sarahannkateri's review against another edition
4.0
When I heard this was named a Printz Honor book, I was surprised because as far as I knew, it was a gory tale of man-eating monsters.
After reading it, the Printz Honor makes more sense because I now know that it's a thematically dense, allusive, gory tale of man-eating monsters.
It's totally not the kind of thing I'd usually read, and it took me awhile to get through it, but I think it's something that will stick with me. Definitely not for squeamish readers - along with completely over-the-top violence, there is also a focus on incredibly grotesque maladies. Older teen guys who like horror and history would probably love this.
After reading it, the Printz Honor makes more sense because I now know that it's a thematically dense, allusive, gory tale of man-eating monsters.
It's totally not the kind of thing I'd usually read, and it took me awhile to get through it, but I think it's something that will stick with me. Definitely not for squeamish readers - along with completely over-the-top violence, there is also a focus on incredibly grotesque maladies. Older teen guys who like horror and history would probably love this.
knockonwood03's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
avery5683's review against another edition
3.0
Not a review, just a PSA to parents:
If you are a parent who is wondering if this book is appropriate for your child, the answer is probably no. The book is scary, graphically violent, and disturbing on multiple levels.
If you are a parent who is wondering if this book is appropriate for your child, the answer is probably no. The book is scary, graphically violent, and disturbing on multiple levels.
natcommon's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Very interesting. It had some very good moments but the pacing was off for me.
Very interesting. It had some very good moments but the pacing was off for me.
rukistarsailor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
riani_0801's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cluckingbell's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't realize/notice this was YA until I actually opened it to read and noticed the publisher. On that point: The story is ostensibly lifted directly from the journals of a man born in the 1870s, so the language and sentence structure lean toward formal and sometimes convoluted while still remaining modern and accessible. It seems like it would make a really good bridge read for younger readers trying to make the leap to classics—kind of like using Deadwood to ease people into Shakespeare. If a kid can understand The Monstrumologist, it's not much of a leap to understanding Dickens and Brontë!
For my own experience, while this wasn't a book that I couldn't wait to pick up again, I enjoyed it a great deal anytime I had it in my hands. I liked the writing style and the characters, honorable and otherwise. I liked the first-person narrator, which seems to be a rarity with me. Many authors fall into the trap of trying to make their narrator the most "interesting" character in the book rather than a character who has led an interesting life, and the character inevitably gets on my nerves. So when I say I found Will Henry innocuous, understand that's a high compliment for a first-person POV. If he isn't the most fascinating character in the book, he is certainly a plucky and likable guide to this world.
Definitely expect to be reading the rest of this series.
For my own experience, while this wasn't a book that I couldn't wait to pick up again, I enjoyed it a great deal anytime I had it in my hands. I liked the writing style and the characters, honorable and otherwise. I liked the first-person narrator, which seems to be a rarity with me. Many authors fall into the trap of trying to make their narrator the most "interesting" character in the book rather than a character who has led an interesting life, and the character inevitably gets on my nerves. So when I say I found Will Henry innocuous, understand that's a high compliment for a first-person POV. If he isn't the most fascinating character in the book, he is certainly a plucky and likable guide to this world.
Definitely expect to be reading the rest of this series.