Scan barcode
themoonphoenix's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
3.5
erickibler4's review against another edition
4.0
This made the ten-best list of the New York Times this year. I don't know whether it deserves that accolade, but it's a very good adventure yarn, with whaling, frozen wastes, man versus nature, and murder.
ssstratton's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
nathan4meyer's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
giro_revuescope's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I was really looking forward to my hold coming in and then SO disappointed, wow.
Where is the rest of the damn book? If I'm reading a trapped in the frozen north story I expect a long haul! I shouldn't be able to finish it in a day because the author didn't bother to actually write any of the trapped in the frozen north bits!
Some of the plot is interesting but the laziness of presentation and the astoundingly high slurs/page ratio really got to me. I'm not pearlclutchy about language (I recently LOVED Devil In A Blue Dress) but after a certain point you have to establish why you're doing it and there seemed to be no reason other than that he COULD which was not sufficient for me. MELVILLE MANAGED GODDAMN SOMEHOW.
Also don't tease a dual narrative and then get lazy about writing the other POV! My god! What was the point!
Where is the rest of the damn book? If I'm reading a trapped in the frozen north story I expect a long haul! I shouldn't be able to finish it in a day because the author didn't bother to actually write any of the trapped in the frozen north bits!
Some of the plot is interesting but the laziness of presentation and the astoundingly high slurs/page ratio really got to me. I'm not pearlclutchy about language (I recently LOVED Devil In A Blue Dress) but after a certain point you have to establish why you're doing it and there seemed to be no reason other than that he COULD which was not sufficient for me. MELVILLE MANAGED GODDAMN SOMEHOW.
Also don't tease a dual narrative and then get lazy about writing the other POV! My god! What was the point!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Xenophobia
farmpaws's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written with vivid imagery and fascinating characters. McGuire transports you easily into the world of the story and all its vicious and brutal elements. The way he describes the scenery was particularly striking, perfectly capturing the distinct beauty and loneliness of the arctic. It was really interesting how he wove the three elements of the storyline (man vs man, man vs government, man vs nature) especially in a setting that is so isolated.
This would’ve been higher starred but the author has the unfortunate belief that using many slurs and extra-gross descriptions makes the story more grim and dark. Nothing would have changed had they been taken out and it was honestly more annoying than anything.
This would’ve been higher starred but the author has the unfortunate belief that using many slurs and extra-gross descriptions makes the story more grim and dark. Nothing would have changed had they been taken out and it was honestly more annoying than anything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Racism, Rape, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Cannibalism, and Colonisation
jeremy_felt's review against another edition
4.0
The repulsive detail, especially in the first chapter, brought to mind some of Cormac McCarthy's work. In the same vein, this was just as hard to put down once the story got going. A few adjustments and I'd probably nudge this to 5 stars.
chrisspeckwriter's review against another edition
4.0
A fine read
Excellently written, tight prose that paints this gruesome story out in grey. It's a bleak vision of whaling folk but an engaging one. Honest thanks for this engaging read.
Excellently written, tight prose that paints this gruesome story out in grey. It's a bleak vision of whaling folk but an engaging one. Honest thanks for this engaging read.