Reviews

Lily by Daniel Barnett

badseedgirl's review against another edition

5.0

Although this book was almost twice as long as the first 5 books in the series, I could not stop reading it. I had the honor of being in a discussion group with Mr. Daniel Barnett, and he had told us right along that there would be resolution to many, but not all, the questions raised by the first book. And he came through in (almost) the most painful and devastating way possible. Well done and i will be looking forward to the next books in the series.

theliteraryapothecary's review against another edition

5.0

Lily is the 6th and most recent installment of the Nightmareland Chronicles by Daniel Barnett. Honestly, I don't even know where to begin with this review - in the best way possible. But I want to get all my thoughts (and especially feelings) down before they leave my head, so here we go. ... This book was haunting, beautiful, heartbreaking, and yet - somehow in an unbelievable and yet in a "there is still light at the end of the tunnel" way hopeful. Because "all the best stories have hope" (143). 

I finished reading Lily this morning, and just sat in my reading chair staring at the wall, crying, and was utterly speechless - no words that came to my mind were adequate to cover how I felt at that moment. Initial rating - this has to be 5 stars! 

CAWPILE Breakdown: 

Characters: 10 - We get everything from these characters and then some. These characters have made me feel emotions that I didn't know I could feel while reading a horror book. I laughed and smiled with them; I feared for and with them; I had hope for them; I breathed for them; and I cried and grieved for them. 

Atmosphere/Setting: 8.5 - When we were at the cabin, the atmosphere and setting was top knotch. On the road, not quite as well but still really good. 

Writing Style: 9.5 - Barnett's writing always surprised me. I did not expect to grieve for certain characters. I didn't expect to cry as much. While there were a few grammatical type errors, it was just written so well that they didn't really matter to me. (My editor brain just couldn't not see them, but I moved on quickly). 

Plot: 8.5 - Barnett's choice of balancing between John and gang and the Flashlighters helped to expand the plot to something more than just a post-apocalyptic road story. It's so much more than that. 

Intrigue: 10 - Again, by switching between POVs, Barnett controls, continues, and increases the intrigue dramatically. These characters and this world are so dynamic and unpredictable that you never know what will happen and to who and by who. Anyone looking to learn how to write intrigue should read the Nightmareland Chronicles series. 

Logic/Relationships: 9.5 - The development of relationships in Lily is mindblowing. On just about every level, relationships developed and it was just so beautiful to read. As far as logic, well, as I've said before everything made sense, even when it shouldn't have. 

Enjoyment: 10 - This book opened my eyes to a whole new way of writing and reading horror. It is SO MUCH more than just a horror book. Sometimes the most terrifying things in life aren't the nightmares imagined in our sleep, but the real life terrors whle we're wide awake. Barnett explored that idea in Lily - and Nightmareland Chronicles - in a way that felt so real. I was there with the characters: feeling their fear, pain, loss, grief, love and hope. Lily gave me so much more than I could ever expect and I can't wait to see where Barnett takes the 2nd half ot this series. 

CAWPILE Total = 66/7 = 9.4 = 5 stars 

ghostthereader's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

storyphoria's review against another edition

5.0

What Barnett has done with the Nightmareland Chronicles is nothing short of beautiful and heartbreaking. Yes, it’s a horror series. Sure, there are actual monsters and nightmares and even a demon. But at it’s core this is a horror story and series built upon the fact that the worst monsters are what lies buried in the hearts of man. And “Lily” takes that to the next level and leaves you feeling breathless, crushed, and heartbroken all while also leaving you wanting more.

If you’ve read through the series you’ll likely be nursing a book hangover, the best book hangover - the kind you get from enjoying a book(series) that is SO enjoyable that everything you think about reading next pales in comparison to what you just finished… at least in your mind… because Lily gives us a damn near PERFECT ending to a damn near PERFECT series.

To see more of my thoughts on this book you'll have to check the review at:
https://storyphoria.substack.com/

probably_reading_right_now's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

4.0

The very last book in the series! This series never fails to deliver a good storyline in each of its books. This is one of my new favorite dystopian series. Daniel Barnett is so good at making each book its own, but also interconnecting each one with the others. You really get attached to each character and it’s one of those where I don’t know what to do afterwards. This one definitely sticks with you after you finish. 

skyfox24kd's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.0

roxiethebookslayer's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

5.0

That ending will never be forgotten.

Full rtc

czarmorte's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

4.5

Read for the 2022 POPSUGAR challenge #1. A book published in 2022 
This series is deeply challenging to read, very hard emotionally but it really drags you in. 

wrbuttrum's review

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

4.5

iremaltun's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.5