celineks's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
xombieky's review against another edition
5.0
Such an incredible story, I will forever be recommending this novel. It was unique and fantastically written, I was walking through the city streets with Max. I loved the originality and the crime noir mixed with horror fantasy. I have the second book ready to start today!
grimdreadful's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
4.5 stars I loved it.
1910, bodies are discovered in piles of flesh and organs, bones missing. Police call on Detective Max, who's been unstable since his family was murdered just months earlier. The investigation leads him into a world full of violence, sin, and ancient creatures.
WHAT I LIKED:
- unique premise.
- extreme horror/dark fantasy/crime noir perfect blend.
- world building was really great, especially with the creatures.
- gets under your skin but in a good way.
- engaging to read and well written. I didn't want to put it down.
- some crazy body horror scenes.
- visceral. disturbing, violent, heartbreaking, and enraging.
- the ending is fantastic. Great setup for book 2.
- tales from the city. Awesome addition.
- this would make on hell of a good movie.
**if you know me, then you know it's very rare that I get excited about or read a book series. I can count the series I love on just one hand, but I'm now committed long-term to the city series, though.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- this might just be a me problem, but I just connect the setting being in 1910. For the most part, it felt modern, and I had to remind myself it's 1910. Ultimately, this doesn't have an effect on the overall story.
Many thanks to @bloodboundbooks for sending me a copy to review and turning me onto a new fave book.
1910, bodies are discovered in piles of flesh and organs, bones missing. Police call on Detective Max, who's been unstable since his family was murdered just months earlier. The investigation leads him into a world full of violence, sin, and ancient creatures.
WHAT I LIKED:
- unique premise.
- extreme horror/dark fantasy/crime noir perfect blend.
- world building was really great, especially with the creatures.
- gets under your skin but in a good way.
- engaging to read and well written. I didn't want to put it down.
- some crazy body horror scenes.
- visceral. disturbing, violent, heartbreaking, and enraging.
- the ending is fantastic. Great setup for book 2.
- tales from the city. Awesome addition.
- this would make on hell of a good movie.
**if you know me, then you know it's very rare that I get excited about or read a book series. I can count the series I love on just one hand, but I'm now committed long-term to the city series, though.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- this might just be a me problem, but I just connect the setting being in 1910. For the most part, it felt modern, and I had to remind myself it's 1910. Ultimately, this doesn't have an effect on the overall story.
Many thanks to @bloodboundbooks for sending me a copy to review and turning me onto a new fave book.
readwithkyladawngail's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
a mix of horror and dark fantasy. It was unique, fascinating and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I was fully invested while I was reading, however whenever I put it down, I didn’t think about it. It was violent, disturbing and heartbreaking all rolled together. I also loved that for such a short book it really brought you into the new world full of ancient creatures. The world building was phenomenal.
charm_city_sinner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
xombieky's review
5.0
Such an incredible story, I will forever be recommending this novel. It was unique and fantastically written, I was walking through the city streets with Max. I loved the originality and the crime noir mixed with horror fantasy. I have the second book ready to start today!
bryanhmoyer's review
5.0
Surreal, dark, and possessing a break neck intensity The City is a gripping novel. The creatures that populate the city, the darkness of mankind on constant display, and the flawed and true to life like characters grab you from the start and don't let go. I didn't want it to end, and I am definitely looking forward to more.
blatdriver's review
4.0
I loved this book.
This book was not what I expected, I was expecting the cop with troubled past v’s the supernatural, but it was so much more than that, it still had the troubled cop, and a secret city, but unlike most crime noir stories, the focus was not on the mystery or the case, the focus was more on the gruesome and emotional toll on the characters the sort of toll that you would expect to see in first responders, and actual police.
There is some deeply disturbing and graphic content, including torture, and sex akin to the 1995 movie ‘Seven’, but it is there for a reason which I can’t go into without spoiling the story.
There is no animal cruelty in this, so if that sort of thing bothers you this one is safe.
I’m looking forward the reading the next book ‘The Order of Eternal Sleep’
And I'd also like to say that I love this cover!
Thank you S.C. Mendes and Blood Bound Books
I want to thank Bloodbound Books for the opportunity to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was not what I expected, I was expecting the cop with troubled past v’s the supernatural, but it was so much more than that, it still had the troubled cop, and a secret city, but unlike most crime noir stories, the focus was not on the mystery or the case, the focus was more on the gruesome and emotional toll on the characters the sort of toll that you would expect to see in first responders, and actual police.
There is some deeply disturbing and graphic content, including torture, and sex akin to the 1995 movie ‘Seven’, but it is there for a reason which I can’t go into without spoiling the story.
There is no animal cruelty in this, so if that sort of thing bothers you this one is safe.
I’m looking forward the reading the next book ‘The Order of Eternal Sleep’
And I'd also like to say that I love this cover!
Thank you S.C. Mendes and Blood Bound Books
I want to thank Bloodbound Books for the opportunity to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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