maelstrom712's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
X-files meets The Twilight Zone in this SFF novella. Featuring a cast of bitter, nihilistic characters doing their best to make the most out of a terrible situation. Follow the Signalman as he investigates the suspicious death of a woman and the consequences of said death.
The book changes perspective each chapter to tell the story, utilizing the different personalities and thoughts to give depth and substance to a relatively procedural story. Kiernan excels at characterization and making a seemingly simply event to a riveting and tense read.
The book changes perspective each chapter to tell the story, utilizing the different personalities and thoughts to give depth and substance to a relatively procedural story. Kiernan excels at characterization and making a seemingly simply event to a riveting and tense read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Body horror, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Gore, Murder, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Spoiler
Cults and their indoctrination and ideology are a prominent part of the plot, and we follow a character as she "joins" the cult. Another character sees a possible future where a fungal disease has spread throughout the USA, reminiscent of an epidemic.
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