jsantucci's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
inkedwxtchreads's review
3.0
I picked this up on a whim for free because I do love a short story compilation sometimes. If there’s anything to say about this, it’s definitely a fast and easy read. This is a series of 3 short stories. I do like short stories, but since it’ll probably be a mixed bag for me, I’ll have a breakdown about how I felt about them rather than just trying to talk about the book as a whole.
The angels of London-
this story is about a guy who lives above a shut down bar. The place is run down. He suspects the angry and sketchy landlord shouldn’t even be charging rent, let alone upping it. But when it becomes clear the landlord is really just a middle man for someone( or something) else, things take a turn as our MC finds out who the real landlords of the angel are.
This story was fine and I was into it. But the ending was not good at all. Short is not always sweet. This could have had more pages and still been a short story. Only… a more detailed and enjoyable one. Amazing concept though. Just disappointed because the glimpse you get of the “true” landlords of the angel, is not satisfying at all. It’s like being promised the best cake in the world, getting to look at it, maybe even smell it… and then just like that you’re told you can’t eat it and then it’s gone.
Always in our hearts-
This was about a shady cab driver, who is tasked with fulfilling an equally shady series of riders who each have something sinister in their carry on, that very well just may be alive, and very well may have a purpose for this specific driver.
This one was a little better than the last. Still not great. Still too short. It again leaves much to be desired because of lack of detail that we could have had. This one has promise to tug on your heart strings even, but didn’t because of how abrupt it is. It doesn’t convey the emotions that it should have.
Hippocampus-
This story has no characters. It’s just an atmospheric, and suuuper (story is less than 10 pages I’m pretty sure) short description of a freight vessel just floating along the ocean. While something grisly and ominous has apparently happened below deck. This describes the aftermath.
Honestly the atmosphere was there and was decent. But again, too short. Felt like it would be a good prologue to a horror novel though.
Conclusion: I’ll still read this author as he has a lot of books I’m interested in. This was a really easy read and his writing style I actually really love. His concepts and skills are both wonderful. I think he’s just not a short story writer and that’s okay. These weren’t terrible and I liked the atmosphere. But they weren’t really that enjoyable either. Just easy, and almost mindless reads if you want something quick and light.
Hopefully I like his novels more!
The angels of London-
this story is about a guy who lives above a shut down bar. The place is run down. He suspects the angry and sketchy landlord shouldn’t even be charging rent, let alone upping it. But when it becomes clear the landlord is really just a middle man for someone( or something) else, things take a turn as our MC finds out who the real landlords of the angel are.
This story was fine and I was into it. But the ending was not good at all. Short is not always sweet. This could have had more pages and still been a short story. Only… a more detailed and enjoyable one. Amazing concept though. Just disappointed because the glimpse you get of the “true” landlords of the angel, is not satisfying at all. It’s like being promised the best cake in the world, getting to look at it, maybe even smell it… and then just like that you’re told you can’t eat it and then it’s gone.
Always in our hearts-
This was about a shady cab driver, who is tasked with fulfilling an equally shady series of riders who each have something sinister in their carry on, that very well just may be alive, and very well may have a purpose for this specific driver.
This one was a little better than the last. Still not great. Still too short. It again leaves much to be desired because of lack of detail that we could have had. This one has promise to tug on your heart strings even, but didn’t because of how abrupt it is. It doesn’t convey the emotions that it should have.
Hippocampus-
This story has no characters. It’s just an atmospheric, and suuuper (story is less than 10 pages I’m pretty sure) short description of a freight vessel just floating along the ocean. While something grisly and ominous has apparently happened below deck. This describes the aftermath.
Honestly the atmosphere was there and was decent. But again, too short. Felt like it would be a good prologue to a horror novel though.
Conclusion: I’ll still read this author as he has a lot of books I’m interested in. This was a really easy read and his writing style I actually really love. His concepts and skills are both wonderful. I think he’s just not a short story writer and that’s okay. These weren’t terrible and I liked the atmosphere. But they weren’t really that enjoyable either. Just easy, and almost mindless reads if you want something quick and light.
Hopefully I like his novels more!
storyphoria's review
3.0
Overall, this collection just didn’t really connect for me. While I enjoyed the stories, none of them truly blew me away, which was a very different experience than what I had with his other short collection. But it does show once more the added versatility Nevill has as a horror writer. Bouncing to yet another three different styles of horror writing and doing it well. For me these stories felt a little slow on the pacing side, which I know serves the story themes as they are a slower build to the horrifying conclusion, but they just didn’t grab and hold my attention as solidly as other work he’s shared.
I would recommend checking out this short collection and I do have a few of his full books on my TBR pile that I look forward to diving into sometime in the future. However this collection just didn’t fire on all cylinders for me.
Full Review at:
https://aicpod.com/2022/05/02/adam-l-g-nevill-before-you-wake-three-horrors-review/
I would recommend checking out this short collection and I do have a few of his full books on my TBR pile that I look forward to diving into sometime in the future. However this collection just didn’t fire on all cylinders for me.
Full Review at:
https://aicpod.com/2022/05/02/adam-l-g-nevill-before-you-wake-three-horrors-review/
letterdee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
ecebozturk's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
toekneeblog's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I enjoyed this collection of short stories, though "Hippocampus" doesn't really fit the style of the author that I've come to expect. "The Angels in London" is beautifully grunge and "Always in Our Hearts" gave me the suspenseful feeling that I crave.
readbydusk's review
2.0
I usually love the author's short stories but the three stories here felt too short and unsatisfying. They didn't give me the goosebumps either. Hopefully I'll have better luck with his next collection!