josephvanburen's review
4.0
I love the Ravenloft novels, but it's true that they vary in quality and depth. Carnival of Fear was an unexpectedly sad and thought-provoking tale, not just a franchise cash-in. Instead of the undead, it focuses on the carnival freaks, which makes it even more saturated in the melancholy mood of gothic horror. The writing is not spectacular but solid, well-paced, and full of twists that keep you guessing. Out of the six Ravenloft novels I've read, this might be my second favorite. Recommended if you like gothic fantasy, carnival/circus horror, and/or moody moral tales.
mw2k's review
4.0
More of a 4.25 out of 5 but marked down a tad for routine characterisations.
What a pleasant little surprise this was. Of the six Ravenloft books I've read, this one was the icing on the cake so far, just edging out the first in the series. Of all of them, this is the one that actually delivered dark Gothic horror the best. This is an effectively-crafted and chillingly nasty book, peopled with ugly characters (if a touch wooden) and a very ugly and unpleasant setting.
Some genuinely horrific things go on in this book, and that my friends, is what Ravenloft is meant to be about, no? The previous five books in this series flirted with the concept, sometimes dipped their toes into it, but this book is completely doused and drowned in it.
It's not classic literature by any means, but it's darkly entertaining and fast paced. Well done.
What a pleasant little surprise this was. Of the six Ravenloft books I've read, this one was the icing on the cake so far, just edging out the first in the series. Of all of them, this is the one that actually delivered dark Gothic horror the best. This is an effectively-crafted and chillingly nasty book, peopled with ugly characters (if a touch wooden) and a very ugly and unpleasant setting.
Some genuinely horrific things go on in this book, and that my friends, is what Ravenloft is meant to be about, no? The previous five books in this series flirted with the concept, sometimes dipped their toes into it, but this book is completely doused and drowned in it.
It's not classic literature by any means, but it's darkly entertaining and fast paced. Well done.
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