Reviews

Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk

crimereader's review against another edition

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5.0

Brilliant novella of an alternate history Chicago. My top choice for Best Novella in the Hugos!

el_wheel's review against another edition

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

4.5

jpdubs's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a good read that could have been great. I loved the concepts, and I hadn't read a book with these ideas (and, of course, sapphic) before and was hooked. The only issue was how short it was. This felt like a short sample story sent into a contest to win and expand upon. There is easily enough there for a long interesting book that I would have happily read. What we got was good, but hopefully, more will be expanded upon with a sequel in the future because there was so much potential. Also, I guessed the ending, but it was still enjoyable.

nuclearself's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

4.0

iffie's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Loved this novella. Fast paced and bittersweet with humour scattered throughout. 

gene_vieve_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

There are not words. There will never be words.
Even Though I Knew the End is beautiful it’s gorgeously written and stunning, I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I was sitting down to read it. 
There’s such complex lore and world building interspersed around a riveting mystery surrounded in a narrative about romantic and familial love. 
What would you do if you could stop the death of a loved one? Even if it meant losing your very soul? 
That question is going to be following me through the next week as I carry C.L. Polk’s world with me. 

winterlelie's review against another edition

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4.0

"Heaven can wait, if I get ten more years with you."

I listened to the audiobook, and dang, this would be such an awesome television series or movie. I will definitely be checking out more of C.L. Polk's books!

emuhly's review against another edition

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4.0

bittersweet

gemini_tea's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

4.5