desertlurker's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, and Body horror
karynb's review against another edition
4.0
I really love Barker's writing style. I found this collection weaker than the first but still very much enjoyed it. Favourite story was Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament.
calalo's review against another edition
4.0
A pesar de ser un volumen con más acuosidad carmesí y pulpa gelatinosa, ya se va notando el estilo por no decir repetición de ideas en los libros de sangre. Pero lo que distancia a Barker de otros ejercicios parecidos es la innata capacidad para saber escribir.Él se sale con la suya. Ahí donde en otras manos algunas ideas puedan morir eternamente en lo absurdo y donde fracasan quienes usan lo grotesco para desviar la atención de sus carencias. Sin embargo ¿qué es el horror sino el primo más cochino de la comedia? Barker confirma su visión del hombre, por un lado la parte etérea, el alma vil que no puede ser modificada, y por otro, un mundano recipiente de carne capaz de ser vulnerado en formas grotescas.
Terror 4
El acontecimiento del infierno 3
Jacqueline Ess: sus última voluntades y testamento 4
Las pieles de los padres 4
Los nuevos crímenes de la calle Morgue 3
Terror 4
El acontecimiento del infierno 3
Jacqueline Ess: sus última voluntades y testamento 4
Las pieles de los padres 4
Los nuevos crímenes de la calle Morgue 3
radiohex's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
lurpasskatt's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
malloriwhaples's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t know how this was so much better than the first book. All of the stories I found disturbing and horrifying.
marco5599's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
tombomp's review against another edition
dark
3.75
Ahh, 3.5? It's really dragged down by the last story, which is deeply stupid in similar ways to the story it's named after (Murders in the Rue Morgue). It defuses any tension by following the original so closely, even stating the plot early on so you can't possibly miss it. The horror relies on the particular bizarre fear of the virility of monkeys over men, which it's hard to sympathise with - again, the whole thing just feels stupid. It's slightly funny but not enough.
Otherwise there's no story that stands out as much as In the Hills, the Cities from the last one. The closest is Jacqueline Ess, which has a fantastic concept but is still full of male insistence a woman needs a man to be complete. There's a lot to love still - the body horror is beautiful - but it's held back a little by that. The other stories are enjoyable but it feels like none have the depth of the best stories in vol 1.
Otherwise there's no story that stands out as much as In the Hills, the Cities from the last one. The closest is Jacqueline Ess, which has a fantastic concept but is still full of male insistence a woman needs a man to be complete. There's a lot to love still - the body horror is beautiful - but it's held back a little by that. The other stories are enjoyable but it feels like none have the depth of the best stories in vol 1.
monroev1225's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0