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totallymystified's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.75
rshirtliff's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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
christinaeh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
3.5
jane_c586's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
turgon17's review against another edition
2.0
For most of this book, my rating for it was three stars, with a possibility of four if the landing stuck. This, obviously, did not happen.
To go through the good stuff first: there is constantly an underlying stream of very absurd humor, which I am personally partial to. It is never overwhelming, but rather comes across as charming, which is not an easy balance. The premise of the plot is ingenious and refreshing.
The neutral: world-building. There is constantly a feeling of a completely fleshed out world that you, as a reader step into. But, very often, the book goes and leaves you in the lurch, which can and does leave you frustrated and confused.
The bad: pacing. First and foremost, going from a 0 to a 100 and back at the at the flip of a page constantly is unnerving. Second, the ending is fumbled and hastily written. Especially the epilogue, which, in my opinion is so out of touch with the tone of the rest of the book. It comes across as saccharine, and that always leaves me with an upset stomach.
To go through the good stuff first: there is constantly an underlying stream of very absurd humor, which I am personally partial to. It is never overwhelming, but rather comes across as charming, which is not an easy balance. The premise of the plot is ingenious and refreshing.
The neutral: world-building. There is constantly a feeling of a completely fleshed out world that you, as a reader step into. But, very often, the book goes and leaves you in the lurch, which can and does leave you frustrated and confused.
The bad: pacing. First and foremost, going from a 0 to a 100 and back at the at the flip of a page constantly is unnerving. Second, the ending is fumbled and hastily written. Especially the epilogue, which, in my opinion is so out of touch with the tone of the rest of the book. It comes across as saccharine, and that always leaves me with an upset stomach.
cezzareads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nedge's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
becca_lynn79's review against another edition
4.0
As a disclaimer, I did win this book in a giveaway from the publisher, but that in no way affects my thoughts on it.
When I got the email I had won this book, I was THRILLED! Jasper Fforde is one of my favorite authors of all time, and this book did not disappoint. The world was fascinating, and the characters quirky. I laughed out loud so much. I also love it when authors occasionally put footnotes throughout the story in the voice of the narrator as a commentary on the story or to explain things, so that was a huge plus for me.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it wasn't my favorite of his (couldn't put my finger on why), but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I end up bumping it up to five starts upon a reread. :)
When I got the email I had won this book, I was THRILLED! Jasper Fforde is one of my favorite authors of all time, and this book did not disappoint. The world was fascinating, and the characters quirky. I laughed out loud so much. I also love it when authors occasionally put footnotes throughout the story in the voice of the narrator as a commentary on the story or to explain things, so that was a huge plus for me.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it wasn't my favorite of his (couldn't put my finger on why), but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I end up bumping it up to five starts upon a reread. :)
aseel_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Another great story by this author!! A huge fan of how his mind works and the stories that come out, especially the ridiculous worlds that have clever parallels with our world. It's also doubly impressive that this is a standalone, a whole world and plot done in 400 pages.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, Cannibalism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail