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bookfairy99's review
The potential of this book's premise had me eagerly anticipating reading it. However, I encountered a few immediate challenges that ultimately led to my decision to set it aside unfinished. Firstly, the writing style lacked polish, and the frequent switches in point of view within a scene made following the story's progression a daunting task. At times, the perspective would even shift to characters located in entirely different cities. Additionally, the plot's gratuitous violence, particularly against women, left a sour taste in my mouth. It felt reminiscent of a disturbingly gruesome CSI episode that I simply could not stomach any longer. As much as it pains me to say, I had it set it aside unfinished.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Violence, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Sexual assault, Gore, Rape, and Sexual violence
wallabystew's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
etakloknok's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
mugsandpugs's review
5.0
What a GOOD time.
Take the sprawling and expansive (and prose-heavy) storytelling of Stephen King and combine it with the vehicular action (and large cast of badass female leads) of Mad Max: Fury Road, then heap in a couple spoonfulls of Midwestern gothic and a whole cup of rock 'n roll. What an adrennaline-fueled blast.
Not since the Sandman comics have I seen a diner scene so deliciously disturbing. This seriously has all the things I love, and the little kid in me is bouncing and clapping her hands. WITCHES AND GHOSTS AND MODERN-DAY KNIGHTS. CREEPY TOWNS AND KICKASS OLD LADIES WITH SHOTGUNS, OH //MY.//
Reccomended to: Fans of Joe Hill's "Heart-Shaped Box"
The action and lore are good, the ending feels earned, the MANY CHARACTERS all had some degree of arc, and I am completely satisfied. I see some people in the reviews complaining about Belcher's writing, and I honestly don't understand it? I thought it was very skillfully written. Again: I was definately getting some Stephen King vibes, but in what world is that a bad thing?
I'm so excited for the sequel, you can't even imagine. I'm metaphorically smashing my face against R.S. Belcher's front door and dancing excitedly for more (though I feel like he'd chase me off with a fly swatter, swearing, "Go on, git! You'll get yer magic lesbians LATER, now SHOO!")
(((PS: I've now officially read three book series that contain some form of undead Elvis Presley. Is. Is that a trend???!!!)))
Take the sprawling and expansive (and prose-heavy) storytelling of Stephen King and combine it with the vehicular action (and large cast of badass female leads) of Mad Max: Fury Road, then heap in a couple spoonfulls of Midwestern gothic and a whole cup of rock 'n roll. What an adrennaline-fueled blast.
Not since the Sandman comics have I seen a diner scene so deliciously disturbing. This seriously has all the things I love, and the little kid in me is bouncing and clapping her hands. WITCHES AND GHOSTS AND MODERN-DAY KNIGHTS. CREEPY TOWNS AND KICKASS OLD LADIES WITH SHOTGUNS, OH //MY.//
Reccomended to: Fans of Joe Hill's "Heart-Shaped Box"
The action and lore are good, the ending feels earned, the MANY CHARACTERS all had some degree of arc, and I am completely satisfied. I see some people in the reviews complaining about Belcher's writing, and I honestly don't understand it? I thought it was very skillfully written. Again: I was definately getting some Stephen King vibes, but in what world is that a bad thing?
I'm so excited for the sequel, you can't even imagine. I'm metaphorically smashing my face against R.S. Belcher's front door and dancing excitedly for more (though I feel like he'd chase me off with a fly swatter, swearing, "Go on, git! You'll get yer magic lesbians LATER, now SHOO!")
(((PS: I've now officially read three book series that contain some form of undead Elvis Presley. Is. Is that a trend???!!!)))
messy678's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
ferrumage's review
Sausage fest of a book where all adult female characters are either madonnas or whores, and even the narrator buys into it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
jkaupanger's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
dayglochainsaw's review
adventurous
dark
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? No
2.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping, Confinement, Body horror, Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Gore, Grief, Death, Cursing, Child death, Child abuse, Blood, Cannibalism, Car accident, Violence, Torture, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Self harm, Rape, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, and Murder
tarikotka's review
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up because I honestly enjoyed this
I don't know why I cared for this so much. I mean, it's not good; that is, it's not good in any of the good ways. But it tasted good in all the bad ways. It somehow managed to hit enough right buttons to keep me loving it, through the tons of telling and melodrama and the omg-this-is-embarrassing over-the-top villains and the POV jumps and the character calling cards with the descriptions, oh God, the descriptions and the soundtracks, and the prose that can't decide if it wants to be functional or pretty. My inner "discerning reader" hated it. And my inner wide-eyed, heart-on-the-sleeve 13-year-old freaking loved it.
Or it might be I'm just a sucker for secret societies. Anyway. Shame I didn't like the next one half as much.
I don't know why I cared for this so much. I mean, it's not good; that is, it's not good in any of the good ways. But it tasted good in all the bad ways. It somehow managed to hit enough right buttons to keep me loving it, through the tons of telling and melodrama and the omg-this-is-embarrassing over-the-top villains and the POV jumps and the character calling cards with the descriptions, oh God, the descriptions and the soundtracks, and the prose that can't decide if it wants to be functional or pretty. My inner "discerning reader" hated it. And my inner wide-eyed, heart-on-the-sleeve 13-year-old freaking loved it.
Or it might be I'm just a sucker for secret societies. Anyway. Shame I didn't like the next one half as much.
andy_ryan's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It's a fun mix or horror and fantasy in a contemporary setting. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.