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barefoot_james's review against another edition
4.0
First book in the Menagerie series.
This is a very dark and mature urban fantasy. The world building is terrific and the characters are well developed. The horror that the protagonist finds herself caught up in unfolds at a steady pace; however, the ending feels a little rushed.
There is considerable violence and sexual predation in the story but they are not gratuitous.
This is a very dark and mature urban fantasy. The world building is terrific and the characters are well developed. The horror that the protagonist finds herself caught up in unfolds at a steady pace; however, the ending feels a little rushed.
There is considerable violence and sexual predation in the story but they are not gratuitous.
tawnieblue's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
augustgreatsword's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sandy_reads81's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
batkat31's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a very interesting read. I felt instantly drawn into the story and the world. The author definitely throws you into the world without much explanation which for me is a hit and miss way to tell a story. It worked very well here in most ways however because even while I was frustrated at the lack of information about the history of the world and the character's past it was part of why it was so hard to put down. I just had to know more. It took me forever to read this book unfortunately because I never had enough time and I knew that once I really sat down to read it I wouldn't stop. Which was true, I read the first 5 chapters over the period of almost a month I think and then BAM finished the rest in one day.
I will say that I agree with something I read in another review (I'm so sorry I don't remember who) that the random quotes from news sources that seemed to be shoved in for no reason were annoying and off putting. I think that it was possibly added as a way for us to be reminded over and over again about the horrors of the past and the way that the humans are thinking about the non-human species'. It just didn't work for me though because all the blurbs were so similar in that they were either vague to the point of being pointless, or they were just re-stating what we were already told.
I definitely want to read the next one but I'm waiting a little bit. While the bleak and hopeless setting and atmosphere of the book was so good it's hard to read too much of in a row.
Definitely recommend.
I will say that I agree with something I read in another review (I'm so sorry I don't remember who) that the random quotes from news sources that seemed to be shoved in for no reason were annoying and off putting. I think that it was possibly added as a way for us to be reminded over and over again about the horrors of the past and the way that the humans are thinking about the non-human species'. It just didn't work for me though because all the blurbs were so similar in that they were either vague to the point of being pointless, or they were just re-stating what we were already told.
I definitely want to read the next one but I'm waiting a little bit. While the bleak and hopeless setting and atmosphere of the book was so good it's hard to read too much of in a row.
Definitely recommend.
wandertheworlds's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
A good book, but I feel like the conclusion was tooo… simple/easy. Or the book too fast. The story paints a very dystopian urban fantasy world, and the book does a good job of keeping the trials and trauma real and grounded and doesn’t dismiss or overlook what life in the menagerie would be like, but it does seam to just stumble its way to the solution, and the mc avoids most of the discomfort just by plot luck.
magencorrie's review against another edition
5.0
5 star!
My Review:
My lord, what can I say about this book other than it wasn’t what I had in mind at all and it completely blew me away!
Yes, it blew me away because of the vivid, heart gripping, and stunning story. The world is, as I just mentioned, vividly painted. Haunting, twisted, and dark. It was a world I couldn’t get enough of. It pulled me right in, allowing me to really see this unusual world fill with fantastical creatures. It was a true Vincent book in every way, from her compelling storytelling, deeply characterized characters, and intricate plot.
First, we meet Delilah, a young woman trying to live her life. She wants nothing more, on one special day, but to relax with her friends and her boyfriend. But a single trip to the traveling Menagerie changes all that. Delilah’s story is riveting. Deep and thoroughly amazing. However, it is also completely sad. But with Delilah’s tenacious personality, strong will, and stubborn attitude, you can’t help but feel for her and what she goes through throughout the entire story. I marveled at her will and her strength, and even though I was sadden by her situation I loved how she turned it around.
The book is also filled with a wonderful roundup of unique, scary, interesting, and odd characters (creatures, really… mostly). I also fall in love with the strong and silent Gallagher. And though, at first, I was unsure of his character, I just loved how he turned around and what was eventually revealed about him. His story was, like Delilah’s and everyone else’s, so deep and intricate. He proves he was more than who he was in the beginning. And though so many of the creatures’ backstories broke my heart, it was heartening to learn about them and who they are because they are so much more than just simple minded creatures.
Though the book isn’t focused on romance, which I loved, I do hope that there will be a budding romance between Gallagher and Delilah later on. What I loved the most is that the book focused on the characters, their situations, their stories, and their personalities. We get to see the inside of the Menagerie and the creatures that are within. We get to see that they are living beings with thoughts and feelings. Vincent did a great job at allowing me to connect with the creatures, to love them, to feel for them, and to hope for the best for them.
The book does take a while to build; however, it isn’t about action but the story of the all the characters. The mystery of what Delilah is and what she is meant to do, kept me glued to the pages. The storyline is fresh, and definitely something I haven’t read before. The development of the story and the characters flowed seamlessly as well as the building of the plot. It was exciting wanting to know what was going to happen next.
Menagerie is a breathtaking, brutally raw, vividly dark, and heart-gripping story. The world Vincent has created is draped in Urban Fantasy finery, filled with rich characters, a heartbreaking but hopeful story-line, and a world so unique and so dark you can't put the book down because you just have to know what is going to happen next.
All I can say is this one is a must read.
My Review:
My lord, what can I say about this book other than it wasn’t what I had in mind at all and it completely blew me away!
Yes, it blew me away because of the vivid, heart gripping, and stunning story. The world is, as I just mentioned, vividly painted. Haunting, twisted, and dark. It was a world I couldn’t get enough of. It pulled me right in, allowing me to really see this unusual world fill with fantastical creatures. It was a true Vincent book in every way, from her compelling storytelling, deeply characterized characters, and intricate plot.
First, we meet Delilah, a young woman trying to live her life. She wants nothing more, on one special day, but to relax with her friends and her boyfriend. But a single trip to the traveling Menagerie changes all that. Delilah’s story is riveting. Deep and thoroughly amazing. However, it is also completely sad. But with Delilah’s tenacious personality, strong will, and stubborn attitude, you can’t help but feel for her and what she goes through throughout the entire story. I marveled at her will and her strength, and even though I was sadden by her situation I loved how she turned it around.
The book is also filled with a wonderful roundup of unique, scary, interesting, and odd characters (creatures, really… mostly). I also fall in love with the strong and silent Gallagher. And though, at first, I was unsure of his character, I just loved how he turned around and what was eventually revealed about him. His story was, like Delilah’s and everyone else’s, so deep and intricate. He proves he was more than who he was in the beginning. And though so many of the creatures’ backstories broke my heart, it was heartening to learn about them and who they are because they are so much more than just simple minded creatures.
Though the book isn’t focused on romance, which I loved, I do hope that there will be a budding romance between Gallagher and Delilah later on. What I loved the most is that the book focused on the characters, their situations, their stories, and their personalities. We get to see the inside of the Menagerie and the creatures that are within. We get to see that they are living beings with thoughts and feelings. Vincent did a great job at allowing me to connect with the creatures, to love them, to feel for them, and to hope for the best for them.
The book does take a while to build; however, it isn’t about action but the story of the all the characters. The mystery of what Delilah is and what she is meant to do, kept me glued to the pages. The storyline is fresh, and definitely something I haven’t read before. The development of the story and the characters flowed seamlessly as well as the building of the plot. It was exciting wanting to know what was going to happen next.
Menagerie is a breathtaking, brutally raw, vividly dark, and heart-gripping story. The world Vincent has created is draped in Urban Fantasy finery, filled with rich characters, a heartbreaking but hopeful story-line, and a world so unique and so dark you can't put the book down because you just have to know what is going to happen next.
All I can say is this one is a must read.
tckcallahan's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting concept. Intriguing and flawed characters. I’m curious to see how the story continues
ambeesbookishpages's review against another edition
4.0
The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz
This is my second time reading Menagerie and I am still as shell shocked and shook as I was the first time around. Everything about this book was intricately planned and detailed and vivid. Part of me thinks I am crazy for liking this book as much as I do. But it's something so incredibly different and it shows how cruel humans can be to things that don't understand. Rachel Vincent has been a must read author for since her Soul Eaters series and I've enjoyed many of her novels since. Menagerie is unlike anything I have ever read by her before. This book isn't for the faint of heart. I won't lie when I questioned myself a couple of times if I wanted to continue on. But if you do make it through, there is something extremely satisfying how this book ends.
Menagerie is set what is to be an alternate United States, where mythical creatures exist and had once lived side by side with humans. After the Reaping, which resulted in the death of millions of children the Mythical Creatures or Cryptids where stripped of all their rights. Soon they were captured or killed. Those lucky enough to be captured become entertainment for peoples pleasure. Metzger's Menagerie is one of the largest travelling menageries in the country and is in Delilah's hometown just in time for her birthday. Delilah visits the menagerie with her boyfriend and best friend, and witnesses first had the mistreatment and abused that the cryptids are dealt. But the dark parts of Delilah come to the surface and soon she is one of the "creatures" caged and traveling with the menagerie.
I would have thought the second time around I wouldn't have been so shocked about the cruel attention and abuse the cryptids face. But I was. Part of me was concerned that I wanted to continue to read on after learning more and more about the treatment of the menagerie's inhabitants and Delilah. I think Menagerie is a good example of how humanity turns to cruelty when it doesn't understand something.
I really enjoyed Delilah's character. She spent 25 years believing she was human. She had a boyfriend, a job and rights and suddenly everything is stripped away from her in the blink of an eye. Despite the inhumane treatment and the tactics used to try and break Delilah she held her head as high as she could through it all. She is one of the fiercest female characters I have read in a long time and I am excited to see where Vincent is going to take her character next.
As I said this book isn't for the faint of heart, but if you enjoy urban fantasy that is going to make you angry and want to seek justice for a character, I highly suggest Menagerie. Both enjoyable and different this book had me in is grasp until the very last page. I am eager to continue on and see where these characters are going to go next.
This is my second time reading Menagerie and I am still as shell shocked and shook as I was the first time around. Everything about this book was intricately planned and detailed and vivid. Part of me thinks I am crazy for liking this book as much as I do. But it's something so incredibly different and it shows how cruel humans can be to things that don't understand. Rachel Vincent has been a must read author for since her Soul Eaters series and I've enjoyed many of her novels since. Menagerie is unlike anything I have ever read by her before. This book isn't for the faint of heart. I won't lie when I questioned myself a couple of times if I wanted to continue on. But if you do make it through, there is something extremely satisfying how this book ends.
Menagerie is set what is to be an alternate United States, where mythical creatures exist and had once lived side by side with humans. After the Reaping, which resulted in the death of millions of children the Mythical Creatures or Cryptids where stripped of all their rights. Soon they were captured or killed. Those lucky enough to be captured become entertainment for peoples pleasure. Metzger's Menagerie is one of the largest travelling menageries in the country and is in Delilah's hometown just in time for her birthday. Delilah visits the menagerie with her boyfriend and best friend, and witnesses first had the mistreatment and abused that the cryptids are dealt. But the dark parts of Delilah come to the surface and soon she is one of the "creatures" caged and traveling with the menagerie.
I would have thought the second time around I wouldn't have been so shocked about the cruel attention and abuse the cryptids face. But I was. Part of me was concerned that I wanted to continue to read on after learning more and more about the treatment of the menagerie's inhabitants and Delilah. I think Menagerie is a good example of how humanity turns to cruelty when it doesn't understand something.
I really enjoyed Delilah's character. She spent 25 years believing she was human. She had a boyfriend, a job and rights and suddenly everything is stripped away from her in the blink of an eye. Despite the inhumane treatment and the tactics used to try and break Delilah she held her head as high as she could through it all. She is one of the fiercest female characters I have read in a long time and I am excited to see where Vincent is going to take her character next.
As I said this book isn't for the faint of heart, but if you enjoy urban fantasy that is going to make you angry and want to seek justice for a character, I highly suggest Menagerie. Both enjoyable and different this book had me in is grasp until the very last page. I am eager to continue on and see where these characters are going to go next.
teetall4's review against another edition
2.0
The prologue was by far my favorite part of this story. I was overall kinda disappointed once I made it to the end. I probably won't read the rest of the series.