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talon1010's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death of parent, and Classism
stacey_the_chapter_conundrum's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
While I found a lot to like in Gates of Stone, it didn't leave a lasting impression on me and I suspect it will be a polarizing book due to the writing style and some of the writing choices. This is the type of book where you're only given information on a need to know basis or sometimes even after the fact to colour the earlier events in the book so you truly feel thrown in and along for the ride for a large portion of the book.
Personally, I much prefer when an author gives you more context and information upfront because without that I don't feel nearly as invested into the characters or the story itself. I feel much more tension, suspense and stakes with that type of storytelling so this book didn't work quite as well for me as I'd originally hoped.
The characters show interesting progression throughout the course of the novel but I found myself emotionally distanced from them for a long time because it takes a long time to feel like you're getting to know them. You aren't really let in on their thought processes, reactions or motivations for things until later in the book and seemingly only when they're in very dire or bleak situations. I also think I would have connected to them more had I gotten more snippets of their backstories.
The plot and action were very intriguing for me and well crafted. I also found the pacing to be decent (albeit not perfect; a little slow in the middle) but again I found myself not quite drawn into the story due to the writing style.
I'm glad that I got to experience this story but I don't have a strong desire to pick up any more of this author's work since I just don't connect with his writing.
Personally, I much prefer when an author gives you more context and information upfront because without that I don't feel nearly as invested into the characters or the story itself. I feel much more tension, suspense and stakes with that type of storytelling so this book didn't work quite as well for me as I'd originally hoped.
The characters show interesting progression throughout the course of the novel but I found myself emotionally distanced from them for a long time because it takes a long time to feel like you're getting to know them. You aren't really let in on their thought processes, reactions or motivations for things until later in the book and seemingly only when they're in very dire or bleak situations. I also think I would have connected to them more had I gotten more snippets of their backstories.
The plot and action were very intriguing for me and well crafted. I also found the pacing to be decent (albeit not perfect; a little slow in the middle) but again I found myself not quite drawn into the story due to the writing style.
I'm glad that I got to experience this story but I don't have a strong desire to pick up any more of this author's work since I just don't connect with his writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Xenophobia, Vomit, and Trafficking
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