nick13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Since Daniel decided to put his audiobooks on YouTube (which is epic!) I decided to release this duology. Overall, I enjoyed this one a bit less than the last time I did, perhaps due to my excitement for getting it not being as much but I suspect it is more to do with the clunkiness of the dialogue and the audiobook voices. See, I thought that the narrators were going to voice different characters but instead they voiced different POVS, the thing is though...the book only has one main character! So Kate Reading reads basically all of the book and when Michael Kramer gets his turn its just really jarring. Overall, a fun read that shows me that Daniel's ideas are great, it's just he needs to work on his writing a bit to make the actual story reciprocate that greatness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, War, Police brutality, and Child death
kelskiiz's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Torture, Body horror, and Violence
Minor: Police brutality
kottman's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Death of parent, Gore, and Murder
Minor: Police brutality
scarlettskyes's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Vomit, Torture, Police brutality, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Gore, Grief, Death, and Death of parent
bookdragontemeraire's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
3.0
Wanted more character depth and development (but is a short novella, so...). Intrigued by the world and the cliff hanger.
Spoiler
Things went downhill very fast - I wasn't expecting that many character deaths!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Child death
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Police brutality
humanpuke's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Being that this is a debut novella written with the intention of the author gaining experience in the writing field, the prose is a little stunted, but it’s to be expected. I thought the overall mystery and plot to be enjoyable and interesting enough to keep me entertained throughout the story.
I am overall intrigued by the world presented - cops in a religious empire that are given more powers and less oversight. I think that even though conversations around the nature of policing and police brutality require a very nuanced and thoughtful approach to it, this premise can be explored in a way that makes the reader think about the way police act in society today. If this is a theme the author is trying to drive at, it wasn’t very much developed in this story. The fact that the characters are cops seem more like plot devices than tools to develop a theme. I think this could be developed into a powerful theme, if that is the authors’ intention. I definitely wanted more of the politics of this world. I really hope the next installment sheds more light on this world. Just enough of the world and its mechanics are given to allow the reader to understand the plot and the characters’ motivations, but nothing more than that, which is a shame.
Overall though, for a debut publication, it’s a fast paced mystery that delivers with action and punch. I am interested in seeing where the story goes from here.
I am overall intrigued by the world presented - cops in a religious empire that are given more powers and less oversight. I think that even though conversations around the nature of policing and police brutality require a very nuanced and thoughtful approach to it, this premise can be explored in a way that makes the reader think about the way police act in society today. If this is a theme the author is trying to drive at, it wasn’t very much developed in this story. The fact that the characters are cops seem more like plot devices than tools to develop a theme. I think this could be developed into a powerful theme, if that is the authors’ intention. I definitely wanted more of the politics of this world. I really hope the next installment sheds more light on this world. Just enough of the world and its mechanics are given to allow the reader to understand the plot and the characters’ motivations, but nothing more than that, which is a shame.
Overall though, for a debut publication, it’s a fast paced mystery that delivers with action and punch. I am interested in seeing where the story goes from here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Child death
wrenxavier's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Spoiler
Don't get attached to anyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Gore
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Blood, Vomit, and Gun violence
sweekune's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5/5
Audiobook narrated by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer.
As a first dip into Greene's created world, Breach of Peace is an intruiging and atmospheric read.
The Good:
- Good characterisation despite the short length of the novella. I genuinely cares about our main characters and what happens to them.
- The scene and world was set well. Not an all encompassing view but a little toe dip into this new world.
- The descriptions were horrifyingly brilliant.
What could have been better?:
- Occasional pacing issues.
- The epilogue felt disjointed from the rest of the novel.
CW: graphic murder scenes including child murder, gore, violence.
Audiobook narrated by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer.
As a first dip into Greene's created world, Breach of Peace is an intruiging and atmospheric read.
The Good:
- Good characterisation despite the short length of the novella. I genuinely cares about our main characters and what happens to them.
- The scene and world was set well. Not an all encompassing view but a little toe dip into this new world.
- The descriptions were horrifyingly brilliant.
What could have been better?:
- Occasional pacing issues.
- The epilogue felt disjointed from the rest of the novel.
CW: graphic murder scenes including child murder, gore, violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Torture, and Violence
niamhmg's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Gore, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Torture and Police brutality
thecatladybooknook_penny's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
So I needed to see what all the hubbub was about so I bought the ebook and audio. (Audio is narrated by the wonderful Michael Kramer and Kate Reading. I did feel like I was reading from Shallan's POV though and Kaladin/Dalinar. LOL (if you know, you know.....)
I'll start with a few good things and then get to the things I did not like. Right off the bat, I'll put it out there that this book isn't for me and I won't be continuing with the novella series. I MAY pick up a full novel in the future but not if it continues as is.....
The Good:
I understand being a first time author, you need to find your voice and figure out your writing style. While this left a lot to be desired overall, I felt the action scenes in chapter 6 flowed very well. Chapter 8 also had very good flow and I felt like I was reading from a more experienced author.
I knew that Greene, being a new author, I probably wouldn't be wow'd by this book, so I went in with low expectations. I wanted to to see what the internet was screaming about. As usual, I disagree with the internet. Many had felt that this novella was a glorification of police and I disagree. There was a huge line crossed at a couple points in the story but we're also told by the end what happens to those officers who cross that line.
The Bad:
I understand the basic bones of this story as a crime/detective story set in a fantasy world, but I wish Greene had been able to expand more on the characters and the worldbuilding. I had some nitpicky problems with the prose such as we'd be reading along at super plain prose and then suddenly there is an SAT/ACT vocabulary word thrown in. Your average reader probably doesn't know what "ameliorate" means for example. That word and a few more just felt very out of place.
The "horror" vs thriller shelf needs to be added to this book. No wonder Amazon had this book listed in horror. I haven't read anything this grotesque in many years (by choice obviously). The book opens up with a child having been hung....I was prepared for that because I had heard from some big Booktubers about this. What I wasn't prepared for was the in-depth description of the crime scene AND when they thought the killer was still around and went searching for him, and BLECH!!!! I thought, okay that's done. Nope.....another action scene with horrid descriptions. Maybe that's for you.
I was taken aback at the use of one building (a brothel) and the scene that happened there was just weird.....the names given for the people who ran it "mother/father" (REALLY???) as well as did I really need to know that this dude had an erection???? I mean he was drugged out of his mind, someone tried to "sober him up" with a few slaps and then we were told he had an erection???? (eye roll)
I also think Greene could have made a few better decisions on the names given to the religious overlords.....but that's my own personal line in the sand.
I personally didn't like that one of the main characters was working with her husband on this case. That wasn't as bad though as the PDA while you're supposed to be ON DUTY! Kisses here, I love you's there, rubbing her back when she's anxious.....That was the only character development shown trying to establish a close relationship.
So I wish I had more positive things to say about this. Give this a try if none of the things I mentioned above don't matter to you but I wont' be recommending this unless I know someone likes this type of description and are fine with below average prose.
I'll start with a few good things and then get to the things I did not like. Right off the bat, I'll put it out there that this book isn't for me and I won't be continuing with the novella series. I MAY pick up a full novel in the future but not if it continues as is.....
The Good:
I understand being a first time author, you need to find your voice and figure out your writing style. While this left a lot to be desired overall, I felt the action scenes in chapter 6 flowed very well. Chapter 8 also had very good flow and I felt like I was reading from a more experienced author.
I knew that Greene, being a new author, I probably wouldn't be wow'd by this book, so I went in with low expectations. I wanted to to see what the internet was screaming about. As usual, I disagree with the internet. Many had felt that this novella was a glorification of police and I disagree. There was a huge line crossed at a couple points in the story but we're also told by the end what happens to those officers who cross that line.
The Bad:
I understand the basic bones of this story as a crime/detective story set in a fantasy world, but I wish Greene had been able to expand more on the characters and the worldbuilding. I had some nitpicky problems with the prose such as we'd be reading along at super plain prose and then suddenly there is an SAT/ACT vocabulary word thrown in. Your average reader probably doesn't know what "ameliorate" means for example. That word and a few more just felt very out of place.
The "horror" vs thriller shelf needs to be added to this book. No wonder Amazon had this book listed in horror. I haven't read anything this grotesque in many years (by choice obviously). The book opens up with a child having been hung....I was prepared for that because I had heard from some big Booktubers about this. What I wasn't prepared for was the in-depth description of the crime scene AND when they thought the killer was still around and went searching for him, and BLECH!!!! I thought, okay that's done. Nope.....another action scene with horrid descriptions. Maybe that's for you.
I was taken aback at the use of one building (a brothel) and the scene that happened there was just weird.....the names given for the people who ran it "mother/father" (REALLY???) as well as did I really need to know that this dude had an erection???? I mean he was drugged out of his mind, someone tried to "sober him up" with a few slaps and then we were told he had an erection???? (eye roll)
I also think Greene could have made a few better decisions on the names given to the religious overlords.....but that's my own personal line in the sand.
I personally didn't like that one of the main characters was working with her husband on this case. That wasn't as bad though as the PDA while you're supposed to be ON DUTY! Kisses here, I love you's there, rubbing her back when she's anxious.....That was the only character development shown trying to establish a close relationship.
So I wish I had more positive things to say about this. Give this a try if none of the things I mentioned above don't matter to you but I wont' be recommending this unless I know someone likes this type of description and are fine with below average prose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child death, Murder, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Blood and Police brutality
Minor: Vomit
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