Reviews

The City by S.C. Mendes

wildgurl's review against another edition

5.0

Totally immersed in this book....I love the underworld, and the characters are fun. The adventures, and horror of The City was so well done. Dumplings, Si Fen....unforgettable.

ryoko20042's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.0

sharron_joy_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Max Elliot was a puzzle solving detective until his wife and child are lost in horrific circumstances. As another murder matching that of his wife is discovered, Max takes on the case and soon finds himself deep in the heart of an underground city run by ancient creatures whose currency is blood, bone and death. 

This is so hard to describe, it is extreme horror but with a dark detective noir edge, this is like Bladerunner on steroids. It’s like nothing I’ve read and an incredible debut from the author. Set in San Francisco in the early 1900’s this is not for the faint hearted. 

It is a hellish landscape of every depravity that you can imagine and then some. Violent, brutal, grotesque, blood soaked and gruesome, I think this hits virtually every content warning there is. It is bold and shocking, the world created rich and detailed, the characters vile and obscene. 

A subterranean nightmare and one man’s journey to find redemption. Incredible! 

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Content Warnings

This has every trigger except War and Homophobia

celineks's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

xombieky's review against another edition

5.0

Such an incredible story, I will forever be recommending this novel. It was unique and fantastically written, I was walking through the city streets with Max. I loved the originality and the crime noir mixed with horror fantasy. I have the second book ready to start today!

grimdreadful's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

4.5 stars I loved it.

1910, bodies are discovered in piles of flesh and organs, bones missing. Police call on Detective Max, who's been unstable since his family was murdered just months earlier. The investigation leads him into a world full of violence, sin, and ancient creatures.

WHAT I LIKED:
- unique premise.
- extreme horror/dark fantasy/crime noir perfect blend.
- world building was really great, especially with the creatures.
- gets under your skin but in a good way.
- engaging to read and well written. I didn't want to put it down.
- some crazy body horror scenes.
- visceral. disturbing, violent, heartbreaking, and enraging.
- the ending is fantastic. Great setup for book 2.
- tales from the city. Awesome addition.
- this would make on hell of a good movie.

**if you know me, then you know it's very rare that I get excited about or read a book series. I can count the series I love on just one hand, but I'm now committed long-term to the city series, though.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- this might just be a me problem, but I just connect the setting being in 1910. For the most part, it felt modern, and I had to remind myself it's 1910. Ultimately, this doesn't have an effect on the overall story.

Many thanks to @bloodboundbooks for sending me a copy to review and turning me onto a new fave book.

readwithkyladawngail's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

a mix of horror and dark fantasy. It was unique, fascinating and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I was fully invested while I was reading, however whenever I put it down, I didn’t think about it.  It was violent, disturbing and heartbreaking all rolled together.  I also loved that for such a short book it really brought you into the new world  full of ancient creatures. The world building was phenomenal. 

charm_city_sinner's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

xombieky's review against another edition

5.0

Such an incredible story, I will forever be recommending this novel. It was unique and fantastically written, I was walking through the city streets with Max. I loved the originality and the crime noir mixed with horror fantasy. I have the second book ready to start today!

bryanhmoyer's review against another edition

5.0

Surreal, dark, and possessing a break neck intensity The City is a gripping novel. The creatures that populate the city, the darkness of mankind on constant display, and the flawed and true to life like characters grab you from the start and don't let go. I didn't want it to end, and I am definitely looking forward to more.