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elissalynn's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a weird book...I think I’m around 3.5 stars for it...there were aspects of it that I loved, and parts I disliked or wished there were more of. I’m also not a fantasy reader so maybe I’m just not used to this type of novel, but overall it was interesting! It was all over the place which made for a fun-albeit confusing at times-read.
maiiau's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
rackle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
libliz's review against another edition
4.0
This particular brand of fantasy feels very Neil Gaiman-y to me (though it lacks his nuance and wit). The world in this novel is vast, yet we barely touched on it. I could see it being turned into a series, though I think I would prefer it as a standalone despite my desire to follow Carolyn as a character.
infinite_kay's review against another edition
3.0
I have such mixed feelings about this book. My enjoyment and excitement was low; I felt little urge to pick up the book and constantly forgot it was one I was currently reading.
But, I was still able to admire the originality of it. Scott Hawkins' imagination is wild and the story was nothing like anything I've read before. Everything was so weird! On paper, this book has everything I should have enjoyed (crazy worldbuilding, complex characters, and more!) and it's a real shame I couldn't get into it. Possibly it's a case of good book, wrong timing?
But, I was still able to admire the originality of it. Scott Hawkins' imagination is wild and the story was nothing like anything I've read before. Everything was so weird! On paper, this book has everything I should have enjoyed (crazy worldbuilding, complex characters, and more!) and it's a real shame I couldn't get into it. Possibly it's a case of good book, wrong timing?
ryannyman's review against another edition
5.0
A wild ride into a surreal urban fantasy with who-done-it plot and an amazing cast of characters. There is a small but powerful twist that if you blink you may miss it.
erinallanpoe's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
hgraham98's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
amyapple's review against another edition
1.0
So much hype but it didn’t work for me. I wanted to love this book so much as my book groups have certainly said it’s amazing … but i just didn’t think so.
The end of the world vibes are strong from the get go and you meet a small bunch of one dimensional characters with crappy dialogue that makes me question if they’re adults or just kids.
The horrible pacing jumps around and plot is almost stagnant at points while we read about torture, sexual abuse, and body horrors or name a few - but written in such a way that it almost seems like a non event. I mean, Carolyn gets raped and she’s worrying about her bookcase or something.
The premise seemed interesting albeit weird and bizarre. I love dark fantasy and am no stranger to horror but the writer couldn’t give me the vibes and so I found that we have terribly written bit of prose that was trying really hard to be artsy. Maybe a different writer with the same ideas might have been a better deal.
The end of the world vibes are strong from the get go and you meet a small bunch of one dimensional characters with crappy dialogue that makes me question if they’re adults or just kids.
The horrible pacing jumps around and plot is almost stagnant at points while we read about torture, sexual abuse, and body horrors or name a few - but written in such a way that it almost seems like a non event. I mean, Carolyn gets raped and she’s worrying about her bookcase or something.
The premise seemed interesting albeit weird and bizarre. I love dark fantasy and am no stranger to horror but the writer couldn’t give me the vibes and so I found that we have terribly written bit of prose that was trying really hard to be artsy. Maybe a different writer with the same ideas might have been a better deal.
lobotomized_lemon's review against another edition
5.0
After finishing this book I feel like I have the same brain capacity of a worm compared to Carolyn