Book Tropes + Genre
Genre: Suspense, Thriller
Tropes:
Secluded setting w/ strangers
Bloodthirsty killings
Unexpected twists
“In all my years, there is one certainty I’ve come to realize: It is impossible to escape one’s past.”
~ You Better Watch Out
Book Blurb
Forty-eight hours until Christmas, Jessica Kane wakes up with blurred vision, ears ringing, and in excruciating pain. A gash in her head and blood running down her face, the last thing she remembers is going for a run and something or someone hitting her in the head. It doesn't take her long to realize she is trapped in an unknown, deserted town with five other strangers who share similar stories of being attacked and stranded there. Unsure why and how they got there, she knows one thing for certain, she has to find a way out. That becomes nearly impossible when someone is meticulously orchestrating their deaths, one by one, and the only thing Jessica can do is watch the life leave their eyes. The fenced-in town is the killer’s very own playground and there's nowhere left to hide... she better watch out because she could be next.
Rock's Review
Book: You Better Watch Out
Authors: James S. Murray & Darren Wearmouth
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
This book had me questioning it at first, but I'm unequivocally happy that I stuck through with it! A creepy Christmas themed slasher with a deserted town and snowy atmosphere peaked my interest when I first heard about it. It began the quest of finding out what and who this game really is.
The bloodthirsty killings are extremely gory with their own unique flare of uneasiness to say the least. Ya know, the kind that make your belly queasy, but your mind will be begging you to turn to the next page to find out what happens next!
And you'll never know what's happening next either which was entertaining to read. The moment you think one thing, boom, someone falls victim to a trap. It's fast paced and messy with a bit of festive ... cheer?
I'll let you be the judge of that.
There's a diverse cast of characters to meet and each brings there own background to the table, while they still all share one thing in common. Let's see if you can figure it out before the end and be a master predictor. There's also short perspectives throughout the book from the killer that are disturbing. That's the only way I can think to describe said serial killer. Fitting, right?
With the ending, it smacked me straight in the face. And hard too. All the sudden my mouth was just a gaping hole and I was in denial with what I was hearing. Again, amazing work with the plot twists. I didn't know who the serial killer was till the very end and maybe I'll be behind when some thought it was obvious. If you have read this book, let me know in the comments if you predicted the ending or not!
Conclusion
Overall, a one-of-a-kind plot filled with gruesome murder, suspense, camaraderie w/ strangers, and just a dash of Christmas cheer lurking in the shadows.
There are a few unsettling topics mentioned on page besides the gore and death; such as violent/disturbing thoughts of rape and killing, and there is no trigger list. Not a problem for me personally because I have no triggers. But to those that do, it's something to consider.
An exciting, twisty, bloodthirsty holiday thriller that will have you questioning who is really behind all of the horrific events embedded in this story.
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