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anteus7's review against another edition
3.0
OK. Here we go. Things are getting better. Well...they got better at the end of the book--the last quarter or so was what saved it.
Over the last couple of books I have become increasingly frustrated with our main character's lack of real agency. Sure, he makes decisions and does some things--some of them very important to the story--but overall Tom has been more of a passenger than a driver.
He gets captured and rescued I don't even know how many times in this one...three? four? more? All of those instances of capture are believable and understandable (kind of), but it keeps happening. He keeps falling for the same old tricks and then not being able to get out of the trouble he gets himself into. Tom Ward's super power seems to be the summoning of some gnarly Deus Ex Machinae to pull his bacon out of the fire.
By the end of this story, though, he comes into his own more than he has up to this point. I understand that he is a spook's apprentice and is learning things, but I think he needs to actually show that he is learning things to be a compelling hero.
Here's to hoping that book 9 supplies more of that growth.
Over the last couple of books I have become increasingly frustrated with our main character's lack of real agency. Sure, he makes decisions and does some things--some of them very important to the story--but overall Tom has been more of a passenger than a driver.
He gets captured and rescued I don't even know how many times in this one...three? four? more? All of those instances of capture are believable and understandable (kind of), but it keeps happening. He keeps falling for the same old tricks and then not being able to get out of the trouble he gets himself into. Tom Ward's super power seems to be the summoning of some gnarly Deus Ex Machinae to pull his bacon out of the fire.
By the end of this story, though, he comes into his own more than he has up to this point. I understand that he is a spook's apprentice and is learning things, but I think he needs to actually show that he is learning things to be a compelling hero.
Here's to hoping that book 9 supplies more of that growth.
koorte's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sam_hartwig's review against another edition
4.0
As always an enjoyable and spooky read. I felt there wasn't as much humor in this book between old Gregory and Alice like in the other books but it was still enjoyable. I also felt that the spook was a little non existent in this book, it was more about Tom fighting his deepest darkest inner fears. I look forward to the next couple of books left in the series.
eleanorryd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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
4.0
sassblaster's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
broet's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
starkva's review against another edition
3.0
The eighth book, and I'll admit this one worried me. The change in characterisation of one of the main players was very jarring - it felt like the author had just given up on the character and wanted to get rid of some storylines. This aside, this book was an odd - but partly enjoyable - one.
nordicowl's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0