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clarabooksit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I enjoyed this, but I could tell it was a first effort.
It was fun to see where so many of Zafón’s themes and motifs started and how they echo throughout his writing career. Even in this first outing, his writing is full of nostalgia and haunting magic, which were my favorite parts. The tension builds so well and there’s a very Hitchcockian vibe to this story that makes it a quick, easy read.
Overall, though, I was left wanting a little more. The story felt underdeveloped, especially the motivations of the villain, and all the pieces didn’t quite fit together the way I know Zafón would learn to perfect later in his career.
I’m glad I read it but I won’t be returning to this one. If you’re a CRZ fan, though, I definitely recommend checking out the audiobook: the production is full of atmospheric music and eerie sound effects. Also, I always have to shout out Lucia Graves for her impeccable, moving translation work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child death, Infertility, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail