gasoline_allie's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good spooky ya-horror story to finish the day before Halloween. Some of the scenes were so grotesque...*shudders* The characters were well developed, the concept was unique, and the Sidhe and their Grey Land were just horrifying. Good scary stuff. This was one author who is not afraid to "kill his darlings." I always felt like anyone could die, and that added to the suspense.
Despite liking this book, I have not decided whether to continue the series. The third-person, present-tense, semi-omniscient narration was so jarring, I never stopped noticing it.
Despite liking this book, I have not decided whether to continue the series. The third-person, present-tense, semi-omniscient narration was so jarring, I never stopped noticing it.
batkat21's review against another edition
4.0
This book was an interesting one. I was in my library lugging around my bag of 20 or so new books and I had told myself sternly that I was cut off because I'd never have time to read all of these. Then I saw this and the cover was bold and the short summary was intriguing and I slid one more into my checkout pile. It did not disappoint and ended up being the first one I read. The Call was pretty quick paced without rushing you through it. I loved the way you were able to see different POVs of the characters as they went through the Call. I liked the main character and the world was horrifying and super interesting. I love stories about the fae and this was a darker take than I normally read.
nerdyrev's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes I am a sucker for advertising. I heard about The Call by Peadar O'Guilin advertised on several Book Riot podcasts and it sounded so interesting. Killer fairies, teens attempting to murder other teens, and a whole other variety of items, what else does one need. While it isn't going to break any literary boundaries, the book was an incredibly fun ride.
The premise was fun. In Ireland, teens are taken at random moments during their teen life. Their clothes are left and they find themselves nude in the Grey Land. A trumpet sounds and they have 3 minutes to survive the hunt from killer fairies.
One touch and the fairies can mold skin, muscle, and bone to any shape they wish. They can be killed, but their sheer number will overwhelm you. The catch is, if you make it or if they take pity on you, a promise is given and they always keep their word. If you don't make it, you either come back dead or disfigured in some way. Vets are treated with respect and can choose how to live out their lives.
Nessa is the protagonist and she has polio. No one really expects her to survive if she is called, but she trains anyway. She has incredible upper body strength and has won a few battles. Due to this, a group called the Round Table has targeted her. Not only does she have to look out for the call, but also this group in the real world who have decided she must die.
I cannot stress how fun a read this way. It is filled with teen angst and YA tropes, but the added layer of the call is what makes this book. This is not a light book in that sense in that the fairies love to punish and torture their victims. They are not nice either. In that sense, this is a true horror book.
In other places I put a mini review, I compared the book to a horror movie like Leprechaun or something along those lines. You know the acting and graphics will be pretty bad, but it will be great escapism for a time. While the writing wasn't bad on this one, the HS stuff was pretty standard in the good girl is targeted by bullies who fit every literary bully stereotype, but who also want to kill her. Even Nessa's friends fit the HS literary stereotypes, but you know what you are getting. There is a scene that will not leave my brain after reading it, which involves horses that aren't horses. Just wait and see.
I gave this one 3.5 stars. Very creative and fun, but not fiction breaking.
loyaultemelie's review against another edition
3.0
Funny how one's opinions of books can ebb and flow. When I last read this I gave it a 5/5, and gushed about it incessantly. It was a favorite of mine, and it still holds a special place in my heart no doubt. However in rereading it I found I cannot give it the same rating as before.
I struggled with the rating for a while, I'm still struggling with the rating. A 3.5/5 would probably be most accurate. It was much slower reading this time, maybe because of my mood, maybe because I found some of the actions of the characters so exasperating. The sexual assault definitely didn't help, as my opinions on that have hardened over time. I also have run into another “15 year olds don't act like that” kind of book, but that's a larger trend to be, in my opinion, gotten rid of. Still there is a wonderful story hidden beneath that, I can't deny that this is one of the most original YA horror books I've read. I also liked the focus on Irish myth, although interpretation is key in whether you consider the Tuatha de Dannan to be Sidhe or not.
I'd say on rereading the best characters were the supporting cast. Kinda depressing since they basically all died. Maybe it's because hardened girl winning cause the power of love is annoying. Same with the antagonist. Does it always have to be attraction?
In the end I'd say read it. It can be gorey at times, and yes sometimes it does feel gratuitous. But I wouldn't say my younger self was completely off the mark in loving it, and it's not quite ready to get taken off my shelf yet.
Oh and also I didn't think a sequel was necessary so I probably won't be rereading that one.
I struggled with the rating for a while, I'm still struggling with the rating. A 3.5/5 would probably be most accurate. It was much slower reading this time, maybe because of my mood, maybe because I found some of the actions of the characters so exasperating. The sexual assault definitely didn't help, as my opinions on that have hardened over time. I also have run into another “15 year olds don't act like that” kind of book, but that's a larger trend to be, in my opinion, gotten rid of. Still there is a wonderful story hidden beneath that, I can't deny that this is one of the most original YA horror books I've read. I also liked the focus on Irish myth, although interpretation is key in whether you consider the Tuatha de Dannan to be Sidhe or not.
I'd say on rereading the best characters were the supporting cast. Kinda depressing since they basically all died. Maybe it's because hardened girl winning cause the power of love is annoying. Same with the antagonist. Does it always have to be attraction?
In the end I'd say read it. It can be gorey at times, and yes sometimes it does feel gratuitous. But I wouldn't say my younger self was completely off the mark in loving it, and it's not quite ready to get taken off my shelf yet.
Oh and also I didn't think a sequel was necessary so I probably won't be rereading that one.
taylorreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this, it was creepy and intense and totally not what I expected! I enjoy reading works from authors from other countries, I like seeing the differences in their writing. I also LOVED the setting in northern Ireland and the description of the Gray World. I see people asking if there will be a sequel... I really hope not, this was a really good stand alone that I highly recommend.
theassofiron's review against another edition
3.0
This book has such a great premise and the first 3/4 were very good imo. Where it loses me is the fact that the sidhe are canonically the indigenous people of ireland but are painted as the villain the ENTIRE book. I kept expecting there to be a twist where the sidhe are not the good guys necessarily but it shows that like the humans are in fact in the wrong for upholding this treaty. But nope, the sidhe trying to get back to their actual homelands (yes, by extremely fucked up means) are painted as the no nuance villains the whole time. Surprising from an Irish author.
And if that wasn't enough, I was also hoping that Nessa would survive her call by her own merit, but nope. It's pretty much 100% because of Connor's deal with the sidhe.
Overall very disappointed with the way this book ended.
And if that wasn't enough, I was also hoping that Nessa would survive her call by her own merit, but nope. It's pretty much 100% because of Connor's deal with the sidhe.
Overall very disappointed with the way this book ended.
kitsunebi_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of the ARC through I Read YA. Everything about this title reeled me in, but it didn't keep me interested and invested like I thought it would. While I was reading it it was interesting, when I put it down though I found it really easy to pick up anther book and forget about The Call.
Interesting premise. you will eventually find yourself rooting for the characters, however Nessa became annoying to me. Love the use of Irish mythology though.
Interesting premise. you will eventually find yourself rooting for the characters, however Nessa became annoying to me. Love the use of Irish mythology though.