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ageekybibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
a good book I found in the library. such a horrible idea of a book as well as a heart breaking ending. I felt like I was living with the character in that bunker :(
protoman21's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
A unique and dark story, but one that hooks you from the beginning and never lets you go. This isn't just a horror style story about a guy torturing people for his own pleasure. This isn't just a story about human nature and what we would do if stripped from our lives with all of our freedom and conveniences. This isn't just a story about a boy struggling to find himself in the worst situations.
This book is all of those things and more. A heart pounding, mind twisting, gripping story that will keep you up at night finishing it, then it will keep you up longer trying to get it out of your head.
A unique and dark story, but one that hooks you from the beginning and never lets you go. This isn't just a horror style story about a guy torturing people for his own pleasure. This isn't just a story about human nature and what we would do if stripped from our lives with all of our freedom and conveniences. This isn't just a story about a boy struggling to find himself in the worst situations.
This book is all of those things and more. A heart pounding, mind twisting, gripping story that will keep you up at night finishing it, then it will keep you up longer trying to get it out of your head.
bibo_noir's review against another edition
Saw this book once in a library 9 years ago and it did not leave my mind until I bought it this year. Kidnapping Horror with an interesting look at how different people cope with being imprisoned. This book will shatter you. Read it in one sitting, could not put it down.
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
Warning: This book is not for the weak-hearted. Believe me, the book is gruesome and horrific at times.
I saw this book in the library and based on the blurb, I decided to read it. In the end, it was an interesting read, and I am glad I tried it out. Though I am also sad and my stomach is a bit queasy.
Not everything was perfect in this book. For one, we never really get a clue about the man (only how he looked) or why he kidnapped everyone, is there a reason for all 6 people? Is it random? Two, the ending, I won't spoil anything, but I would have loved an epilogue.
I did like the rest of the book. I was at first afraid it would be all teenagers, but soon you find out that everyone is of random ages. You got very young (Jenny, 9 years), Linus (not sure how old) and 3 adults (various ages) and one older guy. That made the story, for me, more believable.
It was still shocking, I never expected that he would kidnap a 9 year old girl and dump her in a place like that.
Of course, put 6 people in one small space, add to that punishments, cameras, microphones and you can imagine what will happen, people will argue, fight, things will happen. Good and bad.
The punishments were gruesome, if they did something wrong (in the eyes of the kidnapper) they got punishments, varying from being gassed, to no food for days, or at one point even get a mad dog send downstairs. I had to push through those parts. Really, horrific and my stomach was not all too happy with the details.
The book is written from the point of view from Linus, he tells us what happens, he tells us about the people, who they are, when they got here.
Also, like I said, I won't spoil the ending, but be sure to bring tissues, a lot.
All in all a great book, but really horrific at times and it doesn't give much answers to questions. If you can stand gruesome things and don't mind not getting answers, then I would recommend this book.
I saw this book in the library and based on the blurb, I decided to read it. In the end, it was an interesting read, and I am glad I tried it out. Though I am also sad and my stomach is a bit queasy.
Not everything was perfect in this book. For one, we never really get a clue about the man (only how he looked) or why he kidnapped everyone, is there a reason for all 6 people? Is it random? Two, the ending, I won't spoil anything, but I would have loved an epilogue.
I did like the rest of the book. I was at first afraid it would be all teenagers, but soon you find out that everyone is of random ages. You got very young (Jenny, 9 years), Linus (not sure how old) and 3 adults (various ages) and one older guy. That made the story, for me, more believable.
It was still shocking, I never expected that he would kidnap a 9 year old girl and dump her in a place like that.
Of course, put 6 people in one small space, add to that punishments, cameras, microphones and you can imagine what will happen, people will argue, fight, things will happen. Good and bad.
The punishments were gruesome, if they did something wrong (in the eyes of the kidnapper) they got punishments, varying from being gassed, to no food for days, or at one point even get a mad dog send downstairs. I had to push through those parts. Really, horrific and my stomach was not all too happy with the details.
The book is written from the point of view from Linus, he tells us what happens, he tells us about the people, who they are, when they got here.
Also, like I said, I won't spoil the ending, but be sure to bring tissues, a lot.
All in all a great book, but really horrific at times and it doesn't give much answers to questions. If you can stand gruesome things and don't mind not getting answers, then I would recommend this book.
meggomyeggo28's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
no rating
simultaneously one of the best and worst books i have ever read, so i don’t think it’s fair to give it a rating bc it’s both 5 stars and 1 star. it depicts a young boy’s descent into madness during his abduction and time in an underground bunker. it provides a gut wrenching view into what humans will do to survive. it also provides an intense criticism on religion. i think it’s important to read, but i will never be reading it again.
simultaneously one of the best and worst books i have ever read, so i don’t think it’s fair to give it a rating bc it’s both 5 stars and 1 star. it depicts a young boy’s descent into madness during his abduction and time in an underground bunker. it provides a gut wrenching view into what humans will do to survive. it also provides an intense criticism on religion. i think it’s important to read, but i will never be reading it again.
alisharoses's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
psychogen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
kayglo90's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
aliena_jackson's review against another edition
1.0
I’ve never read from the POV of a more uninteresting protagonist. Don’t read this. How it won a Newberry, especially considering it’s predictable and boring ending is beyond me.
gingersquirrel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5