pm2k01's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
keezy92's review against another edition
3.0
Bec is a pretty dark fourth installation in the Demonata series. It feels fairly separate from its predecessors, and I liked it for it! A fresh addition worth checking out.
gemtrants's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
courtneydavidson1999's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lilmenchi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
5.0
Out of all the Darren Shan books I've read, this is the one that stuck with me the most from when I first read the Demonata books. I am so glad to say that this absolutely stood up to the high expectations I had for it. Bec has a different feel to it than the books before it in the series and it greatly benefits for it.
maniikoi's review against another edition
5.0
At first I was a little disappointed that this story wasn't about Grubba, or even Kernel, but the further I read the more I came to love this story as much as the others, maybe even more. I found that this story was more mysterious and more intense than the others were. It held more secrets, packed full with suspence and wonders.It wasn't until the end that the secrrets start to unfurl, and what a shock they came out to be!
The further I began to read I realized that this story begins many, many, many, years before the story of Kernel. One thing I wondered throughout the story is a character, Bran. His name reminds me of another character in another book in the series, Beranabus. The beginning of their name sounds the same. I wonder if "bran" is short for Beranabus? I guess I'll have to wait and see!
Anyway, this story was genuinly brilliant! The ways that Darren shan was able to craft this story... it was genius!
The further I began to read I realized that this story begins many, many, many, years before the story of Kernel. One thing I wondered throughout the story is a character, Bran. His name reminds me of another character in another book in the series, Beranabus. The beginning of their name sounds the same. I wonder if "bran" is short for Beranabus? I guess I'll have to wait and see!
Anyway, this story was genuinly brilliant! The ways that Darren shan was able to craft this story... it was genius!
junglejelly's review against another edition
4.0
One of my favourites of the series. Littered with some sexist bits but an incredibly easy read.
encal202's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-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
4.0
doseofsoma's review against another edition
4.0
Current Rating 2020 - 8/10 starts (MAL has programmed me to prefer a rating system out of 10)
(Original Rating 2012 - 6.5/10 Stars)
**This is largely just my ramblings for my love of the series and how I feel rereading it during the hellscape of COVID**
I enjoyed this book so much more this time around. I had forgotten so much of what this book had, except for Lord Loss discovering chess, the ending and maybe a few minor details.
I'm really glad I reread this one as I really enjoyed the tone, setting, and the introduction of Old Creatures/how demon crossings function/the reanimated dead.
I also appreciated Bec as a character a lot more. I remember finding her more bland as the series went on, but hopefully that'll change for me this time around.
Sadly, except for the final chapter, Lord Loss isn't up to the Queen status he has been in the other books, but he is young in this book and still has much sass to learn. Though the image of him hissing threats while being sent zooming back by Drust in the area of Old Magic makes me laugh.
I wasn't as invested in this as I could've been from the halfway point until they find the tunnel as I was reading another book at the same time - so it's my fault, not the book's.
Things I found meh-
Wish there was more of Goll and Bec's relationship shown. Maybe more of her and most of who she was travelling.
Things I enjoyed-
The imagery of the cave scene with Old Creatures is stunning.
Old Magic lore and how it died out due to the Demonata.
I liked seeing how Drust's character changed.
Obviously, Bran. Especially with knowledge of later books in series.
The Lord Loss/Bec magic and hopefully I'll pay more attention to how that is going to impact the rest of the series this time (because I just totally ignored it last time for some reason).
The final two chapters are exquisite *chef's kiss*. Not as sad as Demon Thief but very brutal/horrifying.
Also the ultimate villain in the series - Brude. I don't know why but the whole concept of a grumpy, cursing wall man makes me laugh (well, except in Demon Apocalypse when the idea becomes horrific).
Short ramble - I'm tired. I'll read other books before continuing with the rest of the series.
(Original Rating 2012 - 6.5/10 Stars)
**This is largely just my ramblings for my love of the series and how I feel rereading it during the hellscape of COVID**
I enjoyed this book so much more this time around. I had forgotten so much of what this book had, except for Lord Loss discovering chess, the ending and maybe a few minor details.
I'm really glad I reread this one as I really enjoyed the tone, setting, and the introduction of Old Creatures/how demon crossings function/the reanimated dead.
I also appreciated Bec as a character a lot more. I remember finding her more bland as the series went on, but hopefully that'll change for me this time around.
Sadly, except for the final chapter, Lord Loss isn't up to the Queen status he has been in the other books, but he is young in this book and still has much sass to learn. Though the image of him hissing threats while being sent zooming back by Drust in the area of Old Magic makes me laugh.
I wasn't as invested in this as I could've been from the halfway point until they find the tunnel as I was reading another book at the same time - so it's my fault, not the book's.
Things I found meh-
Wish there was more of Goll and Bec's relationship shown. Maybe more of her and most of who she was travelling.
Things I enjoyed-
The imagery of the cave scene with Old Creatures is stunning.
Old Magic lore and how it died out due to the Demonata.
I liked seeing how Drust's character changed.
Obviously, Bran. Especially with knowledge of later books in series.
The Lord Loss/Bec magic and hopefully I'll pay more attention to how that is going to impact the rest of the series this time (because I just totally ignored it last time for some reason).
The final two chapters are exquisite *chef's kiss*. Not as sad as Demon Thief but very brutal/horrifying.
Also the ultimate villain in the series - Brude. I don't know why but the whole concept of a grumpy, cursing wall man makes me laugh (well, except in Demon Apocalypse when the idea becomes horrific).
Short ramble - I'm tired. I'll read other books before continuing with the rest of the series.
writermaguire's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5