theliteraryapothecary's review
4.5
"If you leave me one thing in this world, let it be love."
Book #5 in the Nightmareland Chronicles. WOW! Barnett's writing is so descriptive and vivid that you see, hear, and feel everything! After finishing this installment, I needed a long shower, and not a Sprite shower ;) By the end of City of Blood, I knew I had to start book 6, Lily, right away. Inital rating - very high 4.5 stars if not 5 stars.
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 9 - Barnett's characters only get better as the books continue. They continue to grow and develop and we keep learning more and more about them.
Atmosphere/Setting: 9 - I could see and feel the atmosphere and setting most of the time. Sometimes a bit too much for my liking (in a good way.)
Writing Style: 9 - Barnett's writing style continues to amaze me, impress me, and creep me out.
Plot: 7.5 - The plot in City of Blood was not particularly obvious or apparanty until you got to the last couple of chapters. Barnett's writing was soo good and I was enjoying what I was reading so much that it didn't really bother me, like it usually does.
Intrigue: 8 - The intrigue, for me, wasn't as prevalent throughout the whole book as it had been in previous books. When it was there, it was hard to ignore but also felt like it was resolved quicker than in other books.
Logic/Relationships: 10 - In my opinion, this is where Barnett's writing soard in City of Blood. Everything made perfect sense, even the things of nightmares. My questions and theories were answered almost as soon as I thought them - within like a chapter or two. The relationships in this installment were some of Barnett's best. Not only with our main characters: Mariah, John and Marcos, but also the side characters who drive the story in this book. Everyone developed and no one was static.
Enjoyment: 10 - I thoroughly enjoyed City of Blood. Even the nightmares - I kept thinking what will come up/out next. I've already got Lily ready to go! My favorite part of City of Blood was getting to know our characters more than we have in the past books.
CAWPILE Total: 62.5/7 = 8.9 = 4.5, nearly 5 stars!
sleepyboi2988's review
5.0
This volume in the series, they're all important, but this one? This one sets up some heavy shit stage wise for the climax that is the next volume, Lily. Barnett's style and prose continues amazingly honed, heavy, but easy to read and just plain excites you, makes you cringe, makes you gasp. The very best things to feel while reading an amazing book.
Next review will be meatier, but I can't review it without spoilers, so my apologies to those who haven't read it yet, but I kinda, sorta, hafta. XD
Next review will be meatier, but I can't review it without spoilers, so my apologies to those who haven't read it yet, but I kinda, sorta, hafta. XD
ghostthereader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
storyphoria's review
5.0
The full review will be up soon on the blog/newsletter over at https://storyphoria.substack.com/
But these are my totally off the cuff initial thoughts.
NO SPOILERS OF COURSE
This series has been this wonderfully epic, episodic ride in which we were given a chance to really know our trio of hero's. But now, everything has changed and the ending of this book is so powerful and represents such a big shift in the focus of the story that you can't help but be excited by the realization that as cool as it's been up till now, the first 5 books have all been the setup for the final act coming in book 6.
Enough so that I am tempted to go back and bump all of my 4.5 star ratings for books 2,3, and 4 up to a full 5 stars just because my only knock on them was their short and episodic nature that left me wanting more.
By far, City of Blood(as the title would suggest) is the MOST graphic of this series but still never feels overly self indulgent in it's graphic nature. This isn't gore just for the sake of gore and shock value. It serves a purpose and that purpose is the final crucible to steel our trio against the darkness to come.
This book is an exercise in battling inner demons and coming to terms with the fact that no matter how far down you bury them, those past pains and truths will ALWAYS come back and you'll be asked to pay the bill due to them. Growth and strength of character comes from how you withstand the debt demanding to be paid up.
I feel like reading this series, up to this point at least, has been a privilege... like I've been invited in to bear witness to something special. I know that's flowery, high praise - and I don't normally get that extreme with my reviews - but I REALLY enjoy this series.
On to Lily to see how this all shakes out.
But these are my totally off the cuff initial thoughts.
NO SPOILERS OF COURSE
This series has been this wonderfully epic, episodic ride in which we were given a chance to really know our trio of hero's. But now, everything has changed and the ending of this book is so powerful and represents such a big shift in the focus of the story that you can't help but be excited by the realization that as cool as it's been up till now, the first 5 books have all been the setup for the final act coming in book 6.
Enough so that I am tempted to go back and bump all of my 4.5 star ratings for books 2,3, and 4 up to a full 5 stars just because my only knock on them was their short and episodic nature that left me wanting more.
By far, City of Blood(as the title would suggest) is the MOST graphic of this series but still never feels overly self indulgent in it's graphic nature. This isn't gore just for the sake of gore and shock value. It serves a purpose and that purpose is the final crucible to steel our trio against the darkness to come.
This book is an exercise in battling inner demons and coming to terms with the fact that no matter how far down you bury them, those past pains and truths will ALWAYS come back and you'll be asked to pay the bill due to them. Growth and strength of character comes from how you withstand the debt demanding to be paid up.
I feel like reading this series, up to this point at least, has been a privilege... like I've been invited in to bear witness to something special. I know that's flowery, high praise - and I don't normally get that extreme with my reviews - but I REALLY enjoy this series.
On to Lily to see how this all shakes out.
probably_reading_right_now's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is the second to last installment of The Nightmareland Chronicles, I’ve really enjoyed this entire series, and this definitely lived up to the other books!
skyfox24kd's review
3.0
Wow, this was good but emotionally heavy to me. There are a lot of difficult things to deal with here and in the previous book the kind of culminate and will no doubt continue in Lily.
I can’t believe this has come this far!
This series has flown by. I included quotes and really this writing is just brilliantly descriptive and amazing. I can’t believe how beautiful it is sometimes. I know that whatever hang ups I have here are going to be worth this because Barnett can seriously write.
I just didn’t care for some parts dealing with children in the last two books relating to abuse and other triggers that are worse. (See bottom) I can’t stomach it. Many reasons for that occur to me … the least of which would be akin to a guy feeling sick at seeing another man get whacked in the jewels. Ugh.
I am also, though I do know some things about Mormons and LDS; I was confused by some things talked about in the book when it came to that religion. That will probably sort itself.
Then there was confusion along the way with which sleepers got nightmares and which went into peaceful dreams.
I know that these books aren’t going to be perfectly explained and such, so I’m fine with that. That is part of the mystique of the genre. But all of these things together in the last two or three are why I chose to give this one a three. It made this one harder for me to get through. Only the abuse w children bothered me. He could have made it so much worse. I know.
I can’t believe this has come this far!
This series has flown by. I included quotes and really this writing is just brilliantly descriptive and amazing. I can’t believe how beautiful it is sometimes. I know that whatever hang ups I have here are going to be worth this because Barnett can seriously write.
I just didn’t care for some parts dealing with children in the last two books relating to abuse and other triggers that are worse. (See bottom) I can’t stomach it. Many reasons for that occur to me … the least of which would be akin to a guy feeling sick at seeing another man get whacked in the jewels. Ugh.
I am also, though I do know some things about Mormons and LDS; I was confused by some things talked about in the book when it came to that religion. That will probably sort itself.
Then there was confusion along the way with which sleepers got nightmares and which went into peaceful dreams.
I know that these books aren’t going to be perfectly explained and such, so I’m fine with that. That is part of the mystique of the genre. But all of these things together in the last two or three are why I chose to give this one a three. It made this one harder for me to get through. Only the abuse w children bothered me. He could have made it so much worse. I know.
Spoiler
I don’t want to read about someone trying to void a pregnancy bc sorry just on the surface it makes me want to vomit. Sorry ! Mariah wouldn’t shut up! She went on about a lot of gross stuff in this series. That, I will not miss… but there are endearing qualities there too.czarmorte's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
roxiethebookslayer's review
4.0
In NIGHTFALL came the night.
In LULLABY came the sleep.
In SLEEPWALKING came the kid.
In THE FLASHLIGHTERS came the nightmares.
And in CITY OF BLOOD, well, came the blood.
"Provo was an open wound, and it was bleeding."
CITY OF BLOOD is the fifth installment of Daniel Barnett's Nightmareland Chronicles. The plot is simple--restock and repair before the final leg of the journey to Wyoming. We encounter new nightmares and discover the truth about Father Ammon. Mariah is forced to make a choice and John breaks his emotionless shell a tad.
It takes place in a city literally made of blood. For Marcos (who can't stand blood) it was a psychological challenge to overcome on his quest. The siren of the sanguine sea was a nice touch and allowed Marcos to mature a little. He definitely isn't a kid anymore, but a young man and this was his coming of age story.
This one was a lot of build-up to the events in LILY, the next installment, so the huge explosive scenes were missing. I think I was hoping for something more in the final arena scene and it left the ending deflated.
Overall, this was a great story with some awesome character development. I gave CITY OF BLOOD 4 stars and HIGHLY recommend this series. CITY OF BLOOD out May 24!
Thank you Daniel Barnett for a gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In LULLABY came the sleep.
In SLEEPWALKING came the kid.
In THE FLASHLIGHTERS came the nightmares.
And in CITY OF BLOOD, well, came the blood.
"Provo was an open wound, and it was bleeding."
CITY OF BLOOD is the fifth installment of Daniel Barnett's Nightmareland Chronicles. The plot is simple--restock and repair before the final leg of the journey to Wyoming. We encounter new nightmares and discover the truth about Father Ammon. Mariah is forced to make a choice and John breaks his emotionless shell a tad.
It takes place in a city literally made of blood. For Marcos (who can't stand blood) it was a psychological challenge to overcome on his quest. The siren of the sanguine sea was a nice touch and allowed Marcos to mature a little. He definitely isn't a kid anymore, but a young man and this was his coming of age story.
This one was a lot of build-up to the events in LILY, the next installment, so the huge explosive scenes were missing. I think I was hoping for something more in the final arena scene and it left the ending deflated.
Overall, this was a great story with some awesome character development. I gave CITY OF BLOOD 4 stars and HIGHLY recommend this series. CITY OF BLOOD out May 24!
Thank you Daniel Barnett for a gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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