Helpful Score: 2
This book is simultaneously compelling and annoying as hell. The premise has potential, and I kept reading because I really wanted to know the answer to the mystery. Unfortunately, once it's revealed, it's silly and only halfway explained (presumably leaving the rest of the explanation for the sequel).
But the worst part is the CHARACTERS. They're so erratic, never telling each other the truth, constantly bickering and second-guessing each other. Imagine if Harry, Ron, and Hermione did nothing but lie to each other and argue, and you'll have the three main characters in this book. And everything they do is straight out of a horror movie. "What's the stupidest thing we could possibly do?" "Go downstairs to meet a psychotic serial killer all on our own without telling anybody?" "Good idea! Let's go!!"
I wanted to smack them all so many times.
My advice: skip it.
But the worst part is the CHARACTERS. They're so erratic, never telling each other the truth, constantly bickering and second-guessing each other. Imagine if Harry, Ron, and Hermione did nothing but lie to each other and argue, and you'll have the three main characters in this book. And everything they do is straight out of a horror movie. "What's the stupidest thing we could possibly do?" "Go downstairs to meet a psychotic serial killer all on our own without telling anybody?" "Good idea! Let's go!!"
I wanted to smack them all so many times.
My advice: skip it.
Helpful Score: 2
A quick read is exactly what Asylum was for me. The writing flowed. It's a bit reminiscent of R.L. Stine for us 90's kids. It's creepy, not Stephen King scary. Creepy enough for this (almost) 29 year old to jump at night when I hear my stairs creak!
The main character of the story is Daniel Crawford; a typical teenager dealing with the usual adolescent tribulations of fitting in, making friends, and the occasional break out. The setting: New Hampshire College Summer Prep school hosted at Brookline; a retired mental health facility and historical site. Perfect place for college prep, right? Dan's inner dialogues usually consist of wondering if he'll make friends. Upon arrival, he meets his roomate, Felix, and finds an old photograph in his desk. It's a man with his eyes scribbled out. Felix immediately tells Dan that an office in the closed off section is unlocked, and would be an awesome place to explore. Dun dun dun!
To read the full review, please visit my blog at:
https://quitterstrip.wordpress.com/2016/08/10/how-do-you-kill-a-hydra/
The main character of the story is Daniel Crawford; a typical teenager dealing with the usual adolescent tribulations of fitting in, making friends, and the occasional break out. The setting: New Hampshire College Summer Prep school hosted at Brookline; a retired mental health facility and historical site. Perfect place for college prep, right? Dan's inner dialogues usually consist of wondering if he'll make friends. Upon arrival, he meets his roomate, Felix, and finds an old photograph in his desk. It's a man with his eyes scribbled out. Felix immediately tells Dan that an office in the closed off section is unlocked, and would be an awesome place to explore. Dun dun dun!
To read the full review, please visit my blog at:
https://quitterstrip.wordpress.com/2016/08/10/how-do-you-kill-a-hydra/
Great YA story that keeps you turning pages - quickly! Three high school kids meet at a summer program for gifted children - and end up rooming in a former mental hospital. The deeper the story goes, the deeper the nightmare - all puns intended. This novel is reminiscent of Miss Peregrines...by including real life pictues of old mental hospitls and asylums. I found another new author. Enjoyed this book - worth the read - 4 stars
Amazing, well written page turner that leaves you guessing. The story line is great and constantly keeps you wondering, adding in new twists and turns with every page. Loved it. The photos also add a nice creepy touch as well.
Creepy photos and creepy atmosphere. I kept turning pages to find out what was going on. It left me with a few questions, but I look forward to the next one.
The premise is really interesting, but Asylum would work much better as a film because the suspense and scare value is lost since it's written and not visual. Yeah, the pictures added throughout the book are cool and add a nice creepy element to the book, but the scare factor that I think Roux was going for just didn't translate well in a book.
Gripping, edge of your seat, unique, creepy, fantastic, unputdownable, 5 stars, cant say enough, loved it! I look forward to book 2, called Sanctum! These books use actual REAL life photos of Asylums and patients, which makes these books totally original and top notch creepy!
