bookreader02's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Although it didn't quite take the top spot in my list of favorites from the series, I must admit that I thoroughly relished the experience of delving into it. The captivating journey alongside the indomitable Winchesters allowed me to forge a deep connection with their trials and triumphs. What truly held my attention were the intricacies of this particular installment – the nuanced character development, the unexpected twists that added layers of suspense, and the skillful world-building that lent a rich backdrop to the story. As I immersed myself in the narrative, I found myself increasingly intrigued by the unique elements that set this chapter apart, ultimately creating a reading experience that left me both satisfied and eager for more.
uhhlora's review
4.0
An interesting side story added to the apocalypse plot. Also it just made me sad toward the end. I'm just sad Supernatural is ending in 2020. Sad.
trudilibrarian's review
2.0
2.5 Stars. Okay let me get this out of the way first -- I'm a huge fan of this show which -- over the course of six seasons and counting -- has consistently offered so much more than cheap, dime-store, cotton-candy thrills. The writing is truly exceptional, the story arc original and perfectly paced, the scares are truly scary, and the humor side-splitting. Ghosts, monsters, demons, archangels, Lucifer, the Apocalypse – this show has everything! What more can you ask for from network TV?
And then there's Dean Winchester (be still my heart), the guy that caring writers have taken the time to carve into an iconic yet flawed character definitely worth 10,000 watts of fangirl adoration. Because this Winchester brother is much more than a pretty boy with a voracious appetite for sex, pie and mullet rock; he is a man of integrity and devotion, fierce loyalty and a golden heart. He might not always say the right thing, but when the chips are down, he will always do the right thing -- or die trying. I have become addicted to his acerbic, smart-alecky, movie referencing ways, his uncomplicated, deeply appreciative approach to food, sex and music and his fierce loyalty to his brother that guides every decision he ever makes.
I usually turn to these pulpy series novels when the show has wrapped up for another season, and there's that long stretch of Winchester-less summer before me until September. This latest installment - War of the Sons - is okay for a quick fun read. But just okay. Building on Season 5 canon, the story is rich in inside jokes and benefits from being able to draw upon the Apocalypse story arc. The time-travel twist is interesting, although I thought that so much more could have been done with the brothers in 1950s New York. I didn't like the love interest for Dean in this one either; it just felt forced and contrived. Some of the action sequences went on a little too long as well, and I found myself skimming more than reading several times.
Overall, these knock-off books used to promote the series are just that -- cheap knock-offs. They certainly could never be used to attract new fans, that's for sure. They are a poor substitute for the real thing.
And then there's Dean Winchester (be still my heart), the guy that caring writers have taken the time to carve into an iconic yet flawed character definitely worth 10,000 watts of fangirl adoration. Because this Winchester brother is much more than a pretty boy with a voracious appetite for sex, pie and mullet rock; he is a man of integrity and devotion, fierce loyalty and a golden heart. He might not always say the right thing, but when the chips are down, he will always do the right thing -- or die trying. I have become addicted to his acerbic, smart-alecky, movie referencing ways, his uncomplicated, deeply appreciative approach to food, sex and music and his fierce loyalty to his brother that guides every decision he ever makes.
I usually turn to these pulpy series novels when the show has wrapped up for another season, and there's that long stretch of Winchester-less summer before me until September. This latest installment - War of the Sons - is okay for a quick fun read. But just okay. Building on Season 5 canon, the story is rich in inside jokes and benefits from being able to draw upon the Apocalypse story arc. The time-travel twist is interesting, although I thought that so much more could have been done with the brothers in 1950s New York. I didn't like the love interest for Dean in this one either; it just felt forced and contrived. Some of the action sequences went on a little too long as well, and I found myself skimming more than reading several times.
Overall, these knock-off books used to promote the series are just that -- cheap knock-offs. They certainly could never be used to attract new fans, that's for sure. They are a poor substitute for the real thing.
booking_along's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
i am unsure how to rate this.
the writing was well done and the characters mostly behaving typically to the show -so that’s well done too.
the story itself was good as well.
but this takes place in season 5 … and abadoon makes an appearance. a different representation than the one than the one appearing in season 8 in the show BUT still i have to say that bothered me.
i understand this was written before season 8 so it wasn’t as of the authors new the show would take the character of abadoon into a very different direction… but because of that and that knowledge of where the actual show takes the character this books representation of the abaddon character wasn’t up to snuff for me.
but the rest of the book and it’s story? pretty well done.
the time travel aspect was pretty well done, as already mentioned dean and sam were mostly behaving in recognizable ways and the overall plot was entertaining and fluently written and so easy to read and overall fun.
it’s a good book but sadly has the negative side of if you have watched passed season 5 this representation of Abaddons character won’t reach the one done in the show. at least in my opinion!
the writing was well done and the characters mostly behaving typically to the show -so that’s well done too.
the story itself was good as well.
but this takes place in season 5 … and abadoon makes an appearance. a different representation than the one than the one appearing in season 8 in the show BUT still i have to say that bothered me.
i understand this was written before season 8 so it wasn’t as of the authors new the show would take the character of abadoon into a very different direction… but because of that and that knowledge of where the actual show takes the character this books representation of the abaddon character wasn’t up to snuff for me.
but the rest of the book and it’s story? pretty well done.
the time travel aspect was pretty well done, as already mentioned dean and sam were mostly behaving in recognizable ways and the overall plot was entertaining and fluently written and so easy to read and overall fun.
it’s a good book but sadly has the negative side of if you have watched passed season 5 this representation of Abaddons character won’t reach the one done in the show. at least in my opinion!
read_and_grow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
bellsbooksandwritings's review
4.0
What I loved most about this book was the plot. It was so much fun to read! It had this whole Back to the Future vibe I love and even though it doesn't exactly fit the SPN storyline it was really great. But as with most of the books, Dean just wasn't Dean. This Dean was obnoxious and at times flat out mean, and the whole love story thing was...kind of weird?
I truly enjoyed reading this book and if it wasn't for this version of Dean, I would've rated it five stars.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and if it wasn't for this version of Dean, I would've rated it five stars.
tkat's review
3.0
The weakest of the Supernatural books so far, Sam and Dean are popped back to the 1950's where they need to hunt down and procure the Dead Sea Scrolls. Within the Scrolls is a list of bloodlines.
The bloodlines for the hosts for the angels and demons of the Apocalypse. The goal for Sam and Dean in this one is to kill the hosts. So of course you imagine how Sam and Dean react to this information.
It was hard to keep my interest on this one, but otherwise it was ok.
The bloodlines for the hosts for the angels and demons of the Apocalypse. The goal for Sam and Dean in this one is to kill the hosts. So of course you imagine how Sam and Dean react to this information.
It was hard to keep my interest on this one, but otherwise it was ok.
drdena's review
2.0
Things I enjoyed: Another Sam and Dean story involving time travel. It's a quick junk food read. Pacing was just right.
Things I didn't like: Doesn't fit in show continuity--yes, it's a tie-in novel, but there's no way it would fit in for a couple reasons: Dean's attitude towards romantic relationships, how some of the new characters are portrayed, and the primary plot point doesn't fit in Supernatural continuity. Yes, this book was written before Abbadon makes an appearance in the actual show, but I had a hard time believing this interpretation because of stark differences in the show.
These books are a better platform for more Monster of the Week stories, as opposed to trying to tie-in to story arcs.
Things I didn't like: Doesn't fit in show continuity--yes, it's a tie-in novel, but there's no way it would fit in for a couple reasons: Dean's attitude towards romantic relationships, how some of the new characters are portrayed, and the primary plot point doesn't fit in Supernatural continuity. Yes, this book was written before Abbadon makes an appearance in the actual show, but I had a hard time believing this interpretation because of stark differences in the show.
These books are a better platform for more Monster of the Week stories, as opposed to trying to tie-in to story arcs.