A review by ocie
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth, Sara Lautman

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is a slow to medium paced horror novel, one I would describe as creeping horror. I didn't feel a strong sense of suspense, but the sense that something is wrong, that sense of foreboding factors strongly in as the timeline jumps between now and 1902. 

I enjoyed the premise quite a lot, the dual timeline going between 1902 and a series of deaths/unpleasant happenings and the present, which follows the author of the book written about said events and the two lead actresses currently shooting the film based on the book. 

The cast of characters, especially our main 3 are lovable and relatable. I did think Audrey and Harper were a bit too similar in their histories and background relationships, but that's my only issue with them. 

I did not like the manipulation plotline, but that was the point: we as the audience are supposed to feel uncomfortable and not charitable towards the director because of this. 

The ending felt strange, kind of petered out, but the tone was in keeping with the rest of the book, so I liked it well enough.

I did love this book. It has a gothic horror vibe to it, and the foreboding creepiness is exactly my type of horror.