A review by biblio_kel
Creature of Lake Shadow by Michael R. Cole
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This book was decent enough entertainment until the final few chapters when the author decided to take a really bizarre approach to the story that just felt ridiculously contrived and unnecessary.
Basically, a group of bank robbers hide out at a cabin and end up becoming prey to a killer creature.
I didn't like ANY of the characters. The main cop character was probably the least offensive character, which is really saying something.
You're meant to like the main male protagonist because he is a veteran who, get this, doesn't approve of domestic abuse or sexual assault.
That is literally the sum total of his character. Sure, it means I don't dislike him as much as the abusive arsehole character or the characters that turn a blindeye but that, alone, a likeable protagonist doth not make.
There's a lot I didn't like about this book but the fact that it isn't about a lake monster really annoyed me. Between the title and the cover, how is this not implying a lake monster? WHERE'S MY LAKE MONSTER, MR COLE???
Alright, now that's out of my system, I'm about to spoil the heck out of the ending, so look away now if you intend to read this.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
content warning: sexual assault
.
.
.
.
.
Now, get this, the female protagonist has white hair and the creature's dead companion has white lines on its face, therefore, clearly, the insectoid alien must want to HAVE SEX WITH HER!
Are you kidding me?!?! That's literally all it takes to make the character, and author, assume that the insectoid alien from out of space clearly wants to get down with some human female mating action.
The male protagonist, not knowing about this white hair connection, enters a cave to see the insectiod alien standing menacingly over the female protagonist and, despite all the people this creature has already killed, immediately assumes it wants to have sex with her, shouting such quality dialogue as "No means no, jerkoff!"
Ugh.
It was actually an okay read until the author decided to add an alien rape subplot at the end for literally NO REASON!
Basically, a group of bank robbers hide out at a cabin and end up becoming prey to a killer creature.
I didn't like ANY of the characters. The main cop character was probably the least offensive character, which is really saying something.
You're meant to like the main male protagonist because he is a veteran who, get this, doesn't approve of domestic abuse or sexual assault.
That is literally the sum total of his character. Sure, it means I don't dislike him as much as the abusive arsehole character or the characters that turn a blindeye but that, alone, a likeable protagonist doth not make.
There's a lot I didn't like about this book but the fact that it isn't about a lake monster really annoyed me. Between the title and the cover, how is this not implying a lake monster? WHERE'S MY LAKE MONSTER, MR COLE???
Alright, now that's out of my system, I'm about to spoil the heck out of the ending, so look away now if you intend to read this.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
content warning: sexual assault
.
.
.
.
.
Now, get this, the female protagonist has white hair and the creature's dead companion has white lines on its face, therefore, clearly, the insectoid alien must want to HAVE SEX WITH HER!
Are you kidding me?!?! That's literally all it takes to make the character, and author, assume that the insectoid alien from out of space clearly wants to get down with some human female mating action.
The male protagonist, not knowing about this white hair connection, enters a cave to see the insectiod alien standing menacingly over the female protagonist and, despite all the people this creature has already killed, immediately assumes it wants to have sex with her, shouting such quality dialogue as "No means no, jerkoff!"
Ugh.
It was actually an okay read until the author decided to add an alien rape subplot at the end for literally NO REASON!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment