znnys's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book. There's a very dark and dry creativity in this post-apocalyptic landscape that felt very reminiscent to me of two other similar stories that I love, which are Fallout: New Vegas and A Canticle for Liebowitz - the former for it's Weird Western setting and the latter for it's post-apocalyptic Catholicism. Desert Creatures, however, is much more liberal with genre, exploring fantastical elements that feel as baffling as they are natural. I especially loved .
Chronister does a fantastic job at painting a scene and making you feel the heat and dryness of the desert. I listened to about half of it as an audiobook and there were moments where I yelled out loud in frustration - not because I think it was badly written, but because the characters were making so many illogical, yet incredibly believable mistakes. This is a book populated by deeply imperfect and flawed characters, but you cannot help but feel an attachment to our main characters, as they feel incredibly real.
I don't think it's as bleak and hopeless as so many other reviewers imply - it's a dark story in a very miserable world, and above all else it is a western, with all the genre-defining elements that accompany such. I liked that Chrostiner created a miserable world, and adhered to this limitation when other writers might give up and search for settings that allow for more convenience and kindness. I also loved that a lot of details that were presented early on were wrapped up neatly by the end - the only loose thread that frustrated me was But I can concede that in real life there isn't always a satisfying conclusion to injustice, and the fact that was enough for me.
Overall really fantastic and unique book.
Spoiler
the ghost of Saint Elkhana haunting Magdala as she carries his stolen bonesChronister does a fantastic job at painting a scene and making you feel the heat and dryness of the desert. I listened to about half of it as an audiobook and there were moments where I yelled out loud in frustration - not because I think it was badly written, but because the characters were making so many illogical, yet incredibly believable mistakes. This is a book populated by deeply imperfect and flawed characters, but you cannot help but feel an attachment to our main characters, as they feel incredibly real.
I don't think it's as bleak and hopeless as so many other reviewers imply - it's a dark story in a very miserable world, and above all else it is a western, with all the genre-defining elements that accompany such. I liked that Chrostiner created a miserable world, and adhered to this limitation when other writers might give up and search for settings that allow for more convenience and kindness. I also loved that a lot of details that were presented early on were wrapped up neatly by the end - the only loose thread that frustrated me was
Spoiler
Rawley, who I had very much wanted to see finally be reckoned with.Spoiler
Dulcinea survived and had reclaimed Caput Lupinum for herselfOverall really fantastic and unique book.
finedanddandy's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
aardwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Better catholic horror than all the chanting in robes and smoke curling around gilding in the world, and effectively creepy. My brain is Like That, so I did keep wondering when in time we were, that people had had time for generations of traditions and new myths and yet everything left of the old civilization was still just kinda... sitting there, slightly the worse for wear. Felt a little like Fallout scenery sometimes, not in a bad way, just in a, huh, what way. A good spin on an end of the world, and frankly desert horror is an under-utilized angle.
crosales5's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
caitsidhe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
a lovely, complicated, strange, sad little book.
beforethefever's review against another edition
i think some parts of the book could’ve hit a little harder with a better writing style but this book was full of imagination & vivid imagery it was definitely an enjoyable readÂ
adam_penny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
anaveragelife's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5