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thequeenvey's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A quick read and in classic EJD style, there’s an unexpected twist. I didn’t expect it since it was so short but it was well done and a reminder why he was one of the best to do it.
lunafaereadz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
arieltrimm's review against another edition
5.0
Nice Twist
I liked this short by EJD. It’s been a minute since I’ve read something by him and this short was no let down.
I liked this short by EJD. It’s been a minute since I’ve read something by him and this short was no let down.
melbsreads's review
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Trigger warnings: mentions of child sexual abuse, death of a parent, gun violence, murder, alcohol abuse, mentions of rape (in the past)
Well then. This was...a thing. That I read.
In some ways, it's kind of hard to rate this because it's only a short story. But at the same time, it's a short story that went all over the place and I have a LOT of thoughts. I'm going to number them under a spoiler cut purely because it's easier.
1. So Harlem is known to have killed like 8 people and yet at some point he mentions that he'll be out inside a year??
2. We're not really told enough about his crimes for me to buy him being this super dangerous person but also not dangerous enough that a woman feels comfortable being alone with him when he's not restrained???
3. Why did Daphane and Phyllis go along with the doctor being killed? Like, yeah, it got Harlem out of the facility, which then let them kill him. But why did they go along with his plan to kill the doctor??
4. Legitimately thought the doctor was going to turn out to be the husband
5. I feel like this would have worked better for me as a split narration with Daphane?? Maybe?! IDK. Like, I get that the big plot twist is that she's trying to kill him. But I didn't really buy it because we didn't know enough about her or her husband to actually care.
6. Why was Phyllis SO into killing someone? Like, ma'am. Calm down. Maybe eat something.
7. It needed less of the Tragic Backstory stuff and more character stuff for me. Like, SHOW me he's a bad guy, don't just be like "Here is my sad story of abusive parents who both died and then I got sent to abusive foster parents and now I murder people tralala". SHOW me that he murders people. Have him remembering what he did to his victims.
8. In summary, this wasn't bad. It was a wild ride, that's for sure. But there was very definitely SOMETHING missing for me.
Well then. This was...a thing. That I read.
In some ways, it's kind of hard to rate this because it's only a short story. But at the same time, it's a short story that went all over the place and I have a LOT of thoughts. I'm going to number them under a spoiler cut purely because it's easier.
1. So Harlem is known to have killed like 8 people and yet at some point he mentions that he'll be out inside a year??
2. We're not really told enough about his crimes for me to buy him being this super dangerous person but also not dangerous enough that a woman feels comfortable being alone with him when he's not restrained???
3. Why did Daphane and Phyllis go along with the doctor being killed? Like, yeah, it got Harlem out of the facility, which then let them kill him. But why did they go along with his plan to kill the doctor??
4. Legitimately thought the doctor was going to turn out to be the husband
5. I feel like this would have worked better for me as a split narration with Daphane?? Maybe?! IDK. Like, I get that the big plot twist is that she's trying to kill him. But I didn't really buy it because we didn't know enough about her or her husband to actually care.
6. Why was Phyllis SO into killing someone? Like, ma'am. Calm down. Maybe eat something.
7. It needed less of the Tragic Backstory stuff and more character stuff for me. Like, SHOW me he's a bad guy, don't just be like "Here is my sad story of abusive parents who both died and then I got sent to abusive foster parents and now I murder people tralala". SHOW me that he murders people. Have him remembering what he did to his victims.
8. In summary, this wasn't bad. It was a wild ride, that's for sure. But there was very definitely SOMETHING missing for me.
cre8tivebeauty's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
fatkidatheartreads's review
3.75
3.75 stars 🌟 "I am a sum of all my experiences!"
Bruuuuuuh! This was absolutely terrifying. WHAT?
Bruuuuuuh! This was absolutely terrifying. WHAT?
kera23's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Quick read/ listen to pass time. The twist at the end makes it worth while. Loved the voice actor
drennagurl's review against another edition
4.0
What a nut!
Boy do I love a good whack job as a character and a great plot twist! EJD gave me both in this novella.
Harlem is a mental patient in the nut house for multiple murders. While there he meets his crush Daphne, his nemesis Dr Brewster and Phyllis who he can't stand. From there we go on a quick rollercoaster ride.
The chapters are short... Really short. But if a reader needed a quick read to get themselves out of a funk or to hit a yearly goal... This is it. A little confusing when Harlem was in his therapy session but otherwise an enjoyable read.
Boy do I love a good whack job as a character and a great plot twist! EJD gave me both in this novella.
Harlem is a mental patient in the nut house for multiple murders. While there he meets his crush Daphne, his nemesis Dr Brewster and Phyllis who he can't stand. From there we go on a quick rollercoaster ride.
The chapters are short... Really short. But if a reader needed a quick read to get themselves out of a funk or to hit a yearly goal... This is it. A little confusing when Harlem was in his therapy session but otherwise an enjoyable read.