malibu_maple's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Vomit, Addiction, and Sexual assault
bdesmond's review against another edition
4.0
It's that time of year. The wind bites a little colder, the skies sink into gray, the leaves begin to change color, and on occasion you may feel a shiver up your neck... In other words, the perfect time for the next book in S.A. Hunt's Malus Domestica series.
I already mentioned it in my review for the first book, but this is basically a rewrite. Hunt was contacted by Tor with an offer to split her Malus Domestica book into a trilogy, and I was very excited not only for the excellent opportunity for her, but the excellent opportunity for me to revisit the story as a more fleshed out and revamped endeavor. What's even more exciting, here at the end of the second book, is that I believe this is where the story concluded in the original version. Which means that Hellion, the third book, will be an entirely new adventure for me. I'm looking forward to that.
I Come With Knives hits the ground running right where Burn the Dark leaves off, and it does not let up. This is something like 400 pages of furious pace, and brings some immediate reminders of Hunt's strengths. She has a knack for description, and writes characters that accurately inhabit the time and space in which they reside. The result is a group of endearing, believable, and often very funny characters. She blends the Fantasy and Horror genres very neatly, which, as a reader of Fantasy, I have always appreciated. I think fans of either genre will have fun with this series. Hunt is definitely "my type of nerd". It just comes across so clear in the writing. Above all, these books are fun. Witch-hunting Youtube stars, ancient covens, psychedelic demons occupying dark versions of reality, women turned into trees as siphons of power, magic cults residing in Petoskey, Michigan, half-demons--all occupying the podunk town of Blackfield, Georgia. If it sounds ridiculous, it is. In the best way.
Now, Hunt is not without her faults. On occasion the writing feels stilted or forced, with moments of strange or seemingly-out-of-place characterization. Part of me does wonder though how much of that is me knowing this is a re-write and likely in some places a stitch-job. Whatever the reason, it's there. Beyond that, and I remember feeling this way about the first book, the info-dumps can feel a little heavy-handed. I was also disappointed how little POV-time Wayne got in the sequel, considering how much he gets in book one. I have a feeling that will be remedied in the third book though.
Now, all that being said, I really enjoyed the book and will certainly be reading the conclusion to the trilogy.
I already mentioned it in my review for the first book, but this is basically a rewrite. Hunt was contacted by Tor with an offer to split her Malus Domestica book into a trilogy, and I was very excited not only for the excellent opportunity for her, but the excellent opportunity for me to revisit the story as a more fleshed out and revamped endeavor. What's even more exciting, here at the end of the second book, is that I believe this is where the story concluded in the original version. Which means that Hellion, the third book, will be an entirely new adventure for me. I'm looking forward to that.
I Come With Knives hits the ground running right where Burn the Dark leaves off, and it does not let up. This is something like 400 pages of furious pace, and brings some immediate reminders of Hunt's strengths. She has a knack for description, and writes characters that accurately inhabit the time and space in which they reside. The result is a group of endearing, believable, and often very funny characters. She blends the Fantasy and Horror genres very neatly, which, as a reader of Fantasy, I have always appreciated. I think fans of either genre will have fun with this series. Hunt is definitely "my type of nerd". It just comes across so clear in the writing. Above all, these books are fun. Witch-hunting Youtube stars, ancient covens, psychedelic demons occupying dark versions of reality, women turned into trees as siphons of power, magic cults residing in Petoskey, Michigan, half-demons--all occupying the podunk town of Blackfield, Georgia. If it sounds ridiculous, it is. In the best way.
Now, Hunt is not without her faults. On occasion the writing feels stilted or forced, with moments of strange or seemingly-out-of-place characterization. Part of me does wonder though how much of that is me knowing this is a re-write and likely in some places a stitch-job. Whatever the reason, it's there. Beyond that, and I remember feeling this way about the first book, the info-dumps can feel a little heavy-handed. I was also disappointed how little POV-time Wayne got in the sequel, considering how much he gets in book one. I have a feeling that will be remedied in the third book though.
Now, all that being said, I really enjoyed the book and will certainly be reading the conclusion to the trilogy.
thebigpete's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
adudek403's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tiffanyann's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
4.0
I Come with Knives is the second novel in S.A. Hunt's Malus Comestica series, and it is seriously not one to miss out on, especially for fans of paranormal horror.
Robin has spent her whole life riding that fine line between reality and illusion. She's a monster hunter that hides out in the open, making use of YouTube videos to keep her life on the road moving forward. Not that anyone believes her hunting as anything other than fake, thank goodness.
However, that was before Robin was thrown into a dark and complex plot. Now she understands the demon that is hunting her, and she's finally got a chance to do something about it, especially with the help of her new friends.
“Revelation yawned before her, a chasm of secrets. Afraid, the girl pushed it away.”
I Come with Knives is a fast-paced, thrilling, and intense read. It has the perfect balance of fantasy (paranormal) and horror to keep me fully invested all the way through. Frankly, I enjoyed every moment of this intense read.
To be fair, this is probably not the best series for the faint of heart. Robin's hunts are far from peaceful jaunts – they are, in fact, quite brutal and bloody as any monster hunt would realistically be if you think about it.
While I adored the first novel in this series, I think I Come with Knives has quickly become my new favorite. I learned so much more about Robin in this story, and it really went a long way in explaining the why and how of it all.
More importantly, she really grew and changed over the course of this story, as she is forced to face such horrible threats and the trauma they bring with them. It's a lot to take in, to be honest. But it also made the story feel so much more real and human because of it.
Thanks to Tor Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Robin has spent her whole life riding that fine line between reality and illusion. She's a monster hunter that hides out in the open, making use of YouTube videos to keep her life on the road moving forward. Not that anyone believes her hunting as anything other than fake, thank goodness.
However, that was before Robin was thrown into a dark and complex plot. Now she understands the demon that is hunting her, and she's finally got a chance to do something about it, especially with the help of her new friends.
“Revelation yawned before her, a chasm of secrets. Afraid, the girl pushed it away.”
I Come with Knives is a fast-paced, thrilling, and intense read. It has the perfect balance of fantasy (paranormal) and horror to keep me fully invested all the way through. Frankly, I enjoyed every moment of this intense read.
To be fair, this is probably not the best series for the faint of heart. Robin's hunts are far from peaceful jaunts – they are, in fact, quite brutal and bloody as any monster hunt would realistically be if you think about it.
While I adored the first novel in this series, I think I Come with Knives has quickly become my new favorite. I learned so much more about Robin in this story, and it really went a long way in explaining the why and how of it all.
More importantly, she really grew and changed over the course of this story, as she is forced to face such horrible threats and the trauma they bring with them. It's a lot to take in, to be honest. But it also made the story feel so much more real and human because of it.
Thanks to Tor Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fantastic book! So action packed, so much happened, and whoa, that ending! Fantastic book, and I can't wait to read book 3!
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
It was an excellent story that I loved. It's gritty, dark, fast paced and well written.
I loved the world building, the character development, and how the author deals with issues like racism.
I was hooked since the first pages and couldn't put it down.
An excellent read, can't wait to read other books by this author.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I loved the world building, the character development, and how the author deals with issues like racism.
I was hooked since the first pages and couldn't put it down.
An excellent read, can't wait to read other books by this author.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
storyasaurus's review against another edition
4.0
I just love this series. This one is more gross and I absolutely loved it.
lilyp7's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
First of all, I want to thank Macmillan-Tor/Forge- Tor Books for the chance to read the sequel of the amazing Burn the dark.
I come with knives picks up where Burn the dark ended, with the arrival of Robin's witch- mentor, Heinrich and the new knowledge about the demon that was tormenting her. Now Robin, armed with these informations, with the help of her friends and her mentor, is ready to destroy the Lazenbury Coven and try to free her mother. Moreover Robin's already complicated life becomes more mysterious with the arrival of the Dogs of Odysseus, a group of peculiar magicians, with their own goal and old connections with her mentor.
Told by multiple POVs, I come with knives follows Robin and her revenge's quest, her friend Joel and his brother Fisher, involved with the serial killer the Serpent, Kenway, Robin's boyfriend and ally and Wayne and Leon Parkins, and all of them find themselves dragged in this dangerous adventure full of witches, possessions, cats, murders and deaths.
The sequel of Burn the dark is fast- paced, full of action and there's never a moment of calm in these characters' life. The reader is always on the edge, wondering what will happen next, what will they discover. Robin found herself burdened by the knowledge about the demon and what he represents for her and her mother and her life is complicated by the Dogs of Odysseus. Their arrival brings magic, artifacts, help and questions. It was amazing and interesting meeting these new characters, above all Anders Gendreau, with his peculiar cane and clothes.
Like in the first book, I come with knives is a rollercoaster, full of plot twists, deaths, cats, rivelations, crooked cops, attempted murders, possessions and surprises.
The characters are really well written. Robin is trying to get used to have other people around her, people who care about her and her relationship with Kenway is beautiful and intense. The loyalty and love between them and between Robin and Joel is amazing and captivating.
Robin is stubborn and resilient, Kenway is loyal and strong, Joel brilliant and determined, Leon is skeptic and obstinate, Wayne is brave and decisive, but, at the same time, all of them have fears, they are scared.
They are realistic, real, raw and really authentic, with their doubts, anger, fears and indecisions.
I loved these characters. I was angry with Robin, I laughed with Joel (That poor man can't catch his breath since Robin's back in town), I was worried for Wayne and his dad. The author has the wonderful gift of grabbing the reader's attention, through the plot and writing style and letting it go only at the end of the book.
I come with knives is beautiful, intense, a fast paced and packed with action read, with unforgettable characters, demons, witches and magicians.
4.5
First of all, I want to thank Macmillan-Tor/Forge- Tor Books for the chance to read the sequel of the amazing Burn the dark.
I come with knives picks up where Burn the dark ended, with the arrival of Robin's witch- mentor, Heinrich and the new knowledge about the demon that was tormenting her. Now Robin, armed with these informations, with the help of her friends and her mentor, is ready to destroy the Lazenbury Coven and try to free her mother. Moreover Robin's already complicated life becomes more mysterious with the arrival of the Dogs of Odysseus, a group of peculiar magicians, with their own goal and old connections with her mentor.
Told by multiple POVs, I come with knives follows Robin and her revenge's quest, her friend Joel and his brother Fisher, involved with the serial killer the Serpent, Kenway, Robin's boyfriend and ally and Wayne and Leon Parkins, and all of them find themselves dragged in this dangerous adventure full of witches, possessions, cats, murders and deaths.
The sequel of Burn the dark is fast- paced, full of action and there's never a moment of calm in these characters' life. The reader is always on the edge, wondering what will happen next, what will they discover. Robin found herself burdened by the knowledge about the demon and what he represents for her and her mother and her life is complicated by the Dogs of Odysseus. Their arrival brings magic, artifacts, help and questions. It was amazing and interesting meeting these new characters, above all Anders Gendreau, with his peculiar cane and clothes.
Like in the first book, I come with knives is a rollercoaster, full of plot twists, deaths, cats, rivelations, crooked cops, attempted murders, possessions and surprises.
The characters are really well written. Robin is trying to get used to have other people around her, people who care about her and her relationship with Kenway is beautiful and intense. The loyalty and love between them and between Robin and Joel is amazing and captivating.
Robin is stubborn and resilient, Kenway is loyal and strong, Joel brilliant and determined, Leon is skeptic and obstinate, Wayne is brave and decisive, but, at the same time, all of them have fears, they are scared.
They are realistic, real, raw and really authentic, with their doubts, anger, fears and indecisions.
I loved these characters. I was angry with Robin, I laughed with Joel (That poor man can't catch his breath since Robin's back in town), I was worried for Wayne and his dad. The author has the wonderful gift of grabbing the reader's attention, through the plot and writing style and letting it go only at the end of the book.
I come with knives is beautiful, intense, a fast paced and packed with action read, with unforgettable characters, demons, witches and magicians.
4.5