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covergirlbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book is creepy. It’s gothic in atmosphere and tone, and at times feels like a man on the run story, but then the horror elements start to stack up on you the further you go in the novel. It get’s shockingly violent. I think that’s part of the reason why it’s been called maze-like.
This is a prequel to The Shadow of the Wind, but I find most blogs recommend reading it second. I think having the context of some of the places and next generation of the cast put me in a good place for the read.
In this story, we’re following the budding writer David Martín. David began by writing sensational serialized stories for a demanding publisher under a pseudonym. His dream is to write a novel of his own. But when he finally gets the time to commit to the endeavor, his grueling writing habits are self-destructive. At the novel’s completion, his health is wrecked, and the publisher trashes the release, greedy for him to resume the lucrative serials once more.
Desperate to live and for his writing to live on in memory, David accepts a mysterious book contract from a sinister figure. Later, when he grows suspicious of his new boss, and reluctant to complete the work, David starts to pick up the trail of the previous writer who struck the same bargain. This turns out to be a dangerous game, because the closer he gets to the answers, the tighter the conspiracy draws around David and those he holds dear.
The male gaze is still a factor in this book, and the female characters are either in a state of need or malicious toward the main character. This is softened in contrast to The Shadow of the Wind, ever so slightly, by the friendship David develops with Isabella.
This is a prequel to The Shadow of the Wind, but I find most blogs recommend reading it second. I think having the context of some of the places and next generation of the cast put me in a good place for the read.
In this story, we’re following the budding writer David Martín. David began by writing sensational serialized stories for a demanding publisher under a pseudonym. His dream is to write a novel of his own. But when he finally gets the time to commit to the endeavor, his grueling writing habits are self-destructive. At the novel’s completion, his health is wrecked, and the publisher trashes the release, greedy for him to resume the lucrative serials once more.
Desperate to live and for his writing to live on in memory, David accepts a mysterious book contract from a sinister figure. Later, when he grows suspicious of his new boss, and reluctant to complete the work, David starts to pick up the trail of the previous writer who struck the same bargain. This turns out to be a dangerous game, because the closer he gets to the answers, the tighter the conspiracy draws around David and those he holds dear.
The male gaze is still a factor in this book, and the female characters are either in a state of need or malicious toward the main character. This is softened in contrast to The Shadow of the Wind, ever so slightly, by the friendship David develops with Isabella.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Police brutality
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
flamingxgirl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
laurenleigh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Terminal illness
Minor: Sexual assault