julesenglish's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I started this collection as an alternative to watching Candy Man. Although I thought each premise was interesting, I thought that each was missing enough character development to have me invested in the fates of our protagonists in each story.
Interestingly enough, I thought the short story that eventually became the Candy Man story was the weakest of the bunch. I was much more engrossed in the pool story with its commentary on masculinity as well as the frog racing in Greece on how high-level decisions get made. They were less traditionally "scary" then perhaps the prison story. I found the writing engrossing and loved how each story was totally different from the previous. It led to a feeling that you could not anticipate where the next chapter would take you. I don't know if I'm just not a short story person, because I didn't much care about the final fates of our main characters. I don't think I will read the rest of the series but I'm glad that I attempted this collection.
Interestingly enough, I thought the short story that eventually became the Candy Man story was the weakest of the bunch. I was much more engrossed in the pool story with its commentary on masculinity as well as the frog racing in Greece on how high-level decisions get made. They were less traditionally "scary" then perhaps the prison story. I found the writing engrossing and loved how each story was totally different from the previous. It led to a feeling that you could not anticipate where the next chapter would take you. I don't know if I'm just not a short story person, because I didn't much care about the final fates of our main characters. I don't think I will read the rest of the series but I'm glad that I attempted this collection.
brokenbacktango's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Minor: Transphobia
karynb's review against another edition
5.0
Solid collection that's all over the map genre-wise. Might be my second favourite Book of Blood after the first. Only one left to go before tackling his novels.
Favourite story: The Forbidden
Favourite story: The Forbidden
alicia88's review against another edition
3.75
Really wanted to read the story Candyman is based on & it was pretty great.
deanpeters's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
4.5
wllmrlw's review against another edition
Just wanted to read the first story that inspired Candyman
jmtowers's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
dasrach's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
acanthae's review against another edition
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75