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jamesbickers97's review against another edition
2.0
This book started off with so much mystery and so much potential horror. But two very bland protagonists in the form of Odessa and Blackwood just really dragged this book down into the pits of boredom. Now I will say that I probably would have preferred Solomon to be the main character, as the chapters that divulged his backstory where probably my favourite chapters of the entire book.
To say I am disappointed would be an understatement, del Toro is one of my favourite directors however his vision just didn't translate for me this time. It reminded me more of his middle of the ground earlier work like Cronos, rather than his stellar work within films such as The Shape of Water
To say I am disappointed would be an understatement, del Toro is one of my favourite directors however his vision just didn't translate for me this time. It reminded me more of his middle of the ground earlier work like Cronos, rather than his stellar work within films such as The Shape of Water
johnmartello's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Just felt like something was missing.
erine's review against another edition
4.0
At first I was reminded of Stephen King’s The Outsiders: the combination of crime and creature, of hard-bitten reality and otherworldly strangeness. But this reads as even more cinematic, and the long leaps through time made it a choppier experience. Odessa is likable and sympathetic as the main character; less so is Hugo Blackwood who has a more wooden feel. The remaining supporting cast is less fleshed out, but offer some nice moments.
The story itself begins with a horrific crime, and then relatively quickly begins to trace some of the circumstances that led to that first tragic scene. But there are a lot of leaps that the reader is asked to take, and a fair amount that goes unexplained.
I found this overall to be intriguing, and a speedy, but not very smooth read.
The story itself begins with a horrific crime, and then relatively quickly begins to trace some of the circumstances that led to that first tragic scene. But there are a lot of leaps that the reader is asked to take, and a fair amount that goes unexplained.
Spoiler
We know that Hugo Blackwood participated in various magical rituals that changed his nature, consigned his wife to limbo and released at least four (maybe more?) malevolent spirits. He has been in pursuit of the spirits ever since in an effort to release his wife. But for someone who has lived so long, Blackwood seems surprisingly unadapted to modern life. His relationship with Earl Solomon is also hazy. They seemed to work together as partners for many years, or Solomon was his archivist, or Blackwood actually had an arrangement with the FBI. Solomon seemed resigned to this relationship in some ways, but very unsettled in others.I found this overall to be intriguing, and a speedy, but not very smooth read.
tmvallehoag's review against another edition
2.0
As a story, it’s fine. Compelling characters and thrilling writing. The story elements were somewhat disjointed. Especially badly connected was an attempt at a social justice message which I appreciated but seemed shoehorned into the narrative. It should have been a greater focus.
The authors also frame voodoo and hoodoo as evil “corruptions” and include the cringe line “don’t be exploited in death as you were exploited in life” directed towards the spirits of enslaved people.
In the course of the story, the main characters murder two black people and burn a black church for”the greater good.” It’s very hard not to see this as a white supremacist fantasy being cloaked in social justice porn and badly researched spiritual practices.
The authors also frame voodoo and hoodoo as evil “corruptions” and include the cringe line “don’t be exploited in death as you were exploited in life” directed towards the spirits of enslaved people.
In the course of the story, the main characters murder two black people and burn a black church for”the greater good.” It’s very hard not to see this as a white supremacist fantasy being cloaked in social justice porn and badly researched spiritual practices.
madam_greywolf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
elsakern's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I feel entitled to compensation from the bookshop employee who recommended this to me. Brutal.
sarknado's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mlcutter'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? It's complicated
3.0
I solid "meh" for me. Basically a demon-like creature jumping from person to person causing havoc. I've seen this and read it too many times to be really impressed. Disappointing because I loved The Strain.
mrcornelius's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sklus's review against another edition
5.0
So I personally really enjoyed the book, it feels like a modern, darker version of Jackaby which was a series I enjoyed so much that I actually finished it. I definitely need to think on some things about the book, but I definitely plan on picking up the next book in this series as long as my thinking doesn't ruin the book.