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elisi's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! Oh my god, I have never seen the unlikable on purpose FMC trope executed so perfectly. And, to be fair, Ness isn’t really unlikable. She’s just a scaredy cat with untreated trauma, who currently lives in a (maybe?) cult in an incredibly scary city. Like, I would hide under my bed too, and I would probably never crawl out again.
The writing is really good, I felt like all the characters had a distinct personality and tone and goals. The pacing is quick and every scene felt purposeful, making this a really bingeable, fast read. But what really stands out is the world building. I mean, yeah, it did take me a moment to get used to it, but you get used to it after two or three chapters. In this world, when you dream (and you don’t always dream, apparently), you turn into you personal worst nightmare. And this gives us a world full of funny Halloween monsters and interesting prejudices, that Ness has to overcome. In a city that is basically Gotham City, but on crack and without Batman. We have giant flesh eating spiders, vampires, raptors, human lizards (also honourable mention to the badass best friend sidekick, that is so much cooler than Robin could ever be)!
I feel like, in a time where every “TikTok sensation” basically just copies each other, this is a really original world. And the acknowledgements in the back of the book made me really sad, because Shaeffer describes how no one really wanted to buy and publish her manuscripts. If you do not read this book, you are really missing out! I am incredibly happy that I got to read this book, it is one of the best books I have (so far) read this year.
The writing is really good, I felt like all the characters had a distinct personality and tone and goals. The pacing is quick and every scene felt purposeful, making this a really bingeable, fast read. But what really stands out is the world building. I mean, yeah, it did take me a moment to get used to it, but you get used to it after two or three chapters. In this world, when you dream (and you don’t always dream, apparently), you turn into you personal worst nightmare. And this gives us a world full of funny Halloween monsters and interesting prejudices, that Ness has to overcome. In a city that is basically Gotham City, but on crack and without Batman. We have giant flesh eating spiders, vampires, raptors, human lizards (also honourable mention to the badass best friend sidekick, that is so much cooler than Robin could ever be)!
I feel like, in a time where every “TikTok sensation” basically just copies each other, this is a really original world. And the acknowledgements in the back of the book made me really sad, because Shaeffer describes how no one really wanted to buy and publish her manuscripts. If you do not read this book, you are really missing out! I am incredibly happy that I got to read this book, it is one of the best books I have (so far) read this year.
spaced_out_ghost's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
storm_thereader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
timetravelreader's review against another edition
3.0
"City of Nightmares” is a solid start to a new series; the end of the book still feels like the very beginning of the story that’s to come. The plot is more of a slow burn. Some mysteries are solved, but others are left open, with potential for further character growth. Maybe I’m basic, but I certainly wouldn’t mind a romantic relationship developing between the main characters.
There are ideas and opinions about consent, relationships, fear, and anxiety interwoven in the narrative. The overall effect is an empowering tale, although sometimes the dialogue can seem forced in service of the author conveying a principle.
It’s hard to get an exact sense of time and place in this world of Newham and its surrounding locales. The city is New York City-like, but then the time is uncertain; televisions are a rarity, and there are cars, but not cell phones, though there are rocket launchers. It’s confusing. I get this world is full of corruption and monsters, but the setting outside of that is a bit amorphous.
The tone is also interesting - while 19, Ness acts very young. The writing is very YA, but the story has gore and horror. There’s also an undercurrent of humor, which is refreshing.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
There are ideas and opinions about consent, relationships, fear, and anxiety interwoven in the narrative. The overall effect is an empowering tale, although sometimes the dialogue can seem forced in service of the author conveying a principle.
It’s hard to get an exact sense of time and place in this world of Newham and its surrounding locales. The city is New York City-like, but then the time is uncertain; televisions are a rarity, and there are cars, but not cell phones, though there are rocket launchers. It’s confusing. I get this world is full of corruption and monsters, but the setting outside of that is a bit amorphous.
The tone is also interesting - while 19, Ness acts very young. The writing is very YA, but the story has gore and horror. There’s also an undercurrent of humor, which is refreshing.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
allthestories08's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
des17'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
usskrantz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.0
kimberlite_11711's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Nightmare City depictes a world that is chaotic with both supernatural and real world horrors. Violence, corruption, and predation are everyday occurences, to the point where it becomes campy. Gang shootouts are regarded as inconveniences akin to traffic jams, politicians are expected to assassinate eachother in election season, and hitmen are found in the phonebook. On top of all this, people run the risk of turning into monstrous creatures when they sleep if they don't drug themselves to keep from dreaming. There's a lot to be afraid of all at once, so Ness must constantly examine what she is afraid of, what fears are legitimate or irrational, what threat is most pressing at any moment, how to fight her fear, and whether trusting others is a risk worth taking.
I like the way the theme is brought to the forefront in this story, but I did find it a little heavy-handed and awkward in parts.
I like the way the theme is brought to the forefront in this story, but I did find it a little heavy-handed and awkward in parts.
ptibouh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
viridis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I found this book randomly in a library and I fell in love. Honestly the story is even cooler than the blurb suggests and I really love the city and the MC. I mean I already like Batman's Gotham so that part was fun immediately. The main character is awesome too, she's scared, traumatized and just wants to hide. Cy is just the dark handsome vampire next to her, but he's fun too. I love the writing and the book is really easy to read. I have just one thing that was kinda annoying. How the main character was talking about vampires. Like 3 times. We get it, they're romanticised too much. Other than that I think I found a new favourite. Will read other books by her.