valentina_legge's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lrooks98's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.25
I’ve read a few of SGJ’s books before this, and I just think he might be too smart for me. This book is incredibly dense, and you have to pay attention to every little detail. However, the story is so interesting and definitely feels different. If I had the time, I’d go back and read it again immediately after finishing it the first time.
mygeekblasphemy's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this more than I ultimately did. It has a great opening, and I was drawn in to the story, even when I didn't know exactly what was going on -- the writing is almost deceptively simple, but God help you if you aren't paying attention to every word -- but I felt the backstory and the plot moved from complicated to convoluted. Sometimes, it felt all over the map -- literally as well as figuratively, I suppose. I liked the main protagonist, Jim Doe, but I was often frustrated by a lot of the good guys' decisions -- they seemed to unnecessarily and stupidly be putting themselves in dangerous situations. And the conclusion just didn't work for me, which is why the rating ultimately dipped down to two stars. I do really like a lot of the lines, though -- Stephen Graham Jones constructs sentences in such an interesting way. They're very sharp and darkly funny. I just wish the story worked better for me.
sprainedbrain's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
discountcompost's review
5.0
As an Oklahoman and veteran of the 1999 storm season this book hits HARD.
tacomaven's review
4.0
I couldn't follow all of the names and I guess that's what keeps you guessing about who the killer is and who the bad guys are, but I just got confused by the end.
adrienner's review
4.0
It is not a fast nor easy read. I found the prose rather confusing sometimes. The author had a tendency to write people speaking the way people sometimes speak instead of in complete, coherent sentences. The subject had a lot of violence with children, which is always hard to read. I also got confused sometimes about what was "real" and what was "imagined" in the book, and the different trails for the killer(s). Finally, the main character was supposed to be stoic, but often just felt one-dimensional.
However, the narrative was interesting. I'm not a fan of thrillers often, so I think someone else might enjoy this book much more than me.
However, the narrative was interesting. I'm not a fan of thrillers often, so I think someone else might enjoy this book much more than me.
tracyreads's review
5.0
There is absolutely no way I understood everything within these pages. An elusive serial killer. Victims that die and those that live. A delve into the psychology of those left behind, the victims, and the LEOs that doggedly pursue their prey. At once succinct and and horrific while still steeping the reader in lush prose that envelops the senses. My buddy Don said in his review that it’s one that you need to take your time with and I wholeheartedly agree. I will probably revisit this at some point to see what else I can glean from it. This was my first by SGJ and I’m in love with his writing style.
More...