A review by bobbyclark
Black Helicopters by Caitlín R. Kiernan
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Black helicopters is the second book in Caitlin R. Kiernan’s tinfoil dossier novella series and unfortunately, for me, didn’t quite live up to its predecessor (even though this story was apparently written before Agents of Dreamland).
Firstly, I love this world of occult agencies vying to stave off inevitable eldritch apocalypses that Kiernan has imagined. While AoD is a more noir-like detective story reminiscent of The X-files, Black Helicopters is full on, spy game, espionage and I am here for that. However, once I started getting deeper into Kiernan’s signature abstract, time jumping, chapters, I realized that the connecting threads between them are much thinner than they were in AoD. Certain parts felt convoluted and reading this teetered more towards tedious than “mysteriously captivating.” Upon finishing, I do feel like I was able to grasp what all was happening. Although, I would not be surprised if I missed some clues, details, or butterfly flaps, scattered among this 200 page, but two century long, apocalyptic, quantum, chess match of a story.
Also, the eldritch horror kind of takes a back seat compared to AoD. More of a small set dressing for the larger story at hand. However, the short moments of Lovecraftian nightmare’s emerging from the sea are very cool.
Not my favorite, but I will continue to read any and all stories that take place in this world; I love it so much. So, bring on #3.
Firstly, I love this world of occult agencies vying to stave off inevitable eldritch apocalypses that Kiernan has imagined. While AoD is a more noir-like detective story reminiscent of The X-files, Black Helicopters is full on, spy game, espionage and I am here for that. However, once I started getting deeper into Kiernan’s signature abstract, time jumping, chapters, I realized that the connecting threads between them are much thinner than they were in AoD. Certain parts felt convoluted and reading this teetered more towards tedious than “mysteriously captivating.” Upon finishing, I do feel like I was able to grasp what all was happening. Although, I would not be surprised if I missed some clues, details, or butterfly flaps, scattered among this 200 page, but two century long, apocalyptic, quantum, chess match of a story.
Also, the eldritch horror kind of takes a back seat compared to AoD. More of a small set dressing for the larger story at hand. However, the short moments of Lovecraftian nightmare’s emerging from the sea are very cool.
Not my favorite, but I will continue to read any and all stories that take place in this world; I love it so much. So, bring on #3.