bharks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
spootilious's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Read: August 16, 2023
Title: No Gods, No Monsters
Title: No Gods, No Monsters
Series: The Convergence Saga #1
Author: Cadwell Turnbull
Genre: Fantasy Horror
Rating: 2/5
Review:
Author: Cadwell Turnbull
Genre: Fantasy Horror
Rating: 2/5
Review:
I don’t really have a lot to say about this one. I didn’t… NOT like it, but there isn’t much I specifically liked either.
What I can say is that the writing style is beautiful. It is obvious that Turnbull is very talented. However, the storyline and the characters have this sort of vagueness that keeps anything from truly standing out.
From what I can tell, most people complain at how the story jumps around and the points of view shift so strangely. I can understand their point. I suppose I’ve read enough novels written this way that it wasn’t too bad for me. Though I will say with just a small shuffle of one or two chapters Turnbull could have kept the mystery while still making the shifts less jarring for the reader. In my opinion he didn’t quite manage what he was going for.
I will also say that physically reading the book makes it more understandable than listening to the audiobook which is what I first attempted. Dion Graham is one of the sexiest narrators I’ve come across but there was nothing he could do with this one to make it easier to understand.
Overall, not a bad book but not a great one in my opinion. Bit overhyped but love the writing style 😊
Quotes:
N/A
TW: Rape, Murder, Gore, Vore, Body Horror, Mass shooting, General Violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Murder, Body horror, Cannibalism, Violence, Transphobia, Gore, Blood, Physical abuse, and Police brutality
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Rape, and Torture
plesiosaurys's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Grief, Kidnapping, Drug use, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Addiction, Body horror, Confinement, Hate crime, Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Gun violence, and Terminal illness
moosalamoo_rnnr's review against another edition
2.0
It might be someone elseпїЅпїЅпїЅs thing but I got to page 138 and was confused and bored so I quit. He does write really beautifully so it wasnпїЅпїЅпїЅt that, I just couldnпїЅпїЅ
fmmiller88's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-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? No
5.0
jamiee_f's review against another edition
4.0
What a book! I love the world this author has built. It's deeply considered and so much has been constructed and carefully linked. However, the way the story was told with flash forwards and backs and shifting narrators was a bit confusing. By the end it all tied together and I felt like we had reached a certain crescendo, but I almost needed like a big board with red string to keep everything straight.
In the best ways, this book reminded me of Station Eleven and Annihilation, both books I really enjoyed. Like I said, I'm absolutely stoked on this world building. The narrative structure is just a bit confusing, and we only got glimpses of the overarching links in this novel. I would love to see this translated to a TV show or mini series, I think it would be incredible.
I also loved what this book had to say. The past few years have shown that the American people are a lot of talk--"well if fascism was on the rise, I'd fight it!" "Well if there was a global pandemic, I'd do everything I could to end it!" "If monsters were real, I would totally-"
Would you though? This book makes the point that, no, you probably wouldn't. You would say they're probably fake, it's a hoax or a prank, and people who believe it are crazy.
In the best ways, this book reminded me of Station Eleven and Annihilation, both books I really enjoyed. Like I said, I'm absolutely stoked on this world building. The narrative structure is just a bit confusing, and we only got glimpses of the overarching links in this novel. I would love to see this translated to a TV show or mini series, I think it would be incredible.
I also loved what this book had to say. The past few years have shown that the American people are a lot of talk--"well if fascism was on the rise, I'd fight it!" "Well if there was a global pandemic, I'd do everything I could to end it!" "If monsters were real, I would totally-"
Would you though? This book makes the point that, no, you probably wouldn't. You would say they're probably fake, it's a hoax or a prank, and people who believe it are crazy.
liberalwithlipstick's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
mamma_calls_me_francis's review against another edition
3.0
This concept is so cool! The beginning was a little hard to follow, because it hops from one character's perspective to another. Once I got used to the jumping it was a little easier. There was a lot of world development that kept me going more than the action in the book. It was face-paced mostly because you were following a variety of character's stories. I was confusion on some of the use of pronouns. The book was in third person at some spots but then it would switch to first. This made more sense after you learn more out about Calvin. I wish the different parts gave some direction about which character you were reading about. It was a big idea that did not have enough time to develop in the way I would have liked. I hope there are more books to develop the storyline.
seadoomed's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
4.25
i honestly really enjoyed this but it took me so long to get into this (not a critique on the book it’s just been a while since i’ve read a story i didn’t know beforehand and i need to stretch out the muscle) that i’ll have to reread it
raethereviewer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I’ve been putting off finishing this book for a while and honestly, I was intimidated. This has such big brain energy and there were some days, weeks, a month where I needed the space to process just how large these concepts were. The world building was absolutely amazing and though there are many characters, none feel unnecessary. Every one of these characters feels so real and their reality is just as complicated and layered as my own. I am both excited and terrified for the sequel.