ladyvictoria's review
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
robustogusto's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0
twerkingtobeethoven's review against another edition
Christopher Buelhlman is a bit of a hit and miss for me. I didn't like [b:The Suicide Motor Club|27246149|The Suicide Motor Club|Christopher Buehlman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1458496671l/27246149._SY75_.jpg|47294726] but I enjoyed [b:Between Two Fires|13543121|Between Two Fires|Christopher Buehlman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1623049449l/13543121._SY75_.jpg|19107416] and absolutely loved [b:The Blacktongue Thief|55077697|The Blacktongue Thief (Blacktongue, #1)|Christopher Buehlman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1604069900l/55077697._SY75_.jpg|73882351]. Now, this book...well, I'm throwing in the towel. The synopsis sounds very interesting, the execution though...fuck me sideways. Not only doesn't the story seem to be going anywhere, but...PRESENT TENSE AS WELL! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGH! I reckon there's talent, it's definitely in there...it's just not for me. Over and out.
No stars.
No stars.
ceskykure's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It will be covered on Libromancy on 4/23/23
saric7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
semajluap's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jamison_dance's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
furimbus's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
3.5
I liked the story, but found the writing style difficult to enjoy at times. The novel largely consists of one-sentence paragraphs, many of those sentences being fragments. Written in the present tense. It’s primarily stream of consciousness but also shifts POV character occasionally. It makes for a disengaging reading experience at times, and for a very captivating experience at others. I would have enjoyed the story more if it had been written more traditionally. There’s a great mix of modern day witchcraft and Russian folklore and myth and a well-realized and inventive magic system that’s not quite like anything I’ve read before, all dancing around a compelling story about revenge, retribution, death, and love. I can appreciate what the author was going for with the writing style here. He accomplished it; the result just wasn’t for me. To the contrary, The Lesser Dead (also by Buehlman), is perhaps my favorite book ever.