bookthief404's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Creepy, dark, thrilling, addicting.
I loved how the whole thing was written from the perspective of a small child. I enjoyed realising what was really going on, despite only being told of the events through a child's language.
I loved how the whole thing was written from the perspective of a small child. I enjoyed realising what was really going on, despite only being told of the events through a child's language.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Animal death, Car accident, and Grief
scripturient's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Child abuse and Animal death
chrisljm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
would’ve loved to see more cats
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Confinement
Moderate: Gore, Grief, Animal death, Bullying, Suicide, Violence, Death, and Excrement
marianabelher's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book is magical, terrifying, and heartbreaking. What the main character goes through is extremely dark in a way that I wasn’t expecting. The idea of the book is very interesting, and I was intrigued by the world the author created, but it just wasn’t as memorable as I wanted it to be. I can barely remember the plot to be honest, nor did I quite understand how the magic worked. I think the main things I did enjoy about the book were the emotions it managed to convey. I was truly disturbed, then terrified, then sad, disturbed again, and terrified again for the rest of it. The writing is beautiful, which is expected of Neil Gaiman, and you can see his genius in it. It just wasn’t my favorite of his works. Still good though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Child abuse
doomluz's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
5.0
This was a beautiful, dark, sad, and creepy story about childhood trauma. I love how Gaiman writes fantasy, childhood, and horror. I almost liked this more than Coraline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Body horror, Death, Suicide, Animal death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual content and Infidelity
mpbookreviews's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Animal death
Minor: Suicide and Sexual content
ijustreallyliketrees's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Child abuse
Moderate: Body horror, Suicide, and Animal death
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content
merlucito's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Child abuse
ramalam98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
I was surprised by how good and readable this was, after struggling with the slow-paced slog that was American Gods last year.
The illustrations are beautiful and really add to the atmosphere created by the mesmerising prose. I’m also impressed by the massive sense of nostalgia this book managed to cause: even though our main character grew up in a different era to me, Neil Gaiman really nailed the experiences of a bookish youth who struggles to understand other people. I also loved the hints at frustration over how differently younger siblings are often treated lol.
The world this book created is so good, Lettie and her ‘family’ are so interesting though I do feel like some of their ‘magic’ was quite conveniently not explained at times.
My only other complaint is that our main character is a bit of a blank slate at times without much special about him, especially as he grows. Though I do believe this may be the point lol. We grow up to become an adult we would not have understood as a child.
The illustrations are beautiful and really add to the atmosphere created by the mesmerising prose. I’m also impressed by the massive sense of nostalgia this book managed to cause: even though our main character grew up in a different era to me, Neil Gaiman really nailed the experiences of a bookish youth who struggles to understand other people. I also loved the hints at frustration over how differently younger siblings are often treated lol.
The world this book created is so good, Lettie and her ‘family’ are so interesting though I do feel like some of their ‘magic’ was quite conveniently not explained at times.
My only other complaint is that our main character is a bit of a blank slate at times without much special about him, especially as he grows. Though I do believe this may be the point lol. We grow up to become an adult we would not have understood as a child.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death and Animal death
Minor: Body horror, Confinement, and Infidelity
rachbinns's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death