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goldfinch1003's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dawnwich's review against another edition
3.0
The Dickens-ian language and setting is a sheer delight. It took me a while to get into it because my first take was that the language was too clever -- I had to stop and think about word choices too often in the beginning. But when I got used to it and recognized the twisted Oliver Twist setting I started to love it. There are so many fun and creative details in this book, like the Living Mud and the Joes, a different type of conjoined twins. There are two things that bothered me deeply however. First, the very first line of the summary (here and on the book cover) are a spoiler for something we don't learn until 3/4 through the book. It's a big mistake. Secondly, I had no idea this was the first book of a trilogy and when I read the non-ending, I was downright angry. Both of these things are marketing choices and not necessarily anything to do with the writer or the book. I will read the second book. But I am deeply irritated by that frustrating ending.
multenis's review against another edition
2.0
I went against my intuition and decided to end the year with this book. Now I regret the hours that it took to finish it.
I'm struggling to put into words what exactly isn't right with this book, but there certainly is something. A dissonance, or a state of neither chaos nor order. Anyway, this was a headache.
I'm struggling to put into words what exactly isn't right with this book, but there certainly is something. A dissonance, or a state of neither chaos nor order. Anyway, this was a headache.
okjaaaaa's review against another edition
5.0
i don't even know what to say. this was so good. so fucking good. oh my god. what the fuck.
nartana's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
bardbotherer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
leksikality's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It has a similar vibe to the Gormenghast novels but more clearly illustrated. The oddness here has a purpose beyond simply being odd.
I found Part 2 difficult and a little slow. I actually put it down and went on to another for a bit but looking at the entirety, that sort of stagnant narrative was necessary.
I haven't decided if I'll co tinue to the next book yet. They're hefty novels and at times incredibly intense - when I say there are no heroes here I really mean there are literally no heroes. I'm curious, though.
I found Part 2 difficult and a little slow. I actually put it down and went on to another for a bit but looking at the entirety, that sort of stagnant narrative was necessary.
I haven't decided if I'll co tinue to the next book yet. They're hefty novels and at times incredibly intense - when I say there are no heroes here I really mean there are literally no heroes. I'm curious, though.