Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen

10 reviews

nmongene's review

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dark mysterious tense

3.75

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rachelle_reads's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense

4.25

First, the good: The author’s portrayal of OCD and the way she addressed refugee trauma and intergenerational trauma were  well done. That’s what sucked me in. I couldn’t always tell what was real and what was a dream or false memory, and that works well is a psychological thriller.

This was going to be a 5 star book for me until the last 50 pages or so. Everything wrapped up too neatly.
Three murders closed, with what evidence? And her relationship with her teenage daughter so quickly fixed? Please.
I wish the author had taken time to finish all the storylines better, rather than using dialogue to explain it all away. 

One other complaint has to do with the role of the psychiatrist. I appreciated how the author used this character to help us understand Annie’s OCD. But the psychiatrist did a lot of things that are quite unrealistic.
You would never take on a client who was the spouse of a former roommate/boyfriend. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if Dr. Patel and the husband were conspiring together, but she was just a run-of-the-mill unethical therapist.


Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading more from this author as she hones her thriller writing skills. 
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smagzisreading's review

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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menastarr's review

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dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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ropey's review

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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bitesizedbeet's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

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reading_under_covers's review

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4.0

Annie Shaw has turned her life around after growing up in a poor household with a toxic relationship with her mother. However, when her mother suddenly passes, Annie’s OCD (previously thought to be reined in) comes roaring back in full force, and her illusions start blending with reality. She soon finds herself in the middle of several police investigations and no longer knows what to believe.

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID by K. T. Nguyen was such a unique book!

This is the first thriller/horror I’ve read that utilizes (contamination) OCD to drive home the body horror and lend itself to an unreliable narrator, and I thought it was really well done!

Nguyen builds on this uneasiness and untrustworthiness to deliver a great twist at the end as well.

There were some moments that I wish were fleshed out a bit more, but overall a really great debut!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: April 16
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rachelcoconut's review

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dark tense slow-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
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newcritter's review against another edition

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2.5

This was a good read but not a fun one. The immigrant experience, generational trauma, and insect-driven gore were difficult to read at times but not as difficult as reading through the intrusive thoughts the FMC had that were almost triggering. The end felt almost anti-climactic, and the plot dragged in the last 1/3 of the book, but overall, an interesting read that made me viscerally uncomfortable. Please pay attention to the trigger warnings.
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julessssss's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

this book is complex in the best ways, it is everything I could have asked for. I have been itching for a good horror (or horror-adjacent) book and this was it.

Annie is an unreliable narrator and I found myself both caring deeply for her but also disliking her (which was a perfect balance). I was compelled to know what was going to happen next and what information was being withheld, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

I did feel like the resolution was a little lackluster though, and if I would tweak anything about this novel, it would be that.
I did like, however, that the ending gave her a secret to keep (in the most vague terms possible lol)


I will be back for more of what this author does in the future.

I cannot say I would recommend this to just anyone (if you are interested, consider looking at a list of trigger/content warnings), however, if you are a horror or thriller fan, this might be a great fit.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for granting me a free and advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 
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