celinewyp's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
zoemaja's review
3.0
Clever and fun, I liked it. I would have liked more about the other worlds, but I think that is the next book.
emilyhathcock's review
3.0
I got this book as one of my Kindle First picks and it stayed in my Kindle for the better part of a year (at least) - I read it in small sections over lunch and in waiting rooms, and it felt like it took forever for me to actually get hooked enough to finish it. It started out strong, but the middle section seemed to drag. I can't say I won't read the sequel though, as the ending and the world-building intrigued me enough to want to know more.
jvar's review
4.0
This was an interesting story which I realize felt all along like an elaborate set up, which it still might be. It hurt my heart in a lot of places because people can be awful and I suppose that it was a trigger for me in how people can justify being cruel.
That being said, it was a different story of following one's yearning to be where they fit, and I did enjoy it.
That being said, it was a different story of following one's yearning to be where they fit, and I did enjoy it.
blsphms's review
5.0
This was an exceptional read. Everything about it was mesmerizing and unique. I've never quite read anything like this.
The prose was dream-like, and so captivating. Tsao did a wonderful job in incorporating the surreal fantasy of Murgatroyd in her prose, and everything came together in a magical way.
I highly recommend this.
I was in a trance from start to finish.
The prose was dream-like, and so captivating. Tsao did a wonderful job in incorporating the surreal fantasy of Murgatroyd in her prose, and everything came together in a magical way.
I highly recommend this.
I was in a trance from start to finish.
alibrareads's review
3.0
That was definitely not what I expected it to be. The beginning had me laughing at the absurdity of poor Murgatroyd's situation, but as the book went on the things that originally had me grinning soon had me shaking my head in disbelief and pity. Absurdism in books is really hit or miss with me. This one was done okay, but it was just so... Awful! This poor kid was forcibly stunted in his growth as a functional human being by his own parents from the day he was born, helped along by the unseen forces of our Known World itself. He lives a miserable existence of constant and intentional abuse and doesn't know any different, seeing the acts as love because it's all he knows.
One quote in particular made me sad, because it sort of resonated with me. I've had those same thoughts before: "Wasn't that enough? Wasn't that all one should expect from life? To be almost content some of the time?"
If the protagonist wasn't such a hopeless simpleton then I think I would have enjoyed this book more. Poor Murgatroyd is so hapless that as a reader on his side you have this one hope dangled in front of you, but the slow journey towards it feels so desperate and difficult that it's hard to feel positive at any point during this book. And it isn't his fault, as the book explains; the whole world is literally trying to kill him, and that's why it's so sad, but it's also frustrating.
I also didn't realize this book was the first of a duology. This first book is all backstory and setup for what I think I expected the book to be like originally: traveling to the mysterious More Known World that we get tantalizing tastes of. The mental image of of a blue sanded beach was really neat! I'm not sure if I necessarily want to read the sequel... From its blurb and the way this first book ended it sounds like there will be more adventure and action, plus its such a short series, maybe I'll find a way to get it digitally rather than a hardcopy.
Overall it was quite an interesting read. Heavier in subject matter than I ever expected.
One quote in particular made me sad, because it sort of resonated with me. I've had those same thoughts before: "Wasn't that enough? Wasn't that all one should expect from life? To be almost content some of the time?"
If the protagonist wasn't such a hopeless simpleton then I think I would have enjoyed this book more. Poor Murgatroyd is so hapless that as a reader on his side you have this one hope dangled in front of you, but the slow journey towards it feels so desperate and difficult that it's hard to feel positive at any point during this book. And it isn't his fault, as the book explains; the whole world is literally trying to kill him, and that's why it's so sad, but it's also frustrating.
I also didn't realize this book was the first of a duology. This first book is all backstory and setup for what I think I expected the book to be like originally: traveling to the mysterious More Known World that we get tantalizing tastes of. The mental image of of a blue sanded beach was really neat! I'm not sure if I necessarily want to read the sequel... From its blurb and the way this first book ended it sounds like there will be more adventure and action, plus its such a short series, maybe I'll find a way to get it digitally rather than a hardcopy.
Overall it was quite an interesting read. Heavier in subject matter than I ever expected.
cathi_p's review
1.0
I got this book as an Amazon prime freebie and decided to finally read it because I received the 2nd book from a Goodreads giveaway. Terrible story. When the author didn't know how to progress the story she made lists, told irrelevant back stories, or provided unnecessary details. There is not a likeable character in the whole book. I probably will never read book #2.
sephranix's review
2.0
How to describe this book... it was certainly odd, but most of the book just felt like someone rambling about how sucky Murgatroyd's life was. Everyone around him sucked. I read this because I got it for free as a Kindle First book, and I guess I'll at least skim the next one since I won it in a Goodreads giveaway.