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ruminations_reverie's review against another edition
4.0
I had a ton of fun reading this one. It gave me nostalgic feelings from my youth reading Goosebumps and Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark. It wasn't perfect but it did a lot of things well.
Delilah has a writing style that appeals to both YA and Adult audiences. It is easy to digest, but still gripping enough to keep you invested in the story. Her characters are well-rounded and easy to connect with. I can't tell you how much of myself I saw in Parker. I was so emotionally engrossed in her life and her story that I had to take a step back and remind myself that it is a novel MULTIPLE TIMES. Bullying is such a triggering topic, and it was easy to transport back in time to become a 12-13 year old again and all the angst and fear and anxiety that came from trying to find a place in the world. Trying to fit in was stressful and it leaves a mark on your soul during this crucial life period.
The story itself was chock-full of fun and not-so-fun tropes and pitfalls. There were some plotholes and some things left unexplored, and the pacing had some issues at the beginning (slow) and the end (too abrupt), but overall it was an enjoyable read. This is great for those middlegrade/YA audiences who want a spooky fall read, or for those of us who are seasoned adult readers eager for the nostalgia and feels of YA horror. Delilah is an author I will keep an eye out for in the future.
Delilah has a writing style that appeals to both YA and Adult audiences. It is easy to digest, but still gripping enough to keep you invested in the story. Her characters are well-rounded and easy to connect with. I can't tell you how much of myself I saw in Parker. I was so emotionally engrossed in her life and her story that I had to take a step back and remind myself that it is a novel MULTIPLE TIMES. Bullying is such a triggering topic, and it was easy to transport back in time to become a 12-13 year old again and all the angst and fear and anxiety that came from trying to find a place in the world. Trying to fit in was stressful and it leaves a mark on your soul during this crucial life period.
The story itself was chock-full of fun and not-so-fun tropes and pitfalls. There were some plotholes and some things left unexplored, and the pacing had some issues at the beginning (slow) and the end (too abrupt), but overall it was an enjoyable read. This is great for those middlegrade/YA audiences who want a spooky fall read, or for those of us who are seasoned adult readers eager for the nostalgia and feels of YA horror. Delilah is an author I will keep an eye out for in the future.
melbsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Trigger warnings: bullying, death (in the past), physical injury
I read Mine a year or so ago and really enjoyed it, so I was very interested to see how this one would go. And, like, it was FINE? But probably 80% of the book felt like a middle grade contemporary story about bullying rather than the horror book the cover and the blurb promised me. Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of moments that were unsettling. But it was nowhere near what I anticipated, having read Mine. Add in a really abrupt ending and the whole thing was honestly kind of a bummer.
I read Mine a year or so ago and really enjoyed it, so I was very interested to see how this one would go. And, like, it was FINE? But probably 80% of the book felt like a middle grade contemporary story about bullying rather than the horror book the cover and the blurb promised me. Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of moments that were unsettling. But it was nowhere near what I anticipated, having read Mine. Add in a really abrupt ending and the whole thing was honestly kind of a bummer.
kristinakg's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ruthypoo2's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Child death
tylerishaunted's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.5