thelittlelogophile's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.0
violetpapillon's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
heyhay's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
ikepauh's review against another edition
5.0
I was hooked from start to finish. Not as gripping as 'The Last Hour of Gann' but still, I wasn't always sure what would happen next. Why so? Maybe because a large chunk of the book was set in Haven as opposed to say, in the Last Hour of Gann where Meoraq and Amber travel vast distances (another great R.Lee Smith book yall should check out). Nonetheless, I was totally blindsided by Lan dying from radiation poisoning.
The story of a not-Man and his dolly. How I wished I was articulate enough and up to the task of writing a review that this book deserves! Not-Man and dolly are gross descriptions of what Azrael and Lan are...so ignore that. And reading being BORING? Puh-lease, sis...don't get me started! Then again, she was raised in a different world, a different time....
4 stars
onebraveleap's review against another edition
5.0
The Heroine
Life doesn’t wait for you to be ready.
Lan is the kind of headstrong, independent, stubborn heroine with a bigger attitude that sucks me into the story immediately. She knows who she is, she knows what she wants, and she is going to get it. She is the opposite of me and I love that. She has made her choice and she does not weaver. She does not falter in her goals. She stands up to a God (Azrael) and she isn’t afraid of what he will do. She is so focused and determined to achieve her goal that she isn’t afraid of the consequences. Her main goal is to convince Azrael to end the Eaters. Humans don’t stand a chance fighting off the Eaters and everyone knows it. They arrive in hordes and when a human dies they become one unless their burned. Villages and towns are getting wiped out by them and Lan’s only goal is to use and means she can and find a way to stop them.
The Hero?
Azrael was the God of all that remained of this world, God and Devil both. His was the only power. His was the only law. He was immoveable, impervious, eternal.
Azrael is death and life in one. I thought he might have been a zombie at first, but he isn’t. He is a singularity. He was born and he will never die. They tried to kill him the moment he was born centuries ago. He will never die. He can create undead though. He has over and over again. He also created the Eaters, which are zombie-like. He is not anyone’s typical hero/villain. He is scarred and hideious is so many ways. He is scarred, hideous looking even. Bones jutting out, no real nose to speak of, riddled with bullet holes and other torturous things done to him. For every horror the humans have done to him, his body has not died, but the scars remain. Yuck! I know.
All this, but I do not die. I have been burned, beaten, starved, crushed, stabbed, torn. Do you know, little one, the exquisite pain of drowning? Not for moments or even minutes, but for years? I have felt ice forming in my blood and smelled the smoke of my own flesh. I have worn chains until they rusted through!
When at last they thought of entombing me, I embraced my captivity, though it meant aeons in the lonely dark, eternally dying of hunger and thirst, enduring the damp and the cold and the deafening silence, so tell me, o unhappy human, what is your suffering to mine?
Underneath all of his awful traits, his gross face and the torture he brings to his enimes, he is lonely. So, so lonely. All he has ever wanted was just to loved. He created his own children for companionship, but they turn on him because he has made them love him. All he really wants is peace and love and all he get in return is war and hatred.
The Story
R. Lee Smith is a genius at world building. She introduces us to this bleak post apocalyptic landscape through Lan’s eyes. We learn how his ascension destroyed the world leaving the rest of England to eek out an existence. But all that is turned inside out when Lan’s confront Azrael and we start to learn everything is not what it seems. The slow reveal of what has really happened to the world is brilliant. Azrael’s court is especially well done. No one wants for anything but everyone lives and dies based on Azael’s whims. And on a whim, Azrael shocks everyone by not immediately killing Lan allowing that slow reveal of what really happened and the society he’d created in Haven (London).
I know it doesn’t seem like it but this book does have a HEA. Lan and Azrael do fall in love eventually and we root for them to find a way to be together, but there are so very many bumps along the way. Lan starts to have a physical relationship with Azrael to stay in the estate and convince him to end the Eaters. All of his other lovers have faked their affections to get what they want, so Azrael doesn’t believe her when she reacts to his touch the way a real lover would. But he eventually comes to trust her and falls for her. He never really says the words, “I love you”, but shows her and anyway he can.
I recommend this book to anyone up for the challenge. The journey is not easy or fun at times but the there is a happily ever after that you can believe in.
Orginally published on TheLadyReader.com
oxfordcommaon's review against another edition
this book had NO (0, NONE!!!) business being this long.
mx_manda's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my goodness... where to even start with this one? Such a simple narrative and story line, but there's just so much going on in here that it's hard to digest and pick apart to analyze in a single reading.
Trigger/Content Warning: Suicide/self-harm
I really enjoyed this book. (Many seem to be of the opinion that this is Smith's weakest work. If that's the case, I'm beyond eager to delve into her other novels. I thought this was a perfectly fine place to start as my first Smith novel.) It was nearly perfection in my eyes; I can find very little fault with it. It was perhaps a little long-feeling in parts, due to the lack of action in the plot, but those parts were few and far between. The real meat of the story is in emotional development between two people (Lan and Azrael) who are products of a world where romance and emotions are as dead as it is.
Azrael's Ascension (the apocalypse?) happened approximately 30 years before this story takes place. No one knows for sure: time means nothing to the dead, and the living have better things to do than try to track its passage as they did in the before times. But in that time living humanity has lost almost everything. The Earth is scorched and dying. The average person is illiterate, rife with all manner of disease, dirty, hungry, and starts parceling out their body for barter at a gut-punchingly young age. (Seriously. It was so difficult to read how matter of fact everyone in this world is about trading their bodies for everything from food to travel. It made me feel physically ill whenever it was referenced.) Traveling even 20 miles is nearly impossible; the world is over-run by eaters, a nightmarish version of zombies dreamed up by Azrael as punishment to keep living humanity in their walled settlements and away from him and his beautiful dead in Haven. No one can simply die anymore; they all become Eaters in the end and must be disposed of in the most horrific way.
In contrast, dead humanity has a very different life style. Walled up in what once was London, the residents of Haven have everything the dead do not need to exist in the world: lavish banquets they have to sick up after, sturdy homes, full educations, fine clothing.... They are the keepers of the World that Was. The world now denied to living humanity, because of their reception of Azrael when he came from his underground prison. (As the story progresses, it's hard to feel much sympathy for Earth's final breathing inhabitants. They and those who came immediately before the Ascension were not their best selves and behave horribly. Every. Chance. They. Get.) Haven is a living (ha) relic; a museum dedicated to what Azrael feels was the best humanity had to offer throughout our short time on the planet. He and the dead are safe-keeping it for...? It's hard to say, as over time there are fewer and fewer humans alive to possibly pick up the pieces and try to rebuild. It seems to be mostly for his own peace of mind and an attempt to assuage his remorse at how terribly awful the consequences of his actions are.
So one can imagine how impossible a setting this world is to build true affection for anyone else in. How do you ever allow the vulnerability needed to truly trust when all you've known is trying to get the best possible deal you can with all the pieces you possess? When you need to violently protect everything you can and keep it deeply hidden? How does a man whose literal first moments after birth are so terrible learn to recognize, appreciate, or inspire any tender feelings in anyone? When all he's known since the beginning of mankind is cruelty, aggression, and pain? When his own face horrifies and disgusts even himself?
This is the bulk of the story, and why some might find it tedious. The conflict is so simple on the surface but so incredibly sticky and murky in its depths. How does Lan try to negotiate the end of the Eaters with Azrael who refuses to end them no matter what, and what happens when both start to change and head into unknown, vulnerable territory... no matter how much they both fight and try to shove it away? They're both so damaged and scared, how could one not Feel for them? Due to the length of the story, there is plenty of room to develop these characters and their relationship in a way that doesn't feel rushed or forced.
All of the secondary characters are equally well-developed and enjoyable to read. I did not have the problem of forgetting who some of them are, which happens to me in most reads. They all felt like distinct and easy to identify individuals. I cared about all of them, even when they were terrible.
Overall, this is an excellent romance that I would like to revisit in the future to see what I missed during my first read through.
Trigger/Content Warning: Suicide/self-harm
I really enjoyed this book. (Many seem to be of the opinion that this is Smith's weakest work. If that's the case, I'm beyond eager to delve into her other novels. I thought this was a perfectly fine place to start as my first Smith novel.) It was nearly perfection in my eyes; I can find very little fault with it. It was perhaps a little long-feeling in parts, due to the lack of action in the plot, but those parts were few and far between. The real meat of the story is in emotional development between two people (Lan and Azrael) who are products of a world where romance and emotions are as dead as it is.
Azrael's Ascension (the apocalypse?) happened approximately 30 years before this story takes place. No one knows for sure: time means nothing to the dead, and the living have better things to do than try to track its passage as they did in the before times. But in that time living humanity has lost almost everything. The Earth is scorched and dying. The average person is illiterate, rife with all manner of disease, dirty, hungry, and starts parceling out their body for barter at a gut-punchingly young age. (Seriously. It was so difficult to read how matter of fact everyone in this world is about trading their bodies for everything from food to travel. It made me feel physically ill whenever it was referenced.) Traveling even 20 miles is nearly impossible; the world is over-run by eaters, a nightmarish version of zombies dreamed up by Azrael as punishment to keep living humanity in their walled settlements and away from him and his beautiful dead in Haven. No one can simply die anymore; they all become Eaters in the end and must be disposed of in the most horrific way.
In contrast, dead humanity has a very different life style. Walled up in what once was London, the residents of Haven have everything the dead do not need to exist in the world: lavish banquets they have to sick up after, sturdy homes, full educations, fine clothing.... They are the keepers of the World that Was. The world now denied to living humanity, because of their reception of Azrael when he came from his underground prison. (As the story progresses, it's hard to feel much sympathy for Earth's final breathing inhabitants. They and those who came immediately before the Ascension were not their best selves and behave horribly. Every. Chance. They. Get.) Haven is a living (ha) relic; a museum dedicated to what Azrael feels was the best humanity had to offer throughout our short time on the planet. He and the dead are safe-keeping it for...? It's hard to say, as over time there are fewer and fewer humans alive to possibly pick up the pieces and try to rebuild. It seems to be mostly for his own peace of mind and an attempt to assuage his remorse at how terribly awful the consequences of his actions are.
So one can imagine how impossible a setting this world is to build true affection for anyone else in. How do you ever allow the vulnerability needed to truly trust when all you've known is trying to get the best possible deal you can with all the pieces you possess? When you need to violently protect everything you can and keep it deeply hidden? How does a man whose literal first moments after birth are so terrible learn to recognize, appreciate, or inspire any tender feelings in anyone? When all he's known since the beginning of mankind is cruelty, aggression, and pain? When his own face horrifies and disgusts even himself?
This is the bulk of the story, and why some might find it tedious. The conflict is so simple on the surface but so incredibly sticky and murky in its depths. How does Lan try to negotiate the end of the Eaters with Azrael who refuses to end them no matter what, and what happens when both start to change and head into unknown, vulnerable territory... no matter how much they both fight and try to shove it away? They're both so damaged and scared, how could one not Feel for them? Due to the length of the story, there is plenty of room to develop these characters and their relationship in a way that doesn't feel rushed or forced.
All of the secondary characters are equally well-developed and enjoyable to read. I did not have the problem of forgetting who some of them are, which happens to me in most reads. They all felt like distinct and easy to identify individuals. I cared about all of them, even when they were terrible.
Overall, this is an excellent romance that I would like to revisit in the future to see what I missed during my first read through.
flerkamary's review against another edition
4.0
Almost dnf several times. This is a great story but too dark for my liking. Also this was 100% page turner that kept me from sleeping.
yoopiedoopie's review against another edition
the premise that this god of death just takes her in on a whim because she happens to be the first person in so long to treat him like just another person is completely unbelievable, but it would have been fine had there been some chemistry or attraction or some sort of cleverness on the heroine's part to keep her there
but lan just kind of screams and shouts and refuses to get any smarter about her demands and continues with the same bargain as before and the only reason we're given for this happening is apparently azrael has weakened to her which is honestly stupid given that nothing shes done seems remotely endearing
not to mention that the conversations azrael has with her just highlight how dumb she is it's impossible to ignore
anyway one can understand why lan is the way she is given her background but she doesnt try to improve
but lan just kind of screams and shouts and refuses to get any smarter about her demands and continues with the same bargain as before and the only reason we're given for this happening is apparently azrael has weakened to her which is honestly stupid given that nothing shes done seems remotely endearing
not to mention that the conversations azrael has with her just highlight how dumb she is it's impossible to ignore
anyway one can understand why lan is the way she is given her background but she doesnt try to improve
an_honest_puck's review against another edition
1.0
Pros:
-An interesting take on the post-apocalyptic zombie setting
-Good writing that does not shy away from depicting all skin-crawling horrors, atrocities, and gory details
-A marvelous and highly intriguing Male Lead
-Some great side characters (I want to personally gift Master Wickham a 'Best Undead Teacher' mug)
Cons:
- STUPID BITCHY LAN: the peabrained Female Lead with the emotional intelligence of a sack of potatoes. She has single-handedly ruined my enjoyment of reading this book. I have never before encountered a Heroine that annoyed me, angered me, gave me painful second-hand embarrassment as much as this halfwit did.
---Rant incoming---
Lan is the most unlikable character I have had the displeasure of reading about. Lan is dumb as rocks, obnoxious, childish, extremely tone-deaf, a huge hypocrite, and a selfish, ungrateful girl that gives off huge 'I'm not like the other girls' and 'Pick Me' vibes simultaneously. And the worst part is that she doesn't get any better. Lan is a passive, static character that goes through little to no growth or development. How you meet her is how you will find her at the end of the novel. I loathed Lan :|. Serafina's feelings mirror my own:
This novel deserved a better heroine. I am sincerely sorry and feel shame in its characters' behalf, that they got Lan. If I were stuck, holding a gun with two bullets, inside a room with an Eater and Lan, I would shoot Lan twice, simply out of pure spite.
If anyone is considering picking up Land of The Beautiful Dead, but doesn't want to suffer through this hell, I recommend reading the author's other much superior book, [b:Cottonwood|17563213|Cottonwood|R. Lee Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1362690504l/17563213._SX50_.jpg|24495752], instead.
-An interesting take on the post-apocalyptic zombie setting
-Good writing that does not shy away from depicting all skin-crawling horrors, atrocities, and gory details
-A marvelous and highly intriguing Male Lead
-Some great side characters (I want to personally gift Master Wickham a 'Best Undead Teacher' mug)
Cons:
- STUPID BITCHY LAN: the peabrained Female Lead with the emotional intelligence of a sack of potatoes. She has single-handedly ruined my enjoyment of reading this book. I have never before encountered a Heroine that annoyed me, angered me, gave me painful second-hand embarrassment as much as this halfwit did.
---Rant incoming---
Lan is the most unlikable character I have had the displeasure of reading about. Lan is dumb as rocks, obnoxious, childish, extremely tone-deaf, a huge hypocrite, and a selfish, ungrateful girl that gives off huge 'I'm not like the other girls' and 'Pick Me' vibes simultaneously. And the worst part is that she doesn't get any better. Lan is a passive, static character that goes through little to no growth or development. How you meet her is how you will find her at the end of the novel. I loathed Lan :|. Serafina's feelings mirror my own:
Serafina’s pretty face twisted with disdain. “He changed the world for you. What further declaration do you require?”
“I don’t expect you to understand, but sometimes a lady needs to hear the words.”
Serafina sniffed and went back to the wardrobe for a pair of slippers. “You are the most appallingly selfish creature I’ve ever met.”
This novel deserved a better heroine. I am sincerely sorry and feel shame in its characters' behalf, that they got Lan. If I were stuck, holding a gun with two bullets, inside a room with an Eater and Lan, I would shoot Lan twice, simply out of pure spite.
If anyone is considering picking up Land of The Beautiful Dead, but doesn't want to suffer through this hell, I recommend reading the author's other much superior book, [b:Cottonwood|17563213|Cottonwood|R. Lee Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1362690504l/17563213._SX50_.jpg|24495752], instead.