rosa3's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
librarianlorianna's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
yourclassicbooknerd's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
alsoapples's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
bookishwondergoth's review
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I really enjoyed this short story from the world of ‘His Dark Materials’ by Philip Pullman. Of the four short stories that have been published since ‘The Amber Spyglass’ concluded, this is hands down my favourite.
A portrait of a young woman and a monkey statue are mysteriously connected, and a couple of art collectors discuss them over drinks by the fire. Long time fans of the series will recognise the arts’ subject matter and appreciate the mysterious spooky goings on. We’re not offered answers but it doesn’t matter. My interest was piqued!
The story very much reminds me of the little gothic horror vignettes in Edgar Allan Pie’s ‘Tales of Mystery and Imagination’. The writing has a very nostalgic quality to it, and I was definitely hooked from the get go. Great stuff.
A portrait of a young woman and a monkey statue are mysteriously connected, and a couple of art collectors discuss them over drinks by the fire. Long time fans of the series will recognise the arts’ subject matter and appreciate the mysterious spooky goings on. We’re not offered answers but it doesn’t matter. My interest was piqued!
The story very much reminds me of the little gothic horror vignettes in Edgar Allan Pie’s ‘Tales of Mystery and Imagination’. The writing has a very nostalgic quality to it, and I was definitely hooked from the get go. Great stuff.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Death, and Murder
theelvencat's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
antivancrowe's review
3.0
Characters 3| Setting 3| Plot 3| Writing 5| Enjoyability 3
Overall Rating: 3.4
To be fair this novella was very short. You can't really do a lot with how much was written. I am a little disappointed because I thought we were gonna learn a lot more about Marisa, but what we really got was a little curse.
Get out of here daemons!
Anyway it was short and sweet and not that bad.
Overall Rating: 3.4
To be fair this novella was very short. You can't really do a lot with how much was written. I am a little disappointed because I thought we were gonna learn a lot more about Marisa, but what we really got was a little curse.
Get out of here daemons!
Anyway it was short and sweet and not that bad.
frispbabe's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
existenchellecrisis's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
2.5