Hayley

A new take on the cursed film story

Revisado: 01-21-25

Paul Tremblay is an incredible author! This is the fourth book of his I've read. The others are The Cabin at the End of the World, A Head Full of Ghosts, and The Beast You Are. In a couple of ways, Horror Movie reminds me of my favorite book of his A Head Full of Ghosts.

Tremblay has an easy, sometimes sardonic style that I enjoy. He is also a master at infusing his work with an ever-growing sense of dread. It's not so much what happens that is scary as how the narrative makes you feel. It gets under your skin and stays there.

I went with the audiobook for this one and I'm glad I did (though I did volley between this and the digital version using Kindle's Whispersync). The narrator refers to the audiobook that we are listening to on a few occasions, which is the same in the ebook version. The recording is also very immersive due to the sound effects and music. The only part of the audiobook that did not work for me was the reading of the screenplay. Dani Martineck does a great job of making it sound like she is reading the screenplay aloud, but her monotone readthrough is hard to follow. For those scenes, I switched to the ebook.

As for the novel, it won't be for everyone (to borrow a line from Horror Movie. Thematically, it is about an artist's need to leave a mark (or a scar) on the world. A few of the characters are pretentious. As offputting as that is, it is also true for many young, passionate artists. Horror Movie is as much about artists as it is about art-- namely how art can make monsters of those that create it.

My only complaint is the title. 2024 had a slew of novels with titles featuring the words "horror movie" in them. Meta-horror books about cursed films are also saturating the market. I have started steering away from this trend as most of these books regurgitate the same tired plot. I am glad I did not skip Tremblay's book as it is nothing like any of its similar titled brethren. Horror Movie is not only the name of the book but of the movie within the book. Similar to films like Scary Movie which was the original title of Scream. I get the reference but it doesn't do the book justice.

If you are a fan of Tremblay's Head Full of Ghosts, love to wax intellectual about film, or are looking for an unnerving horror tale, check it out.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Best of the series (so far)!

Revisado: 11-20-24

I LOVED this book! My favorite of the series so far! I am deeply invested in the characters, especially Carl and Donut! The author blends action, comedy, and drama perfectly! It will <I>literally</i> make you laugh and cry and have you on the edge of your seat!

Despite the length, this is a page-turner! I appreciated it since it is about the size of two books in one! How's that for a killer deal? It is well worth the purchase price though you can read it for free if you have Kindle Unlimited. I highly recommend upgrading to the whispersync and getting the audiobook as well! Jeff Hays brings the characters to life beautifully! The audiobook also has hilarious end credits of Donut singing that you don't want to miss!

I cannot recommend this series enough! Donut is now one of my all-time favorite characters and this series is my favorite current book series!

P. S. Matt, I have provided a review per your request at the end of the book. NOW PLEASE FEED TOBY!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Give the narrator a break

Revisado: 06-01-23

The reviews bashing the narrator are really uncalled for (and a bit rude). Particularly considering that this appears to be her first narration, I think she did great. I really liked how she gave a distinct voice to each character. She reads the book in a dreamy, haunted and sometimes distant manner that I think works with the story for the most part. There are some Vietnamese words that she reads a bit stilted but I appreciate her attention to getting the pronunciation right.

I liked the story and the author writes beautifully. Incredible descriptions! I was hoping that it would be scarier but it is serviceably creepy for a YA novel.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona