Reviews

Le Livre de Koli by M.R. Carey

celiapowell's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this (and was so pleased to get to the end and realise that it's the first in a trilogy) - a spectacular post-apocalyptic tale. I listened to the audiobook which was great - I've read some reviews that complain about the way Koli's language is written, but it comes over so well in audio.

befsk's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this book in the end but it was a little slow to start. It had that Knife Of Never Letting Go style of misspelling due to having a child narrator who never got education because that's how this dystopia works... thing going on. Which was fine eventually but it took a little getting into. It could ruin the book for a few people, I'm sure.

It was an interesting beginning though with Koli's childhood and the village he lives in, despite the slower pace.

I was left unsure if the frequent illusions to big things happening in the future because the story is told in hindsight was keeping me interested in the story or if the story itself was keeping me interested and that particular narrative technique was just pissing me off. Still can't decide now I've finished the book.

Spoiler

I was surprised when Koli didn't leave the village until at least 50% into the book. For a start, it didn't feel like 200 pages, and for a second, the constant references to big things happening soon made me think it was going to be a quicker paced book that it turned out to be.

Once the story got rolling, it rolls well. I liked the characters, despite there not being many. I thought the world building was good, especially the mentions of current day places within England. Enjoyable read, and I look forward to the sequel. I'm not sure why it's not being marketed as a young adult book because it was very young adult in writing and themes to me.

I received this ARC through Netgalley.

ammonoids's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It took me a little bit to get into the Book of Koli, but I loved the retrofuture vibe, and I would define this as concept Sci-Fi that actually has a heart. I actually really liked Koli's voice once I got used to it. The pace is a little slow in the first half of the book, but it really picked up in the second half- I always felt like I was waiting for the real story to get started. Unlike many books where I might DNF, the setting was interesting enough to make up for it. 

drkappitan's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Listening to this shortly after having re-read Canticle for Liebowitz was not deliberate, but did make for some interesting comparisons. I found this to be a solid start to Koli's coming-of-age narrative and will be listening to the sequel, though of Carey's works, The Girl with All the Gifts remains my favorite.

carlossu's review against another edition

adventurous dark lighthearted sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

caitsidhe's review against another edition

Really not getting on with this. It's not bad, it's just not for me.

ceratopsians's review against another edition

fast-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? Yes

2.0

esparker7's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

zellreads's review against another edition

5.0

Such a fantastic immersive story. I loved how self-referential and real-world referential this book is, and found the writing style, characters, and world building masterful and enthralling. I read the whole thing in one day, barely putting it down, and the second one is on hold at my local library already. I loved this book!

pancaaakes's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

5.0