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sil_the_lobster's review against another edition
I haven't finished this one... not because I don't like Gatiss' writing or because I didn't like the plot or the protag per se. I immensely enjoyed reading the first book. For some reason, I couldn't get into this one and put it aside for the time being. I will definitely return and finish it then, if only to treat myself to the beautifully carved sentences.
mindfulmagpie's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It's a silly period romp involving 1920s dandies and satanism. not really my cup of tea but a quick read
kerry2046's review against another edition
5.0
Just as good as the first, in some areas better. this had an emotional kick to it that i felt more relation to than in the first book
jasmiinaf's review against another edition
4.0
All the mystery novels I read seem to be really serious so it's nice to read something from Mark Gatiss who has such a funny way to write. For me this wasn't as good as the first volume but it was almost as good. Too many betrayals maybe? But it's interesting to read a mystery novel whose main character is bi. That happens rarely.
oldenglishrose's review against another edition
2.0
I was hugely disappointed with this book. I enjoyed its predecessor 'The Vesuvius Club' so much that I raced through it in a day and went straight onto the second in the series. Unfortunately it suffers by comparison. A lot.
What made the first book such a good read was the dry humour of the narrative style and the characterisation of the delightfully bad Lucifer Box, but both of these key features were decidedly patchy in 'The Devil in Amber'. It has moments of brilliance (who could fail to be drawn in by the fantastic opening line, 'He was an American, so it seemed only fair to shoot him'?) but these are well-hidden among standard dross. Mark Gatiss seems to do a lot more telling the reader what was happening than letting us see it coloured through Lucifer's disdainful perspective. It was like reading a book written to be made into a film rather than read and appreciated as a novel. It remains a fun read, but I sincerely hope that the third installment lives up to the standards of the first book and not the second.
What made the first book such a good read was the dry humour of the narrative style and the characterisation of the delightfully bad Lucifer Box, but both of these key features were decidedly patchy in 'The Devil in Amber'. It has moments of brilliance (who could fail to be drawn in by the fantastic opening line, 'He was an American, so it seemed only fair to shoot him'?) but these are well-hidden among standard dross. Mark Gatiss seems to do a lot more telling the reader what was happening than letting us see it coloured through Lucifer's disdainful perspective. It was like reading a book written to be made into a film rather than read and appreciated as a novel. It remains a fun read, but I sincerely hope that the third installment lives up to the standards of the first book and not the second.
ggrhodes03's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty meh... the plot was there but didn’t keep me wanting more, all in all okay but not anything I’m dying to read again.
lilami's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
whippycleric's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was really a lot of fun to read. An old school style spy novel, with occult plotlines, and a loveable main character. I was surprised throughout the book and found I had a smile on my face most of the time. It's not life changing literature but well written and highly entertaining. I'll find some more in the series to read, as I haven't read the first.
joolsg14's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rosekk's review against another edition
4.0
Great fun, and a really easy read. Lucifer Box is a likable scoundrel, and the plot, while not especially inventive, showed him off well. I may have togo back and read number one now, having purchased the books without realising it was the second in a series.