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jscarpa14's review against another edition
4.0
This begins about a month after the first book ends, with Holmes as a breathing corpse, having been murdered by Watson in an attempt to stop Moriarty, then in control of Holmes's body from conquering the world. In the beginning, it's episodic, much like the first novel with short cases that chronicle Holmes's return to life and subsequent recovery. It shares the same ridiculous humor of the previous novel where the characters are often beyond ludicrous and I honestly expected to give it a similar rating and review to that which I gave the first title in the series.
Then it begins the tale for which the book is titled, The Hellhound of the Baskervilles. This story encompasses at least the latter half of the book, if not a little bit more than that, and is considerably longer than any other tale within the story. It's also so much more than the tales previously told of Warlock Holmes adventures with this version of Doctor John Watson. The tale tells of Holmes's real origins and I believe, though I'm not certain, gives an insight as to Moriarty's first life, before he began body jumping as he is when introduced in this series. What concerned me a bit is that when he appeared in this story, he's depicted as Scottish by the narrator, at least in the accent used and he had an English accent in the first novel. I certainly hope this is addressed in future titles as the end of this novel hints that this isn't the last that we've seen of Holmes's main traditional villain even if he's not the least traditional in this portrayal of the character.
The bulk story of this book does have a bit of the humor that characterizes the series, but it is more engrossing with more of an air of danger than any previously told tale of Denning's imaginings of these characters. This brings out the mystery, magic, and page-turning excitement that isn't a big part of the previous stories and it really shines as a part of the series. I hope this writing style shown in the latter half of the book continues in future titles because it far outshines the series opener. Learning of Holmes's origins in this version of him was absolutely enthralling and I can't wait to learn more of Warlock Holmes's long history.
While the series opener is kind of lukewarm title for me, this second installment is one that I'd highly recommend and I'm looking forward to future titles in the series.
Then it begins the tale for which the book is titled, The Hellhound of the Baskervilles. This story encompasses at least the latter half of the book, if not a little bit more than that, and is considerably longer than any other tale within the story. It's also so much more than the tales previously told of Warlock Holmes adventures with this version of Doctor John Watson. The tale tells of Holmes's real origins and I believe, though I'm not certain, gives an insight as to Moriarty's first life, before he began body jumping as he is when introduced in this series. What concerned me a bit is that when he appeared in this story, he's depicted as Scottish by the narrator, at least in the accent used and he had an English accent in the first novel. I certainly hope this is addressed in future titles as the end of this novel hints that this isn't the last that we've seen of Holmes's main traditional villain even if he's not the least traditional in this portrayal of the character.
The bulk story of this book does have a bit of the humor that characterizes the series, but it is more engrossing with more of an air of danger than any previously told tale of Denning's imaginings of these characters. This brings out the mystery, magic, and page-turning excitement that isn't a big part of the previous stories and it really shines as a part of the series. I hope this writing style shown in the latter half of the book continues in future titles because it far outshines the series opener. Learning of Holmes's origins in this version of him was absolutely enthralling and I can't wait to learn more of Warlock Holmes's long history.
While the series opener is kind of lukewarm title for me, this second installment is one that I'd highly recommend and I'm looking forward to future titles in the series.
tetiana's review
4.0
I came to laugh at a clever Sherlock Holmes riff, and here I am, finishing the second book in a series with surprising emotional heft. The final act made me cry. And yeah, I readily admit I cry easily, but I’ve been feeling rather numb lately (for obvious reasons), and this book managed to lance the emotional tension I didn’t realize I was holding.
Really good.
Really good.
cardaisy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, and Classism
sir_meowsalot's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
iheartpuns's review against another edition
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
3.25
lperson76's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Yeah woooo this was really good! It added some much needed depth to the characters and world of the series, allowing itself to get serious when it needs to be.
disabledbookdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
thefantasynerd93's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Enjoyment ★★★★☆
Concept ★★★★☆
Execution ★★★★☆
Prose ★★★★☆
Structure ★★★★☆
Plot ★★★☆☆
Pacing ★★★★☆
Characters ★★★☆☆
World Building ★★☆☆☆
Audio Performance ★★★★★
Concept ★★★★☆
Execution ★★★★☆
Prose ★★★★☆
Structure ★★★★☆
Plot ★★★☆☆
Pacing ★★★★☆
Characters ★★★☆☆
World Building ★★☆☆☆
Audio Performance ★★★★★
scribe391's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.25
Set in 1882 Denning’s plot is satirical, with a dark, snarky version of British humor.
While inspired by Doyle’s original classic mysteries, Denning also uses elements that would be at home in a Lovecraft short story.
While inspired by Doyle’s original classic mysteries, Denning also uses elements that would be at home in a Lovecraft short story.
elliemvbrown's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25