The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
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
kassidyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Body shaming and Death of parent
jackiepreston's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
I want to like these books more than I do. The plot with the ghosts is always interesting, but Stroud writes Lucy with such vitriol towards any other girl that it's hard to read. From the first moment Holly is introduced, Lucy takes everything she does in the worst possible way. The fatphobia towards George from the previous two books is scaled back a lot, but it's just replaced with more of Lucy's "not like other girls" attitude.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Blood, Body shaming, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
pibbit's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
Slightly less keen on the narrator of this audio book (wasn't sure about George's voice)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Death
sambiina's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: 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
happilyeveralli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
LOCKLYLE FANS WE HAVE MADE GAINS!Ā
āCome off it,ā Lockwood said. āYou know Iād die for you.ā He chuckled. āHeaven knows, Iāve come near it often enough. Scrambling down a crack in the ground is nothingā¦ā
Coming off lots of angriness about the adaption's cancelation, it was nice to get back to reading the source material. I became a fan of Lockwood & Co because of the series. From reading the first two books, though there are some major deviations, it is a respectful and good adaption that takes its own form whilst showing love for its origins. Now, onto the contents of the book:
Wowie, THE HOLLOW BOY is a whirlwind (pun somewhat intended). Though, that's what makes it special. I loved that we got a lot of character development. The introduction of Holly sort of forces Lucy to grow and take accountability for her mistakes whether she wants to or not. I hope their relationship is as well-explored in the next two books. I also hope that George and Kipps' team are more featured.Ā
I must say rest in peace to Ned Shaw. I'm beginning to grow to love Kipps. He's wonderfully sarcastic. I need more banter between him, his team, and George. I loved the way the team-up was introduced as well. The whole Chelsea Outbreak situation was so well-done. The world of this series is just so wonderfully thought out. I wonder if the Orpheus Society is more involved with the suspicious happenings at the King's Prison. Super upset that Lucy has resigned. Though, I am trusting that in the end, she'll end up back where she belongs with the boys and Holly!
I might end up taking a break from the series for a bit in order to get through some other books on my physical TBR (I've been reading the series with the audiobooks on Libby and due to my library not having the final two books in the series, I'll have to buy them physically). Though, all in all, THE HOLLOW BOY has been my favorite installment of the Lockwood and Co series yet!
Wowie, THE HOLLOW BOY is a whirlwind (pun somewhat intended). Though, that's what makes it special. I loved that we got a lot of character development. The introduction of Holly sort of forces Lucy to grow and take accountability for her mistakes whether she wants to or not. I hope their relationship is as well-explored in the next two books. I also hope that George and Kipps' team are more featured.Ā
I might end up taking a break from the series for a bit in order to get through some other books on my physical TBR (I've been reading the series with the audiobooks on Libby and due to my library not having the final two books in the series, I'll have to buy them physically). Though, all in all, THE HOLLOW BOY has been my favorite installment of the Lockwood and Co series yet!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
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.Ā
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.Ā
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
fyre_flies's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death