idroplungs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
This book sat on my shelf being judged for it's cover and the short synopsis on it for far too long while I wondered what drew me to it in the first place. But when I finally gave it it's chance I regretted taking so long almost immediately.
The book sweeps you away pretty quickly, bringing up questions and hypotheses in just the first few chapters that dont pay off until the final pages (I was worried too much was going on so far in, and learning it was a series that it would all be pushed along, but the author rewards you, don't worry). I also have a talent for predicting twists and was sure I had this right away, I didn't and love the book all the more for it.
The humor was well spread out and felt more as a natural evolution and enhancement to the story than something forced upon the reader. It's a book that can be funny, not an every page has to have a dozen punchlines funny book, which while are fun in their own right, are not generally my cup of tea (I love you anyway Adams and Pratchett).
I highly recommend The Rook for anyone who wants some mystery, some spy craft, intense (and unique) fight scenes, and equally unique super powers.
The book sweeps you away pretty quickly, bringing up questions and hypotheses in just the first few chapters that dont pay off until the final pages (I was worried too much was going on so far in, and learning it was a series that it would all be pushed along, but the author rewards you, don't worry). I also have a talent for predicting twists and was sure I had this right away, I didn't and love the book all the more for it.
The humor was well spread out and felt more as a natural evolution and enhancement to the story than something forced upon the reader. It's a book that can be funny, not an every page has to have a dozen punchlines funny book, which while are fun in their own right, are not generally my cup of tea (I love you anyway Adams and Pratchett).
I highly recommend The Rook for anyone who wants some mystery, some spy craft, intense (and unique) fight scenes, and equally unique super powers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
jessicakornelsen's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Confinement, Murder, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Sexual assault, Medical content, Medical trauma, Classism, Blood, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
tpasta's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I used to read a lot of fantasy, but recently have been in a slump the past few years and this book got me out of it. This book was the perfect balance of fantasy, science fiction, spy adventure, and mystery. The plot hummed along, the characters were funny, and I loved the world building. This is a great book for lovers of “our world but different” fantasy. As well as those who like a little bit of mystery and thriller elements in their fantasy. Excited to read the sequel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
Minor: Miscarriage, Torture, Suicide, and Incest
thedulcineaeffect's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I DNF this book ages before this site was even a thing and decided to pick it up again because I was on a paranormal fiction kick after playing Remedy Entertainment's Control (which you should definitely experience in some form or another if you've read this book).
Long story short: this book is a huge disappointment with tantalisingly good bits hidden like needles in a haystack, and could have benefitted from being shorter.
Things I liked:
Long story short: this book is a huge disappointment with tantalisingly good bits hidden like needles in a haystack, and could have benefitted from being shorter.
Things I liked:
- I liked the contrast between Myfanwy before and after losing her memory. I can see why it would be a point of contention for some people, but I felt like it fit the fact
Spoiler
Pre-Amnesia!Myfanwy did snoop around Chequy's finances, but lacked the confidence and was too marginalised by her peers to take the initiative. Her losing her memories gave her the push she needed to get the ball rolling in my opinion. - Chequy felt like a believable organisation. I enjoyed reading how they conducted operations, the efforts they went to cover up paranormal events
Spoiler
and you could feel how heavy the consequences of several of its members turning traitor were as a result. - The action/horror sequences are well written.
Spoiler
The flesh cube in the police station bit really made my skin crawl.
Things I did not like:
- It was pretty blatant at times that the author was a cishet man writing women, almost bordering on "breasting boobily" esque descriptions at times, and it felt overly catty.
- I struggled to suspend my disbelief during Pre-Amnesia!Myfanwy's letters to her Post-Amnesia self; specifically the fact she would be able to accurately recall every single word in all of the conversations she had. Eye for detail or not, there are some things you are just not going to remember.
- Several of the background characters feel like caricatures that are just there to fulfill a role, but at the same time if those characters didn't exist their absence would be noticeable. An example being a bodyguard for Myfanwy late into the book who is Scottish-Japanese who dies not a chapter after he is introduced, and the best I can remember about him was the author's dodgy description about how he cussed up a storm of a mixed slur Japanese and Gaelic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Misogyny
Minor: Body shaming and Racism
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