kat_94's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kristamccracken's review against another edition
3.0
Torchwood meets "Are You Being Served?" The story takes place in an old department store and there's actually an oblique reference to that lovely British comedy at one point. Lots of quality monster chasing, flickering lights, and Jack dying repeatedly.
nwhyte's review against another edition
2.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1697007.html
It's a decent enough urban fantasy/horror tale, set in what is effectively a haunted department store, featuring also a rival capitalist version of Torchwood called Firestone. I was not as blown away by it as I was by the companion story Ghost Train, but it's an honourable addition to the Torchwood range.
It's a decent enough urban fantasy/horror tale, set in what is effectively a haunted department store, featuring also a rival capitalist version of Torchwood called Firestone. I was not as blown away by it as I was by the companion story Ghost Train, but it's an honourable addition to the Torchwood range.
meganmargoking's review
2.0
Well, well, well. This is the first book by Mr. Goss that I didn't give an 'F'. Maybe he's getting better. Or perhaps I am getting more lenient?
The base plot of this story is that there's something up at an old department store in Cardiff and apparently this mystery has been Torchwood's oldest unsolved case... which I find really hard to believe since Torchwood was created around the 1870s and this department store mystery didn't come around until the early to mid 1900s. Sorry James Goss, didn't buy that one.
The characterization in this novel is fine (a change for Mr. Goss!). In a nutshell, Jack was cocky, Gwen was snoopy, Ianto was dry. There's Jack/Ianto scenes in this book so Jack/Ianto shippers will be happy. Rhys really isn't in this novel at all despite that Kai Owen narrates.
There's an enemy in this book, not really the monster-of-the-week, that apparently has been Torchwood's rival 'company' since the 1930s... that Torchwood has never heard about. Sorry again, Mr. Goss. I don't buy that.
The actual monster-of-the-week in this one is... confusing? It doesn't really make any sort of sense and isn't explained very well. When it ends and the monster is kind of defeated and there's post victory hugs you're left thinking... what?
So I'd recommend this one to other Torchwood fans. Others might like it more than I did.
The base plot of this story is that there's something up at an old department store in Cardiff and apparently this mystery has been Torchwood's oldest unsolved case... which I find really hard to believe since Torchwood was created around the 1870s and this department store mystery didn't come around until the early to mid 1900s. Sorry James Goss, didn't buy that one.
The characterization in this novel is fine (a change for Mr. Goss!). In a nutshell, Jack was cocky, Gwen was snoopy, Ianto was dry. There's Jack/Ianto scenes in this book so Jack/Ianto shippers will be happy. Rhys really isn't in this novel at all despite that Kai Owen narrates.
There's an enemy in this book, not really the monster-of-the-week, that apparently has been Torchwood's rival 'company' since the 1930s... that Torchwood has never heard about. Sorry again, Mr. Goss. I don't buy that.
The actual monster-of-the-week in this one is... confusing? It doesn't really make any sort of sense and isn't explained very well. When it ends and the monster is kind of defeated and there's post victory hugs you're left thinking... what?
So I'd recommend this one to other Torchwood fans. Others might like it more than I did.
traci1974's review
3.0
The narration was terrific. The story was just ok. The plot was a bit hard to follow at times. It wasn't bad, just not great. Kai's reading, though, was superb.
kaindi's review
4.0
James Goss writes awesome stories for Torchwood. It's not necessarily the case that was the most interesting but the interactions between Gwen, Ianto and Jack.
I love how Ianto and Jack flirt in this one. It's so cute.
The case is alright - not very gripping but not boring either.
Kai Owen is a great narrator and captures everyones voices very well.
I love how Ianto and Jack flirt in this one. It's so cute.
The case is alright - not very gripping but not boring either.
Kai Owen is a great narrator and captures everyones voices very well.
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