silence_underrated's review
5.0
Most of the time, when I read a good book I appreciate the story that the author was able to create. On occasion, I read a book that has a poor writing style but a good story. I finish the book with only mild disappointment about the style and probably never read the books written by that author again. When I come across a book that has a great writing style, I almost always enjoy it regardless of the story (I've even read some textbooks that I enjoyed purely for the style).
Death's Apprentice is one of those rare books that has an amazing writing style as well as the story to do it justice. The authors didn't subject us to the emotions of the characters, but instead gave us an almost factual perspective of what was happening. Still, I found myself fascinated by the characters. Nathanial, an emotionless character in the end was the one who gave me the most emotional response. Hank, the character who was the most uncaring, ends up caring for the one who needs it most. Blake is so beaten, but he finds the strength to fight the most.
All of the characters were able to turn around and find their purpose, fighting for the lives of those they are protecting. It makes me feel hopeful.
Death's Apprentice is one of those rare books that has an amazing writing style as well as the story to do it justice. The authors didn't subject us to the emotions of the characters, but instead gave us an almost factual perspective of what was happening. Still, I found myself fascinated by the characters. Nathanial, an emotionless character in the end was the one who gave me the most emotional response. Hank, the character who was the most uncaring, ends up caring for the one who needs it most. Blake is so beaten, but he finds the strength to fight the most.
All of the characters were able to turn around and find their purpose, fighting for the lives of those they are protecting. It makes me feel hopeful.
jcarew's review against another edition
2.0
Felt like it could have been shorter, like parts dragged on. Also a lot more religious reference than I care for, like in an over-the-top kind of way.
sdramsey's review against another edition
2.0
Before I say anything else, remember that a 2-star rating from me on Goodreads means what Goodreads says it does--it was okay. NOT terrible, just okay. Although it was quite violent and dark, I kept with this story because it had characters and a setting with a ton of potential. However, as the story progressed, it felt like the main focus was on that darkness, not on fulfilling the potential.
The writing is strong and evocative, and the storyline progresses quickly for the most part (the backstory on each new character is sort of dumped all in one go, but it's interesting backstory and presented almost as part of the narrative, so it doesn't really slow the story down). I think it suffers in audiobook form because there are a lot of fight scenes, which, when read, mostly become confusing rather than exciting.
All in all, it was not my cup of tea, but if you like darker themes, a bleak setting, and lots of action, you'll probably like this book.
The writing is strong and evocative, and the storyline progresses quickly for the most part (the backstory on each new character is sort of dumped all in one go, but it's interesting backstory and presented almost as part of the narrative, so it doesn't really slow the story down). I think it suffers in audiobook form because there are a lot of fight scenes, which, when read, mostly become confusing rather than exciting.
All in all, it was not my cup of tea, but if you like darker themes, a bleak setting, and lots of action, you'll probably like this book.
caranam13's review against another edition
2.0
There was so much potential here but I feel like it fell sadly flat.
cahrdy's review
2.0
DNF, only got about 30 percent through
The concept and the scenes with Death are the only decent parts, and they are genuinely serviceable.
The backstory makes no sense, and it reads like it is supposed to be a script for a superhero movie or CW drama without subtlety or nuance.
The concept and the scenes with Death are the only decent parts, and they are genuinely serviceable.
The backstory makes no sense, and it reads like it is supposed to be a script for a superhero movie or CW drama without subtlety or nuance.
krisrid's review
1.0
I only made it to chapter 5 of this book before I gave up. This book was completely different from what I was expecting from the description and from most of the reviews I read.
I saw reviews about how this was a view on Grimm fairy tales, and a clever approach to "Death" via his apprentice.
For me this book came across as a depressing, violent dark and angry world. Maybe I should have expected that - although I have read the original Grimm tales, and realize they are darker than Disney would have us believe, this book was so unrelentingly dark and hard, I just could not bring myself to stick with it any longer. Possibly, the book gets more engaging further on, but it was too heavy for me in the portion I read.
I saw reviews about how this was a view on Grimm fairy tales, and a clever approach to "Death" via his apprentice.
For me this book came across as a depressing, violent dark and angry world. Maybe I should have expected that - although I have read the original Grimm tales, and realize they are darker than Disney would have us believe, this book was so unrelentingly dark and hard, I just could not bring myself to stick with it any longer. Possibly, the book gets more engaging further on, but it was too heavy for me in the portion I read.
lyfaster's review
3.0
The characters were interesting, the plot was sub par...the action was great if not a llittle disorienting, and the ending was made me cry. I'd read the sequel should there ever be one.
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