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klparmley's review against another edition
3.0
This is my least favorite thing Kadrey has written. It's not awful, but I don't like knowing where the story is going to end up when I'm only a third of the way into the book and this one telegraphed all the way.
I was actually relieved for it to be over.
I was actually relieved for it to be over.
hoxma's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
A fun little take on ghost/afterlife genre. There were some things I found a little strange or unexplained but nothing that ruined my enjoyment of the book. Wish the record store stuff lasted a little longer and had a little more detail to it.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first novel I've read from Richard Kadrey that hasn't been part of his amazing SANDMAN SLIM series. I adore those books and was looking forward to seeing his take on a psychological story. It's not badly written, but I didn't love it. The visuals were creepy and unexpected, which I loved, and the character development was really good, but I felt the story moved a little too quickly and not everything was described in the detail I wanted. The villain came in far too late, and though she was a teenager and the story had to progress somehow, Zoe made some astoundingly poor choices. It didn't feel like the Richard Kadrey novels I'm familiar with, and sadly I thought it was a little bland. Still, the dream sequences and her travels to another realm were wickedly described, and I could recommend it to someone looking for a casual, quick read.
danieyoop's review against another edition
1.0
I never fell in love with Zoe as she never really seemed to actually do anything. Even in the end all she did was stumble upon salvation, almost literally. There is nothing in this story that makes me wish it wasn't over. For YA stuff I will stick to the familiar while waiting patiently for my favorite Sandman.
bmg20's review
4.0
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
I received this book free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
“Most people, even the ones we hold dear, are seldom what we think.”
Zoe is struggling to cope with the recent devastation of her father’s death. He left Zoe and her mother destitute and the two were forced to move into a small, dingy apartment to make ends meet. Zoe and her father both shared a love of music, of punk music, and when she stumbles upon a record store one day to browse the stacks she uncovers far more than she could have ever expected. The old records contain far more than classic music; they contain the contents of a persons very soul including Zoe’s father.
The most interesting aspect for me about Dead Set was the Egyptian lore that was incorporated into the story. Zoe travels to the underworld in order to see her father and they have a wonderful time together yet she doesn’t realize until after that she was only shown this peaceful place by her father in hopes that she would leave and never return. When she comes back and witnesses the horror of what truly goes on, Zoe refuses to leave her father in this hellish place. Queen Hecate is the moon-goddess that rules this nightmarish underworld, a place called Iphigene. Her children, enormous black dogs and black cobras, feed on the people forced to reside there. Iphigene is a terrifying and fearsome place when you consider these people are forced to remain there for all eternity.
Zoe’s character was troubled yet she remained spirited and was a fantastic main character. Her father’s death left her more devastated than we get to witness first-hand with the only reference being a rubber band she keeps on her wrist that she snaps as a reminder not to cut herself. At this point in the story she’s been able to overcome the damage she inflicts upon herself but while her wounds aren’t as deep they’re still not fully healed. Presented with this situation that her father is in she seeks to help him in anyway she can so as to assuage her own suffering.
Dead Set is an extremely violent and horrifying tale but was immensely entertaining. This is Kadrey’s first YA novel and my first read by him. His Sandman Slim series is widely touted and is definitely being added to my to be read pile.
I received this book free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
“Most people, even the ones we hold dear, are seldom what we think.”
Zoe is struggling to cope with the recent devastation of her father’s death. He left Zoe and her mother destitute and the two were forced to move into a small, dingy apartment to make ends meet. Zoe and her father both shared a love of music, of punk music, and when she stumbles upon a record store one day to browse the stacks she uncovers far more than she could have ever expected. The old records contain far more than classic music; they contain the contents of a persons very soul including Zoe’s father.
The most interesting aspect for me about Dead Set was the Egyptian lore that was incorporated into the story. Zoe travels to the underworld in order to see her father and they have a wonderful time together yet she doesn’t realize until after that she was only shown this peaceful place by her father in hopes that she would leave and never return. When she comes back and witnesses the horror of what truly goes on, Zoe refuses to leave her father in this hellish place. Queen Hecate is the moon-goddess that rules this nightmarish underworld, a place called Iphigene. Her children, enormous black dogs and black cobras, feed on the people forced to reside there. Iphigene is a terrifying and fearsome place when you consider these people are forced to remain there for all eternity.
Zoe’s character was troubled yet she remained spirited and was a fantastic main character. Her father’s death left her more devastated than we get to witness first-hand with the only reference being a rubber band she keeps on her wrist that she snaps as a reminder not to cut herself. At this point in the story she’s been able to overcome the damage she inflicts upon herself but while her wounds aren’t as deep they’re still not fully healed. Presented with this situation that her father is in she seeks to help him in anyway she can so as to assuage her own suffering.
Dead Set is an extremely violent and horrifying tale but was immensely entertaining. This is Kadrey’s first YA novel and my first read by him. His Sandman Slim series is widely touted and is definitely being added to my to be read pile.
whichthreewords's review
2.0
Didn't really grab me -- bit too YA and a bit clunky as well as quite predictable. But reasonable enough as YA goes.
sunshinethief's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
There is nothing glaringly wrong with this book or writing style, however, I was not a huge fan. I don't think I was the target audience for this read
tinybookwyrm's review
3.0
I enjoyed it but it was lacking something. I feel like there should have been more depth, he could've done so much with that plot.
archergal's review
3.0
Teen-age angst meets the underworld.
Intrepid teen Zoe is still grieving the loss of her father. She discovers a strange record store that seems to have recordings of peoples' lives, including her father's life - recordings that she can experience. But nothing comes without a price. To help her father, Zoe has to brave the Iphigene, the way station for souls. But Iphigene also has a dark secret. Zoe has to draw on courage and strength she didn't know she had.
A pretty decent getting-over-grief/growing up/battling an underworld goddess novel.
I listened to it pretty much straight through while knitting one afternoon. It's a bit YA, which isn't my usual thing, but it was straightforward and decent.
Intrepid teen Zoe is still grieving the loss of her father. She discovers a strange record store that seems to have recordings of peoples' lives, including her father's life - recordings that she can experience. But nothing comes without a price. To help her father, Zoe has to brave the Iphigene, the way station for souls. But Iphigene also has a dark secret. Zoe has to draw on courage and strength she didn't know she had.
A pretty decent getting-over-grief/growing up/battling an underworld goddess novel.
I listened to it pretty much straight through while knitting one afternoon. It's a bit YA, which isn't my usual thing, but it was straightforward and decent.