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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
Unbury Carol, I never thought I would enjoy this book. But, it surprised me and I loved it. I never believed I would enjoy something so much because it was written in past old west.
[a:Josh Malerman|7271073|Josh Malerman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1406934112p2/7271073.jpg] he surprised me. He is such a good writer, he took me into the past and carried me to the end. I enjoyed myself the entire time.
[a:Josh Malerman|7271073|Josh Malerman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1406934112p2/7271073.jpg] he surprised me. He is such a good writer, he took me into the past and carried me to the end. I enjoyed myself the entire time.
Unbury Carol is a bizarre book. Period. In the copy of the novel I received, there was a letter from the editorial director of Del Rey Books discussing how Josh Malerman's originality is rewriting the rules of the genre, and that this particular novel is entirely unique. I don't think I could have said it better. This book doesn't really fit into any one genre, other than fiction, and that's just where the weirdness begins.
I loved Josh Malerman's The Bird Box, so when I saw that he had another novel coming out that was Western-themed, I was super excited to get my hands on it. Despite this story being completely different, there are a few traits the two novels share.
For one, this book has the excellent lack-of-information similar to The Bird Box. I love having little information when weird things or people are involved, because it makes everything that much creepier. This novel also has a very sinister character that is lurking behind the scenes throughout most of the story that leaves you feeling a tad-bit unsettled.
Other things I liked about Unbury Carol:
1. The story is told through many of the character's perspectives, and as such, a lot happens in the span of two days. This also aids in the creepy feeling you get when reading this book, as you will be privy to the deepest thoughts of some vile characters.
2. The novel follows the timeline of an outlaw traveling on the Trail. Each stop he takes is another chapter, and is another pause with his story that we can check on the other characters along the Trail to see how their plot line is resolving. I particularly enjoyed that there is almost a picaresque style to the story of James Moxie, one of our main characters and the "hero" of the story. Each time he stops at one of the Trails there is a micro-story.
3. I adore the plot overall. I mean, this is a book that I picked up purely because of the synopsis, and it did not disappoint in that regard.
Final thoughts:
Overall, I enjoyed this book! I would definitely recommend if the synopsis appeals to you, and you don't mind a little literary fiction/magical realism in your books.
I loved Josh Malerman's The Bird Box, so when I saw that he had another novel coming out that was Western-themed, I was super excited to get my hands on it. Despite this story being completely different, there are a few traits the two novels share.
For one, this book has the excellent lack-of-information similar to The Bird Box. I love having little information when weird things or people are involved, because it makes everything that much creepier. This novel also has a very sinister character that is lurking behind the scenes throughout most of the story that leaves you feeling a tad-bit unsettled.
Other things I liked about Unbury Carol:
1. The story is told through many of the character's perspectives, and as such, a lot happens in the span of two days. This also aids in the creepy feeling you get when reading this book, as you will be privy to the deepest thoughts of some vile characters.
2. The novel follows the timeline of an outlaw traveling on the Trail. Each stop he takes is another chapter, and is another pause with his story that we can check on the other characters along the Trail to see how their plot line is resolving. I particularly enjoyed that there is almost a picaresque style to the story of James Moxie, one of our main characters and the "hero" of the story. Each time he stops at one of the Trails there is a micro-story.
3. I adore the plot overall. I mean, this is a book that I picked up purely because of the synopsis, and it did not disappoint in that regard.
Final thoughts:
Overall, I enjoyed this book! I would definitely recommend if the synopsis appeals to you, and you don't mind a little literary fiction/magical realism in your books.
Ugh I hated this book. I didn't realize it was a Western when I started it, which is a genre I don't normally enjoy, but I stuck with it because I loved Bird Box so much. This book was a lot of Carol trying to wake herself up from her coma.
It's weird that the 3rd genre listed on the main page is fantasy. Carol has a real life medical condition. I guess some of the side characters did some weird stuff, but nothing seemed fantastical to me. Then again, I was so bored while listening to this that I might have just missed it.
It's weird that the 3rd genre listed on the main page is fantasy. Carol has a real life medical condition. I guess some of the side characters did some weird stuff, but nothing seemed fantastical to me. Then again, I was so bored while listening to this that I might have just missed it.
This might be a 3.5 or a 4 stars, but I rounded up based on just reading the author’s other work, Goblin, which was a solid 3 stars for me (great concept, but better as an idea than as the actual product of a novel built of novellas). Unbury Carol was more interesting and engaging for me, and the world-building and concept of this Weird West tale set in an indeterminate time or place other than along the storied “Trail” that many characters travel along or refer to throughout the book was cool as well. I liked the story, liked the characters, but I’m just not sure how much so. I’m still thinking about it, though, the day after I finished it which is another reason to trend towards 3.5 or 4 stars overall. It was a good story, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a good Weird West tale. It definitely surprised me.
no ❤️
this honestly, to me, had no emotional depth and i suppose, that's my fault for searching for it in such a novel but because of this lack, the entire story just felt too much of a fairytale to me. usually, disobedient fairytales like this one hold a sense of ugliness to reality like the greed of dwight evers but the ending??? you cannot simply market ur book as a thriller and then, move forward to give me a half-assed romance plot line just with him making the attempt to rescue her.
the ending was truly sub-par and anti-climatic honestly. it was resolved with too much ease for 90% of the book to have revolved around smoke closing in on moxie, how ruthless smoke was and how ambiguous the people of the town were getting to truly come close to the truth.
ALSO, lack of suspense and character development. from my own personal experience with reading this novel, i expected some kind of triumph emotionally but unfortunately, all the victories were physical, like the itty bitty chapter just to list carol's success of turning over. there was no proper self-forgiving on moxie's part about having left carol. there was no self-realisation or self-destruction on dwight's part for his chronic insecurity.
there are passable elements to this story such as the depiction of hopelessness, death and guilt as a personified character which i cant entirely say was well-done but was definitely an interesting and original idea.
gosh, i was recommended this but?????? i am utterly disappointed.
this honestly, to me, had no emotional depth and i suppose, that's my fault for searching for it in such a novel but because of this lack, the entire story just felt too much of a fairytale to me. usually, disobedient fairytales like this one hold a sense of ugliness to reality like the greed of dwight evers but the ending??? you cannot simply market ur book as a thriller and then, move forward to give me a half-assed romance plot line just with him making the attempt to rescue her.
the ending was truly sub-par and anti-climatic honestly. it was resolved with too much ease for 90% of the book to have revolved around smoke closing in on moxie, how ruthless smoke was and how ambiguous the people of the town were getting to truly come close to the truth.
ALSO, lack of suspense and character development. from my own personal experience with reading this novel, i expected some kind of triumph emotionally but unfortunately, all the victories were physical, like the itty bitty chapter just to list carol's success of turning over. there was no proper self-forgiving on moxie's part about having left carol. there was no self-realisation or self-destruction on dwight's part for his chronic insecurity.
there are passable elements to this story such as the depiction of hopelessness, death and guilt as a personified character which i cant entirely say was well-done but was definitely an interesting and original idea.
gosh, i was recommended this but?????? i am utterly disappointed.
Maybe my hopes were too high since Birdbox is one of my favorite books of all time, but this book just okay. It was a really unique premise so I enjoyed that.
A western/fantasy retelling of Sleeping Beauty is the best way to describe Unbury Carol. It's a departure from Bird Box but I really enjoyed this story. The interesting characters and world Malerman created are unique and entertaining.
3.5 ⭐ First of all, this is a genre bending book. It can't really be contained in one category. It's horror/fantasy/paranormal/western all rolled into one. With that said, I'm sure if you are a fan of Westerns, you'll LOVE this book even more. That's the part I had a hard time getting into; the backstory of the outlaws on The Trail.
I LOVED Carol's point of view as well as the other people in Harrows. I wanted more Howltown, more Carol, I even wanted a little more of the jerk, Dwight. Malerman did write an excellent cast of characters though. Carol was the star to me but there are great supporting characters throughout. I really appreciated that the small town sheriff, funeral director and Carol's employee Farrah were proactive and SMART.
If you loved Bird Box, try Unbury Carol. Even though they're very different, they offer a unique twist on what a lot of people fear.
I LOVED Carol's point of view as well as the other people in Harrows. I wanted more Howltown, more Carol, I even wanted a little more of the jerk, Dwight. Malerman did write an excellent cast of characters though. Carol was the star to me but there are great supporting characters throughout. I really appreciated that the small town sheriff, funeral director and Carol's employee Farrah were proactive and SMART.
If you loved Bird Box, try Unbury Carol. Even though they're very different, they offer a unique twist on what a lot of people fear.
Can't imagine what possessed me to read this book. So not my thing. Ugh.
It appears relentlessly repeating “hell’s heaven” is a prerequisite for living in this town.