tobin_elliott's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Interesting experiment. Various authors with various characters all tied together through the titular Limbus, Inc.
Limbus, Inc. is both the good guy and the bad guy in a lot of these stories, which is also a fun take. Leaves the reader guessing.
Unfortunately, most of the stories are fairly run of the mill. There's a couple that I quite liked, but there were also a couple that really stretched credibility. But hey, a multi-author collection is always going to have higher highs and lower lows.
Overall, the standout was the one that was held until the very end. Maberry's easy narrative voice, and the addition of one of his known characters, Sam Hunter, makes it more fun. The fact that it kind of went to a similar place as one of the other stories didn't bother me, as it was the superior one of the two.
I've got the next two in the series, so it'll be interesting where Limbus, Inc. takes me next.
Limbus, Inc. is both the good guy and the bad guy in a lot of these stories, which is also a fun take. Leaves the reader guessing.
Unfortunately, most of the stories are fairly run of the mill. There's a couple that I quite liked, but there were also a couple that really stretched credibility. But hey, a multi-author collection is always going to have higher highs and lower lows.
Overall, the standout was the one that was held until the very end. Maberry's easy narrative voice, and the addition of one of his known characters, Sam Hunter, makes it more fun. The fact that it kind of went to a similar place as one of the other stories didn't bother me, as it was the superior one of the two.
I've got the next two in the series, so it'll be interesting where Limbus, Inc. takes me next.
bigotterbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Dark and disturbing! Gory, chilling, thought-provoking and haunting; sometimes in the same paragraph. Not a masterwork to redefine the genre but definitely near the top of the pile. The stories hold together very well both as individual works and as part of the whole 'mysterious agency' theme. Not my usual cup of reading tea but enjoyable if you appreciate horror that not only smacks you in the face with the obvious bloody cliches but at the same time sneaks up on you with a completely different scare. I wasn't expecting to be as spooked by these tales as I was-leave the light on while you read!! 3 stars I rcvd a copy of the book to review-the opinions are my own.
snowbenton's review against another edition
4.0
A weird and terrifying set of short stories framed enticingly by a man reading the same stories you are reading -- only he knows that they are completely real. A nicely thematic Halloween read that takes you from a ravenous alien's ship to ancient sacrifices to time travel. A fun and gruesome read.
o_oliviarose_o's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
suzannekm's review against another edition
3.0
I want to like it more than I did. Interesting premise and I love the shared world aspect. I'll continue the series but it's not working as well for me as it seems to for others.
djotaku's review against another edition
4.0
The best way to describe what I just finished: a series of short stories in genres I may not have read as standalones but which combined into a highly enjoyable book. Not perfectly true as they all tended to have a bit of science fiction and a bit of detective fiction. But I do not think I would have sought many of these out.
If there is one weakness to this anthology, it's that the first story is so intriguing that I wanted more of a focus from the inner workings of Limbus, Inc. Or at least maybe half of the stories taking place from Limbus' point of view.
If there is one weakness to this anthology, it's that the first story is so intriguing that I wanted more of a focus from the inner workings of Limbus, Inc. Or at least maybe half of the stories taking place from Limbus' point of view.
anne_seebach's review against another edition
3.0
A bit dark for my personal tastes, but well constructed. Each story stands well on its own, and though very different in style they each manage to contribute nicely to the intriguing mythology that is Limbus. I feel there's something of a Lovecraftian, or Weird Tales flavour to the whole. Not a genre I generally enjoy, so I'm likely a poor judge, but I feel fans of that particular style of science fantasy horror would absolutely enjoy this collection and series.
tender324's review against another edition
5.0
First and foremost, let me say I have never been happier to be employed by a company that only abuses me on occasion than I have after reading this ARC Giveaway.
That being said, Limbus, Inc. was quite different than the books I tend to lean toward. It is compiled by a series of novellas, each telling a separate tale regarding the employment agency from hell: Limbus, Inc.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book, it was unique and had a Twilight Zone meets Doctor Who with a splash of the X-Files added to the mix vibe. It was fun, dark, and thrilling. I highly recommend this book!
...And always remember to read the fine print!
That being said, Limbus, Inc. was quite different than the books I tend to lean toward. It is compiled by a series of novellas, each telling a separate tale regarding the employment agency from hell: Limbus, Inc.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book, it was unique and had a Twilight Zone meets Doctor Who with a splash of the X-Files added to the mix vibe. It was fun, dark, and thrilling. I highly recommend this book!
...And always remember to read the fine print!
telegramsam's review against another edition
3.0
I love the concept of this collection of short stories, think the MIB as an employment agency, but I couldn't help notice that every story, with one or two exceptions, featured a disgruntled blue color brute of a character as the main protagonist. Not quite my cup of tea, although each story was written well. I just feel like the concept had more unique stories within it, which is why I will be picking up the next in the series.