The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
mariakureads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
I love the progression of the characters from book one till now!
Having been able to read them rather one after the other definitely helps to see the progression as I appreciate that Stroud doesn't talk about the past books too much as some others, but more as a quick note and in the form of a memory or a past conversation that is coming back to the current story.
So far, this one has the most tense-filled moments of the series because I didn't see that ending nor could have had any notion that this was where the story was going but I do like the addition of the new character, Holly, as she shakes up the dynamic just enough in terms of story and character development that worked not just within the story but also sets up the next one in the series.
Having been able to read them rather one after the other definitely helps to see the progression as I appreciate that Stroud doesn't talk about the past books too much as some others, but more as a quick note and in the form of a memory or a past conversation that is coming back to the current story.
So far, this one has the most tense-filled moments of the series because I didn't see that ending nor could have had any notion that this was where the story was going but I do like the addition of the new character, Holly, as she shakes up the dynamic just enough in terms of story and character development that worked not just within the story but also sets up the next one in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Child death
misterbojangles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Moderate: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Violence, Death of parent, and Child death
starlitpage's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Child death, Death, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Gore, Death of parent, and Fatphobia
verito2805's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Child death, and Grief
erebus53's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
3.0
Book #3 of the Lockwood & Co series sees the introduction of a new member of the team. Holly is the first character to be introduced to the series and described as brown skinned(!). So far the books have been not very diverse in their cast, which is why I still prefer the Netflix TV series.
Lucy is starting to really warm up to her powers of communication with spirits, and although this seems to be able to take their investigations in new directions, placating and releasing spirits, rather than waging war upon them, it does open her up to the emotions and influences of some powerful and messed up other-beings, that could end up endangering her and those she cares about.
Much as I like the direction of the story and the plot points, there are a lot of things about this series that are starting to drive me up the wall. The constant fatphobia is doubled down on in this book with Holly being ridiculed for enjoying health foods and skipping sugary treats, and George being situated firmly in the "pro-cake" column. Lucy is still a mean and insecure piece of work, who rips into people with sarcasm, seems entitled to know everyone's secrets, and seems to sulk rather than trying to resolve conflict. She basically seems to hate anyone without a Y chromosome.
I don't know why it has to be so, but the most endearing character is the comedic buddy Skull who (like Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) spends the entire time dreaming up insults or ways to kill the party members, in gleeful asides. "Egg-whisk!" I guess it's the character that's ALLOWED to be evil, and I'm sick of the heroes being secretive, snarky and malign.Â
I think I'll keep future episodes for when I am needing something not too challenging because I find it a bit hard to get invested in a story with such an irritating main character.
Lucy is starting to really warm up to her powers of communication with spirits, and although this seems to be able to take their investigations in new directions, placating and releasing spirits, rather than waging war upon them, it does open her up to the emotions and influences of some powerful and messed up other-beings, that could end up endangering her and those she cares about.
Much as I like the direction of the story and the plot points, there are a lot of things about this series that are starting to drive me up the wall. The constant fatphobia is doubled down on in this book with Holly being ridiculed for enjoying health foods and skipping sugary treats, and George being situated firmly in the "pro-cake" column. Lucy is still a mean and insecure piece of work, who rips into people with sarcasm, seems entitled to know everyone's secrets, and seems to sulk rather than trying to resolve conflict. She basically seems to hate anyone without a Y chromosome.
I don't know why it has to be so, but the most endearing character is the comedic buddy Skull who (like Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) spends the entire time dreaming up insults or ways to kill the party members, in gleeful asides. "Egg-whisk!" I guess it's the character that's ALLOWED to be evil, and I'm sick of the heroes being secretive, snarky and malign.Â
I think I'll keep future episodes for when I am needing something not too challenging because I find it a bit hard to get invested in a story with such an irritating main character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Violence, Fatphobia, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Classism, Murder, and Blood
growintogardens's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
*sigh* Lucy's so judgemental of other people and it's really annoying and, in this case, ruined a lot of this book for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, Murder, Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Child death
Minor: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
miad3'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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
lilou0922's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Much darker than the first two. The amount of ghosts and the power of the last one had me a little nervous at times. the Holly/Lucy rivalry was.... interesting? Like I understand Lucy but also can girls support girls? Plz? And OMG THE HOLLOW BOY WAS CREEPY AND DONT LEAVE LUCY
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Fatphobia
annie_2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It really bothers me tha way Lucy criticices everyone but Lockwood, even herself. And that all the girls that appear are "competition" to her. The plot is really enterraining though
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Fatphobia and Child death
claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, and Murder
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