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A review by cynicaltrilobite
Dreadful Company by Vivian Shaw
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Top 10 Reasons to Never Go to Paris
I am absolutely in love with this series. I firmly believe that Shaw's biggest strength as a writer comes from her ability to write characters. Every one of them has such life and personality and even the ones you don't like as much (Corvin you motherfucker). Greta seems to have more character herself in this sequel and I really enjoyed how she takes charge of the shitty situation she finds herself in and manages to escape it.
As awful as they are, Corvin and his coven are absolutely wonderful villains. Shaw achieves the very difficult task of making fun antagonists that I was also chomping at the bit to see get their comeuppance. Also, fantastic work in making me feel bad for the train wreck that was Lillith.
My biggest complaint about the last book was fixed as well! Varney is a much stronger character this go around, and I can actually understand why he and Greta gravitate towards one another. Also, lord in mercy Varney on the airplane was hysterical. The fact that he ends the story as a humble monster sanctuary owner is just *chefs kiss.*
I could really keep gushing about every character and how well written they are, but I think that'd make this review essay length. Instead, I'm going to gush about how the tone just works so well for these. One of my main complaints I've had for other "cozy" books I've read is that the stakes feel very small or artificial. It's hard to make a story that's super warm and feel good while also putting characters in terrible danger. Shaw threads this needle absolutely wonderfully.
I think my only complaint would be that the Phantom of the Opera stuff was kinda weird and a bit out of place. Otherwise, absolutely no notes, and I wish I could breed hair monsters on country estate with my vampire boyfriend.
I am absolutely in love with this series. I firmly believe that Shaw's biggest strength as a writer comes from her ability to write characters. Every one of them has such life and personality and even the ones you don't like as much (Corvin you motherfucker). Greta seems to have more character herself in this sequel and I really enjoyed how she takes charge of the shitty situation she finds herself in and manages to escape it.
As awful as they are, Corvin and his coven are absolutely wonderful villains. Shaw achieves the very difficult task of making fun antagonists that I was also chomping at the bit to see get their comeuppance. Also, fantastic work in making me feel bad for the train wreck that was Lillith.
My biggest complaint about the last book was fixed as well! Varney is a much stronger character this go around, and I can actually understand why he and Greta gravitate towards one another. Also, lord in mercy Varney on the airplane was hysterical. The fact that he ends the story as a humble monster sanctuary owner is just *chefs kiss.*
I could really keep gushing about every character and how well written they are, but I think that'd make this review essay length. Instead, I'm going to gush about how the tone just works so well for these. One of my main complaints I've had for other "cozy" books I've read is that the stakes feel very small or artificial. It's hard to make a story that's super warm and feel good while also putting characters in terrible danger. Shaw threads this needle absolutely wonderfully.
I think my only complaint would be that the Phantom of the Opera stuff was kinda weird and a bit out of place. Otherwise, absolutely no notes, and I wish I could breed hair monsters on country estate with my vampire boyfriend.