impact, instead of layering up the atmosphere. The incorporation of racism also feels strangely surface level, like they are pluck directly from general news headlines without any further internalized perspective. Perhaps this can be attributed to the hazy writing style, but I didn't get a visceral reaction like I did while reading When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole.
Lakewood is broken into 2 parts, each with a distinct storytelling approach. While I enjoy both on their own, together they feel disconnected and oddly paced; especially with Part 2 being so short (one can almost argue it's an extended epilogue), but packs with the majority of the story beats, one has to question if this a calculated narrative choice, or simply a rushed, easy way out for the author to 'info dump' closures without really dissecting them.
Lakewood reads like a trial and error, and I'm OK with that. Yes, it comes across as noncommittal at times, teetering between being an enigmatic 'mood' piece, and something a little bit more conventional with articulated climax and closure, but I still applaud Megan Giddings' ambition to push her craft — hopefully her next one will be even better!
jeannine6's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
megmoore123's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
redrumreads's review against another edition
3.25
What an unnerving read. I have yet to read anything like it.
Government medical experiments, NDAs, so many secrets - and many fever dreams
I LOVED how we were viewing the story through the eyes of of the FMC and her letters to her bestfriend. Although it allowed for a confusing narrative, it made it so much more engrossing and suspenseful.
I wish we would have maybe gotten the POV of one of the doctors or observers as well. I wanted MORE. A lot of questions go unanswered in this one. I have my theories though.
Still a real good thought-provoking story.
Government medical experiments, NDAs, so many secrets - and many fever dreams
I LOVED how we were viewing the story through the eyes of of the FMC and her letters to her bestfriend. Although it allowed for a confusing narrative, it made it so much more engrossing and suspenseful.
I wish we would have maybe gotten the POV of one of the doctors or observers as well. I wanted MORE. A lot of questions go unanswered in this one. I have my theories though.
Still a real good thought-provoking story.
joyceheinen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
After Lena’s grandmother has passed, she realizes that her mother’s illness is worsening. They are also dealing with a huge family debt. Lena is forced to quit school and a find a job to support her family. In an add, she reads about Lakewood. A secluded town. There is a jo that pays highly and provides a place to live. All Lena has to do is participate in a series of medical tests. When it sounds too good to be true, it most often is.
Even though Lena knows she is a part of medical research, she has no clue what to expect. And it doesn’t take long for her to see that something is very wrong in Lakewood. Why are (almost) all of the participants people of color, while the observers are all white? What are these tests for and why can’t they talk about it with their families? When at first the tests are pretty innocent, they quickly turn into something more dark, painful and terrifying.
“Lakewood” is provocative and thrilling. A breathtaking novel that takes un unflinching look at the moral dilemmas faced by many working-glass families and the horror imposed on Black people in the name of science.
It’s a disconcerting, surrealistic story. Very though-provoking and creepy. It’s so horrific because it feels so realistic. I felt the ending was a bit rushed for my liking, but overall I really loved “Lakewood”.
Even though Lena knows she is a part of medical research, she has no clue what to expect. And it doesn’t take long for her to see that something is very wrong in Lakewood. Why are (almost) all of the participants people of color, while the observers are all white? What are these tests for and why can’t they talk about it with their families? When at first the tests are pretty innocent, they quickly turn into something more dark, painful and terrifying.
“Lakewood” is provocative and thrilling. A breathtaking novel that takes un unflinching look at the moral dilemmas faced by many working-glass families and the horror imposed on Black people in the name of science.
It’s a disconcerting, surrealistic story. Very though-provoking and creepy. It’s so horrific because it feels so realistic. I felt the ending was a bit rushed for my liking, but overall I really loved “Lakewood”.
mlynn2004's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sike_chick's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting read
This was an interesting read, but I wanted a little more. The ending seemed a little anticlimactic. At the least it has inspired me to read about real-life stories on human experimentation.
This was an interesting read, but I wanted a little more. The ending seemed a little anticlimactic. At the least it has inspired me to read about real-life stories on human experimentation.