elizafiedler's review against another edition
4.0
I really hope this isn't the last Cass Neary book. They're so good. I love the photographer's "eye" Cass has in all these cases.
book_darner's review
adventurous
dark
tense
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
testpattern's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
The latest installment in Hand's series chronicling toxic fuck-up Cass Neary's career as an accidental detective, seeking truth in the seedier zones of the world's underground art scenes. This was not my favorite installment (I think Available Light is), but it's a worthy addition to the series. Hand walks a delicate balance with Cass. The protagonist of a genre series can't change too much, but Cass Neary is not Perry Mason. Neary needs to change somewhat, or her past as a long-time addict and her years of trauma become just window dressing. Hand moves Cass' story forward in a way that is satisfying, but maintains the core of her characterization.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Addiction, Death, and Sexual violence
sraedi's review against another edition
Eh. My library pinged me saying that this book was ready for me but I have no memory of requesting it.
Ah hah okay, Tim Pratt listed it in a "things I've read recently" Patreon post.
Ah hah okay, Tim Pratt listed it in a "things I've read recently" Patreon post.
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I used to binge watch the tv show 24 with friends from college. In the beginning of the season 1 episodes, Jack Bauer would mournfully reflect on his circumstances and say, “I’m Jack Bauer, and this is the longest day of my life.”
To which one of my friends joked: “What about season 3? Is that the third longest day of his life?”
Generation Loss was published in 2007, which feels like an alternate timeline to what we’ve been through these last thirteen years. Yet Elizabeth Hand has tried to string the four books of her Cass Neary series together as if they have taken place over the course of several months.
I’m not sure it’s necessary and it definitely feels the strain here. Tromping about London high, drunk and trying to find her ex, Cass is suddenly thrust in 2020, where neo-Nazis march and the coronavirus looms over everything. She gets herself caught up in a Dan Brown-esque plot regarding the titular book and has to help one group, which also intersects with someone else of book’s past.
It could be that while I was reading this, the news of Donald Trump’s electoral defeat unfolded and provided a most pleasant distraction. But I found it tough to get into. Hand does such a great job with Cass, with the atmosphere, and other peripherals but the story never gelled for me. Too many coincidences, too predictable, too difficult to shoehorn Cass’ timeline into a contemporary era.
This may be worth another read at some point under different circumstances. If you like the Cass Neary novels, you’ll probably like this one too. It’s certainly not bad. Just didn’t rise to the heights of its predecessors.
To which one of my friends joked: “What about season 3? Is that the third longest day of his life?”
Generation Loss was published in 2007, which feels like an alternate timeline to what we’ve been through these last thirteen years. Yet Elizabeth Hand has tried to string the four books of her Cass Neary series together as if they have taken place over the course of several months.
I’m not sure it’s necessary and it definitely feels the strain here. Tromping about London high, drunk and trying to find her ex, Cass is suddenly thrust in 2020, where neo-Nazis march and the coronavirus looms over everything. She gets herself caught up in a Dan Brown-esque plot regarding the titular book and has to help one group, which also intersects with someone else of book’s past.
It could be that while I was reading this, the news of Donald Trump’s electoral defeat unfolded and provided a most pleasant distraction. But I found it tough to get into. Hand does such a great job with Cass, with the atmosphere, and other peripherals but the story never gelled for me. Too many coincidences, too predictable, too difficult to shoehorn Cass’ timeline into a contemporary era.
This may be worth another read at some point under different circumstances. If you like the Cass Neary novels, you’ll probably like this one too. It’s certainly not bad. Just didn’t rise to the heights of its predecessors.
anywherebuthere's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
duaneponcy's review against another edition
4.0
I love just about anything by Liz Hand, and the Cass Neary books are no exception. There are certain writers who can grab me, even when I wouldn't touch a book on the same subject by another writer. For instance, I am not really into horror or the supernatural, and yet I can't put these books down. The anti-hero(ine) is a totally messed up addict, and reading her first person account is somewhat crazy-making. Yet the writing is so good, I'm compelled to go on. This series reminds me of Denise Mina's Garnethill books in that respect, except Cass Neary is way more messed up than Maureen O'Donnell. As screwed up as she is, you can't help rooting for her. Hand throws in white nationalists, Odin cults, arcane books and a story that takes Neary and the reader from London to Sweden in a page-turning, nail-biting journey. And if you are into esoterica, pop-culture, literary, or arcane manuscripts, she gives you an endless stream of tidbits to chew on. Well worth the read, but if you're going to read the entire series, start at the beginning with Generation Loss.
jackiea's review against another edition
2.0
I was so excited about this book! Who wouldn’t love the idea of a book that has become legend and myth resurfacing? While the premise of The Book of Lamps and Banners had me excited to read it, it fell far short. The main character is high throughout most of the book, is randomly brought along to when the book is supposed to change hands and then is stolen. She bumbles her way into locating it while dragging along her long lost boyfriend. Seriously?!? Very disappointing!