Bird Box by Josh Malerman

Need a good freak out? Try Bird Box!

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

Genres: Horror, Psychological Thriller
Published: 13th May, 2014
Series: N/A
Rating: 4


The story opens with Malorie and her children in a boat, going fuck knows where. One can only hope that at least they do!

I must say I was wondering how this story is going to play out, considering people can’t leave the house without a blindfold. How is a bunch of people wandering around blind is going to be interesting? Well, fear not, Josh Malerman has figured it all out.

Switching back and forth between before and now, a truly horrifying plot reveals itself. I have to admit, I’m always wary of books like this, and worry that they might not be terrifying enough. I mean, there aren’t things jumping out of the pages to scare you, like movies do. But! The author managed to pull it off brilliantly. I felt claustrophobic when Malorie and her new friends were cooped up in the house with windows covered, was anxious when they ventured outside with their eyes blindfolded, and had this very strong sense of foreboding that the worst has yet to come.

They all had their theories of what might be outside. Whatever it is, one look at them makes you go absolutely crazy and suicidal. The best thing though? For me anyway… We never got to know what exactly happened. I mean, what the hell is more terrifying than something that can make you go mad in a few seconds, but you have no idea what it is, where it is, or why it is doing it.

Since the characters are basically blind when outside, there are lots of descriptions that are playing on your other senses like hearing or smelling. Hats off to the author, really, because they are truly creepy.

I ended up watching the movie as well and surprisingly, I didn’t hate it. Yes, I did roll my eyes a bit over some changes they did, but it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t. They sort of worked, I suppose?

Still… the book was better!

Stop changing complete story lines! Just… nope!


  1. I’ve been thinking about this one every since the hype for the movie with Sandra Bullock in it. I mean, it sounded perfect but … but now you’ve read and said it’s good, who am I to deny the fact? Right? 😉

    So now I’ve bumped it up to get. 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It is indeed rare!
      The changes they made to the movie were actually quite ok, and made sense, to make it more cinematic and interesting on screen. Cuz the way the book was written would not have worked the same way as a film.


    1. Thank you 🙂
      There were quite a few differences between book & movie so it could still be fun 🙂 As much fun as being terrified could be 😀


  2. I’ve been on the fence about watching the movie because I could not resist long with a similar one (A Quiet Place): this kind of tension is NOT good for my blood pressure! 😀
    But I might be tempted by the book, given your comments and rating. You can always put a book down when the going gets though… Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Tbh, I didn’t know that this was a book, lmao. But! I love psychological thrillers. They are my FAVES. So I’m really hoping that this is creepy!!! Just put a hold on at my library … I’m excited! 😄😄

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I didn’t quite *hate* the movie either, but I definitely wasn’t a fan of it haha. The character changes were…weird. And I think, like, 80% of what makes the book good is the claustrophobic, your-imagination-becomes-your-worst-enemy element, and a visual adaptation loses that.


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