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ktb_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
lisa_reads_a_lot's review against another edition
5.0
If you had the ability to pull a character from a book...who would it be?
A very different read for me that came to my attention through a newsletter by Joe Hill. I thoroughly enjoyed and would probably not have discovered it on my own.
A very different read for me that came to my attention through a newsletter by Joe Hill. I thoroughly enjoyed and would probably not have discovered it on my own.
pizzamyheart's review against another edition
I tried for over a month to enjoy this book. The premise was interesting, but I consistently felt lost. I didn't know most of the historical characters that were being referenced and names were coming so often it was hard to keep track. The pacing also felt disjointed. Shame because Parry's other book The Magician's Daughter was one of my favorite books from last year. This just threw too much at me too fast.
the_discworldian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kfmarback's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
whippycleric's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As an avid reader the blurb for this really appealed to me. It was also recommended by a friend with impeccable taste in books, and it didn't disappoint. Part of me wished I'd read David Copperfield but having read at least a few Dickens novels I had enough background knowledge to enjoy it.
Seeing some of your favourite characters from other books come to life and how they would behave in different situations is bound to be fun and the premise really lived up to what I was hoping for.
The plot itself is smoothly done and the mystery side worked well, keeping one guessing throughout. I can honestly say I predicted some of the reveal but missed a lot of it and was just plain wrong on many cases, looking back though there's plenty of foreshadowing which was really neatly done.
There're parts which can be a touch repetitive and it's pretty much the only thing keeping it from 5 stars, giving it less than 4.5 though would be a crime for me.
It's really refreshing to have a book which is emotional without the main relationship being a romantic one. Can't wait to read more by the same author in the future.
Seeing some of your favourite characters from other books come to life and how they would behave in different situations is bound to be fun and the premise really lived up to what I was hoping for.
The plot itself is smoothly done and the mystery side worked well, keeping one guessing throughout. I can honestly say I predicted some of the reveal but missed a lot of it and was just plain wrong on many cases, looking back though there's plenty of foreshadowing which was really neatly done.
There're parts which can be a touch repetitive and it's pretty much the only thing keeping it from 5 stars, giving it less than 4.5 though would be a crime for me.
It's really refreshing to have a book which is emotional without the main relationship being a romantic one. Can't wait to read more by the same author in the future.
jessicahcasey's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book. I am not a fan of Dickens and David Copperfield took me 18 months to get through so I honestly found the majority of this book fairly boring. I feel like it would have been better if it had been shorter.
stoker's review against another edition
5.0
This book was made for me idc if it has many flaws and the writing isn’t as beautiful as I usually like, this book is my new baby.
29/09/2024 adding more thoughts!
Ever since I finished this book, I've been thinking about it often. I mainly drift back to Charles' apartment and his stacks and stacks of books cluttered around his cosy little flat. These elements are vibrant and stick with you. The bookish vibe was something I desperately needed and I remembered that I was looking for these themes in The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. Charles was much more bookish and was more likeable for me than the MC in Morgenstern's Novel.
The reason why I loved this book so much was the sibling dynamic between Rob and Charles. The author was smart to have the book to be in Rob's PoV because it allowed for the sibling dynamic to be in the centre of the novel. I've never cared to read about siblings before but this book has uncovered a new aspect of books that I enjoy. the relationship between the two brothers felt real to me and their dialogue between each other was sometimes funny and heartwarming during tense scenes. There were times where I teared up and just wanted to hug them both.
This book took me so long to read but I kept picking it up. I do think this book could do with some editing and there were grammatical errors. Since it is a debut book, I can let it slide. The side characters did feel flat but honestly the two main characters carried it for me so I don't care.
Every time I see classics now I just think about this book. The author's love for classics and reading is woven into every word and binds the whole book together. I have now picked up a new book from the author that is coming out in October so I'll probably write a review of that one soon. I do also have another book on reserve too which is saying of how much I enjoyed this book. Yes it has flaws but i had so much fun and loved the MCs so until i reread the book, it will remain five stars. If you love books and classics, I highly suggest you pick this book up!
29/09/2024 adding more thoughts!
Ever since I finished this book, I've been thinking about it often. I mainly drift back to Charles' apartment and his stacks and stacks of books cluttered around his cosy little flat. These elements are vibrant and stick with you. The bookish vibe was something I desperately needed and I remembered that I was looking for these themes in The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. Charles was much more bookish and was more likeable for me than the MC in Morgenstern's Novel.
The reason why I loved this book so much was the sibling dynamic between Rob and Charles. The author was smart to have the book to be in Rob's PoV because it allowed for the sibling dynamic to be in the centre of the novel. I've never cared to read about siblings before but this book has uncovered a new aspect of books that I enjoy. the relationship between the two brothers felt real to me and their dialogue between each other was sometimes funny and heartwarming during tense scenes. There were times where I teared up and just wanted to hug them both.
This book took me so long to read but I kept picking it up. I do think this book could do with some editing and there were grammatical errors. Since it is a debut book, I can let it slide. The side characters did feel flat but honestly the two main characters carried it for me so I don't care.
Every time I see classics now I just think about this book. The author's love for classics and reading is woven into every word and binds the whole book together. I have now picked up a new book from the author that is coming out in October so I'll probably write a review of that one soon. I do also have another book on reserve too which is saying of how much I enjoyed this book. Yes it has flaws but i had so much fun and loved the MCs so until i reread the book, it will remain five stars. If you love books and classics, I highly suggest you pick this book up!
frumpburger's review against another edition
5.0
All I want to do lately is read...
From start to finish, I loved this book. An ode to literature, to literary analysis, to the written word generally, with complex characters (both human and literary), and with a fantasy bent a la Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (but, to my mind, much more enjoyable). Well-written, engaging, and an absolute pleasure to read.
Not going to bother with plot that others have summarized better and more completely than I could. I just loved this book.
From start to finish, I loved this book. An ode to literature, to literary analysis, to the written word generally, with complex characters (both human and literary), and with a fantasy bent a la Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (but, to my mind, much more enjoyable). Well-written, engaging, and an absolute pleasure to read.
Not going to bother with plot that others have summarized better and more completely than I could. I just loved this book.
cdebnath's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0