marklpotter's review against another edition
4.0
Miriam is back and in my opinion this is the best book in the series so far. We get see Miriam really deal with her gift and it's consequences. Couple that with the large amount of backstory and our heroine becomes so much more than she was in the other books. I really like the serial killer aspect in this one, the way Miriam's gift is used against her, and how helpless the whole situation feels. My only complaint is that the abuse that Miriam takes in this, and hell the other books, would incapacitate just about anyone. But that's it, the sum total of my complaint.
I like the setting moving to Florida for this one and think that Wendig captures that FL feel. Well, at least based on other fiction I've read that's based in Florida. So I guess Wendig captures that Florida fiction feel really well, which is all I could really ask for.
Using Miriam's visions and killing people she's going to come in to contact with is a genius move on the part of Wendig. It plays well in to the grit he does so well. I don't always like the way this story was framed. The whole FBI interrogation being the basis for the story doesn't always play well. The trope was alright here but it did feel superfluous through most of the book. But I think Wendig would win "Best Of Use Of Chekhov's Gun" if that were a category.
I was going to talk more about the story but I'm tired, supposed to be working, and this is third book in a series. If you're this far in to the series then you should read it based on sheer bloody mindedness. If you're not then talking about the story here isn't going to convince you one way or another, but you should at least read Blackbird and give this series a shot!
I like the setting moving to Florida for this one and think that Wendig captures that FL feel. Well, at least based on other fiction I've read that's based in Florida. So I guess Wendig captures that Florida fiction feel really well, which is all I could really ask for.
Using Miriam's visions and killing people she's going to come in to contact with is a genius move on the part of Wendig. It plays well in to the grit he does so well. I don't always like the way this story was framed. The whole FBI interrogation being the basis for the story doesn't always play well. The trope was alright here but it did feel superfluous through most of the book. But I think Wendig would win "Best Of Use Of Chekhov's Gun" if that were a category.
I was going to talk more about the story but I'm tired, supposed to be working, and this is third book in a series. If you're this far in to the series then you should read it based on sheer bloody mindedness. If you're not then talking about the story here isn't going to convince you one way or another, but you should at least read Blackbird and give this series a shot!
joshgauthier's review against another edition
4.0
Wendig takes pitch black fantasy noir and makes it art. With a trail of bodies behind her--more and more of them killed by her own hand--Miriam Black is trying to escape the supernatural conflict closing in around her. But there's another killer out there, and this time, it's personal. Wendig captures the grit and grime, the violence and despair of Miriam's tortured life, but run through with moments of hope and glimmers of light, this third book in the series is never just shock value. Visceral brutality sits side by side with moments of beautiful imagery in this newest chapter of one woman cursed with death and knowledge, and her journey to maybe find something good in a world that rarely wants her.
storyman's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed
Enjoyed the book a little less than the previous two, but still a good ride. Wendig has a rat-a-tat-tat style I like, but here he uses the word “like” a bit too much (such and such happened “like” a beetle rolling a dung ball up a pyramid - a few too many of them).
Will read the next.
Enjoyed the book a little less than the previous two, but still a good ride. Wendig has a rat-a-tat-tat style I like, but here he uses the word “like” a bit too much (such and such happened “like” a beetle rolling a dung ball up a pyramid - a few too many of them).
Will read the next.
barefootboh's review against another edition
4.0
The Miriam Black series is fun, bloody, and profane and continues to improve with each book.
pygment's review against another edition
4.0
I remembered, after the first night, I need not to read these books until it's time for bed. I need something else in my mind or my dreams will be seriously messed up. As I said before these books are not for the faint of heart.
kesg2021's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.0
artsymusings's review against another edition
5.0
When you want your most hated character in the book to die the worst death possible and he fucking does. Amen.
This book, though. So fucked up and awesome.
This book, though. So fucked up and awesome.
rachelini's review against another edition
4.0
These books are creepy and weird and pretty much impossible to forget.
nuevecuervos's review against another edition
5.0
I have to say, I enjoyed this more than Mockingbirds, honestly. The hook of the killer baiting Miriam by leaving her messages with the deaths that he knew she was going to see was an absolutely brilliant way of using her curse!gift in service of the plot, and the execution was pretty flawless for an action-thriller-urban fantasy story. Miriam is deeply screwed up, and I still kind of love that about her. The progression of her bird connection is great, and I'm looking forward to her Colorado trip.