james1star's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
After watching many BookTubers recommend this book and saying to GO IN BLIND, I totally agree. Do a bit reading but not too much because the actual reading of this book is such an enjoyable, satisfying experience that would’ve been missed if I’d have know more. So that’s why I’m not going to talk about the plot at all, it’s about a guy called Piranesi… or is it? No more!
This is a purely phenomenal read and one I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone and everyone. Clarke conjures up a mesmerising wondrous world with one of the most lovable characters I’ve ever experienced. Her mind and imagination makes this story unlike anything I’ve read before. The pacing, writing, method of telling the story and everything is exquisite, I was encapsulated - no spellbound - by Piranesi, the pages turned themselves as if by magic. I was a little confused to start but it just went up and up from there, I absolutely loved it.
Please read this book! In my opinion it’s totally worth the hype and high rating. An instant favourite, second best of the year so far.
Final note: I’m kinda annoyed I’ve read it now because I won’t be able to go back and experience it for the first time!! If only I could enter the House for a couple days…
Content Warnings
Minor: Gaslighting, Murder, Kidnapping, and Death
nofy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
novemberreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Kidnapping and Emotional abuse
laurajones's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
decaying's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Oh, boy. I was on the brink of bawling before I even finished the book.
When I had a couple of pages left, my eyes were blurry.
My heart's a thunderous storm of joy, sadness, anger, and relief. As Piranesi discovers peace, I, too, found peace. It'd too been a bittersweet peace because how do you make peace with the World you'd known as home yet being far from comfort? How do you make peace with a World you had never known that turns out to be a small fraction of a bigger world? How do you make peace knowing a part of yourself from the past was taken? How do you live with that?
When I had a couple of pages left, my eyes were blurry.
My heart's a thunderous storm of joy, sadness, anger, and relief. As Piranesi discovers peace, I, too, found peace. It'd too been a bittersweet peace because how do you make peace with the World you'd known as home yet being far from comfort? How do you make peace with a World you had never known that turns out to be a small fraction of a bigger world? How do you make peace knowing a part of yourself from the past was taken? How do you live with that?
There is just something magical about the way Clarke weave words together. She strings you along to the mystery of this strange world. Giving enough for you to be curious, but not so much that it completely spoils it. Her meticulous world-building never cease to amaze me. It's a well-realized world, lifting Piranesi's (the architect) intricate etchings to life. The seemingly never-ending stairs; the curves and corners that leads to nowhere; the lack of life itself.
Spoiler
I have smiled, cried, and laughed at every page when Piranesi is being Piranesi. He is a bright, curious soul with simple desires and a whole lot of hope. I wanted to hold his hands when he ventures to parts of The House filled with fear, to protect that very hope he holds until the very end. Needless to say, I'd grown affectionate towards Piranesi and I was left broken bearing witness to the immense changes he had to go through. His World can never be the same because he's no longer the same. He needed to make peace with that. And that really hurts.All in all, "Piranesi" is a story about belonging. I should also say this book might not be for everyone. It spends plenty of its narrative with Piranesi wandering through this world almost aimlessly and making observations that's left unanswered. But, the journey of belonging, too, requires patience. So, be patient with it. Let yourself flow through the story. Enjoy the magic of it all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gaslighting, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Mental illness, Death, and Gun violence
wormgirl's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Death and Kidnapping
bookiemadi's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Confinement, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Mental illness, Gun violence, and Death
shannabanana6's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a really cool sci fi book. The world of the Labyrinth was so cool and Piranesi's love and reverence toward it and the world is admirable, to find beauty in everything is not easy but I think that's the moral of the story here. There's also some more intense aspects too which is kind of a strange mix of trauma/sadness and love and beauty. I found the resolution at the end of the book rather satisfying although I want to know more bout how he's getting on in this new world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
const_elle_ations's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child death
vlawton's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping