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Guillotine
The Menu meets Ready or Not in this dark tale of opulent luxury and shocking violence from the New York Times bestselling author of Bloom.
Thrift fashionista Dez Lane doesn't want to date Patrick Ruskin; she just wants to meet his mother, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine. When he invites her to his family's big Easter reunion at their ancestral home, she's certain she can put up with his arrogance and fend off his advances long enough to ask Marie Caulfield-Ruskin for an internship someone with her pedigree could never nab through the regular submission route.
When they arrive at the enormous island mansion, Dez is floored—she's never witnessed how the 1% lives before in all their ridiculous, unnecessary luxury. But once all the family members are on the island and the ferry has departed, things take a dark turn. For decades, the Ruskins have made their servants sign contracts that are basically indentured servitude, and with nothing to lose, the servants have decided their only route to freedom is to get rid of the Ruskins for good…
Thrift fashionista Dez Lane doesn't want to date Patrick Ruskin; she just wants to meet his mother, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine. When he invites her to his family's big Easter reunion at their ancestral home, she's certain she can put up with his arrogance and fend off his advances long enough to ask Marie Caulfield-Ruskin for an internship someone with her pedigree could never nab through the regular submission route.
When they arrive at the enormous island mansion, Dez is floored—she's never witnessed how the 1% lives before in all their ridiculous, unnecessary luxury. But once all the family members are on the island and the ferry has departed, things take a dark turn. For decades, the Ruskins have made their servants sign contracts that are basically indentured servitude, and with nothing to lose, the servants have decided their only route to freedom is to get rid of the Ruskins for good…
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2024
162 people are currently reading
13025 people want to read
About the author
Delilah S. Dawson
173 books2,798 followersDelilah S. Dawson is the New York Times-bestselling author of Star Wars: Phasma, Black Spire: Galaxy's Edge, and The Perfect Weapon. With Kevin Hearne, she writes the Tales of Pell. As Lila Bowen, she writes the Shadow series, beginning with Wake of Vultures. Her other books include the Blud series, the Hit series, and Servants of the Storm.
She's written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Lore's Wellington, Star Wars Adventures, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, The X-Files Case Files, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Ladycastle, and Sparrowhawk.
Find out more at www.whimsydark.com.
She's written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Lore's Wellington, Star Wars Adventures, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, The X-Files Case Files, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Ladycastle, and Sparrowhawk.
Find out more at www.whimsydark.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,926 reviews
November 30, 2024
oh HELL yeah
November 26, 2024
Quick, violent, and fun! Like a mix between the movies Ready Or Not and The Menu.
October 10, 2024
4.5 ☆
after loving Bloom by this author and having similar feelings with Guillotine, Delilah S. Dawson is on her way to becoming one of my fav authors in the horror genre. this book actually does compare to Ready or Not and The Menu and it was pure entertainment the whole way through. the mc Des has a eye for fashion, so when she lands herself a date with Patrick who is the son of a famous mogul in the industry she suffers through his personality and god complex in order to meet her idol.
Patrick ends up inviting Des to his families island where she has to sign an NDA and most of her belongings are confiscated. the longer she’s on the island, the more Patrick’s sinister family secrets are revealed. i found Des hilarious and the way she dragged Patrick to filth had me deceased. when the horror elements kicked in i just couldn’t look away and i really loved the ending and the direction this took. will definitely read anything this author publishes from this moment on, so much fun!
after loving Bloom by this author and having similar feelings with Guillotine, Delilah S. Dawson is on her way to becoming one of my fav authors in the horror genre. this book actually does compare to Ready or Not and The Menu and it was pure entertainment the whole way through. the mc Des has a eye for fashion, so when she lands herself a date with Patrick who is the son of a famous mogul in the industry she suffers through his personality and god complex in order to meet her idol.
Patrick ends up inviting Des to his families island where she has to sign an NDA and most of her belongings are confiscated. the longer she’s on the island, the more Patrick’s sinister family secrets are revealed. i found Des hilarious and the way she dragged Patrick to filth had me deceased. when the horror elements kicked in i just couldn’t look away and i really loved the ending and the direction this took. will definitely read anything this author publishes from this moment on, so much fun!
October 1, 2024
idk why everyone's hating on this one but it's a badass revenge story with commentary on how people w/ power feel entitled to treat lower-class employees like utter shit just because they can. and as someone who worked retail for 7 years, this hit 🤌🏼 + the kills were pretty sick!
December 23, 2024
I think Miss Delilah S. Dawson just wanted to write a book about awful rich people getting what they deserve and so they are being killed off one by one in the most horrific ways possible. I do support such a noble endeavor.
"Actions have consequences! Just never for you - not until now." (p. 173) You go, girl!
"Actions have consequences! Just never for you - not until now." (p. 173) You go, girl!
September 28, 2024
Well HELLO Gorgeous!! 😍 How amazing is this cover?? 🌹 Thank you so much to @titanbooks for this absolutely gorgeous gifted copy. 🥰I LOVED this book so so sooo much. 💗Calling all HORROR lovers… this one is for you!! @delilahsdawson killed it!! 🔥🔥 Literally 😳 Pub date is September 10th!!
Okay people grab your Louboutins 👠…and get ready for one wild ride. At just over 200 pages this was absolute perfection. 😉 Dez knows her best bet to making it big in the fashion 👗👠👜 world is to meet her new boyfriend’s mom. The editor in chief of none other than Nouveau magazine. She is the queen 👸 of fashion.
Sooo how lucky is it that Dez is invited on a family vacay with her dude Patrick?? To a private island 🏝… with NO cellphones.. NO wifi… No television… NO NOTHING… What could possibly go wrong?? 😂😬😳 Hang on to your fancy pants because it is going to get real. 😳
This was AMAZING. I loved it so much. The best thing was how @delilahsdawson lulled me into thinking that this was just a story of rich people behaving badly. Which I am always a fan of… but then… let’s just say… revenge is sweet.. 😉 What did I love?
✅ Secluded setting
✅Revenge at its best. 😳
✅👠 Fashion girlie
✅ Murder… Murder.. Murder 😳😳😳
✅ALOT of PINK 💖💖💖
💖💖💖 Hands down 5 stars!! It was absolutely horrifying and fun.. all in one! 🙌 This is my first @delilahsdawson and I want more!! Is this on your TBR? Do you have a favorite @delilahsdawson book
Okay people grab your Louboutins 👠…and get ready for one wild ride. At just over 200 pages this was absolute perfection. 😉 Dez knows her best bet to making it big in the fashion 👗👠👜 world is to meet her new boyfriend’s mom. The editor in chief of none other than Nouveau magazine. She is the queen 👸 of fashion.
Sooo how lucky is it that Dez is invited on a family vacay with her dude Patrick?? To a private island 🏝… with NO cellphones.. NO wifi… No television… NO NOTHING… What could possibly go wrong?? 😂😬😳 Hang on to your fancy pants because it is going to get real. 😳
This was AMAZING. I loved it so much. The best thing was how @delilahsdawson lulled me into thinking that this was just a story of rich people behaving badly. Which I am always a fan of… but then… let’s just say… revenge is sweet.. 😉 What did I love?
✅ Secluded setting
✅Revenge at its best. 😳
✅👠 Fashion girlie
✅ Murder… Murder.. Murder 😳😳😳
✅ALOT of PINK 💖💖💖
💖💖💖 Hands down 5 stars!! It was absolutely horrifying and fun.. all in one! 🙌 This is my first @delilahsdawson and I want more!! Is this on your TBR? Do you have a favorite @delilahsdawson book
December 25, 2024
3.5⭐️s
As RZA once prophesied,
“And the survey said… you’re dead. Fatal flying guillotine chops off your fucking head”
There aren’t many things in life better than when the depraved and odious elite get their comeuppance , and that’s pretty much what this entire book was. Serving after serving of just desserts.
The good…
This is fast-paced, self-aware, charmingly shallow and smarmily debauched
The less good…
It is what it is, nothing less or more. It’s contrived, culturally redundant, and supernumerary in its tale. These are not indictments. These are all purposeful tropes I assume the author is leaning into.
To read, or not to read
You should, it’s gratifying.
As RZA once prophesied,
“And the survey said… you’re dead. Fatal flying guillotine chops off your fucking head”
There aren’t many things in life better than when the depraved and odious elite get their comeuppance , and that’s pretty much what this entire book was. Serving after serving of just desserts.
The good…
This is fast-paced, self-aware, charmingly shallow and smarmily debauched
The less good…
It is what it is, nothing less or more. It’s contrived, culturally redundant, and supernumerary in its tale. These are not indictments. These are all purposeful tropes I assume the author is leaning into.
To read, or not to read
You should, it’s gratifying.
June 17, 2025
I had a great time. It was brutal, twisted and so satisfying.
The setting is perfect, the characters awful and the kills very original. It's a very good short horror story.
The setting is perfect, the characters awful and the kills very original. It's a very good short horror story.
December 9, 2024
I don’t blame her tbh the job market is rough these days
December 21, 2024
full review on my YouTube channel, ProblemsOfABookNerd!
Wow, what a ride. I read the first half of this on a plane, the second half sitting wide awake in bed while everyone else in the house was asleep. It is definitely dark and gory, which pairs well with how opulent the worldbuilding and stage setting is. I think the description of The Menu meets Ready or Not is pitch perfect, it gave me everything I needed to know going in while still letting the way the book plays out surprise me. Dez is a great character, I love the different ways we are limited in describing something because it is part of a world Dez just has no context for. It made me feel like I was right there with her, overwhelmed and doing my best to keep up.
I also really appreciated the thorough content warning before the book because, like I said, this gets pretty dark. But there's also nothing I enjoy more than a good bit of vengeance, and in that regard this book gave me everything I could possibly have asked for.
Wow, what a ride. I read the first half of this on a plane, the second half sitting wide awake in bed while everyone else in the house was asleep. It is definitely dark and gory, which pairs well with how opulent the worldbuilding and stage setting is. I think the description of The Menu meets Ready or Not is pitch perfect, it gave me everything I needed to know going in while still letting the way the book plays out surprise me. Dez is a great character, I love the different ways we are limited in describing something because it is part of a world Dez just has no context for. It made me feel like I was right there with her, overwhelmed and doing my best to keep up.
I also really appreciated the thorough content warning before the book because, like I said, this gets pretty dark. But there's also nothing I enjoy more than a good bit of vengeance, and in that regard this book gave me everything I could possibly have asked for.
August 3, 2024
While this novel is on trend with its Eat the Rich plot, there is not enough to it to really merit its existence.
This book is basically Ready Or Not. I loved the movie, but this book just doesn't work. Let's explore why!
Ultimately what works in a movie, especially a horror movie, isn't always what works in a book.
First, the book isn't trying to be funny. The device of the games and the tone of slapstick violence is gone. Perhaps the comedy elements would have made it better, that was certainly part of Ready Or Not's success. But actually I think it would have been fine without the comedy, slapstick works in a movie in a way it never can in a novel. It doesn't get that added boost, but this isn't a fatal flaw.
Second, we have no suspense here. And specifically I don't mean the who is going to die and how suspense. I mean, is anyone here good, is anyone here worthy, will anyone help our girl. There is no moral suspense. We know going in that these people suck, that our girl is not there because she thinks a single one of them is good but for her own ends. We already know everything we need to about who is good and who is bad.
Third, let's get back to that who is going to die and how suspense. We don't get this either, because unlike Ready or Not where it's really just our girl who is in peril most of the time, here our girl is never in direct peril. She is, we know, a bystander. She may be picked off, she may not, whether she is or not is not going to be about any big plot things but a secondary matter. The people who are the targets, we don't have any idea that they will get away or be okay. It's all a foregone conclusion from the moment the violence begins.
Fourth, to expand on that foregone conclusion, there is no opportunity for characters to change, grow, etc. Not even Saw has this approach, it always allows that possibility of redemption. This book isn't interested. And look, I'm actually not opposed to that! I think there is a lack of morality in billionaires that means you had your chance for redemption and didn't take it. But for a novel? For a story? It's very uninteresting. These characters haven't really done anything to me, I'm unsurprised by the continued revelations of the things they've done to other people. The vengeance is a thing that happens, not a thing that gives me any emotional response.
This might be an okay movie, though I would recommend it find something to jazz it up, whether it's an emotional arc or humor, so that it isn't just a torture fest. Because let's be clear: that is all this book is. Okay fine the first quarter is establishing, which actually I liked just fine (though it didn't make much sense, as soon as girl decides to take advantage of boy, everything between the girl and the boy was completely unrealistic, I do not believe for one second that this boy goes out with her for all this time without sex) and the creepiness of the estate and the island was also good. But then it's like what was the point of all that if it's just torture all the way down after this? Like what is the point of the creepiness? We already expect these characters to be terrible, so the reveals have no real punch. All the work to establish is just a waste.
Give me some suspense, some character, something interesting please.
This book is basically Ready Or Not. I loved the movie, but this book just doesn't work. Let's explore why!
Ultimately what works in a movie, especially a horror movie, isn't always what works in a book.
First, the book isn't trying to be funny. The device of the games and the tone of slapstick violence is gone. Perhaps the comedy elements would have made it better, that was certainly part of Ready Or Not's success. But actually I think it would have been fine without the comedy, slapstick works in a movie in a way it never can in a novel. It doesn't get that added boost, but this isn't a fatal flaw.
Second, we have no suspense here. And specifically I don't mean the who is going to die and how suspense. I mean, is anyone here good, is anyone here worthy, will anyone help our girl. There is no moral suspense. We know going in that these people suck, that our girl is not there because she thinks a single one of them is good but for her own ends. We already know everything we need to about who is good and who is bad.
Third, let's get back to that who is going to die and how suspense. We don't get this either, because unlike Ready or Not where it's really just our girl who is in peril most of the time, here our girl is never in direct peril. She is, we know, a bystander. She may be picked off, she may not, whether she is or not is not going to be about any big plot things but a secondary matter. The people who are the targets, we don't have any idea that they will get away or be okay. It's all a foregone conclusion from the moment the violence begins.
Fourth, to expand on that foregone conclusion, there is no opportunity for characters to change, grow, etc. Not even Saw has this approach, it always allows that possibility of redemption. This book isn't interested. And look, I'm actually not opposed to that! I think there is a lack of morality in billionaires that means you had your chance for redemption and didn't take it. But for a novel? For a story? It's very uninteresting. These characters haven't really done anything to me, I'm unsurprised by the continued revelations of the things they've done to other people. The vengeance is a thing that happens, not a thing that gives me any emotional response.
This might be an okay movie, though I would recommend it find something to jazz it up, whether it's an emotional arc or humor, so that it isn't just a torture fest. Because let's be clear: that is all this book is. Okay fine the first quarter is establishing, which actually I liked just fine (though it didn't make much sense, as soon as girl decides to take advantage of boy, everything between the girl and the boy was completely unrealistic, I do not believe for one second that this boy goes out with her for all this time without sex) and the creepiness of the estate and the island was also good. But then it's like what was the point of all that if it's just torture all the way down after this? Like what is the point of the creepiness? We already expect these characters to be terrible, so the reveals have no real punch. All the work to establish is just a waste.
Give me some suspense, some character, something interesting please.
June 26, 2025
I never thought a pair of Keds could have been terrifying! 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
August 10, 2024
4.0 Stars
I loved the premise of this one, with the focus on fashion culture. I will admit that I wasn't sure about this one for the first half but it came together in a satisfying dark way. I enjoy horror like this one where the ugliness is hidden under an deceptively pretty exterior.
I would recommend this one to readers looking for a story that explored the dark side of the fashion world.
Disclaimer I have received a copy from the publisher.
I loved the premise of this one, with the focus on fashion culture. I will admit that I wasn't sure about this one for the first half but it came together in a satisfying dark way. I enjoy horror like this one where the ugliness is hidden under an deceptively pretty exterior.
I would recommend this one to readers looking for a story that explored the dark side of the fashion world.
Disclaimer I have received a copy from the publisher.
September 24, 2024
This was absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves the movie Ready Or Not (or, if you loved this book, you should watch that film!). Full review coming soon!
Buddy read with Malli! ♥
Buddy read with Malli! ♥
June 2, 2025
wow. that escalated quickly.
September 16, 2024
Delilah S. Dawson is a well-known horror author, but I ultimately discovered her after reading and loving THE VIOLENCE in 2022. After reading THE VIOLENCE, I fell in love with Dawson's use of metaphorical messaging in her stories, so I knew I needed to dive into her latest horror novel, GUILLOTINE. The book is just over 200 pages, so you can easily read this in one sitting.
Thrift fashionista Dez Lane isn't interested in dating Patrick Ruskin; she just wants to meet his mother, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine, to secure an internship she couldn't get through normal channels. When Patrick invites her to his family's Easter reunion at their lavish lake mansion, Dez is prepared to tolerate his arrogance to achieve her goal. However, once they're isolated on the island, she discovers the dark reality of the Ruskin family's treatment of their servants, who have been forced into near-slavery for decades and are now seeking deadly revenge. As Dez witnesses the gruesome fallout and learns the truth, her desire to work for Marie Caulfield-Ruskin fades—leaving her with the urge to strangle Marie with her own chunky pearls.
I really had a blast reading this novel—it's being labeled as The Menu meets Ready or Not, which totally makes sense! I loved GOOD RICH PEOPLE (Eliza Jane Brazier) and THE FAMILY GAME (Catherine Steadman), so if you enjoyed those books, you MUST pick up GUILLOTINE. Dez is such a likeable protagonist and the commentary throughout the book really makes you think. I alternated reading this book via audiobook through @librofm and the physical copy and I recommend doing either since they're both great journeys. Delilah S. Dawson continues to slay the horror game and I'll continue to be along for the ride.
Thrift fashionista Dez Lane isn't interested in dating Patrick Ruskin; she just wants to meet his mother, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine, to secure an internship she couldn't get through normal channels. When Patrick invites her to his family's Easter reunion at their lavish lake mansion, Dez is prepared to tolerate his arrogance to achieve her goal. However, once they're isolated on the island, she discovers the dark reality of the Ruskin family's treatment of their servants, who have been forced into near-slavery for decades and are now seeking deadly revenge. As Dez witnesses the gruesome fallout and learns the truth, her desire to work for Marie Caulfield-Ruskin fades—leaving her with the urge to strangle Marie with her own chunky pearls.
I really had a blast reading this novel—it's being labeled as The Menu meets Ready or Not, which totally makes sense! I loved GOOD RICH PEOPLE (Eliza Jane Brazier) and THE FAMILY GAME (Catherine Steadman), so if you enjoyed those books, you MUST pick up GUILLOTINE. Dez is such a likeable protagonist and the commentary throughout the book really makes you think. I alternated reading this book via audiobook through @librofm and the physical copy and I recommend doing either since they're both great journeys. Delilah S. Dawson continues to slay the horror game and I'll continue to be along for the ride.
January 20, 2025
When the people shall have nothing more to eat, they will eat the rich. - Jean-Jacques Rousseau
I loved this one! Eat the rich indeed.
I loved this one! Eat the rich indeed.
September 4, 2024
this was just goofy, i think this would’ve just been better as a movie. you can tell it was inspired by ready or not and the menu but it just came off very cringe in written. i did listen to the audiobook so maybe it was just the narrator.
August 22, 2025
The grotesquely rich are so grotesque and nothing will ever change my mind.
This was fun even if a little too reminiscent of several recent horror movies but if they make it into a movie I’ll be there 😈
This was fun even if a little too reminiscent of several recent horror movies but if they make it into a movie I’ll be there 😈
October 28, 2024
3.5 rounded UP for Goodreads (because it's weird people round DOWN)
I listened to the audiobook on hoopla, free with my library card ;)
I'm reviewing this for Patreon today so I'll be back in a week or so with more to add here.
I listened to the audiobook on hoopla, free with my library card ;)
I'm reviewing this for Patreon today so I'll be back in a week or so with more to add here.
June 15, 2025
Yowza! 👀
Firstly- this gorgeous cover drew me in instantly, but now after finishing the book it´s even more poetic and on point.
What can I say, I was smirking and giggling nearly half the book about the sweet justice that got VERY well served. I did not see most of it coming and I was absolutely loving every page of it.
I'm not sure if it can be even called review slump anymore since I haven't written one probably for a year now, but I just felt compelled to with this gorgeous book. This book made me put the author's other horror books on my TBR instantly and I can´t wait to discover the other masterpieces!
Absolutely immaculate, but certainly not for the faint of heart. A good description said of similarities between the movie Ready of Not- if you absolutely loved it (like meself) then you will absolutely love this as well!!! Please check the trigger warnings first though 💖
Firstly- this gorgeous cover drew me in instantly, but now after finishing the book it´s even more poetic and on point.
What can I say, I was smirking and giggling nearly half the book about the sweet justice that got VERY well served. I did not see most of it coming and I was absolutely loving every page of it.
I'm not sure if it can be even called review slump anymore since I haven't written one probably for a year now, but I just felt compelled to with this gorgeous book. This book made me put the author's other horror books on my TBR instantly and I can´t wait to discover the other masterpieces!
Absolutely immaculate, but certainly not for the faint of heart. A good description said of similarities between the movie Ready of Not- if you absolutely loved it (like meself) then you will absolutely love this as well!!! Please check the trigger warnings first though 💖
October 29, 2024
Eat the rich nothingburger.
April 8, 2025
TW/CW: Language, misogyny, sexism, incest, rape, toxic family relationships, abusive relationship, gory scenes, torture, blood, violence, abortion
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Thrift fashionista Dez Lane doesn't want to date Patrick Ruskin; she just wants to meet his mother, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine. When he invites her to his family's big Easter reunion at their lake retreat, she's certain she can put up with his arrogance and fend off his advances long enough to ask Marie Caulfield-Ruskin for an internship someone with her pedigree could never nab through the regular submission route.When they arrive at the enormous mansion on an island in the center of a Georgia lake, Dez is floored―she's never witnessed how the 1% lives before in all their ridiculous, unnecessary luxury. But once all the family members are on the island and the ferry has departed, shit gets real. For decades, the Ruskins have made their servants sign contracts that are basically indentured servitude, and with nothing to lose, the servants have decided their only route to freedom is to get rid of the Ruskins for good…
Release Date: September 10th, 2024
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 208
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Loved the writing style
2. Characters were interesting
3. Intense bloody scenes
What I Didn't Like:
1. Felt too much like the movies it was trying to be like
Final Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book a lot but after finishing it it made me wonder if I liked the book for itself or that it reminded me of the movies I saw that I liked. At a certain point it felt like a rip off of the movies and not that it was just borrowing certain things.
For the most part though there was a lot to love about this story.
• Bloody and horrific torture scenes involving rich people
• Following a character around that knew what it was like to be a poor person
• A revenge story
• A The Island of Dr. Moreau feel like story
• That rich people are so messed up
I ended up giving it 3 stars because it just never felt like it's own story. It relied a lot on other existing movies.
Writing style was good though and I was deeply immersed in the story
IG | Blog
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Thrift fashionista Dez Lane doesn't want to date Patrick Ruskin; she just wants to meet his mother, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine. When he invites her to his family's big Easter reunion at their lake retreat, she's certain she can put up with his arrogance and fend off his advances long enough to ask Marie Caulfield-Ruskin for an internship someone with her pedigree could never nab through the regular submission route.When they arrive at the enormous mansion on an island in the center of a Georgia lake, Dez is floored―she's never witnessed how the 1% lives before in all their ridiculous, unnecessary luxury. But once all the family members are on the island and the ferry has departed, shit gets real. For decades, the Ruskins have made their servants sign contracts that are basically indentured servitude, and with nothing to lose, the servants have decided their only route to freedom is to get rid of the Ruskins for good…
Release Date: September 10th, 2024
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 208
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Loved the writing style
2. Characters were interesting
3. Intense bloody scenes
What I Didn't Like:
1. Felt too much like the movies it was trying to be like
Final Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book a lot but after finishing it it made me wonder if I liked the book for itself or that it reminded me of the movies I saw that I liked. At a certain point it felt like a rip off of the movies and not that it was just borrowing certain things.
For the most part though there was a lot to love about this story.
• Bloody and horrific torture scenes involving rich people
• Following a character around that knew what it was like to be a poor person
• A revenge story
• A The Island of Dr. Moreau feel like story
• That rich people are so messed up
I ended up giving it 3 stars because it just never felt like it's own story. It relied a lot on other existing movies.
Writing style was good though and I was deeply immersed in the story
IG | Blog
September 18, 2024
Oh uhhhhh… I think I hated this?
January 12, 2026
Well that was a page turner, brutal, very gory and graphic, it's also lots of fun but a strong stomach is definitely required. I'm not usually a fan of lashings of gore in my horror, however I am a fan of evil arseh*les getting their just deserts and this fit the bill perfectly. Echoes of Ready Or Not, The Menu and Get Out, just my cup of tea. The main character Desirée, is someone I had no trouble rooting for, I loved her thoughts and observations about the other characters. It's worth mentioning the fabulous cover and I also liked the way the content warning at the beginning was written, and likewise the About the Author section at the back, I think Delilah Dawson has an attitude I can get behind, I'll be keeping an eye out for more of her work, 4 stars.
October 18, 2025
4.5 stars
This was so freaking good. Shoutout to Jade for making me pick this up. I thoroughly enjoyed this. The female rage and revenge plot was incredible. I do think the synopsis gives away too much, but I had a blast with this. Very clever story telling. Definitely want to pick up more form this author.
This was so freaking good. Shoutout to Jade for making me pick this up. I thoroughly enjoyed this. The female rage and revenge plot was incredible. I do think the synopsis gives away too much, but I had a blast with this. Very clever story telling. Definitely want to pick up more form this author.
May 1, 2025
The blurb on the front cover calling this “Glass Onion meets Saw” immediately drew me in and was extremely accurate of a description overall.
If you enjoy books following rich people behaving badly I think you’ll find yourself loving this as well. This was an extremely fun and bloody time, and I can’t wait to pick up Dawson’s other novella ASAP!
If you enjoy books following rich people behaving badly I think you’ll find yourself loving this as well. This was an extremely fun and bloody time, and I can’t wait to pick up Dawson’s other novella ASAP!
September 4, 2024
I was a big fan of Dawson's book “Bloom," so this was an exciting ARC. It's a very different story and feels like a horror movie with visceral kills and an imaginative setting. I think the aesthetic of the island was supposed to be “a bit much,” but I loved it. It was so vivid and unique and all terrible events aside I would absolutely stay in a vacation spot that *looked* like that! (Maybe I like the color pink more than I realized?)
I'll get the negative out of the way first, because my only complaints happened early on. It was initially very tough to have sympathy for the main character Dez because of the decisions she made. (No spoilers, but there's a very big one that affects the plot and I was flabbergasted by the stupidity.) As a result, there was then constant justification for why Dez was staying in this situation. Mostly in the first third or so, I could not get on board with her choices. Things eventually got better as the book went on, because her situation became dire and her actions were more understandable at that point. Dez was a good character, and I do want to make that clear. There was just stuff in the beginning that had to happen to kick off the story and that stuff had me going, "Are you kidding me?"
What I appreciated the most about this book: once the horror kicks in it is nonstop. You will not be bored for even a second.
It is filled with violent, creative scenes that are oddly satisfying given the circumstances. It’s one of those books that makes you question your own morals a little bit. At least, I did. I think I had the reaction that I was supposed to, but at the same time: was I meant to enjoy some of it that much? Another reviewer described this as an “Eat the rich” story and it is very much that. Also, a bloody revenge tale. But I don't want to give too much away.
One other minor nitpick I had, but this is always a problem for me: I don't care for straight up "villain" monologuing. However, the dialogue was pretty good, so it was bearable.
This was a stressful but exciting horror read. I recommend it for people who like things very violent and want a story in which people get what they deserve. (But heed the triggers if you have any!) I look forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Potentially spoilery trigger warnings list below!
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TW: Sexual Assault (off-screen), Torture, References to Abortion, Incest
I'll get the negative out of the way first, because my only complaints happened early on. It was initially very tough to have sympathy for the main character Dez because of the decisions she made. (No spoilers, but there's a very big one that affects the plot and I was flabbergasted by the stupidity.) As a result, there was then constant justification for why Dez was staying in this situation. Mostly in the first third or so, I could not get on board with her choices. Things eventually got better as the book went on, because her situation became dire and her actions were more understandable at that point. Dez was a good character, and I do want to make that clear. There was just stuff in the beginning that had to happen to kick off the story and that stuff had me going, "Are you kidding me?"
What I appreciated the most about this book: once the horror kicks in it is nonstop. You will not be bored for even a second.
It is filled with violent, creative scenes that are oddly satisfying given the circumstances. It’s one of those books that makes you question your own morals a little bit. At least, I did. I think I had the reaction that I was supposed to, but at the same time: was I meant to enjoy some of it that much? Another reviewer described this as an “Eat the rich” story and it is very much that. Also, a bloody revenge tale. But I don't want to give too much away.
One other minor nitpick I had, but this is always a problem for me: I don't care for straight up "villain" monologuing. However, the dialogue was pretty good, so it was bearable.
This was a stressful but exciting horror read. I recommend it for people who like things very violent and want a story in which people get what they deserve. (But heed the triggers if you have any!) I look forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Potentially spoilery trigger warnings list below!
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
TW: Sexual Assault (off-screen), Torture, References to Abortion, Incest
September 21, 2024
I was feeling this was going to just be an okay book and then about 30 percent in, bam, it totally changed. I ended up loving this story and all its twisted, violent, wonderful ways.
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