loyaultemelie's review against another edition
3.0
Funny how one's opinions of books can ebb and flow. When I last read this I gave it a 5/5, and gushed about it incessantly. It was a favorite of mine, and it still holds a special place in my heart no doubt. However in rereading it I found I cannot give it the same rating as before.
I struggled with the rating for a while, I'm still struggling with the rating. A 3.5/5 would probably be most accurate. It was much slower reading this time, maybe because of my mood, maybe because I found some of the actions of the characters so exasperating. The sexual assault definitely didn't help, as my opinions on that have hardened over time. I also have run into another “15 year olds don't act like that” kind of book, but that's a larger trend to be, in my opinion, gotten rid of. Still there is a wonderful story hidden beneath that, I can't deny that this is one of the most original YA horror books I've read. I also liked the focus on Irish myth, although interpretation is key in whether you consider the Tuatha de Dannan to be Sidhe or not.
I'd say on rereading the best characters were the supporting cast. Kinda depressing since they basically all died. Maybe it's because hardened girl winning cause the power of love is annoying. Same with the antagonist. Does it always have to be attraction?
In the end I'd say read it. It can be gorey at times, and yes sometimes it does feel gratuitous. But I wouldn't say my younger self was completely off the mark in loving it, and it's not quite ready to get taken off my shelf yet.
Oh and also I didn't think a sequel was necessary so I probably won't be rereading that one.
I struggled with the rating for a while, I'm still struggling with the rating. A 3.5/5 would probably be most accurate. It was much slower reading this time, maybe because of my mood, maybe because I found some of the actions of the characters so exasperating. The sexual assault definitely didn't help, as my opinions on that have hardened over time. I also have run into another “15 year olds don't act like that” kind of book, but that's a larger trend to be, in my opinion, gotten rid of. Still there is a wonderful story hidden beneath that, I can't deny that this is one of the most original YA horror books I've read. I also liked the focus on Irish myth, although interpretation is key in whether you consider the Tuatha de Dannan to be Sidhe or not.
I'd say on rereading the best characters were the supporting cast. Kinda depressing since they basically all died. Maybe it's because hardened girl winning cause the power of love is annoying. Same with the antagonist. Does it always have to be attraction?
In the end I'd say read it. It can be gorey at times, and yes sometimes it does feel gratuitous. But I wouldn't say my younger self was completely off the mark in loving it, and it's not quite ready to get taken off my shelf yet.
Oh and also I didn't think a sequel was necessary so I probably won't be rereading that one.
taylorreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this, it was creepy and intense and totally not what I expected! I enjoy reading works from authors from other countries, I like seeing the differences in their writing. I also LOVED the setting in northern Ireland and the description of the Gray World. I see people asking if there will be a sequel... I really hope not, this was a really good stand alone that I highly recommend.
theassofiron's review against another edition
3.0
This book has such a great premise and the first 3/4 were very good imo. Where it loses me is
And if that wasn't enough, I was also hoping that Nessa would survive her call by her own merit, but nope. It's pretty much 100% because of Connor's deal with the sidhe.
Overall very disappointed with the way this book ended.
Spoiler
the fact that the sidhe are canonically the indigenous people of ireland but are painted as the villain the ENTIRE book. I kept expecting there to be a twist where the sidhe are not the good guys necessarily but it shows that like the humans are in fact in the wrong for upholding this treaty. But nope, the sidhe trying to get back to their actual homelands (yes, by extremely fucked up means) are painted as the no nuance villains the whole time. Surprising from an Irish author.And if that wasn't enough, I was also hoping that Nessa would survive her call by her own merit, but nope. It's pretty much 100% because of Connor's deal with the sidhe.
Overall very disappointed with the way this book ended.
kitsunebi_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of the ARC through I Read YA. Everything about this title reeled me in, but it didn't keep me interested and invested like I thought it would. While I was reading it it was interesting, when I put it down though I found it really easy to pick up anther book and forget about The Call.
Interesting premise. you will eventually find yourself rooting for the characters, however Nessa became annoying to me. Love the use of Irish mythology though.
Interesting premise. you will eventually find yourself rooting for the characters, however Nessa became annoying to me. Love the use of Irish mythology though.
geldauran's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very quick read- I read it in one sitting. It was written in present tense, which I normally hate, but works for the fast paced, POV swapping nature of the book. It's very grim but in a sort of fascinating way. I definitely liked it more than I thought I would, and it would have been a 4 star rating but overall the writing needs a little bit of polishing.
bbankemper's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
mandyist's review against another edition
3.0
I hadn't even heard of this series before but saw it pop up on a friend's timeline. All I had to see were #fae and #dystopia in the tags and I was sold.
The Call is dark and gritty and reminds me a lot of Sally Green's Half Bad series. I agree with many other reviewers, the writing is weird, with sudden jumps to multiple points of view (sometimes mid-paragraph) but there's a super creepy story here and I enjoyed it.
The Call is dark and gritty and reminds me a lot of Sally Green's Half Bad series. I agree with many other reviewers, the writing is weird, with sudden jumps to multiple points of view (sometimes mid-paragraph) but there's a super creepy story here and I enjoyed it.