A review by tashadandelion
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton

adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I don't even know where to start with this book. OK, I'll start with the quality of the writing mechanics -- smooth and readable, a page-turner's worth of fast-moving, byzantine plot. Then there's the actual plot itself -- completely impossible to guess where it's going, and the switchbacks on the road to the climax are dizzying and constant. In a word, this plot is BONKERS. No, you will never, ever guess it before the full insanity is unveiled to you, because it's intricate, complicated, and you're not given enough hints to figure it all out (maybe, like 25% of it you'll kind of-sort of have a suspicion about in all fairness but the rest? Nah.). So don't bother -- just read along and enjoy the rollercoaster. Oh, and if it bothers you when the author goes on and on about pockets in clothing in the early 17th century or people speak to each other using modern-day phrasing, just Stuff Those Feelings right down, because his afterword openly apologizes to people who care about such things and he admits to throwing out realistic details like that because, well, he feels like it. Points for the honesty and cutting us pedants off at the pass! Anyway, if you like intricate mysteries with a touch of historical weirdness, or maybe if you're just someone who really, really hates the people who hunted witches and demons in the 17th century, this book is totes for you. If you hate boats, avoid. 
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