lillianpip's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
Fantastic book, great disability representation (MC is mute), very spooky and atmospheric
sri_savita's review against another edition
3.0
A good one if you're in the mood to think about Death and what it means for those who live and are left behind.
janiema's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.0
keeweebirb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
ashleykwbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Home is a choice.
I love this story. It was a beautiful, seductive read that had me pulled in from line one.
I loved Olivia, a main character who had difficulty communicating, fitting in, and was rather different. Schwab has a knack for unique characters who should be hard to love, to root for, to feel connected to and yet… here I am reading Olivia’s story with every second I can spare.
While the story itself felt really simplistic the artistry of Schwab’s voice gives it life.
This story will haunt me (much like a ghoul) for many days if not years.
I love this story. It was a beautiful, seductive read that had me pulled in from line one.
I loved Olivia, a main character who had difficulty communicating, fitting in, and was rather different. Schwab has a knack for unique characters who should be hard to love, to root for, to feel connected to and yet… here I am reading Olivia’s story with every second I can spare.
While the story itself felt really simplistic the artistry of Schwab’s voice gives it life.
This story will haunt me (much like a ghoul) for many days if not years.
lucasgarner's review against another edition
4.0
Probably closer to 3.5 stars but I rounded it up because I just love V. E. Schwab just so freaking much. Schwab is a very prolific author, churning out 1-2 books a year, so it doesn’t really surprise me that this one felt a little rushed. There is a lot going on here, and it felt like she was just rushing through it to get it over with rather than letting the reader sit with the atmosphere. This probably had my favorite concept of anything I’ve read by Schwab, and it’s really a shame that we are never really allowed to live in the world, and are instead pulled through it kind of like a friend dragging through a museum to get it over with when you are trying to read all of the plaques. Because of this, as the book nears its final act, the relationships don’t feel fully formed, losing a lot of its impact, and the world just never feels complete. I wish she had slowed down the narrative, and inserted about 100-200 pages of emotional and atmospheric scenes to really sell what she was trying to pull off. Gallant has an incredible amount of potential, and while the overall finished product is still good, it’s hard not to feel that it could have been so much more.
dantanian_noir's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
2.75