Reviews

The Marigold by Andrew F. Sullivan

spellvexit7's review

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? No

2.75

rissapappas's review against another edition

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5.0

Right up my alley. Horror and sci-fi and fungus. Nature trying to reclaim itself from the iron will of industrial capitalism. A big, big story. Many characters, all of them interesting. The writing doesn't get in the way of the story in the slightest. At no point did I notice it, and therefore it is perfect. This book has many things to say, spoken convincingly through characters who feel like they certainly exist. This is a book in which all the elements are in perfect balance. It's a rare feat to knock the ball out of the park like this. Gurgling, disturbing perfection.

shadestate's review

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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 whole book was just one-tone tragedy porn. And not even interesting tragedy porn. Very straight basic tragedy porn. If you're going to give so many different POVs, at least try to give them some other voice than your own droning malaise. 

I enjoyed the first half. But the second half, oh my gods. What a shame. The concept was great, the execution, eh. 

threecatmoon's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

bush42's review

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dark funny sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

conflicted on this one. lots to like - the fungal mystery, violent anger against corpos and the gig economy and our dying world. but all the POVs have the same distant noirish voice which gets exhausting as the book just keeps getting bleaker. it felt like all cynicism no love. i dunno. coming off vandermeer who does eco horror with so much empathy for his weirdo characters makes this one compare unfavorably.

kateofmind's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

sharkiereads's review

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slow-paced

1.0

This was not good. There was no plot, too many POVs, and literally nothing entertaining. I couldn't learn to care for anyone because they're POV was broken up by 10 other POV, and half of those never came back into significance. 

Can't believe I finished it, it was so close to be a DNF. 

dikestrike's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kay_west_reads's review against another edition

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5.0

Favourite book of 2023!

This book is perfect for readers who love Emily St. John Mandel and Guillermo del Toro. The prose are beautiful on a backdrop of grotesque horror. I can not say enough good things about this book other than read it. Especially if you currently, or ever lived in Toronto, there is another layer of magic to it.

The book follows many different people who all live and work in Toronto, as a black mold slowly starts to take over the city's buildings. The characters are fascinating to follow as they navigate a city in chaos. Slowly we start to see connections between the people, places and information as the mold continues to grow and change. There is no third act lag which you usually find with atmospheric books like this - which is a gift itself.

One of my favourite quotes, "A true human scream behind them finally, then a guttural shuddering sound, like a new god being born from an old would reopened, pulled out in one piece and set free in these capillary tunnels, the stream of the city itself."

Also there's a racoon that keeps showing up through the book. which was honestly one of my favourite parts to read.

Although I received this book from NetGalley and ECW Press (thank you!), I'll be purchasing this book when it's out and gifting it to all the twisted beautiful souls I know.

This book is best read on public transportation, while wearing a mask and occasionally making direct eye contact with racoons.

kaylee2222's review

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challenging dark reflective tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5