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amycwr's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
acereviews's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
agrippinaes's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoy this series. I think this was a solid continuation of it; it has all the hallmarks of the other books, with the quirky sense of humour, interesting worldbuilding, and a lot of twists and turns. If nothing else this book is highly entertaining and put a smile on my face.
I will say that I read this very soon after reading the previous book in the series and it might have been that some of the quirks of McDonnell’s writing were more glaring to me; there’s quite a lot going on in this book and this was the first time reading this series I really felt like there was possibly too much going on. Some of the plotlines felt a little bit muddled at times and a touch underdeveloped. I also think it suffered from having one of the central characters separated from the rest, and from one of the other main characters taking a backseat. It felt a bit like something was missing as a result.
However, I still really enjoyed reading it. McDonnell is a very good, inventive writer; his characters are both cartoonish and very real, as people often can be, and there’s a lot of fun to be had reading these books. Whilst I had some issues with the mysteries at the heart of this book, I genuinely think the conclusion tied them all together very neatly in a way that was very satisfying and really showed McDonnell’s skill.
Also, I’m glad that this instalment dealt with some of the plotlines that have been hanging over the books since The Stranger Times; it sort of put them to bed, so to speak, and I think that’s to the benefit of the series going forward as it allows room for other stories to develop. It also set the scene for subsequent novels in a way that I found effective. I’m really excited to read more with these characters - I’ve got a lot of affection for them all now and I really want to see where this series goes next; I would definitely recommend this book if you like quirky fantasy comedies with a lot of mystery and twists and turns, but you definitely need to start this series at the beginning. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.
Content Notes:
Warnings:
I will say that I read this very soon after reading the previous book in the series and it might have been that some of the quirks of McDonnell’s writing were more glaring to me; there’s quite a lot going on in this book and this was the first time reading this series I really felt like there was possibly too much going on. Some of the plotlines felt a little bit muddled at times and a touch underdeveloped. I also think it suffered from having one of the central characters separated from the rest, and from one of the other main characters taking a backseat. It felt a bit like something was missing as a result.
However, I still really enjoyed reading it. McDonnell is a very good, inventive writer; his characters are both cartoonish and very real, as people often can be, and there’s a lot of fun to be had reading these books. Whilst I had some issues with the mysteries at the heart of this book, I genuinely think the conclusion tied them all together very neatly in a way that was very satisfying and really showed McDonnell’s skill.
Also, I’m glad that this instalment dealt with some of the plotlines that have been hanging over the books since The Stranger Times; it sort of put them to bed, so to speak, and I think that’s to the benefit of the series going forward as it allows room for other stories to develop. It also set the scene for subsequent novels in a way that I found effective. I’m really excited to read more with these characters - I’ve got a lot of affection for them all now and I really want to see where this series goes next; I would definitely recommend this book if you like quirky fantasy comedies with a lot of mystery and twists and turns, but you definitely need to start this series at the beginning. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.
Content Notes:
Warnings:
Spoiler
Death, murder, violence, mind control, blood, gore, body horror, grief, death of a spouse (in past).bananapancake24's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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
sophiedingley's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
jonathanrobert's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-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
turnherintoliterature's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
katerybs's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Highly recommend the audio book!
darren0101's review against another edition
5.0
Love Will Tear Us Apart is the third instalment in the Stranger Times series and I feel this is the strongest and potentially darkest book of the series.
Without warning Hannah, the assistant editor has left the newspaper and Banecroft who is unpredictable at the best of times is suffering from the recent interaction with Simon the ghost who is channelling Banecroft's dead wife. Then there is Betty, the new assistant editor who is not what she seems as well as Ox and Reggie investigating the now discontinued conspiracy column.
The humour of the series is still sharp as ever and C.K McDonnell handles three narratives extremely well with each one holding up strongly against the others. As well as bringing back Stanley, who is a welcome return he introduces Betty and Cathy, the IT expert helping with Hannah's investigation of a health farm. Hopefully, these characters will return along with Gordon, the quick-tempered Starling.
This is a fantastic addition to the series and one I will be purchasing on its release to add to the previous two.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review.
Without warning Hannah, the assistant editor has left the newspaper and Banecroft who is unpredictable at the best of times is suffering from the recent interaction with Simon the ghost who is channelling Banecroft's dead wife. Then there is Betty, the new assistant editor who is not what she seems as well as Ox and Reggie investigating the now discontinued conspiracy column.
The humour of the series is still sharp as ever and C.K McDonnell handles three narratives extremely well with each one holding up strongly against the others. As well as bringing back Stanley, who is a welcome return he introduces Betty and Cathy, the IT expert helping with Hannah's investigation of a health farm. Hopefully, these characters will return along with Gordon, the quick-tempered Starling.
This is a fantastic addition to the series and one I will be purchasing on its release to add to the previous two.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest review.