nicolarivera's review
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Mental illness
jessgock's review against another edition
4.0
Neil Gaiman's books are all either immediately available or have really short wait lists through my library's digital collection, so it would appear that I will be reading the whole extended American Gods universe before my book club meets this weekend.
"Black Dog" is set shortly after "The Monarch of the Glen," while Shadow is still wandering around Scotland. (It makes a passing reference to "The Monarch of the Glen," which is the only reason I feel confident it comes after that story - they're each self-contained enough that otherwise they could have happened in either order.) While still suffering from having a protagonist who just stands there while things happen to him, "Black Dog" has an interesting premise and plot, and I really enjoyed reading it. It's about the black dog myth in the UK, which holds that people may see a large black dog following them shortly before their death. Shadow finds himself caught in a small Scottish town when a particularly nasty storm hits, and the black dog turns up, and then Shadow has a mystery on his hands (which he actually figures out on his own, so he does show a little bit of initiative and thought here for once). I really enjoyed this story, which was a relief after how much I hated "The Monarch of the Glen."
"Black Dog" is set shortly after "The Monarch of the Glen," while Shadow is still wandering around Scotland. (It makes a passing reference to "The Monarch of the Glen," which is the only reason I feel confident it comes after that story - they're each self-contained enough that otherwise they could have happened in either order.) While still suffering from having a protagonist who just stands there while things happen to him, "Black Dog" has an interesting premise and plot, and I really enjoyed reading it. It's about the black dog myth in the UK, which holds that people may see a large black dog following them shortly before their death. Shadow finds himself caught in a small Scottish town when a particularly nasty storm hits, and the black dog turns up, and then Shadow has a mystery on his hands (which he actually figures out on his own, so he does show a little bit of initiative and thought here for once). I really enjoyed this story, which was a relief after how much I hated "The Monarch of the Glen."
thoroughlymodernreviewer's review
4.0
It's hard to compare Black Dog with The Monarch of the Glen. They're such different stories. But I have to say that I think I like Black Dog better. Monarch felt more like an American Gods story, but Black Dog was more engaging.
I loved the kind of ghost story feel it gave me the whole time I read it. Again, there was some nice development with Shadow, but I still wish they'd focus more on the whole son of Odin thing.
But I digress. This short is really good, it's well paced, builds up tension expertly, and then resolves everything in a satisfying way. I definitely enjoyed it.
I loved the kind of ghost story feel it gave me the whole time I read it. Again, there was some nice development with Shadow, but I still wish they'd focus more on the whole son of Odin thing.
But I digress. This short is really good, it's well paced, builds up tension expertly, and then resolves everything in a satisfying way. I definitely enjoyed it.
myweereads's review against another edition
5.0
“It’s daylight, said Shadow to the dog, with his mind, not with his voice. Run away. Whatever you are, run away. Run back to your gibbet, run back to your grave, little wish hound. All you can do is depress us, fill the world with shadows and illusions.”
Black Dog by Neil Gaiman is one of his American Gods stories. We have Shadow Moon who is travelling around Britain. He comes to a point where he cant go any further and seeks shelter with a nice english couple. During his stay he realises there is something dark looming around in this village, something ancient and ominous.
I really enjoyed this story firstly because it gave me an American Gods fix and secondly its a dark and mysterious story which was told incredibly well. I like that you get to see how Shadow is doing and also what encounters he is having outside of America.
This can be read as a stand alone. It comes across as a chilling tale told in a darkly poetic way that is Gaiman’s signature. This edition has beautiful illustrations that go along with the story perfectly.
A great wee read I know i’ll pick up again.
Black Dog by Neil Gaiman is one of his American Gods stories. We have Shadow Moon who is travelling around Britain. He comes to a point where he cant go any further and seeks shelter with a nice english couple. During his stay he realises there is something dark looming around in this village, something ancient and ominous.
I really enjoyed this story firstly because it gave me an American Gods fix and secondly its a dark and mysterious story which was told incredibly well. I like that you get to see how Shadow is doing and also what encounters he is having outside of America.
This can be read as a stand alone. It comes across as a chilling tale told in a darkly poetic way that is Gaiman’s signature. This edition has beautiful illustrations that go along with the story perfectly.
A great wee read I know i’ll pick up again.
joselito3's review against another edition
5.0
Great! Even better than The Monarch of the Glen...or not? Hehe I couldn't tell which one I enjoyed the most. I read this one in one gulp...
One thing is sure...I'll miss Shadow!
I edit the review to thank also Daniel Egneus for these pieces of art. Makes the book even better!
One thing is sure...I'll miss Shadow!
I edit the review to thank also Daniel Egneus for these pieces of art. Makes the book even better!
woah_bees's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
nobodyatall's review against another edition
4.0
Yay more Shadow Moon.
Perhaps this deserves 5 stars? I'm not sure. it was brill to have more stories with Shadow, maybe it finished a bit brusquely. Wonderful mixing of myth and legend into everyday.
Perhaps this deserves 5 stars? I'm not sure. it was brill to have more stories with Shadow, maybe it finished a bit brusquely. Wonderful mixing of myth and legend into everyday.