Nothing But Mixed Reviews

[@MindBloodandDark]

Another stellar review with an intro that almost killed me. It's everything we love! I'm going to have to read this (checked out from the library, per your recommendation).

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

My goal is to eventually kill someone with one of my videos. That’ll be the day!

[@shreyabooked9309]

I'm going to take a moment to appreciate this thumbnail before I dive into the video - such an awesome thumbnail, wow. (I know you nearly poisoned yourself in the process of creating this but great art requires great sacrifice so that's fine. Everything is fine. 😌)

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Absolutely, we must suffer for our art. I’m happy to have people laugh at my expense. It’s the entire purpose of this channel!

[@mindysbookjourney]

The mixed reviews have drawn me in as well. I look forward to see where I land with this one as well.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Mixed reviews are really a good selling point, aren’t they? 😂

[@bunnymr.k7079]

First off, your thumbnail is on a whole ‘nother level! Secondly I adore your review. It answered a few questions I couldn’t be bothered to look up myself.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thanks, man! The thumbnail is my greatest artistic masterpiece. I’m glad you found the review helpful! This is definitely a book you want to air out your thoughts on along with other readers!

[@willtoread3370]

Much respect for committing to the bit. The taste of paint sounds really unpleasant. I've been looking forward to this book ever since seeing the cover. Even if the book's a mixed bag, that cover's top tier. After watching this I'm definitely gonna pick up a copy. Your criticisms intrigued me.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thanks for appreciating my art! I learned that not only does paint taste disgustingly bitter, but it also spreads across your entire tongue in about half a second! 😀 I do always encourage people to read contentious titles like this for themselves. The cover is absolutely beautiful. I actually feel happy just owning it for that reason lol. I’ll look forward to your thoughts if/when you get to it!

[@rainyday3128]

Be been subbed for a bit, just wanted to say I really enjoy your videos, it’s like a cosy chat with a friend. Always look forward to see what you have to say about horror books!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you so much for such kind words! I do always try to keep it as approachable as possible. My favorite part of videomaking is the comments and having conversations with you all, so your description of your perception of the channel makes me so happy.

[@dustintbrproblems]

Good review, and I appreciate the commitment to the bit. Planning on listening to the audiobook, and it's short so I'm willing to give it a shot.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you! Yes, I think an audiobook would work wonderfully with this. So much stylized prose would definitely benefit from some audible inflection.

[@maeiscompletelyfine]

Juan!!! You crack me up!!! Thank you for this i wanna read it!!!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Definitely give it a shot! It’s a weird one!

[@trishbovell9042]

I agree. The parts don’t mesh together. Which could be a good start to a body horror story.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Yes! A truly Frankensteinian book!

[@bryanc7080]

I agree with a lot of your thoughts on this. 3 star for me as well. it was like reading about a bunch of high school drama (these people are in their 20s right?) and I didn't really care about any of that. I can watch a CW show if I want that. I wanted so much more of the creepy atmosphere she sprinkling in here and there.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Absolutely! Lol. I will say, though, childish and temperamental people like that certainly do exist. I don’t really need characters to be likable for me to enjoy a story. I just wish the execution was better!

[@bryanc7080]

​@@PlaguedbyVisions You are definitely right about people of all ages being childish in the real world, haha. Do you know of any books similar to this that has a much better execution?

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

@@bryanc7080 I definitely recommend the Haunting of Hill House if you haven’t read it yet! The characters in it are definitely imperfect, temperamental, even pathetic, but there’s a wistfulness and elegance to the prose that’s quite unshakable! One of my favorite novels.

[@bryanc7080]

@@PlaguedbyVisions I still need to read it! i will do it soon! Thank you :)

[@julialena3150]

Omg i died at the intro 😂 you are definitely my new favorite youtuber

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

😭😭😭 Thank you so much!

[@Lilhousemouse]

Love your videos ! The beginning was hilarious 😆

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you so much for such kind words! Any chance I get to make a fool of myself, I’ll take it!

[@Bookitty07]

I can definitely understand the mixed reviews on this one. Myself I really dug it but, I like stuff written like this. I like looking shit up and taking deep dives and this is book that really encourages it. I also like really problematic characters when written well. However the ending... ooof.

[@danamelton1738]

Red DSLs fo sho xoxoxo I hate I missed the live. I have to pick my daughter Jordy up from school and dance at 315. But I'm watching back now my love. I hope your doing great. Your on my mind and I hope your taking care of yourself! Xoxoxox

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Nothing But Reddened DSLs. No worries on missing the premiere! Hoping everything is good with you and yours, Dana! Always happy to hear from you.

[@LeighannesLit]

I listened to the audio and I liked the way it was performed which is why I think I liked it as much as I did but there were definitely things I didn’t love, some of which you mentioned here. They marketed the shit out of this book, so it doesn’t surprise me that the reviews are so mixed.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

This definitely would have benefited from an audiobook! And yes, this really seems like a much more niche kind of story. Surprising it made it to a big publisher!

[@BradProctorReads]

I felt pretty much the same about this as you did. Was really torn about it. Her prose and the atmosphere were great, the characters and story not so much.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Yes, and if anything, I think it really made for a great sort of metacognitive moment where I thought: What exactly do I enjoy most about a story? What can I forgive, but what can’t I do without? So props to that I guess!

[@wadejohnston4305]

Dude I genuinely like youba little bit more with EVERY upload. You're so down to earth and funny as fuck. Death plant was so cool btw!!!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Aw, thank you so much! So happy you’ve been enjoying all the content! Yes, the corpse flower was iconic!

[@karleeshorrorkorner4754]

I’ll totally give it read if you wanna send it to me 😂😂 That cover is pretty awesome. I saw you did a video on The Resurrectionist, but I’ll have to wait to watch since I’m about half-way through it right now!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I’d gladly send it to you under any other circumstance, but it was a gift, so I’d like to cherish it. That being said, if you can find it at a library, definitely check it out! Yes, the Resurrectionist conversation is saved for posterity. I think it was a very illuminating discussion. Thanks for joining in on the book club reading!

[@karleeshorrorkorner4754]

@@PlaguedbyVisions That’s okay Juan 😊 I’ll honestly probably end up buying it myself just for the cover art (I have a problem lol) Yes! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, as I’m almost done reading the Resurrectionist now and have a lot of thoughts.. love your videos!

[@TangibleReads]

I initially thought u were gonna recreate thay entire cover. That would have been the best thing regarding this book. Glad to see you you had a lot of my same thoughts. And also consulted google a lot. Not my writing style for sure. I half expected you to love this book and say every else dont know true horror.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Hahaha, I tried to find a way to recreate the entire cover, but yeah, the paint almost made me puke. And LOL, I am never elitist about what I read! People enjoy what they enjoy. It’s often quite the opposite, actually: I’m often told my taste is very trashy. 😂

[@revenantreads]

Great review. I think you’ve presented some reasonable expectations for the book.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thanks, Vin! Yeah, definitely expect nothing and you won’t be disappointed. 😂

[@ElizabethSagewood]

scooby-doo-esque......yup I'm totally stealing that. Describes so many plot lines well.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Absolutely! Group of friends, haunted location, mysterious creature causing havoc. It’s such an effective formula, I will say!

[@imaspoon4522]

It's always fun to try new things. Like different kinds of books. And blackening your teeth,

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Agreed! 😂

[@imaspoon4522]

@@PlaguedbyVisions You're a pretty creative guy, you know. Good fun.

[@odothedoll2657]

I feel like I might actually like this. To address your first point I kinda like the “google it” style writing because it feels more natural and I like learning things. 80% of all knowledge I’ve gained outside of school has been because of this. Also the way you describe the writing sounds like it could be a lot of chaotic fun or extremely annoying. It’ll be fun to find out which!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Definitely check it out if it interests you! Yes, googling while reading definitely works for some! It sadly doesn’t work too well for me, but I’ve had my moments. The things I google the most while reading are cool words and their meaning.

[@raspberryfrogs]

I wanted to like this book so much! There were definitely things i liked about it but i found it soooo boring, i read it before work and almost fell asleep. I didn't find it disturbing or creepy at all. I've had a lot of disappointing reads this year but wow this fell flat from the concept for me

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

First of all, your profile picture is the cutest stinking thing I’ve seen all day. As for the book, yeah, so much of the atmosphere was dropped in favor of weird jokes and bickering that led nowhere. Sorry to hear you’ve had a mediocre reading year! I pray this last month brings you a five-star read. 🙏🏽

[@deerpoob]

Great review, I was just looking into this book as my girlfriend has a bunch of extra audible credits, sure enough my favourite booktuber is already on it! Think I'll skip it for now, maybe if I see it in the library or for a few bucks I'll grab it.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Aww, thanks for the kind words! Yes, highly recommended as an “incidental read,” meaning, read it only if the book randomly makes its way to you in a convenient way. 😂

[@aveyclub]

When she walks in…..? NOTHING but blackened teeth. I think you’ve heard plenty of what I think about this but I’m honestly happy it ended up in less hateful hands.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

When she walks in??? It’s crickets from the Kitsune and the kappa and the oni. Thank you so much again for the book! I will cherish this weird little shitfest forever.

[@anissarosario22]

I swear I have never watched one of your videos without laughing so hard😂 The cover recreation was *chief's kiss* spot on🤣❤️ And this book wasn't the best 🙁 The cover was the best thing about this book !

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

As the clown of Horror Booktube, I am honored by such words. Yeah, this was book was very middle-of-the-road, but there WERE moments that really captivated me! Agree on the cover, but who wore it best?

[@KatrinaReads7]

Good review! I started it and it didn't catch my attention so I put it down. I was looking to you to make up my mind for me to pick it back up or not 😭🤣Sorry to laugh at you coughing and being poisoned!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I coughed and poisoned myself precisely to make the world laugh. I’d be curious to hear your thoughts, but of course, if it doesn’t interest you, it just doesn’t!

[@jama1155]

Constantly inspired by your commitment.

[@Tal.Bibliotek]

Best thumbnail photo ever!! 🏆

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Omg what an honor to receive this award! I would like to thank Miss Adobe Photoshop.

[@jamesfetcho6315]

LoL. LoL. Hahahaha. That intro was great. It was worth it 2 Me. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Great Review 👍😁👍

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you, James! KZbin says you have to grab your viewers’ attention in the first 30 seconds, so I thought I’d poison myself real quick.

[@jamesfetcho6315]

@@PlaguedbyVisions LoL 😆😂🤣

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

All my plans for cinnamon covered broccoli 🥦 destroyed! Damn!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

The more I thought about that combination, the more I said to myself: I think I would actually try that.

[@Mostly_Horror]

Makeup was stun-ning!! When this showed up on my feed I kind of jumped likely holy shit 🤣🤣 I did not like this book at all and luckily it was short so I don’t feel like I wasted hours/days of my life.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I’ll tag my thumbnails for jump scares next time! 😂 And that’s what I really appreciated. The length worked! I wasn’t too bothered the book, but I don’t know how much more I could’ve handled.

[@starfishsicko]

I just finished this a couple nights ago. It's the worst book I've read all year. I was so let down, frankly I want my money back

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Can you get a refund? 😂

[@indridcruel6564]

Juan, your poor teeth lmao

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Do not fret. They are clean now!

[@potatosan1120]

Hey, why the Hell doesnt this guy have more subscribers???

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I often ask myself how in the hell I have so many. 😂

[@BookBlather]

Speak for yourself on the Cinnabons and broccoli. Nice review. I’ll definitely be trying this one.

[@BookBlather]

@Mister Morningstar Really? I’m not gonna turn that down. Will message you on goodreads.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Look at you two being besties. Dave, I’ll send you some broccoli from Cinnabon in the mail.

[@ipshitajee]

Use charcoal toothpaste next time it gives a great colour as well 😂 By the way, loved your review!

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

You’re not the first to give me this tip. Noted! 😂

[@sassysarahreads]

I will not lie, I picked this up quickly because I wanted to know if I would hate it. I was so excited for it, but after hearing those early slams I put off reading it. I liked the writing, but the story itself was lackluster. That ending? Lame and not compelling. I know a lot of people hated it because they looked up stuff. I chose not to look up stuff, but at the same time I knew what most of what she was talking about was from the wide array of manga I read within the demon fantasy genre. I am in the middle with a 3.5. The writing was the best part, but I will say the characters suck and I hated them. At the same time though the characters talk like everyone my age and I related to them despite how horrible they were. They remind me of some Facebook friends I would never hang out with in person, but read all the tea on their posts.🤣

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

100% agreed! The characters were so unlikeable, but not unrealistic by any means. Shitty people exist! Breaking news! 😂 That being said, I sadly don’t think they were effectively portrayed against the backdrop of everything else. The writing was too exquisite and embellished for such a mediocre thriller. 😔

[@palomarodrigues2483]

I hated this book so much 😂 I really tried to like it, but the writing was so pretentious and the metaphors so weird and boring. The characters were terrible, why were those people even friends if they hated each other??? When I finished, I couldn’t stop comparing to the tapeworm book 😅

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

In the book’s defense, I will say: Terrible people who hate each other but still remain friends most definitely exist. 😂 I did not mind the style, but I will say, the length definitely helped. I couldn’t have handled much more of it.

[@Yatukih_001]

Cassandra needs to realize that Japanese Yokai are basically nihillists. They do not consider themselves to be supernatural at all and I agree with that. I do not see any reason for any ghost to exist somehow beyond nature because if they do they are certainly part of nature. Traditional Yokai stories are lessons in morality. They are fascinated by Japan´s Buddhist and Shinto traditions and are very curious about Japanese lifestyles and manners and often learn their manners from Japanese people they come into contact with. Thanks for your video, Friend!! Best wishes to you from Iceland!!

[@johnmcgovern8563]

Hey Jaun, read the book a couple of Saturdays ago, I liked it, wasn't blown away but I rather enjoyed it in a quirky and creepy way. It was fun. See you next time Bye☻☻☻☻😈😈😈😈😈👽👽👽

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Yes, very lukewarm about it, but definitely didn’t hate it. Thanks, John!

[@nightmarefanatic1819]

I absolutely hated this book to the point that I returned it to Half Price Books the day after I read it. The only character I liked was Philip and I knew he was going to die the moment Khaw decided to pretend to be clever with the "Hyuk Hyuk, white men don't die in horror, lol, he's so perfect and blessed and everything goes well for him." Gag, I hate that type of "meta" writing unless you can pull it off well. I also hated how 80% of the book was whining about "I slept with x and y and z, and z slept with x and y, and y slept with a and x" and the metaphors on metaphors on metaphors. I also HATED how Khaw decided to use a lesser known type of Japanese spirit and just buttfucked the legend behind it to have the most generic ass "Evil spirit haunted house" story in existence in the moments it wasn't just the main character's whining about relationships. One of the only other books I read last year was called The Haunting of Gabriel Ashe, which is for tweens, that was better than this book for adults in every single way. It managed to mix character relationships and scares in a compelling way that never dragged, I actually cared about the main characters, it was actually tense and scary, and the ending didn't make me want to toss the book across the room in anger.

[@stellaoliviasarah]

❤❤

[@BookBlather]

😂🤣

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

What’s funny? Nothing funny on this channel!

[@Fallencity01]

Having readers stop to look up things seems really lazy on the writers behalf. Sometimes I have to pause reading to search up a word I don’t know and it is the most annoying thing. The last thing I want to be doing when I’m in another world is be forced back to this one. Otherwise, it sounds like a good concept failed. Pity

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

It definitely is jarring. I will say, the experimental novel, Night Film, integrates a website into the reading experience, so that sounds interesting. I probably wouldn’t have the patience for it though.

[@Fallencity01]

@@PlaguedbyVisions That is a pretty interesting concept, but likewise haha

[@Jeremy-tc9be]

You really go out of your way to grab the intention, don’t you? 😆 It’s appreciated! I might skip this one. I do need more than style to keep my attention.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

Thank you! And yeah, sounds like a wise choice!

[@-Bellana-]

my biggest issue is the amount of unnecessarily elongated descriptive sentences the author used. it was so much so that I often lost track of what was actually being described and got engrossed in the descriptions themselves. it didn't flow together well for me at all. the whole thing was a flop for me. 👎

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I liked when the ghost did spooky shit. Beyond that, completely agreed. 😂

[@TheWorldAccordingToJ]

Yep, heard it wasn't that good. Aint nobody got time for dat.

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

I will have you know I have nothing but time for bad books. 😂

[@nunyabidness4220]

I was sorely unimpressed with that book. It's getting so ya can't trust reviews at all anymore... people are making money being "influencers" and they're leading me to too much junk. The book wasn't terrible but it was incredibly bland and overrated. There wasn't enough to it and the narrative is so loosely strung it doesn't go anywhere.

[@jgmpontes]

It really sucks! One of the worst books I've ever read

[@PlaguedbyVisions]

You’re definitely not alone in that assessment!