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backshelfbooks's review
2.0
I think the fact that I didn't enjoy this book is purely my fault. I read a decent amount of horror and dark fiction, but this book was just too gruesome for me. I thought the concept was fascinating and that it was well-written, but it went a little too far for me on the cannibalism descriptions for me to actually enjoy. I think it's a very polarizing book, and that others might be fine with the detailed descriptions. If the plot sounds interesting to you and you have a tough stomach for reading these descriptions, go for it. If not, maybe skip this one.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
annieb123's review
3.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Gobblin' Society is a new novella in the Langdon St. Ives series (Narbondo) written by James P. Blaylock. Released March 2020 by Subterranean Press, it's 176 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is a very well written short novel/novella (I couldn't find a word count, but it's something of a hybrid between the two forms). The author is popular and talented and this book is full of his atmospheric storytelling. The book starts with a graphic depiction of epicurean cannibalism (a la Hannibal Lecter) which continues more or less unabated for the next 150 pages. For previous fans of the series, this entry (whilst more grisly) is much the same. For hardcore fans of horror, this might be a good choice. It works well enough as a standalone for new readers.
I would call this straight Gothic horror. I didn't find much in the way of humor in this installment and found it hard going. The author is undeniably very talented, but the graphic horror aspect was a bit too graphic and horrifying to sit very well with me, however well written.
Three stars for me, more for hardcore fans.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Gobblin' Society is a new novella in the Langdon St. Ives series (Narbondo) written by James P. Blaylock. Released March 2020 by Subterranean Press, it's 176 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is a very well written short novel/novella (I couldn't find a word count, but it's something of a hybrid between the two forms). The author is popular and talented and this book is full of his atmospheric storytelling. The book starts with a graphic depiction of epicurean cannibalism (a la Hannibal Lecter) which continues more or less unabated for the next 150 pages. For previous fans of the series, this entry (whilst more grisly) is much the same. For hardcore fans of horror, this might be a good choice. It works well enough as a standalone for new readers.
I would call this straight Gothic horror. I didn't find much in the way of humor in this installment and found it hard going. The author is undeniably very talented, but the graphic horror aspect was a bit too graphic and horrifying to sit very well with me, however well written.
Three stars for me, more for hardcore fans.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
onsafari's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Cannibalism, and Suicide attempt
vsbedford's review
3.0
A good, if slightly gross, time - there's no need to overthink the atmosphere of the novella, we know what we signed up for with that cover and the St. Ives series a a whole. I wasn't really swept up in this one, and I think that's my issue as the graphicness just didn't do me a solid, in this instance and with this particular storyline. I'll continue with the St. Ives series but I don't think this is one of my faves.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
wanderonwards's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for sending me a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Gobblin’ Society was a disappointing read for me, primarily since I felt the synopsis (at the time of this review) was misleading. As the eleventh addition to Blaylock’s Narbondo series, the author is talented at creating atmosphere with his prose and, for those interested, it can be read as a standalone.
However, I did not find this novella to be “often quite funny” or a “thorough delight to read” primarily because of the gruesome descriptions of cannibalism with little to no humor to balance the story. I thought I had thoroughly researched the previous books in this series before requesting this novella from NetGalley, but apparently the ‘off-screen’ violence mentioned in other reviews was not carried through to this tale.
Although I did not enjoy this novella, thank you again to NetGalley and Subterranean for the privilege of reviewing an ARC.
The Gobblin’ Society was a disappointing read for me, primarily since I felt the synopsis (at the time of this review) was misleading. As the eleventh addition to Blaylock’s Narbondo series, the author is talented at creating atmosphere with his prose and, for those interested, it can be read as a standalone.
However, I did not find this novella to be “often quite funny” or a “thorough delight to read” primarily because of the gruesome descriptions of cannibalism with little to no humor to balance the story. I thought I had thoroughly researched the previous books in this series before requesting this novella from NetGalley, but apparently the ‘off-screen’ violence mentioned in other reviews was not carried through to this tale.
Although I did not enjoy this novella, thank you again to NetGalley and Subterranean for the privilege of reviewing an ARC.
pvn's review against another edition
3.0
This was OK. I'm not into zombies or gruesome stories, and this has elements of both. But if that's your thing, then this is for you. Although uneven at times, the author's talent shows thru as does his imagination. This is my first book by this author.
Thanks very much for ARC for review!!
Thanks very much for ARC for review!!
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